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Parent-Roberge H, Fontvieille A, Poirier L, Tai LH, Pavic M, Fülöp T, Riesco E. Acute natural killer cells response to a continuous moderate intensity and a work-matched high intensity interval exercise session in metastatic cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 40:100825. [PMID: 39155952 PMCID: PMC11327397 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100825] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background It has been suggested that the acute natural killer (NK) cell response to aerobic exercise might contribute to the tumor suppressor effect of regular exercise observed in preclinical studies. Moreover, because this response is modulated by exercise intensity, high-intensity intervals exercise (HIIE) might represent an interesting therapeutic approach in cancer patients. However, this immune response remains unstudied in cancer patients currently undergoing chemotherapy. Objective To characterize the acute NK cell response following a moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise session (MOD), and a HIIE session in metastatic cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods Twelve cancer patients (45-65 years old) underwent a MOD and a duration and work-matched HIIE trial, in a block-randomized order. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated before, after and 1h after each trial. NK cell subsets were enumerated using flow cytometry and complete blood counts. The surface expression of the cytotoxic NK cell (cNK; CD56dimCD16+) subset was evaluated for its expression of the differentiation markers CD57 and CD158a, the activating receptor NKG2D, the immune checkpoints TIM-3 and PD-1, and the chemokine receptors CXCR3, CXCR4 and CCR2. Results cNK cell blood counts increased immediately following MOD (p < 0.001) and decreased back to pre-exercise values 1 h after exercise cessation (p < 0.001). The most responsive cNK cell subsets were expressing CD57, CD158a, NKG2D, TIM-3 and CXCR3. The HIIE trial elicited a similar biphasic response, without any difference between trials (all p ≥ 0.38). However, significant changes in the MFI values of CXCR4 and NKG2D were observed in the cNK cell subset following HIIE (all p ≤ 0.038), but not MOD. Conclusion In metastatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, both MOD and HIIE can elicit an acute mobilisation and egress of NK cells exhibiting phenotypic characteristics associated with high cytotoxicity and tumor homing. Future longitudinal trials are needed to determine if combining aerobic exercise training and chemotherapy will translate towards favorable immune and clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Parent-Roberge
- University of Sherbrooke, Faculty of Physical Activity Sciences, 2500, boul. de l’Université, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1K 2R1, Canada
- Research Centre on Aging, affiliated with CIUSSS de l’Estrie - CHUS, 1036, rue Belvédère sud, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1H 4C4, Canada
| | - Adeline Fontvieille
- University of Sherbrooke, Faculty of Physical Activity Sciences, 2500, boul. de l’Université, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1K 2R1, Canada
- Research Centre on Aging, affiliated with CIUSSS de l’Estrie - CHUS, 1036, rue Belvédère sud, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1H 4C4, Canada
| | - Laurence Poirier
- University of Sherbrooke, Faculty of Physical Activity Sciences, 2500, boul. de l’Université, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1K 2R1, Canada
- Research Centre on Aging, affiliated with CIUSSS de l’Estrie - CHUS, 1036, rue Belvédère sud, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1H 4C4, Canada
| | - Lee-Hwa Tai
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1H 5N4, Canada
- University of Sherbrooke, Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Michel Pavic
- University of Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1H 5N4, Canada
- Institut de recherche sur le cancer de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Qc, Canada, J1H5N4
| | - Tamàs Fülöp
- Research Centre on Aging, affiliated with CIUSSS de l’Estrie - CHUS, 1036, rue Belvédère sud, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1H 4C4, Canada
- University of Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, 3001, 12e avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC, J1H 5N4, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Eléonor Riesco
- University of Sherbrooke, Faculty of Physical Activity Sciences, 2500, boul. de l’Université, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1K 2R1, Canada
- Research Centre on Aging, affiliated with CIUSSS de l’Estrie - CHUS, 1036, rue Belvédère sud, Sherbrooke, Qc, J1H 4C4, Canada
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Li W, Xia C, Wang K, Xue L, Wang Y, Yang JY, Zhang M, Yin M, Ju C, Miao Z, Li Y, Zhao X, Yang Z, Tang R, Yang W. Technical considerations and strategies for generating and optimizing humanized mouse tumor models in immuno-oncology research. