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Kim J, Maharjan R, Park J. Current Trends and Innovative Approaches in Cancer Immunotherapy. AAPS PharmSciTech 2024; 25:168. [PMID: 39044047 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-024-02883-x] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is one of the most promising therapeutic approaches in the field of cancer treatment. As a tumor progresses, tumor cells employ an array of immune-regulatory mechanisms to suppress immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Using our understanding of these mechanisms, cancer immunotherapy has been developed to enhance the immune system's effectiveness in treating cancer. Numerous cancer immunotherapies are currently in clinical use, yet many others are either in different stages of development or undergoing clinical studies. In this paper, we briefly discuss the features and current status of cancer immunotherapies. This includes the application of monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy, cytokine therapy, cancer vaccines, and gene therapy, all of which have gained significant recognition in clinical practice. Additionally, we discuss limitations that may hinder successful clinical utilization and promising strategies, such as combining immunotherapy with nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaechang Kim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Ruby Maharjan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Jonghyuck Park
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA.
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
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Smok-Kalwat J, Mertowska P, Mertowski S, Góźdź S, Korona-Głowniak I, Kwaśniewski W, Grywalska E. Analysis of Selected Toll-like Receptors in the Pathogenesis and Advancement of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2793. [PMID: 38792335 PMCID: PMC11122486 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13102793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a significant global health challenge, contributing to numerous cancer deaths. Despite advances in diagnostics and therapy, identifying reliable biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic stratification remains difficult. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), crucial for innate immunity, now show potential as contributors to cancer development and progression. This study aims to investigate the role of TLR expression as potential biomarkers in the development and progression of NSCLC. (2) Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 89 patients diagnosed with NSCLC and 40 healthy volunteers, for whom the prevalence of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 was assessed on selected subpopulations of T and B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of recruited patients along with the assessment of their serum concentration. (3) Result: Our study showed several significant changes in NSCLC patients at the beginning of the study. This resulted in a 5-year follow-up of changes in selected TLRs in recruited patients. Due to the high mortality rate of NSCLC patients, only 16 patients survived the 5 years. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that TLRs may constitute real biomarker molecules that may be used for future prognostic purposes in NSCLC. However, further validation through prospective clinical and functional studies is necessary to confirm their clinical utility. These conclusions may lead to better risk stratification and tailored interventions, benefiting NSCLC patients and bringing medicine closer to precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanta Smok-Kalwat
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Holy Cross Cancer Centre, 3 Artwinskiego Street, 25-734 Kielce, Poland; (J.S.-K.); (S.G.)
| | - Paulina Mertowska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 4a Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (S.M.); (E.G.)
| | - Sebastian Mertowski
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 4a Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (S.M.); (E.G.)
| | - Stanisław Góźdź
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Holy Cross Cancer Centre, 3 Artwinskiego Street, 25-734 Kielce, Poland; (J.S.-K.); (S.G.)
- Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, IX Wieków Kielc 19A, 25-317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Izabela Korona-Głowniak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Wojciech Kwaśniewski
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 16 Street, 20-081 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Ewelina Grywalska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 4a Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (S.M.); (E.G.)
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Bruss C, Albert V, Seitz S, Blaimer S, Kellner K, Pohl F, Ortmann O, Brockhoff G, Wege AK. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy in ER +, HER2 +, and triple-negative -specific breast cancer based humanized tumor mice enhances anti-PD-L1 treatment efficacy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1355130. [PMID: 38742103 PMCID: PMC11089195 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1355130] [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: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Pre-operative radiation therapy is not currently integrated into the treatment protocols for breast cancer. However, transforming immunological "cold" breast cancers by neoadjuvant irradiation into their "hot" variants is supposed to elicit an endogenous tumor immune defense and, thus, enhance immunotherapy efficiency. We investigated cellular and immunological effects of sub-lethal, neoadjuvant irradiation of ER pos., HER2 pos., and triple-negative breast cancer subtypes in-vitro and in-vivo in humanized tumor mice (HTM). This mouse model is characterized by a human-like immune system and therefore facilitates detailed analysis of the mechanisms and efficiency of neoadjuvant, irradiation-induced "in-situ vaccination", especially in the context of concurrently applied checkpoint therapy. Similar to clinical appearances, we observed a gradually increased immunogenicity from the luminal over the HER2-pos. to the triple negative subtype in HTM indicated by an increasing immune cell infiltration into the tumor tissue. Anti-PD-L1 therapy divided the HER2-pos. and triple negative HTM groups into responder and non-responder, while the luminal HTMs were basically irresponsive. Irradiation alone was effective in the HER2-pos. and luminal subtype-specific HTM and was supportive for overcoming irresponsiveness to single anti-PD-L1 treatment. The treatment success correlated with a significantly increased T cell proportion and PD-1 expression in the spleen. In all subtype-specific HTM combination therapy proved most effective in diminishing tumor growth, enhancing the immune response, and converted non-responder into responder during anti-PD-L1 therapy. In HTM, neoadjuvant irradiation reinforced anti-PD-L1 checkpoint treatment of breast cancer in a subtype -specific manner. According to the "bench to bedside" principle, this study offers a vital foundation for clinical translating the use of neoadjuvant irradiation in the context of checkpoint therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Bruss
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Veruschka Albert
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Seitz
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Blaimer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Kellner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Pohl
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Olaf Ortmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gero Brockhoff
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anja K. Wege
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Regensburg, Germany
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Ahmed J, Das B, Shin S, Chen A. Challenges and Future Directions in the Management of Tumor Mutational Burden-High (TMB-H) Advanced Solid Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5841. [PMID: 38136385 PMCID: PMC10741991 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245841] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A standardized assessment of Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) poses challenges across diverse tumor histologies, treatment modalities, and testing platforms, requiring careful consideration to ensure consistency and reproducibility. Despite clinical trials demonstrating favorable responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), not all patients with elevated TMB exhibit benefits, and certain tumors with a normal TMB may respond to ICIs. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between TMB and the tumor microenvironment, as well as genomic features, is crucial to refine its predictive value. Bioinformatics advancements hold potential to improve the precision and cost-effectiveness of TMB assessments, addressing existing challenges. Similarly, integrating TMB with other biomarkers and employing comprehensive, multiomics approaches could further enhance its predictive value. Ongoing collaborative endeavors in research, standardization, and clinical validation are pivotal in harnessing the full potential of TMB as a biomarker in the clinic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibran Ahmed
- Developmental Therapeutics Clinic (DTC), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Biswajit Das
- Molecular Characterization Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Sarah Shin
- Developmental Therapeutics Clinic (DTC), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alice Chen
- Developmental Therapeutics Clinic (DTC), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Ma J, Yan S, Zhao Y, Yan H, Zhang Q, Li X. Blockade of PD-1 and LAG-3 expression on CD8+ T cells promotes the tumoricidal effects of CD8+ T cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1265255. [PMID: 37841254 PMCID: PMC10568325 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1265255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has the highest incidence of all lymphomas worldwide. To investigate the functions of lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) in tissues and peripheral blood of patients with DLBCL, the expression of LAG-3 and PD-1 genes in DLBCL-TCGA were analyzed. Methods LAG-3 and PD-1 mRNA levels in DLBCL were analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Utilize the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database for assessing the variance in the expression of LAG-3, PD-1, and other associated factors between the tissues of DLBCL patients and healthy individuals. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of LAG-3 and PD-1 levels in 137 cases of DLBCL tissues and 20 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. The prognostic value of LAG-3 and PD-1 were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier curve. The Estimation of Stromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) and ssGSEA algorithm were used to explore the immune microenvironment of DLBCL. Additionally, the expression and co-expression of LAG-3 and PD-1 were detected on CD4 and CD8 T cells in peripheral blood samples from 100 cases of DLBCL tissues and 30 cases of healthy individuals using flow cytometry. Results According to TCGA database, LAG-3 and PD-1 gene expression levels were significantly up-regulated in DLBCL tissues. LAG-3 and PD-1 levels were also strongly positively correlated with those of most infiltrating immune cells. Overall survival of patients with high LAG-3 and PD-1 co-expression was significantly shorter than that of patients with low co-expression. In DLBCL patients, LAG-3 and PD-1 were highly expressed in peripheral blood CD8+ T cells. In addition, LAG-3 was highly expressed in CD4+ T cells, while the expression of PD-1 in CD4+ T cells of DLBCL patients showed no significant difference compared to healthy individuals. Additionally, CD8+ T cells and SU-DHL6/OCI-LY3 from patients with DLBCL were co-cultured in vitro; after addition of LAG-3 and/or PD-1 inhibitors alone, an increased perforin and granzyme B secretion levels by CD8+ T cells were detected, as well as an increase in the overall proportion of tumor cells undergoing apoptosis. Conclusion High LAG-3 and PD-1 levels significantly inhibit CD8+ T cell function, resulting in weakened ability to kill tumor cells. Combined LAG-3 and PD-1 blockade can restore CD8+ T cell function and provides a potential avenue for development of personalized cellular immunotherapy for DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Ma
- Department of Pathology, Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Shufang Yan
- Department of Critical Care, Medicine of Karamay Central Hospital, Karamay, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Department of General Practice, Third People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumuqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Huifang Yan
- Department of Pathology, Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xinxia Li
- Department of Pathology, Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
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Said SA, de Hullu JA, van der Aa MA, Walraven JEW, Bekkers RLM, Slangen BFM, Pickkers P, van Altena AM. Impact of Sepsis on the Oncologic Outcomes of Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients: A Multicenter Observational Study. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4642. [PMID: 37760610 PMCID: PMC10526225 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The sepsis-induced inflammatory response may potentially affect malignant cells. Recently, a case of spontaneous regression of a histologically confirmed International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) following sepsis was reported. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of sepsis on the oncologic outcomes of advanced-stage EOC patients. METHODS Gynecologic oncologic patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of three oncologic centers between 2006 and 2019 were identified and patients who experienced sepsis following advanced-stage EOC diagnosis were selected. Survival outcomes were compared with advanced-stage EOC patients from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). To correct for case-mix differences, propensity score matching using 1:3 nearest neighbor matching was conducted after which survival analyses were repeated. RESULTS A total of 18 of 215 patients with advanced-stage EOC experienced sepsis. Sepsis patients had similar distributions of patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics to 3988 patients from the NCR cohort. A total of 3 of 18 patients died from the complications of sepsis. While the remaining patients initially responded to treatment, 14/15 patients relapsed. The median (IQR) overall survival was 31 (24-44) and 35 (20-60) months for the sepsis and unmatched NCR cohort (p = 0.56), respectively. The median (IQR) progression-free survival was 16 (11-21) and 16 (11-27) months (p = 0.90), respectively. Survival outcomes did not differ following propensity matching (overall survival of 31 (24-44) vs. 36 (20-56) months, p = 0.40; progression-free survival of 16 (11-21) and 16 (12-21) months, p = 0.72). CONCLUSION In this observational study, the occurrence of sepsis did not affect the oncologic and survival outcomes of advanced-stage EOC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherin A. Said
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EP Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (J.A.d.H.); (A.M.v.A.)