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 139:112722. [PMID: 39033663 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112722] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The field of cancer immunotherapy has experienced significant progress, resulting in the emergence of numerous biological drug candidates requiring in vivo efficacy testing and a better understanding of their mechanism of action (MOA). Humanized immune system (HIS) models are valuable tools in this regard. However, there is a lack of systematic guidance on HIS modeling. To address this issue, the present study aimed to establish and optimize a variety of HIS models for immune-oncology (IO) study, including genetically engineered mouse models and HIS models with human immune components reconstituted in severely immunocompromised mice. The efficacy and utility of these models were tested with several marketed or investigational IO drugs according to their MOA, followed by immunophenotypic analysis and efficacy evaluation. The results of the present study demonstrated that the HIS models responded to various IO drugs as expected and that each model had unique niches, utilities and limitations. Researchers should carefully choose the appropriate models based on the MOA and the targeted immune cell populations of the investigational drug. The present study provides valuable methodologies and actionable technical guidance on designing, generating or utilizing appropriate HIS models to address specific questions in translational IO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, China; Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Chunlei Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, China; Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Kun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, China; Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Liting Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, China; Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, China; Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China
| | | | | | - Ming Yin
- Beijing Vitalstar Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100000, China
| | - Cunxiang Ju
- Gempharmatech Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Zhenchuan Miao
- Beijing Vitalstar Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100000, China
| | - Ying Li
- Gempharmatech Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, China; Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Zhijian Yang
- ClinBridge Biotech Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Renhong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, China; Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China.
| | - WenQing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, Nanjing 210000, China; Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Shanghai 200120, China.
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3
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Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi M, Yazdanparast S, Kheyrandish S, Safdari SM, Amiri Samani F, Sohani M, Jaafarian AS, Damirchiloo F, Izadpanah A, Parkhideh S, Mikanik F, Roshandel E, Hajifathali A, Gharehbaghian A. Harnessing natural killer cells for refractory/relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma: biological roles, clinical trials, and future prospective. Biomark Res 2024; 12:66. [PMID: 39020411 PMCID: PMC11253502 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00610-z] [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: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are heterogeneous and are among the most common hematological malignancies worldwide. Despite the advances in the treatment of patients with NHLs, relapse or resistance to treatment is anticipated in several patients. Therefore, novel therapeutic approaches are needed. Recently, natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy alone or in combination with monoclonal antibodies, chimeric antigen receptors, or bispecific killer engagers have been applied in many investigations for NHL treatment. The functional defects of NK cells and the ability of cancerous cells to escape NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity within the tumor microenvironment of NHLs, as well as the beneficial results from previous studies in the context of NK cell-based immunotherapy in NHLs, direct our attention to this therapeutic strategy. This review aims to summarize clinical studies focusing on the applications of NK cells in the immunotherapy of patients with NHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Bakhtiyaridovvombaygi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Yazdanparast
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Setare Kheyrandish
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehrab Safdari
- Departments of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Amiri Samani
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Sohani
- Student Research Committee, Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Sadat Jaafarian
- Departments of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Damirchiloo
- Departments of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Parkhideh
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mikanik
- Laboratory Hematology and Blood Bank Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Roshandel
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Hajifathali
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Gharehbaghian
- Laboratory Hematology and Blood Bank Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Pediatric Congenital Hematologic Disorders Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Pham TT, Chenoweth A, Patel N, Banu A, Osborn G, Blower PJ, Karagiannis SN, Ma MT. In Vivo PET Imaging of 89Zr-Labeled Natural Killer Cells and the Modulating Effects of a Therapeutic Antibody. J Nucl Med 2024; 65:1035-1042. [PMID: 38844362 PMCID: PMC11218727 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.124.267876] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can kill cancer cells via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC): a tumor-associated IgG antibody binds to the Fcγ receptor CD16 on NK cells via the antibody Fc region and activates the cytotoxic functions of the NK cell. Here, we used PET imaging to assess NK cell migration to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive HCC1954 breast tumors, examining the influence of HER2-targeted trastuzumab antibody treatment on NK cell tumor accumulation. Methods: Human NK cells from healthy donors were expanded ex vivo and labeled with [89Zr]Zr-oxine. In vitro experiments compared the phenotypic markers, viability, proliferation, migration, degranulation, and ADCC behaviors of both labeled (89Zr-NK) and unlabeled NK cells. Female mice bearing orthotopic human breast HCC1954 tumors were administered 89Zr-NK cells alongside trastuzumab treatment or a sham treatment and then scanned using PET/CT imaging over 7 d. Flow cytometry and γ-counting were used to analyze the presence of 89Zr-NK cells in liver and spleen tissues. Results: 89Zr cell radiolabeling yields measured 42.2% ± 8.0%. At an average specific activity of 16.7 ± 4.7 kBq/106 cells, 89Zr-NK cells retained phenotypic and functional characteristics including CD56 and CD16 expression, viability, migration, degranulation, and ADCC capabilities. In vivo PET/CT studies indicated predominant accumulation of 89Zr-NK cells in the liver and spleen. Ex vivo analyses of liver and spleen tissues indicated that the administered human 89Zr-NK cells retained their radioactivity in vivo and that 89Zr did not transfer to cells of murine soft tissues, thus validating this 89Zr PET method for NK cell tracking. Notably, 89Zr-NK cells migrated to HER2-positive tumors, both with and without trastuzumab treatment. Trastuzumab treatment was associated with an increased 89Zr-NK cell signal at days 1 and 3 after injection. Conclusion: In vitro, 89Zr-NK cells maintained key cellular and cytotoxic functions. In vivo, 89Zr-NK cells trafficked to HER2-postive tumors, with trastuzumab treatment correlating with enhanced 89Zr-NK infiltration. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using PET to image 89Zr-NK cell infiltration into solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Truc T Pham
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Bioengineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom;
| | - Alicia Chenoweth
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; and
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Patel
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Bioengineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arshiya Banu
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Bioengineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriel Osborn
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; and
| | - Philip J Blower
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Bioengineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sophia N Karagiannis
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; and
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle T Ma
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Bioengineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom;
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Peng L, Renauer PA, Sferruzza G, Yang L, Zou Y, Fang Z, Park JJ, Chow RD, Zhang Y, Lin Q, Bai M, Sanchez A, Zhang Y, Lam SZ, Ye L, Chen S. In vivo AAV-SB-CRISPR screens of tumor-infiltrating primary NK cells identify genetic checkpoints of CAR-NK therapy. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02282-4. [PMID: 38918616 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02282-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have clinical potential against cancer; however, multiple limitations hinder the success of NK cell therapy. Here, we performed unbiased functional mapping of tumor-infiltrating NK (TINK) cells using in vivo adeno-associated virus (AAV)-SB (Sleeping Beauty)-CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) screens in four solid tumor mouse models. In parallel, we characterized single-cell transcriptomic landscapes of TINK cells, which identified previously unexplored subpopulations of NK cells and differentially expressed TINK genes. As a convergent hit, CALHM2-knockout (KO) NK cells showed enhanced cytotoxicity and tumor infiltration in mouse primary NK cells and human chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells. CALHM2 mRNA reversed the CALHM2-KO phenotype. CALHM2 KO in human primary NK cells enhanced their cytotoxicity, degranulation and cytokine production. Transcriptomics profiling revealed CALHM2-KO-altered genes and pathways in both baseline and stimulated conditions. In a solid tumor model resistant to unmodified CAR-NK cells, CALHM2-KO CAR-NK cells showed potent in vivo antitumor efficacy. These data identify endogenous genetic checkpoints that naturally limit NK cell function and demonstrate the use of CALHM2 KO for engineering enhanced NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Peng
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paul A Renauer
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Giacomo Sferruzza
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Luojia Yang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yongji Zou
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhenghao Fang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jonathan J Park
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- M.D.-Ph.D. Program, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ryan D Chow
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- M.D.-Ph.D. Program, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yueqi Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Qianqian Lin
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Meizhu Bai
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Angelica Sanchez
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Yale College, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yongzhan Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stanley Z Lam
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lupeng Ye