- Department of Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization (IKNL), 3511 DT Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Joanne A. de Hullu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EP Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (J.A.d.H.); (A.M.v.A.)
| | - Maaike A. van der Aa
- Department of Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization (IKNL), 3511 DT Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Janneke E. W. Walraven
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EP Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud L. M. Bekkers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catharina Hospital, 5623 EJ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- GROW–School for Oncology and Reproduction, University of Maastricht, 6229 GT Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Brigitte F. M. Slangen
- GROW–School for Oncology and Reproduction, University of Maastricht, 6229 GT Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Pickkers
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EP Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Anne M. van Altena
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EP Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (J.A.d.H.); (A.M.v.A.)
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Xiao Q, Li X, Liu C, Jiang Y, He Y, Zhang W, Azevedo HS, Wu W, Xia Y, He W. Improving cancer immunotherapy via co-delivering checkpoint blockade and thrombospondin-1 downregulator. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:3503-3517. [PMID: 37655330 PMCID: PMC10465872 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of checkpoint-blockade antibodies is still restricted in several malignancies due to the modest efficacy, despite considerable success in anti-tumor immunotherapy. The poor response of cancer cells to immune destruction is an essential contributor to the failure of checkpoint therapy. We hypothesized that combining checkpoint therapy with natural-product chemosensitizer could enhance immune response. Herein, a targeted diterpenoid derivative was integrated with the checkpoint blockade (anti-CTLA-4) to improve immunotherapy using thermosensitive liposomes as carriers. In vivo, the liposomes enabled the co-delivery of the two drug payloads into the tumor. Consequently, the regulatory T cell proliferation was restrained, the cytotoxic T cell infiltration was enhanced, and the profound immunotherapeutic effect was achieved. In addition, the immunotherapeutic effect of another clinically used checkpoint antibody, anti-PD-1, also benefited from the diterpenoid derivative. Of note, our mechanism study revealed that the targeted diterpenoid derivative increased the sensitivity of cancer cells to immune attack via THBS1 downregulation and the resultant destruction of THBS1-CD47 interaction. Collectively, co-delivering THBS1 inhibitor and checkpoint blockade is promising to boost cancer immunotherapy. We first time discovered that THBS1 suppression could strengthen checkpoint therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Xiao
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiaotong Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Chang Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yuxin Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yonglong He
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Wanting Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Helena S. Azevedo
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Bioengineering, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Wei Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yuanzheng Xia
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wei He
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
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Pillai S, Kwan JC, Yaziji F, Yu H, Tran SD. Mapping the Potential of Microfluidics in Early Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment of Head and Neck Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3894. [PMID: 37568710 PMCID: PMC10417175 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153894] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) account for ~4% of all cancers in North America and encompass cancers affecting the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, sinuses, nasal cavity, and salivary glands. The anatomical complexity of the head and neck region, characterized by highly perfused and innervated structures, presents challenges in the early diagnosis and treatment of these cancers. The utilization of sub-microliter volumes and the unique phenomenon associated with microscale fluid dynamics have facilitated the development of microfluidic platforms for studying complex biological systems. The advent of on-chip microfluidics has significantly impacted the diagnosis and treatment strategies of HNC. Sensor-based microfluidics and point-of-care devices have improved the detection and monitoring of cancer biomarkers using biological specimens like saliva, urine, blood, and serum. Additionally, tumor-on-a-chip platforms have allowed the creation of patient-specific cancer models on a chip, enabling the development of personalized treatments through high-throughput screening of drugs. In this review, we first focus on how microfluidics enable the development of an enhanced, functional drug screening process for targeted treatment in HNCs. We then discuss current advances in microfluidic platforms for biomarker sensing and early detection, followed by on-chip modeling of HNC to evaluate treatment response. Finally, we address the practical challenges that hinder the clinical translation of these microfluidic advances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Simon D. Tran
- McGill Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada; (S.P.); (J.C.K.); (F.Y.); (H.Y.)
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Jiang Q, Liu W, Zeng X, Zhang C, Du Y, Zeng L, Yin Y, Fan J, Yang M, Tao K, Zhang P. Safety and efficacy of tislelizumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone as neoadjuvant treatment for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer: real-world experience with a consecutive patient cohort. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1122121. [PMID: 37215127 PMCID: PMC10195027 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1122121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Immunotherapy plus chemotherapy has recently been applied in the neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC), while its superiority over neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) alone remains to be explored. This study explored the safety and efficacy of NACT plus tislelizumab in patients with LAGC. Methods The data on patients with LAGC who received NACT combined with radical gastrectomy and NACT plus tislelizumab followed by radical gastrectomy was retrospectively collected. Clinicopathological characteristics of the two groups were compared. Results A total of 119 and 50 patients with gastric cancer treated with NACT and NACT plus tislelizumab, respectively, were enrolled. No significant difference was found between the baseline data of the two groups. The operative time (210.5 ± 70.4 min vs. 237.6 ± 68.4 min, P=0.732), intraoperative blood loss (157.8 ± 75.9 ml vs. 149.1 ± 92.5 ml, P=0.609), and number of dissected lymph nodes (24.7 ± 9.3 vs. 28.1 ± 10.3, P=0.195) was not statistically different between the two groups. In comparison to the NACT plus tislelizumab group, the R0 resection rate (100% vs. 89.9%, P=0.019) and pathologic complete response rate (26.0% vs. 3.4%, P<0.001) were significantly lower in the NACT group. The postoperative complication rates were 24.4% and 26.0% in the NACT and NACT plus tislelizumab groups with no significant difference (P=0.823). In subgroup analysis, tumor regression grade (TRG) (TRG 3: 72.3% vs. 23.5%, P<0.001) and ypN stage (stages 2-3: 46.8% vs. 5.9%, P=0.003) in the NACT group were significantly higher compared with the NACT plus tislelizumab group in esophagogastric junction carcinoma. Conclusion Compared with the S-1 and oxaliplatin (SOX) or 5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) NACT regimen, NACT plus tislelizumab significantly improved the efficacy and R0 resection rate of LAGC without increasing the incidence of perioperative complications, particularly in esophagogastric junction carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Jiang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Weizhen Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiangyu Zeng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chenggang Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuqiang Du
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Liwu Zeng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuping Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Fan
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kaixiong Tao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Sadeghirad H, Bahrami T, Layeghi SM, Yousefi H, Rezaei M, Hosseini-Fard SR, Radfar P, Warkiani ME, O'Byrne K, Kulasinghe A. Immunotherapeutic targets in non-small cell lung cancer. Immunology 2023; 168:256-272. [PMID: 35933597 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of cancer in the world and has a 5-year survival rate of ~20%. Immunotherapies have shown promising results leading to durable responses, however, they are only effective for a subset of patients. To determine the best therapeutic approach, a thorough and in-depth profiling of the tumour microenvironment (TME) is required. The TME is a complex network of cell types that form an interconnected network, promoting tumour cell initiation, growth and dissemination. The stroma, immune cells and endothelial cells that comprise the TME generate a plethora of cytotoxic or cytoprotective signalling pathways. In this review, we discuss immunotherapeutic targets in NSCLC tumours and how the TME may influence patients' response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habib Sadeghirad
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tayyeb Bahrami
- Liver and Digestive Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Sepideh M Layeghi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Yousefi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, LSUHSC School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Meysam Rezaei
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Seyed R Hosseini-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Payar Radfar
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Majid E Warkiani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ken O'Byrne
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Arutha Kulasinghe
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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11
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Ghaedrahmati F, Esmaeil N, Abbaspour M. Targeting immune checkpoints: how to use natural killer cells for fighting against solid tumors. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 43:177-213. [PMID: 36585761 PMCID: PMC9926962 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are unique innate immune cells that mediate anti-viral and anti-tumor responses. Thus, they might hold great potential for cancer immunotherapy. NK cell adoptive immunotherapy in humans has shown modest efficacy. In particular, it has failed to demonstrate therapeutic efficiency in the treatment of solid tumors, possibly due in part to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which reduces NK cell immunotherapy's efficiencies. It is known that immune checkpoints play a prominent role in creating an immunosuppressive TME, leading to NK cell exhaustion and tumor immune escape. Therefore, NK cells must be reversed from their dysfunctional status and increased in their effector roles in order to improve the efficiency of cancer immunotherapy. Blockade of immune checkpoints can not only rescue NK cells from exhaustion but also augment their robust anti-tumor activity. In this review, we discussed immune checkpoint blockade strategies with a focus on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells to redirect NK cells to cancer cells in the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhoodeh Ghaedrahmati
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Nafiseh Esmaeil
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran,Research Institute for Primordial Prevention of Non‐Communicable DiseaseIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
| | - Maryam Abbaspour
- Department of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyFaculty of PharmacyIsfahan University of Medical SciencesIsfahanIran
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12
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Seliger B, Al-Samadi A, Yang B, Salo T, Wickenhauser C. In vitro models as tools for screening treatment options of head and neck cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:971726. [PMID: 36160162 PMCID: PMC9489836 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.971726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Various in vitro models using primary and established 2- and 3-dimensional cultures, multicellular tumor spheroids, standardized tumor slice cultures, tumor organoids, and microfluidic systems obtained from tumor lesions/biopsies of head and neck cancer (HNC) have been employed for exploring and monitoring treatment options. All of these in vitro models are to a different degree able to capture the diversity of tumors, recapitulate the disease genetically, histologically, and functionally and retain their tumorigenic potential upon xenotransplantation. The models were used for the characterization of the malignant features of the tumors and for in vitro screens of drugs approved for the treatment of HNC, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as recently developed targeted therapies and immunotherapies, or for novel treatments not yet licensed for these tumor entities. The implementation of the best suitable model will enlarge our knowledge of the oncogenic properties of HNC, expand the drug repertoire and help to develop individually tailored treatment strategies resulting in the translation of these findings into the clinic. This review summarizes the different approaches using preclinical in vitro systems with their advantages and disadvantages and their implementation as preclinical platforms to predict disease course, evaluate biomarkers and test therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Barbara Seliger,
| | - Ahmed Al-Samadi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Research Program Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Tuula Salo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Research Program Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Cancer Research and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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13
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Guo H, Ding P, Sun C, Yang P, Tian Y, Liu Y, Lowe S, Bentley R, Li Y, Zhang Z, Wang D, Li Y, Zhao Q. Efficacy and safety of sintilimab plus XELOX as a neoadjuvant regimen in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer: A single-arm, open-label, phase II trial. Front Oncol 2022; 12:927781. [PMID: 36091139 PMCID: PMC9458882 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.927781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neoadjuvant chemotherapies have been widely recommended in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC). However, the evidence of combining neoadjuvant chemotherapy with anti–programmed death 1 (anti–PD-1) antibody therapy for patients with LAGC is lacking. Thus, we conducted a single-arm phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the anti–PD-1 antibody sintilimab plus XELOX regimen (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) in patients with LAGC. Methods Patients with LAGC (cT3-4 N+ M0, CY0, P0) were enrolled and received four preoperative cycles of sintilimab (200 mg, IV, Q21d) plus XELOX (oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2, IV, d1 with capecitabine 1,000 mg/m2, bid, d1–d14, Q21d) therapy. The primary endpoint was the pathological complete response (pCR) rate. This clinical trial was registered at Chictr.org.cn (trial number: ChiCTR2000030414). Results Thirty patients were enrolled from March 2020 to July 2021, with a median age of 62 years (range, 30–72), and 18 (60.0%) were men. There were 19 (63.3%) patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥1.The pCR rate was 33.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), 17.3%–52.8%], and the major pathologic response (MPR) rate was 63.3% (95% CI, 43.9%–80.1%). All the patients underwent R0 resection. The objective response rate (ORR) and the disease control rate (DCR) were 70.0% (95% CI, 50.6%–85.3%) and 100% (95% CI, 88.4%–100%), respectively. Downstaging of the overall TNM stage was observed in 22 (73.3%) patients. The pCR rate in patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥1 and patients with PD-L1 CPS <1 was 42.1% vs. 18.2% (P = 0.246), whereas the MPR rate was 78.9% vs. 36.4% (P = 0.047). The potential immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were hypothyroidism (3.3%), pneumonia (10.0%), and dermatitis (6.7%). Grade3 common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were ALT increase (3.3%), AST increase (3.3%), and dermatitis (3.3%) during the neoadjuvant therapy. There were no severe complications or death related to the surgery. Conclusion Sintilimab plus XELOX as neoadjuvant therapy showed an encouraging pCR rate, MPR rate, and manageable safety. This combination of regimens might provide a new option for patients with LAGC. Clinical Trial Registration: Chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2000030414.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghai Guo
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ping’an Ding
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chenyu Sun
- Internal Medicine, AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Peigang Yang
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yang Liu
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Scott Lowe
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Rachel Bentley
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Yaru Li
- Internal Medicine, Swedish Hospital, Chicago, IL, United States
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, United States
| | - Zhidong Zhang
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Dong Wang
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yong Li
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Qun Zhao
- The Third Department of Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Qun Zhao,
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14
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Guo Y, Guo H, Zhang Y, Cui J. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-special immunity and immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:908894. [PMID: 35958559 PMCID: PMC9359062 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.908894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene play a key role in the development of various human tumors, and targeted therapy has transformed the treatment paradigm for these oncogene-driven tumors. However, primary or acquired resistance remains a challenge. ALK gene variants (such as gene rearrangements and mutations) also play a key role in the tumor immune microenvironment. Immunotherapy targeting the ALK gene has potential clinical applications. Here, we review the results of recent studies on the immunological relevance of ALK-altered tumors, which provides important insights into the development of tumor immunotherapies targeting this large class of tumors.
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15
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Shekarian T, Zinner CP, Bartoszek EM, Duchemin W, Wachnowicz AT, Hogan S, Etter MM, Flammer J, Paganetti C, Martins TA, Schmassmann P, Zanganeh S, Le Goff F, Muraro MG, Ritz MF, Phillips D, Bhate SS, Barlow GL, Nolan GP, Schürch CM, Hutter G. Immunotherapy of glioblastoma explants induces interferon-γ responses and spatial immune cell rearrangements in tumor center, but not periphery. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn9440. [PMID: 35776791 PMCID: PMC10883360 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn9440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A patient-tailored, ex vivo drug response platform for glioblastoma (GBM) would facilitate therapy planning, provide insights into treatment-induced mechanisms in the immune tumor microenvironment (iTME), and enable the discovery of biomarkers of response. We cultured regionally annotated GBM explants in perfusion bioreactors to assess iTME responses to immunotherapy. Explants were treated with anti-CD47, anti-PD-1, or their combination, and analyzed by multiplexed microscopy [CO-Detection by indEXing (CODEX)], enabling the spatially resolved identification of >850,000 single cells, accompanied by explant secretome interrogation. Center and periphery explants differed in their cell type and soluble factor composition, and responses to immunotherapy. A subset of explants displayed increased interferon-γ levels, which correlated with shifts in immune cell composition within specified tissue compartments. Our study demonstrates that ex vivo immunotherapy of GBM explants enables an active antitumoral immune response within the tumor center and provides a framework for multidimensional personalized assessment of tumor response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tala Shekarian
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carl P Zinner
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ewelina M Bartoszek
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wandrille Duchemin
- sciCORE Center for Scientific Computing, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anna T Wachnowicz
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Hogan
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manina M Etter
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Flammer
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Paganetti
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tomas A Martins
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Philip Schmassmann
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Steven Zanganeh
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA, USA
| | | | - Manuele G Muraro
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital of Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Françoise Ritz
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Darci Phillips
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Salil S Bhate
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Graham L Barlow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Garry P Nolan
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christian M Schürch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital and Comprehensive Cancer Center Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gregor Hutter
- Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Lab, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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16
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Xiao M, Duhem C, Chammout A, Berchem G, Janji B. CMTM6 and CMTM7: New leads for PD-L1 regulation in breast cancer cells undergoing EMT. J Cell Biochem 2022; 123:1025-1031. [PMID: 35575054 PMCID: PMC9325512 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression has long been used as a biomarker to stratify patients with cancer who will benefit from anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 immunotherapy. However, the use of PD‐L1 as a biomarker to guide treatment decisions has recently been called into question due to its dynamic and heterogeneous expression within each tumor and among different tumors as well as during tumor cell plasticity. Therefore, understanding the molecular basis of PD‐L1 expression would enable delineating its value as a reliable biomarker in the clinic. Here, we provide our perspective on the involvement of CMTM6 and CMTM7 as new lead candidates for the regulation of PD‐L1 in breast tumors undergoing an epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malina Xiao
- Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Caroline Duhem
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, Centre Hospitalier du Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Anwar Chammout
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
| | - Guy Berchem
- Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.,Department of Hemato-Oncology, Centre Hospitalier du Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Bassam Janji
- Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment Group, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
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17
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Buch SA, Baba MR. Immune-Related Adverse Events (irAEs) in Cancer, with Inputs from a Nursing Expert: A Review. Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1742442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPis) belong to a group of immunotherapeutic agents that act on different immune cells and tumor cells and reactivate the suppressed immune system of the host. The emergence of immunotherapy has resulted in the successful management of many malignancies. High success rates with certain advanced cancers have attributed wide importance and relevance to the use of immunotherapy. Although ICPis have gained huge popularity, their use often leads to side effects that can affect almost any system; immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These adverse events occur due to unrestrained T cell activity that unsettles the immune homeostasis of the host. Although close monitoring for toxicities controls the events on most of the occasions, the inability to diagnose them early may prove fatal on some occasions due to their subtle and nonspecific symptoms. This review summarizes in brief the usual irAEs and their management, besides a very important nursing perspective, from a nursing expert about an overall insight into the routine irAEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Ahmad Buch
- Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Mudasir Rashid Baba
- Yenepoya Physiotherapy College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
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18
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Motofei IG. Nobel Prize for immune checkpoint inhibitors, understanding the immunological switching between immunosuppression and autoimmunity. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2021; 21:599-612. [PMID: 34937484 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2022.2020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a revolutionary form of immunotherapy in cancer. However, the percentage of patients responding to therapy is relatively low, while adverse effects occur in a large number of patients. In addition, the therapeutic mechanisms of ICIs are not yet completely described. AREAS COVERED The initial view (articles published in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, etc.) was that ICIs increase tumor-specific immunity. Recent data (collected from the same databases) suggest that the ICIs pharmacotherapy actually extends beyond the topic of immune reactivity, including additional immune pathways, such as disrupting immunosuppression and increasing tumor-specific autoimmunity. Unfortunately, there is no clear delimitation between these specific autoimmune reactions that are therapeutically beneficial, and nonspecific autoimmune reactions/toxicity that can be extremely severe side effects. EXPERT OPINION Immune checkpoint mechanisms perform a non-selective immune regulation, maintaining a dynamic balance between immunosuppression and autoimmunity. By blocking these mechanisms, ICIs actually perform an immunological reset, decreasing immunosuppression and increasing tumor-specific immunity and predisposition to autoimmunity. The predisposition to autoimmunity induces both side effects and beneficial autoimmunity. Consequently, further studies are necessary to maximize the beneficial tumor-specific autoimmunity, while reducing the counterproductive effect of associated autoimmune toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ion G Motofei
- Department of Surgery/ Oncology, Carol Davila University, Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Surgery/ Oncology, St. Pantelimon Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
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19