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- M.D.-Ph.D. Program, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Liver Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Center for RNA Science and Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Huang M, Liu Y, Yan Q, Peng M, Ge J, Mo Y, Wang Y, Wang F, Zeng Z, Li Y, Fan C, Xiong W. NK cells as powerful therapeutic tool in cancer immunotherapy. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:733-757. [PMID: 38170381 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00909-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells have gained considerable attention and hold great potential for their application in tumor immunotherapy. This is mainly due to their MHC-unrestricted and pan-specific recognition capabilities, as well as their ability to rapidly respond to and eliminate target cells. To artificially generate therapeutic NK cells, various materials can be utilized, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), umbilical cord blood (UCB), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and NK cell lines. Exploiting the therapeutic potential of NK cells to treat tumors through in vivo and in vitro therapeutic modalities has yielded positive therapeutic results. CONCLUSION This review provides a comprehensive description of NK cell therapeutic approaches for tumors and discusses the current problems associated with these therapeutic approaches and the prospects of NK cell therapy for tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Huang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yixuan Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qijia Yan
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Peng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Junshang Ge
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongzhen Mo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yumin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410078, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fuyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Alkek Building, RM N720, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chunmei Fan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 410013, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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7
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Kong JC, Sa’ad MA, Vijayan HM, Ravichandran M, Balakrishnan V, Tham SK, Tye GJ. Chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cell therapy: current advancements and strategies to overcome challenges. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1384039. [PMID: 38726000 PMCID: PMC11079817 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1384039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer (CAR-NK) cell therapy is a novel immunotherapy targeting cancer cells via the generation of chimeric antigen receptors on NK cells which recognize specific cancer antigens. CAR-NK cell therapy is gaining attention nowadays owing to the ability of CAR-NK cells to release potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells without side effects such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). CAR-NK cells do not require antigen priming, thus enabling them to be used as "off-the-shelf" therapy. Nonetheless, CAR-NK cell therapy still possesses several challenges in eliminating cancer cells which reside in hypoxic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Therefore, this review is envisioned to explore the current advancements and limitations of CAR-NK cell therapy as well as discuss strategies to overcome the challenges faced by CAR-NK cell therapy. This review also aims to dissect the current status of clinical trials on CAR-NK cells and future recommendations for improving the effectiveness and safety of CAR-NK cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Chang Kong
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Auwal Sa’ad
- Celestialab Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, AIMST University, Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia
| | | | - Manickam Ravichandran
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, AIMST University, Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia
- MyGenome, ALPS Global Holding, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Venugopal Balakrishnan
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Seng Kong Tham
- ALPS Medical Centre, ALPS Global Holding, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Gee Jun Tye
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia
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8
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Yazdi M, Hasanzadeh Kafshgari M, Khademi Moghadam F, Zarezade V, Oellinger R, Khosravi M, Haas S, Hoch CC, Pockley AG, Wagner E, Wollenberg B, Multhoff G, Bashiri Dezfouli A. Crosstalk Between NK Cell Receptors and Tumor Membrane Hsp70-Derived Peptide: A Combined Computational and Experimental Study. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2305998. [PMID: 38298098 PMCID: PMC11005703 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202305998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are central components of the innate immunity system against cancers. Since tumor cells have evolved a series of mechanisms to escape from NK cells, developing methods for increasing the NK cell antitumor activity is of utmost importance. It is previously shown that an ex vivo stimulation of patient-derived NK cells with interleukin (IL)-2 and Hsp70-derived peptide TKD (TKDNNLLGRFELSG, aa450-461) results in a significant upregulation of activating receptors including CD94 and CD69 which triggers exhausted NK cells to target and kill malignant solid tumors expressing membrane Hsp70 (mHsp70). Considering that TKD binding to an activating receptor is the initial step in the cytolytic signaling cascade of NK cells, herein this interaction is studied by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation computational modeling. The in silico results showed a crucial role of the heterodimeric receptor CD94/NKG2A and CD94/NKG2C in the TKD interaction with NK cells. Antibody blocking and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout studies verified the key function of CD94 in the TKD stimulation and activation of NK cells which is characterized by an increased cytotoxic capacity against mHsp70 positive tumor cells via enhanced production and release of lytic granules and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Yazdi
- Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyDepartment of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität (LMU)81377MunichGermany
| | - Morteza Hasanzadeh Kafshgari
- Heinz‐Nixdorf‐Chair of Biomedical ElectronicsCampus Klinikum München rechts der IsarTranslaTUMTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
| | | | - Vahid Zarezade
- Behbahan Faculty of Medical SciencesBehbahan6361796819Iran
| | - Rupert Oellinger
- Institute of Molecular Oncology and Functional GenomicsSchool of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
- Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM)School of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
| | - Mohammad Khosravi
- Department of PathobiologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineShahid Chamran University of AhvazAhvaz6135783151Iran
| | - Stefan Haas
- Department of Radiation OncologySchool of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologySchool of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
| | - Cosima C. Hoch
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologySchool of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
| | - Alan Graham Pockley
- John van Geest Cancer Research CentreSchool of Science and TechnologyNottingham Trent UniversityNottinghamNG11 8NSUK
| | - Ernst Wagner
- Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyDepartment of PharmacyLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität (LMU)81377MunichGermany
| | - Barbara Wollenberg
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologySchool of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
| | - Gabriele Multhoff
- Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM)School of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
- Department of Radiation OncologySchool of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
| | - Ali Bashiri Dezfouli
- Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM)School of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
- Department of Radiation OncologySchool of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
- Department of OtorhinolaryngologySchool of MedicineTechnische Universität München81675MunichGermany
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9
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Khalifa AM, Nakamura T, Sato Y, Harashima H. Vaccination with a combination of STING agonist-loaded lipid nanoparticles and CpG-ODNs protects against lung metastasis via the induction of CD11b highCD27 low memory-like NK cells. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:36. [PMID: 38553761 PMCID: PMC10981311 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00502-w] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells are effective in attacking tumor cells that escape T cell attack. Memory NK cells are believed to function as potent effector cells in cancer immunotherapy. However, knowledge of their induction, identification, and potential in vivo is limited. Herein, we report on the induction and identification of memory-like NK cells via the action of a combination of a stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist loaded into lipid nanoparticles (STING-LNPs) and cytosine-phosphorothioate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs), and the potential of the inducted memory-like NK cells to prevent melanoma lung metastasis. METHODS The antitumor effects of either the STING-LNPs, CpG-ODNs, or the combination therapy were evaluated using a B16-F10 lung metastasis model. The effect of the combined treatment was evaluated by measuring cytokine production. The induction of memory-like NK cells was demonstrated via flow cytometry and confirmed through their preventative effect. RESULTS The combination of STING-LNPs and CpG-ODNs tended to enhance the production of interleukin 12 (IL-12) and IL-18, and exerted a therapeutic effect against B16-F10 lung metastasis. The combination therapy increased the population of CD11bhighCD27low NK cells. Although monotherapies failed to show preventative effects, the combination therapy induced a surprisingly strong preventative effect, which indicates that CD11bhighCD27low cells could be a phenotype of memory-like NK cells. CONCLUSION As far as could be ascertained, this is the first report of the in vivo induction, identification, and confirmation of a phenotype of the memory-like NK cells through a prophylactic effect via the use of an immunotherapeutic drug. Our findings provide novel insights into the in vivo induction of CD11bhighCD27low memory-like NK cells thus paving the way for the development of efficient immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Khalifa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takashi Nakamura
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Hokkaido, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Sato
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-6, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0812, Hokkaido, Japan.