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Okadome K, Baba Y, Yasuda-Yoshihara N, Nomoto D, Yagi T, Toihata T, Ogawa K, Sawayama H, Ishimoto T, Iwatsuki M, Iwagami S, Miyamoto Y, Yoshida N, Watanabe M, Komohara Y, Baba H. PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression status in relation to chemotherapy in primary and metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2021; 113:399-410. [PMID: 34773342 PMCID: PMC8819296 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15198] [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: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown efficacy in various cancers. Although programmed death ligand 1/2 (PD‐L1/L2) expressions have been demonstrated as predictive biomarkers of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors and prognostic markers, whether PD‐L1/L2 expression is altered in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma during the therapeutic course is unclear. Whether PD‐L1/L2 expression in metastatic or recurrent lesions is consistent with that in primary tumors is also unknown. This study included 561 surgically resected esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and PD‐L1/L2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. We investigated the influence of chemotherapeutic drugs (cisplatin and fluorouracil) on PD‐L1/L2 expression and PD‐L1/L2‐related pathways in vitro. We also examined PD‐L1/L2 expression in 18 surgically resected lymph node metastases and 10 recurrent lesions compared with primary lesions. The positive rate of PD‐L1 was significantly higher in patients with preoperative chemotherapy than in those without preoperative therapy. The positive rate of PD‐L2 expression showed no significant difference between patient groups. Cisplatin increased PD‐L1 expression in cancer cell lines in vitro, but decreased PD‐L2 in some cell lines. The effects of cisplatin on phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1/3 (pSTAT1/3) also differed depending on cell lines. Fluorouracil increased PD‐L1 and PD‐L2 expression. PD‐L1/L2 expression in lymph node metastases and recurrent lesions did not always match expression in primary lesions. PD‐L1/L2 expression may be altered by preoperative chemotherapy, and PD‐L1 /L2 expression in primary lesions does not always match that of metastatic/recurrent lesions. Thus, one‐time evaluation is not sufficient to evaluate PD‐L1/L2 expression as a biomarker in esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Okadome
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Department of Next-Generation Surgical Therapy Development, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Noriko Yasuda-Yoshihara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Daichi Nomoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Taisuke Yagi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tasuku Toihata
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sawayama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masaaki Iwatsuki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shiro Iwagami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Miyamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoya Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masayuki Watanabe
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Komohara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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20
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Feola S, Haapala M, Peltonen K, Capasso C, Martins B, Antignani G, Federico A, Pietiäinen V, Chiaro J, Feodoroff M, Russo S, Rannikko A, Fusciello M, Koskela S, Partanen J, Hamdan F, Tähkä SM, Ylösmäki E, Greco D, Grönholm M, Kekarainen T, Eshaghi M, Gurvich OL, Ylä-Herttuala S, M. Branca RM, Lehtiö J, Sikanen TM, Cerullo V. PeptiCHIP: A Microfluidic Platform for Tumor Antigen Landscape Identification. ACS NANO 2021; 15:15992-16010. [PMID: 34605646 PMCID: PMC8552492 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Identification of HLA class I ligands from the tumor surface (ligandome or immunopeptidome) is essential for designing T-cell mediated cancer therapeutic approaches. However, the sensitivity of the process for isolating MHC-I restricted tumor-specific peptides has been the major limiting factor for reliable tumor antigen characterization, making clear the need for technical improvement. Here, we describe our work from the fabrication and development of a microfluidic-based chip (PeptiCHIP) and its use to identify and characterize tumor-specific ligands on clinically relevant human samples. Specifically, we assessed the potential of immobilizing a pan-HLA antibody on solid surfaces via well-characterized streptavidin-biotin chemistry, overcoming the limitations of the cross-linking chemistry used to prepare the affinity matrix with the desired antibodies in the immunopeptidomics workflow. Furthermore, to address the restrictions related to the handling and the limited availability of tumor samples, we further developed the concept toward the implementation of a microfluidic through-flow system. Thus, the biotinylated pan-HLA antibody was immobilized on streptavidin-functionalized surfaces, and immune-affinity purification (IP) was carried out on customized microfluidic pillar arrays made of thiol-ene polymer. Compared to the standard methods reported in the field, our methodology reduces the amount of antibody and the time required for peptide isolation. In this work, we carefully examined the specificity and robustness of our customized technology for immunopeptidomics workflows. We tested this platform by immunopurifying HLA-I complexes from 1 × 106 cells both in a widely studied B-cell line and in patients-derived ex vivo cell cultures, instead of 5 × 108 cells as required in the current technology. After the final elution in mild acid, HLA-I-presented peptides were identified by tandem mass spectrometry and further investigated by in vitro methods. These results highlight the potential to exploit microfluidics-based strategies in immunopeptidomics platforms and in personalized immunopeptidome analysis from cells isolated from individual tumor biopsies to design tailored cancer therapeutic vaccines. Moreover, the possibility to integrate multiple identical units on a single chip further improves the throughput and multiplexing of these assays with a view to clinical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Feola
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markus Haapala
- Drug
Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Karita Peltonen
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cristian Capasso
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Beatriz Martins
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriella Antignani
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antonio Federico
- Faculty
of
Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere
University, Arvo Ylpön
katu 34, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Vilja Pietiäinen
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute
for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Helsinki Institute of Life Science
(HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Biomedicum 2U, Tukholmankatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jacopo Chiaro
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Michaela Feodoroff
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute
for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Helsinki Institute of Life Science
(HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Biomedicum 2U, Tukholmankatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Salvatore Russo
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Rannikko
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department
of Urology, Helsinki University and Helsinki
University Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
- Research
Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manlio Fusciello
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Koskela
- Research
& Development Finnish Red Cross Blood Service Helsinki, Kivihaantie 7, 00310 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jukka Partanen
- Research
& Development Finnish Red Cross Blood Service Helsinki, Kivihaantie 7, 00310 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Firas Hamdan
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sari M. Tähkä
- Drug
Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Erkko Ylösmäki
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dario Greco
- Faculty
of
Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere
University, Arvo Ylpön
katu 34, Tampere 33520, Finland
| | - Mikaela Grönholm
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuija Kekarainen
- Kuopio
Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Microkatu 1S, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Masoumeh Eshaghi
- Kuopio
Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Microkatu 1S, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olga L. Gurvich
- Kuopio
Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Microkatu 1S, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.
I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern
Finland, Neulaniementie
2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rui M. M. Branca
- Science
for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavagen 23B, 171 21 Solna, Sweden
| | - Janne Lehtiö
- Science
for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavagen 23B, 171 21 Solna, Sweden
| | - Tiina M. Sikanen
- Drug
Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Drug
Research Program (DRP), ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Division of Pharmaceutical
Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University
of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki
Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University
of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00710 Helsinki, Finland
- Translational
Immunology Program (TRIMM), Faculty of Medicine Helsinki University, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Digital
Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship (iCAN), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department
of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Naples University “Federico II”, S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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21
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Correa S, Grosskopf AK, Lopez Hernandez H, Chan D, Yu AC, Stapleton LM, Appel EA. Translational Applications of Hydrogels. Chem Rev 2021; 121:11385-11457. [PMID: 33938724 PMCID: PMC8461619 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c01177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 352] [Impact Index Per Article: 117.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Advances in hydrogel technology have unlocked unique and valuable capabilities that are being applied to a diverse set of translational applications. Hydrogels perform functions relevant to a range of biomedical purposes-they can deliver drugs or cells, regenerate hard and soft tissues, adhere to wet tissues, prevent bleeding, provide contrast during imaging, protect tissues or organs during radiotherapy, and improve the biocompatibility of medical implants. These capabilities make hydrogels useful for many distinct and pressing diseases and medical conditions and even for less conventional areas such as environmental engineering. In this review, we cover the major capabilities of hydrogels, with a focus on the novel benefits of injectable hydrogels, and how they relate to translational applications in medicine and the environment. We pay close attention to how the development of contemporary hydrogels requires extensive interdisciplinary collaboration to accomplish highly specific and complex biological tasks that range from cancer immunotherapy to tissue engineering to vaccination. We complement our discussion of preclinical and clinical development of hydrogels with mechanical design considerations needed for scaling injectable hydrogel technologies for clinical application. We anticipate that readers will gain a more complete picture of the expansive possibilities for hydrogels to make practical and impactful differences across numerous fields and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Correa
- Materials
Science & Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Abigail K. Grosskopf
- Chemical
Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Hector Lopez Hernandez
- Materials
Science & Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Doreen Chan
- Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Anthony C. Yu
- Materials
Science & Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | | | - Eric A. Appel
- Materials
Science & Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Pediatric
Endocrinology, Stanford University School
of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford
University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Woods
Institute for the Environment, Stanford
University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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22
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Modulating Tumor Microenvironment: A Review on STK11 Immune Properties and Predictive vs Prognostic Role for Non-small-cell Lung Cancer Immunotherapy. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:96. [PMID: 34524570 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00891-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT The quest for immunotherapy (IT) biomarkers is an element of highest clinical interest in both solid and hematologic tumors. In non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, besides PD-L1 expression evaluation with its intrinsic limitations, tissue and circulating parameters, likely portraying the tumor and its stromal/immune counterparts, have been proposed as potential predictors of IT responsiveness. STK11 mutations have been globally labeled as markers of IT resistance. After a thorough literature review, STK11 mutations condition the prognosis of NSCLC patients receiving ICI-containing regimens, implying a relevant biological and clinical significance. On the other hand, waiting for prospective and solid data, the putative negative predictive value of STK11 inactivation towards IT is sustained by less evidence. The physiologic regulation of multiple cellular pathways performed by STK11 likely explains the multifaceted modifications in tumor cells, stroma, and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) observed in STK11 mutant lung cancer, particularly explored in the molecular subgroup of KRAS co-mutation. IT approaches available thus far in NSCLC, mainly represented by anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, are not promising in the case of STK11 inactivation. Perceptive strategies aimed at modulating the TIME, regardless of STK11 status or specifically addressed to STK11-mutated cases, will hopefully provide valid therapeutic options to be adopted in the clinical practice.
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23
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Affolter A, Lammert A, Kern J, Scherl C, Rotter N. Precision Medicine Gains Momentum: Novel 3D Models and Stem Cell-Based Approaches in Head and Neck Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:666515. [PMID: 34307351 PMCID: PMC8296983 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.666515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the current progress in the development of new concepts of precision medicine for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), in particular targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibition (CPI), overall survival rates have not improved during the last decades. This is, on the one hand, caused by the fact that a significant number of patients presents with late stage disease at the time of diagnosis, on the other hand HNSCC frequently develop therapeutic resistance. Distinct intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity is one of the strongest features in HNSCC and has hindered both the identification of specific biomarkers and the establishment of targeted therapies for this disease so far. To date, there is a paucity of reliable preclinical models, particularly those that can predict responses to immune CPI, as these models require an intact tumor microenvironment (TME). The "ideal" preclinical cancer model is supposed to take both the TME as well as tumor heterogeneity into account. Although HNSCC patients are frequently studied in clinical trials, there is a lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers allowing a better stratification of individuals who might benefit from new concepts of targeted or immunotherapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly tumorigenic. Through the process of stemness, epithelial cells acquire an invasive phenotype contributing to metastasis and recurrence. Specific markers for CSC such as CD133 and CD44 expression and ALDH activity help to identify CSC in HNSCC. For the majority of patients, allocation of treatment regimens is simply based on histological diagnosis and on tumor location and disease staging (clinical risk assessments) rather than on specific or individual tumor biology. Hence there is an urgent need for tools to stratify HNSCC patients and pave the way for personalized therapeutic options. This work reviews the current literature on novel approaches in implementing three-dimensional (3D) HNSCC in vitro and in vivo tumor models in the clinical daily routine. Stem-cell based assays will be particularly discussed. Those models are highly anticipated to serve as a preclinical prediction platform for the evaluation of stable biomarkers and for therapeutic efficacy testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Affolter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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24
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Budczies J, Kirchner M, Kluck K, Kazdal D, Glade J, Allgäuer M, Kriegsmann M, Heußel CP, Herth FJ, Winter H, Meister M, Muley T, Goldmann T, Fröhling S, Wermke M, Waller CF, Tufman A, Reck M, Peters S, Schirmacher P, Thomas M, Christopoulos P, Stenzinger A. Deciphering the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in ALK- and EGFR-positive lung adenocarcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:251-265. [PMID: 34125345 PMCID: PMC8783861 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02981-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Introduction The advent of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has led to significantly improved disease outcome in lung adenocarcinoma (ADC), but response of ALK/EGFR-positive tumors to immune therapy is limited. The underlying immune biology is incompletely understood. Methods We performed comparative mRNA expression profiling of 31 ALK-positive, 40 EGFR-positive and 43 ALK/EGFR-negative lung ADC focused on immune gene expression. The presence and levels of tumor infiltration lymphocytes (TILs) as well as fourteen specific immune cell populations were estimated from the gene expression profiles. Results While total TILs were not lower in ALK-positive and EGFR-positive tumors compared to ALK/EGFR-negative tumors, specific immunosuppressive characteristics were detected in both subgroups: In ALK-positive tumors, regulatory T cells were significantly higher compared to EGFR-positive (fold change: FC = 1.9, p = 0.0013) and ALK/EGFR-negative tumors (FC = 2.1, p = 0.00047). In EGFR-positive tumors, cytotoxic cells were significantly lower compared to ALK-positive (FC = − 1.7, p = 0.016) and to ALK/EGFR-negative tumors (FC = − 2.1, p = 2.0E-05). A total number of 289 genes, 40 part of cytokine–cytokine receptor signaling, were differentially expressed between the three subgroups. Among the latter, five genes were differently expressed in both ALK-positive and EGFR-positive tumors, while twelve genes showed differential expression solely in ALK-positive tumors and eleven genes solely in EGFR-positive tumors. Conclusion Targeted gene expression profiling is a promising tool to read out tumor microenvironment characteristics from routine diagnostic lung cancer biopsies. Significant immune reactivity including specific immunosuppressive characteristics in ALK- and EGFR-positive lung ADC, but not a total absence of immune infiltration supports further clinical evaluation of immune-modulators as partners of ICB in such tumors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00262-021-02981-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Budczies
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, Heidelberg, Germany. .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Martina Kirchner
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Kluck
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Kazdal
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Glade
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Allgäuer
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark Kriegsmann
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claus-Peter Heußel
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology With Nuclear Medicine, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix J Herth
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pneumology, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hauke Winter
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Meister
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Muley
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Torsten Goldmann
- Pathology of the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Lübeck and the Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany.,Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Member of German Center of Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Fröhling
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Translational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Wermke
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Dresden University Hospital, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cornelius F Waller
- Department of Haematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Amanda Tufman
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Thoracic Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine V and Thoracic Oncology Centre Munich, Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Reck
- Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Member of German Center of Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany.,Department of Thoracic Oncology, Lung Clinic Grosshansdorf, Grosshansdorf, Germany
| | - Solange Peters
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Peter Schirmacher
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Thomas
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik At Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Petros Christopoulos
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik At Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Albrecht Stenzinger
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
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25
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Aghila Rani KG, Hamad MA, Zaher DM, Sieburth SM, Madani N, Al-Tel TH. Drug development post COVID-19 pandemic: toward a better system to meet current and future global health challenges. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2021; 16:365-371. [PMID: 33356641 PMCID: PMC7784828 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1854221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Despite advances in drug research and development, our knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms of many diseases remains inadequate. This have led to limited effective medicines for several diseases. To address these challenges, efficient strategies, novel technologies, and policies are urgently needed. The main obstacles in drug discovery and development are the mounting cost, risk, and time frame needed to develop new medicines. Fair pricing and accessibility is another unmet global challenge.Areas covered: Here, the authors cover the pace, risks, cost, and challenges facing drug development processes. Additionally, they introduce disease-associated data which demand global attention and propose solutions to overcome these challenges.Expert opinion: The massive challenges encountered during drug development urgently call for a serious global rethinking of the way this process is done. A partial solution might be if many consortiums of multi-nations, academic institutions, clinicians, pharma companies, and funding agencies gather at different fronts to crowdsource resources, share knowledge and risks. Such an ecosystem can rapidly generate first-in-class molecules that are safe, effective, and affordable. We think that this article represents a wake-up call for the scientific community to immediately reassess the current drug discovery and development procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koippallil Gopalakrishnan Aghila Rani
- Post-doctoral Research Associate, Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamad A. Hamad
- Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dana M. Zaher
- Ph.D Scholar and Graduate Research Assistant, Sharjah Institute of Medical Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Scott McN Sieburth
- Professor, Department of Chemistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Navid Madani
- Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Taleb H. Al-Tel
- Director, Research Institute for Medical & Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Laetsch TW, DuBois SG, Bender JG, Macy ME, Moreno L. Opportunities and Challenges in Drug Development for Pediatric Cancers. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:545-559. [PMID: 33277309 PMCID: PMC7933059 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-0779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of targeted small-molecule therapeutics and immunotherapeutics has been limited to date in pediatric oncology. Recently, the number of pediatric approvals has risen, and regulatory initiatives in the United States and Europe have aimed to increase the study of novel anticancer therapies in children. Challenges of drug development in children include the rarity of individual cancer diagnoses and the high prevalence of difficult-to-drug targets, including transcription factors and epigenetic regulators. Ongoing pediatric adaptation of biomarker-driven trial designs and further exploration of agents targeting non-kinase drivers constitute high-priority objectives for future pediatric oncology drug development. SIGNIFICANCE: Increasing attention to drug development for children with cancer by regulators and pharmaceutical companies holds the promise of accelerating the availability of new therapies for children with cancer, potentially improving survival and decreasing the acute and chronic toxicities of therapy. However, unique approaches are necessary to study novel therapies in children that take into account low patient numbers, the pediatric cancer genomic landscape and tumor microenvironment, and the need for pediatric formulations. It is also critical to evaluate the potential for unique toxicities in growing hosts without affecting the pace of discovery for children with these life-threatening diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore W Laetsch
- Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Abramson Cancer Center and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Steven G DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Margaret E Macy
- Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
| | - Lucas Moreno
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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Wei J, Lu X, Liu Q, Li L, Liu S, Liu F, Fu Y, Fan X, Yang Y, Qi C, Yu Y, Guan W, Liu B. Case Report: Neoadjuvant PD-1 Blockade Plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Unresectable Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer Patients. Front Oncol 2021; 10:554040. [PMID: 33634011 PMCID: PMC7901487 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.554040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Programmed death 1(PD-1) blockade has shown promising efficacy in advanced gastric cancer. Here, we performed a retrospective analysis of three patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who received adjuvant PD-1 plus chemoradiotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment. Neoadjuvant sintilimab plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy had an acceptable side-effect profile. All three patients underwent surgical gastrectomy after a median of 3.9 months. A major pathological response occurred in two resected tumors and a pathologic complete response was observed in one patient. Our results suggest that PD-1 blockade combined with chemoradiotherapy is a promising strategy as a neoadjuvant therapy in patients with unresectable locally advanced gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wei
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Qin Liu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Pathology, Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Radiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangcen Liu
- Department of Pathology, Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Pathology, Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangshan Fan
- Department of Pathology, Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuang Qi
- The Medical Department, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Yangyang Yu
- The Medical Department, 3D Medicines Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Wenxian Guan
- Department of General Surgery, Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Baorui Liu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University & Clinical Cancer Institute of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Deregulated Immune Pathway Associated with Palbociclib Resistance in Preclinical Breast Cancer Models: Integrative Genomics and Transcriptomics. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020159. [PMID: 33504001 PMCID: PMC7912104 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors have been widely used to treat advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Despite promising clinical outcomes, almost all patients eventually acquire resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors. Here, we screened genes associated with palbociclib resistance through genomics and transcriptomics in preclinical breast cancer models. Palbociclib-resistant cells were generated by exposing hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cell lines to palbociclib. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and a mRNA microarray were performed to compare the genomic and transcriptomic landscape between both palbociclib-sensitive and resistant cells. Microarray analysis revealed 651 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), while WES revealed 107 clinically significant mutated genes. Furthermore, pathway analysis of both DEGs and mutated genes revealed immune pathway deregulation in palbociclib-resistant cells. Notably, DEG annotation revealed activation of type I interferon pathway, activation of immune checkpoint inhibitory pathway, and suppression of immune checkpoint stimulatory pathway in palbociclib-resistant cells. Moreover, mutations in NCOR1, MUC4, and MUC16 genes found in palbociclib-resistant cells were annotated to be related to the immune pathway. In conclusion, our genomics and transcriptomics analysis using preclinical model, revealed that deregulated immune pathway is an additional mechanism of CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance besides the activation of cyclin E-CDK2 pathway and loss of RB, etc. Further studies are warranted to evaluate whether immune pathways may be a therapeutic target to overcome CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance.
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Rose LM, DeBerg HA, Vishnu P, Frankel JK, Manjunath AB, Flores JPE, Aboulafia DM. Incidence of Skin and Respiratory Immune-Related Adverse Events Correlates With Specific Tumor Types in Patients Treated With Checkpoint Inhibitors. Front Oncol 2021; 10:570752. [PMID: 33520695 PMCID: PMC7844139 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.570752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) increase antitumor activity by unblocking regulators of the immune response. This action can provoke a wide range of immunologic and inflammatory side effects, some of which can be fatal. Recent studies suggest that CPI-induced immune-related adverse events (irAEs) may predict survival and response. However, little is known about the mechanisms of this association. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of tumor diagnosis and preexisting clinical factors on the types of irAEs experienced by cancer patients treated with CPIs. The correlation between irAEs and overall survival (OS) was also assessed. All cancer patients treated with atezolizumab (ATEZO), ipilimumab (IPI), nivolumab (NIVO), or pembrolizumab (PEMBRO) at Virginia Mason Medical Center between 2011 and 2019 were evaluated. irAEs were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (Version 5) and verified independently. Statistical analyses were performed to assess associations between irAEs, pre-treatment factors, and OS. Of the 288 patients evaluated, 59% developed irAEs of any grade, and 19% developed irAEs of grade 3 or 4. A time-dependent survival analysis demonstrated a clear association between the occurrence of irAEs and OS (P < 0.001). A 6-week landmark analysis adjusted for body mass index confirmed an association between irAEs and OS in non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (P < 0.03). An association between melanoma and skin irAEs (P < 0.01) and between NSCLC and respiratory irAEs (P = 0.03) was observed, independent of CPI administered. Patients with preexisting autoimmune disease experienced a higher incidence of severe irAEs (P = 0.01), but not a higher overall incidence of irAEs (P = 0.6). A significant association between irAEs and OS was observed in this diverse patient population. No correlation was observed between preexisting comorbid conditions and the type of irAE observed. However, a correlation between skin-related irAEs and melanoma and between respiratory irAEs and NSCLC was observed, suggesting that many irAEs are driven by a specific response to the primary tumor. In patients with NSCLC, the respiratory irAEs were associated with a survival benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn M Rose
- Scientific Administration, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Hannah A DeBerg
- Systems Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Prakash Vishnu
- Division of Hematology, CHI Franciscan Medical Group, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jason K Frankel
- Section of Urology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Adarsh B Manjunath
- Systems Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - John Paul E Flores
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - David M Aboulafia
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Yin K, Xia X, Rui K, Wang T, Wang S. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells: A New and Pivotal Player in Colorectal Cancer Progression. Front Oncol 2020; 10:610104. [PMID: 33384962 PMCID: PMC7770157 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.610104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a devastating human malignancy with poor prognosis. Of the various factors, immune evasion mechanisms play pivotal roles in CRC progression and impede the effects of cancer therapy. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) constitute an immature population of myeloid cells that are typical during tumor progression. These cells have the ability to induce strong immunosuppressive effects within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and promote CRC development. Indeed, MDSCs have been shown to accumulate in both tumor-bearing mice and CRC patients, and may therefore become an obstacle for cancer immunotherapy. Consequently, numerous studies have focused on the characterization of MDSCs and their immunosuppressive capacity, as well as developing novel approaches to suppress MDSCs function with different approaches. Current therapeutic strategies that target MDSCs in CRC include inhibition of their recruitment and alteration of their function, alone or in combination with other therapies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Herein, we summarize the recent roles and mechanisms of MDSCs in CRC progression. In addition, a brief review of MDSC-targeting approaches for potential CRC therapy is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xueli Xia
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Ke Rui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi Children's Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Shengjun Wang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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Gene Augmentation and Editing to Improve TCR Engineered T Cell Therapy against Solid Tumors. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040733. [PMID: 33287413 PMCID: PMC7761868 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent developments in gene engineering technologies have drastically improved the therapeutic treatment options for cancer patients. The use of effective chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells and recombinant T cell receptor engineered T (rTCR-T) cells has entered the clinic for treatment of hematological malignancies with promising results. However, further fine-tuning, to improve functionality and safety, is necessary to apply these strategies for the treatment of solid tumors. The immunosuppressive microenvironment, the surrounding stroma, and the tumor heterogeneity often results in poor T cell reactivity, functionality, and a diminished infiltration rates, hampering the efficacy of the treatment. The focus of this review is on recent advances in rTCR-T cell therapy, to improve both functionality and safety, for potential treatment of solid tumors and provides an overview of ongoing clinical trials. Besides selection of the appropriate tumor associated antigen, efficient delivery of an optimized recombinant TCR transgene into the T cells, in combination with gene editing techniques eliminating the endogenous TCR expression and disrupting specific inhibitory pathways could improve adoptively transferred T cells. Armoring the rTCR-T cells with specific cytokines and/or chemokines and their receptors, or targeting the tumor stroma, can increase the infiltration rate of the immune cells within the solid tumors. On the other hand, clinical “off-tumor/on-target” toxicities are still a major potential risk and can lead to severe adverse events. Incorporation of safety switches in rTCR-T cells can guarantee additional safety. Recent clinical trials provide encouraging data and emphasize the relevance of gene therapy and gene editing tools for potential treatment of solid tumors.
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32
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Yang HY, Wu CY, Chen JJ, Lee TH. Treatment Strategies and Metabolic Pathway Regulation in Urothelial Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8993. [PMID: 33256165 PMCID: PMC7730311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
For a long time, cisplatin-based chemotherapy had been viewed as first-line chemotherapy for advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). However, many patients with UC had been classified as cisplatin-ineligible who can only receive alternative chemotherapy with poor treatment response, and the vast majority of the cisplatin-eligible patients eventually progressed, even those with objective response with cisplatin-based chemotherapy initially. By understanding tumor immunology in UC, immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeting on programmed death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) pathways, had been proven as first-line treatment for cisplatin-ineligible metastatic UC and as second-line treatment for patients with platinum-refractory metastatic UC by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2020, JAVEIN bladder 100 further reported that PD-L1 inhibitors showed benefits on prolonged survival and progression-free survival as maintenance therapy. Besides targeting on immune checkpoint, manipulation of the tumor microenvironment by metabolic pathways intervention, including inhibition on tumor glycolysis, lactate accumulation and exogenous glutamine uptake, had been investigated in the past few years. In this comprehensive review, we start by introducing traditional chemotherapy of UC, and then we summarize current evidences supporting the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and highlight ongoing clinical trials. Lastly, we reviewed the tumor metabolic characteristic and the anti-tumor treatments targeting on metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang-Yu Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan;
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chao-Yi Wu
- Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33303, Taiwan;
| | - Jia-Jin Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan;
| | - Tao-Han Lee
- Department of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan;
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Weinmann A, Galle PR. Role of immunotherapy in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: current standards and future directions. Curr Oncol 2020; 27:S152-S164. [PMID: 33343209 PMCID: PMC7739523 DOI: 10.3747/co.27.7315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib was the only approved systemic therapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (hcc) for about a decade. In recent years, the number of approved agents has increased significantly as a result of a number of positive phase iii clinical trials. Lenvatinib as a first-line treatment, and regorafenib, cabozantinib, and ramucirumab in the second-line setting are now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (fda) and the European Medicines Agency. In phase ii studies, immunotherapy with nivolumab and monotherapy using pembrolizumab yielded impressive results for overall survival in therapy-naïve and pretreated patients, leading to the accelerated approval by the fda of nivolumab and pembrolizumab for second-line treatment. However, phase iii trials of nivolumab in the first line and pembrolizumab in the second line as single agents failed to reach statistical significance, although clinical benefit for a subset of patients with long durations of response could be demonstrated. Despite that setback, immunotherapy for hcc is a promising therapeutic approach, and the combination of immunotherapy with other treatment modalities such as monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or local therapies has the potential to increase the overall response rate and survival. Recently, the results of a phase iii trial of combination atezolizumab-bevacizumab compared with sorafenib showed a highly significant survival benefit and median overall survival that was not reached in the immunotherapy arm, making the combination the preferred standard of care in first-line therapy. Despite the impressive results and generally good toxicity profile of immunotherapy, patients who respond to therapy constitute only a subset of the overall population, and response rates are still limited. This review focuses on the currently reported results and ongoing clinical trials of checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy in hcc.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Weinmann
- Department of Internal Medicine i, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - P R Galle
- Department of Internal Medicine i, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
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Kaumaya PTP, Guo L, Overholser J, Penichet ML, Bekaii-Saab T. Immunogenicity and antitumor efficacy of a novel human PD-1 B-cell vaccine (PD1-Vaxx) and combination immunotherapy with dual trastuzumab/pertuzumab-like HER-2 B-cell epitope vaccines (B-Vaxx) in a syngeneic mouse model. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1818437. [PMID: 33117602 PMCID: PMC7553530 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1818437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has shown clinical success and activity across a broad set of cancer subtypes. However, monotherapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are only effective in a subset of patients and ongoing studies show efficacy of treatment depends on a combinatorial approach. Contrary to mAbs chimeric B-cell cancer vaccines incorporating a “promiscuous” T-cell epitope have the advantage of producing a polyclonal B-cell antibody that can potentially induce memory B- and T-cell responses, while reducing immune evasion and suppression. Here, we describe a novel PD-1 B-cell peptide epitope vaccine (amino acid 92–110; PD1-Vaxx) linked to a measles virus fusion peptide (MVF) amino acid 288–302 via a four amino acid residue (GPSL) emulsified in Montanide ISA 720VG that aims to induce the production of polyclonal antibodies that block PD-1 signaling and thus trigger anticancer effects similar to nivolumab. In preclinical studies, the PD1-Vaxx outperformed the standard anti-mouse PD-1 antibody (mAb 29F.1A12) in a mouse model of human HER-2 expressing colon carcinoma. Furthermore, the combination of PD1-Vaxx with combo HER-2 peptide vaccine (B-Vaxx) showed enhanced inhibition of tumor growth in colon carcinoma BALB/c model challenged with CT26/HER-2 cells. The PD-1 or combined vaccines were safe with no evidence of toxicity or autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravin T P Kaumaya
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.,The Wexner Medical Center and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Manuel L Penichet
- Division of Surgical Oncology Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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35
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Gorlin D, Bilwani R, Khan S, Gul M, Imam MH, Chaudhry A. CNS Toxicity of Immunotherapy. CLINICAL RESEARCH (MILPITAS, CALIF.) 2020; 6:157. [PMID: 38572351 PMCID: PMC10989301 DOI: 10.16966/2469-6714.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- David Gorlin
- Research Intern, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rania Bilwani
- Research Intern, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Saman Khan
- Research Intern, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Maryam Gul
- Amaze Research Foundation, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Ammar Chaudhry
- Director, Precision Imaging Lab, Director of Imaging Informatics Research, Department of Diagnostic Radiology City of Hope National Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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36
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Harui A, McLachlan SM, Rapoport B, Zarembinski TI, Roth MD. Peri-tumor administration of controlled release anti-CTLA-4 synergizes with systemic anti-PD-1 to induce systemic antitumor immunity while sparing autoimmune toxicity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:1737-1749. [PMID: 32333082 PMCID: PMC11027619 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02579-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Combination immunotherapy targeting the PD-1 and CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibitor pathways provides substantial clinical benefit in patients with advanced-stage cancer but at the risk of dose-limiting inflammatory and autoimmune toxicity. The delicate balance that exists between unleashing tumor killing and promoting systemic autoimmune toxicity represents a major clinical challenge. We hypothesized that targeting anti-CTLA-4 so that it perfuses tumor-draining lymph nodes would provide a significant therapeutic advantage and developed an injectable hydrogel with controlled antibody release characteristics for this purpose. Injection of hydrogel-encapsulated anti-CTLA-4 at a peri-tumor location (MC-38 tumor model) produced dose-dependent antitumor responses and survival that exceeded those by anti-CTLA-4 alone (p < 0.05). Responses to 100 µg of targeted anti-CTLA-4 also equaled or exceeded those observed with a series of systemic injections delivering 600 µg (p < 0.05). While preserving antitumor activity, this approach resulted in serum anti-CTLA-4 exposure (area under the curve) that averaged only 1/16th of that measured with systemic therapy. Consistent with the marked differences in systemic exposure, systemic anti-CTLA-4 stimulated the onset of autoimmune thyroiditis in iodide-exposed NOD.H-2h4 mice, as measured by anti-thyroglobulin antibody titer, while hydrogel-encapsulated anti-CTLA-4 had a minimal effect (p ≤ 0.01). At the same time, this targeted low-dose anti-CTLA-4 approach synergized well with systemic anti-PD-1 to control tumor growth and resulted in a high frequency of complete responders that were immune to tumor re-challenge at a distant site. We conclude that targeted and controlled delivery of low-dose anti-CTLA-4 has the potential to improve the benefit-risk ratio associated with combination checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Airi Harui
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sandra M McLachlan
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Basil Rapoport
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | | | - Michael D Roth
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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37
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Zhang C, Liu Y. Targeting NK Cell Checkpoint Receptors or Molecules for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1295. [PMID: 32714324 PMCID: PMC7344328 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint blockade therapy, for example using antibodies against CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1, relieves T cells from the suppression by inhibitory checkpoints in the tumor microenvironment; thereby achieving good outcomes in the treatment of different cancer types. Like T cells, natural killer (NK) cell inhibitory receptors function as checkpoints for NK cell activation. Upon interaction with their cognate ligands on infected cells, tumor cells, dendritic cells and regulatory T cells, signals from these receptors severely affect NK cells' activation and effector functions, resulting in NK cell exhaustion. Checkpoint inhibition with antagonistic antibodies (Abs) can rescue NK cell exhaustion and arouse their robust anti-tumor capacity. Most notably, the response to anti-PD-1 therapy can be enhanced by the increased frequency and activation of NK cells, thereby increasing the overall survival of patients with multiple types of cancer. In addition, rescue of NK cell activity could enhance adaptive T cells' anti-tumor activity. Some antagonistic Abs (e.g., anti-TIGIT and anti-NKG2A monoclonal Abs) have extraordinary potential in cancer therapy, as evidenced by their induction of potent anti-tumor immunity through recovering both NK and T cell function. In this review, we summarize the dysfunction of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment and the key NK cell checkpoint receptors or molecules that control NK cell function. We particularly focus on recent advances in the most promising strategies through blockade of NK cell checkpoints or their combination with other approaches to more effectively reject tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai Zhang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuxia Liu
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Simón-Vázquez R, Peleteiro M, González-Fernández Á. Polymeric nanostructure vaccines: applications and challenges. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2020; 17:1007-1023. [PMID: 32476491 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2020.1776259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of biocompatible polymers, from natural or synthetic sources, opened the door for a new era in vaccine research. These polymers offer the possibility to develop nanostructured antigen carriers that can be easily internalized by antigen-presenting cells, due to their nanometric size. Besides, the incorporation of an adjuvant allows increasing and modulating the immune response for both, polymers with or without self-adjuvant properties. AREAS COVERED The historical background and the state-of-the-art in the use of polymers as antigen carriers are addressed in the first part of this review. Then, an overview of the immunology of vaccination is provided. Finally, the main advances in the field, based on the prototypes that are licensed or undergoing clinical trials, but also the challenges that limit the translation of many polymer-based nanostructure vaccines with promising preclinical results, are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Polymeric nanostructured vaccines have a great potential in modern vaccinology. However, the translation into the market is hampered due to several limitations. Studies on correlates of protection to provide suitable biomarkers, new and better methods of synthesis to produce more reproducible nanovaccines, a deeper knowledge in the immune system and in the physiopathology of the infectious diseases will surely improve and boost the field in the next years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana Simón-Vázquez
- Immunology Group, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, CINBIO, Universidade de Vigo, Campus Universitario Lagoas Marcosende , Vigo, Spain.,Instituto De Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur (IIS-GS), Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Estrada Clara Campoamor , Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Mercedes Peleteiro
- Instituto De Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur (IIS-GS), Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Estrada Clara Campoamor , Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain.,Flow Cytometry Core Facility, CINBIO, Universidade de Vigo, Campus Universitario Lagoas Marcosende, Vigo, Spain
| | - África González-Fernández
- Immunology Group, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, CINBIO, Universidade de Vigo, Campus Universitario Lagoas Marcosende , Vigo, Spain.,Instituto De Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur (IIS-GS), Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Estrada Clara Campoamor , Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
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Peyraud F, Italiano A. Combined PARP Inhibition and Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1502. [PMID: 32526888 PMCID: PMC7352466 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer related to DNA damage response (DDR) deficiencies, offering vulnerabilities for targeted treatment. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) interfere with the efficient repair of DNA damage, particularly in tumors with existing defects in DNA repair, and induce synthetic lethality. PARPi are active across a range of tumor types harboring BRCA mutations and also BRCA-negative cancers, such as ovarian, breast or prostate cancers with homologous recombination deficiencies (HRD). Depending on immune contexture, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as anti-PD1/PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4, elicit potent antitumor effects and have been approved in various cancers types. Although major breakthroughs have been performed with either PARPi or ICIs alone in multiple cancers, primary or acquired resistance often leads to tumor escape. PARPi-mediated unrepaired DNA damages modulate the tumor immune microenvironment by a range of molecular and cellular mechanisms, such as increasing genomic instability, immune pathway activation, and PD-L1 expression on cancer cells, which might promote responsiveness to ICIs. In this context, PARPi and ICIs represent a rational combination. In this review, we summarize the basic and translational biology supporting the combined strategy. We also detail preclinical results and early data of ongoing clinical trials indicating the synergistic effect of PARPi and ICIs. Moreover, we discuss the limitations and the future direction of the combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florent Peyraud
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, 33000 Bordeaux, France;
- University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Antoine Italiano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié, 33000 Bordeaux, France;
- University of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
- Early Phase Trials and Sarcoma Unit, Institut Bergonié, 33000 Bordeaux, France
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Ratnayake G, Reinwald S, Shackleton M, Moore M, Voskoboynik M, Ruben J, van Zelm MC, Yu D, Ward R, Smith R, Haydon A, Senthi S. Stereotactic Radiation Therapy Combined With Immunotherapy Against Metastatic Melanoma: Long-Term Results of a Phase 1 Clinical Trial. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020; 108:150-156. [PMID: 32450331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) in combination with immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma. The study also investigates the effects of timing and dosing of SABR on clinical efficacy. METHODS Metastatic melanoma patients with at least 2 metastases received SABR to a single metastatic site. All patients had standard dose immunotherapy with anti-PD1 or anti-CTLA4 at the discretion of their treating clinician. Following a standard 3 + 3 design, patients were escalated through 3 SABR doses (10 Gy, 15 Gy, and 20 Gy) delivered at 3 different time points (with cycle 1, 2, or 3 of immunotherapy). Dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were defined as grade 3 or higher toxicity within 3 months of first treatment and assessed by an independent data safety monitoring committee (IDSMC). Logistic or Cox regressions were used to assess the impact of SABR dose and timing on the progression free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of this cohort. RESULTS Twenty-four patients were enrolled with a median clinical follow-up of 28 months. Four patients (16.7%) developed DLTs; 1 DLT occurred at a SABR-treated site, and all patients received 15 Gy. On this basis the IDSMC recommended stopping the trial and the MTD was defined at 10 Gy. The 2-year PFS was 21.9% (95% CI, 7.1%-41.8%) and 2-year OS was 49.6% (95% CI, 28.7%-67.6%). The median PFS for those receiving 10 Gy was numerically higher than for those receiving 15 Gy, 8.3 months versus 2.1 months (P = .38). The only treatment-related factor associated with both improved PFS (HR 0.08, P < .01) and OS (HR 0.008, P ≤ .01) was receiving SABR with cycle 3. SABR dose (PFS P = .17, OS P = .50) was not significant. CONCLUSIONS SABR at 10 Gy can be safely combined with immunotherapy. SABR timing appears to influence efficacy more than dose and warrants consideration in research attempting to optimize synergism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gishan Ratnayake
- Alfred Health Radiation Oncology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Radiation Oncology Princess Alexandra Hospital Raymond Terrace, Brisbane, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Simone Reinwald
- Alfred Health Radiation Oncology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark Shackleton
- Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medical Oncology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Maggie Moore
- Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medical Oncology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark Voskoboynik
- Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medical Oncology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jeremy Ruben
- Alfred Health Radiation Oncology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Menno C van Zelm
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology Service, Department of Respiratory, Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Research), Central Clinical School, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Di Yu
- Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rachel Ward
- Alfred Health Radiation Oncology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robin Smith
- Alfred Health Radiation Oncology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew Haydon
- Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medical Oncology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sashendra Senthi
- Alfred Health Radiation Oncology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Larson C, Oronsky B, Carter CA, Oronsky A, Knox SJ, Sher D, Reid TR. TGF-beta: a master immune regulator. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:427-438. [PMID: 32228232 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1744568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β) is a master regulator of numerous cellular functions including cellular immunity. In cancer, TGF-β can function as a tumor promoter via several mechanisms including immunosuppression. Since the immune checkpoint pathways are co-opted in cancer to induce T cell tolerance, this review posits that TGF-β is a master checkpoint in cancer, whose negative regulatory influence overrides and controls that of other immune checkpoints.Areas Covered: This review examines therapeutic agents that target TGF-β and its signaling pathways for the treatment of cancer which may be classifiable as checkpoint inhibitors in the broadest sense. This concept is supported by the observations that 1) only a subset of patients benefit from current checkpoint inhibitor therapies, 2) the presence of TGF-β in the tumor microenvironment is associated with excluded or cold tumors, and resistance to checkpoint inhibitors, and 3) existing biomarkers such as PD-1, PD-L1, microsatellite instability and tumor mutational burden are inadequate to reliably and adequately identify immuno-responsive patients. By contrast, TGF-β overexpression is a widespread and profoundly negative molecular hallmark in multiple tumor types.Expert Opinion: TGF-β status may serve as a biomarker to predict responsiveness and as a therapeutic target to increase the activity of immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Arnold Oronsky
- EpicentRx, San Diego, CA, USA.,InterWest Partners, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Susan J Knox
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David Sher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Tony R Reid
- Department of Medical Oncology, UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Klepsch V, Pommermayr M, Humer D, Brigo N, Hermann-Kleiter N, Baier G. Targeting the orphan nuclear receptor NR2F6 in T cells primes tumors for immune checkpoint therapy. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:8. [PMID: 31937317 PMCID: PMC6961368 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0454-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NR2F6 has been proposed as an alternative cancer immune checkpoint in the effector T cell compartment. However, a realistic assessment of the in vivo therapeutic potential of NR2F6 requires acute depletion. METHODS Employing primary T cells isolated from Cas9-transgenic mice for electroporation of chemically synthesized sgRNA, we established a CRISPR/Cas9-mediated acute knockout protocol of Nr2f6 in primary mouse T cells. RESULTS Analyzing these Nr2f6CRISPR/Cas9 knockout T cells, we reproducibly observed a hyper-reactive effector phenotype upon CD3/CD28 stimulation in vitro, highly reminiscent to Nr2f6-/- T cells. Importantly, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Nr2f6 ablation prior to adoptive cell therapy (ACT) of autologous polyclonal T cells into wild-type tumor-bearing recipient mice in combination with PD-L1 or CTLA-4 tumor immune checkpoint blockade significantly delayed MC38 tumor progression and induced superior survival, thus further validating a T cell-inhibitory function of NR2F6 during tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that Nr2f6CRISPR/Cas9 knockout T cells are comparable to germline Nr2f6-/- T cells, a result providing an independent confirmation of the immune checkpoint function of lymphatic NR2F6. Taken together, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated acute Nr2f6 gene ablation in primary mouse T cells prior to ACT appeared feasible for potentiating established PD-L1 and CTLA-4 blockade therapies, thereby pioneering NR2F6 inhibition as a sensitizing target for augmented tumor regression. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Klepsch
- Division of Translational Cell Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Maria Pommermayr
- Division of Translational Cell Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dominik Humer
- Division of Translational Cell Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Natascha Brigo
- Division of Translational Cell Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
- Present address: Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Natascha Hermann-Kleiter
- Division of Translational Cell Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gottfried Baier
- Division of Translational Cell Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Vetsika EK, Koukos A, Kotsakis A. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells: Major Figures that Shape the Immunosuppressive and Angiogenic Network in Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:E1647. [PMID: 31847487 PMCID: PMC6953061 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) constitute a vast population of immature myeloid cells implicated in various conditions. Most notably, their role in cancer is of great complexity. They exert immunosuppressive functions like hampering cancer immunity mediated by T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, while simultaneously they can recruit T regulatory cells to further promote immunosuppression, thus shielding tumor cells against the immune defenses. In addition, they were shown to support tumor invasion and metastasis by inducing vascularization. Yet again, in order to exert their angiogenic activities, they do have at their disposal a variety of occasionally overlapping mechanisms, mainly driven by VEGF/JAK/STAT signaling. In this concept, they have risen to be a rather attractive target for therapies, including depletion or maturation, so as to overcome cancer immunity and suppress angiogenic activity. Even though, many studies have been conducted to better understand these cells, there is much to be done yet. This article hopes to shed some light on the paradoxal complexity of these cells, while elucidating some of the key features of MDSCs in relation to immunosuppression and, most importantly, to the vascularization processes, along with current therapeutic options in cancer, in relation to MDSC depletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni-Kyriaki Vetsika
- Department of Medicine, pMEDgr, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Aristeidis Koukos
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Athanasios Kotsakis
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41334 Larissa, Greece
- Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Larissa, 41334 Larissa, Greece
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Beltrán Lissabet JF, Herrera Belén L, Farias JG. TTAgP 1.0: A computational tool for the specific prediction of tumor T cell antigens. Comput Biol Chem 2019; 83:107103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2019.107103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Ciccolini J, Barbolosi D, André N, Benzekry S, Barlesi F. Combinatorial immunotherapy strategies: most gods throw dice, but fate plays chess. Ann Oncol 2019; 30:1690-1691. [PMID: 31504149 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J Ciccolini
- SMARTc, Cancer Research Center of Marseille, Inserm U1068, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille.
| | - D Barbolosi
- SMARTc, Cancer Research Center of Marseille, Inserm U1068, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille
| | - N André
- SMARTc, Cancer Research Center of Marseille, Inserm U1068, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille; Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department, La Timone University Hospital of Marseille, Marseille
| | - S Benzekry
- MONC Team, INRIA, Bordeaux Institute of Mathematics, Bordeaux
| | - F Barlesi
- INCa-labelled Early-Phases Center (CLIP2), La Timone University Hospital of Marseille, Marseille, France
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