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10
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Afsar A, Zhang L. Putative Molecular Mechanisms Underpinning the Inverse Roles of Mitochondrial Respiration and Heme Function in Lung Cancer and Alzheimer's Disease. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:185. [PMID: 38534454 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell. Mitochondria serve as the major source of oxidative stress. Impaired mitochondria produce less adenosine triphosphate (ATP) but generate more reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could be a major factor in the oxidative imbalance observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Well-balanced mitochondrial respiration is important for the proper functioning of cells and human health. Indeed, recent research has shown that elevated mitochondrial respiration underlies the development and therapy resistance of many types of cancer, whereas diminished mitochondrial respiration is linked to the pathogenesis of AD. Mitochondria govern several activities that are known to be changed in lung cancer, the largest cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Because of the significant dependence of lung cancer cells on mitochondrial respiration, numerous studies demonstrated that blocking mitochondrial activity is a potent strategy to treat lung cancer. Heme is a central factor in mitochondrial respiration/oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and its association with cancer is the subject of increased research in recent years. In neural cells, heme is a key component in mitochondrial respiration and the production of ATP. Here, we review the role of impaired heme metabolism in the etiology of AD. We discuss the numerous mitochondrial effects that may contribute to AD and cancer. In addition to emphasizing the significance of heme in the development of both AD and cancer, this review also identifies some possible biological connections between the development of the two diseases. This review explores shared biological mechanisms (Pin1, Wnt, and p53 signaling) in cancer and AD. In cancer, these mechanisms drive cell proliferation and tumorigenic functions, while in AD, they lead to cell death. Understanding these mechanisms may help advance treatments for both conditions. This review discusses precise information regarding common risk factors, such as aging, obesity, diabetes, and tobacco usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Afsar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
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11
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Wang Z, Sun W, Hua R, Wang Y, Li Y, Zhang H. Promising dawn in tumor microenvironment therapy: engineering oral bacteria. Int J Oral Sci 2024; 16:24. [PMID: 38472176 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-024-00282-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research, cancer continues to be a major global health concern. The human mouth appears to be a multiplicity of local environments communicating with other organs and causing diseases via microbes. Nowadays, the role of oral microbes in the development and progression of cancer has received increasing scrutiny. At the same time, bioengineering technology and nanotechnology is growing rapidly, in which the physiological activities of natural bacteria are modified to improve the therapeutic efficiency of cancers. These engineered bacteria were transformed to achieve directed genetic reprogramming, selective functional reorganization and precise control. In contrast to endotoxins produced by typical genetically modified bacteria, oral flora exhibits favorable biosafety characteristics. To outline the current cognitions upon oral microbes, engineered microbes and human cancers, related literatures were searched and reviewed based on the PubMed database. We focused on a number of oral microbes and related mechanisms associated with the tumor microenvironment, which involve in cancer occurrence and development. Whether engineering oral bacteria can be a possible application of cancer therapy is worth consideration. A deeper understanding of the relationship between engineered oral bacteria and cancer therapy may enhance our knowledge of tumor pathogenesis thus providing new insights and strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zifei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wansu Sun
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ruixue Hua
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanyin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Hengguo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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12
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Akinsipe T, Mohamedelhassan R, Akinpelu A, Pondugula SR, Mistriotis P, Avila LA, Suryawanshi A. Cellular interactions in tumor microenvironment during breast cancer progression: new frontiers and implications for novel therapeutics. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1302587. [PMID: 38533507 PMCID: PMC10963559 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1302587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The breast cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) is dynamic, with various immune and non-immune cells interacting to regulate tumor progression and anti-tumor immunity. It is now evident that the cells within the TME significantly contribute to breast cancer progression and resistance to various conventional and newly developed anti-tumor therapies. Both immune and non-immune cells in the TME play critical roles in tumor onset, uncontrolled proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion, and resistance to anti-tumor therapies. Consequently, molecular and cellular components of breast TME have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for developing novel treatments. The breast TME primarily comprises cancer cells, stromal cells, vasculature, and infiltrating immune cells. Currently, numerous clinical trials targeting specific TME components of breast cancer are underway. However, the complexity of the TME and its impact on the evasion of anti-tumor immunity necessitate further research to develop novel and improved breast cancer therapies. The multifaceted nature of breast TME cells arises from their phenotypic and functional plasticity, which endows them with both pro and anti-tumor roles during tumor progression. In this review, we discuss current understanding and recent advances in the pro and anti-tumoral functions of TME cells and their implications for developing safe and effective therapies to control breast cancer progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tosin Akinsipe
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Rania Mohamedelhassan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Ayuba Akinpelu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Satyanarayana R. Pondugula
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Panagiotis Mistriotis
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - L. Adriana Avila
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Amol Suryawanshi
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
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13
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Allen AG, Khan SQ, Margulies CM, Viswanathan R, Lele S, Blaha L, Scott SN, Izzo KM, Gerew A, Pattali R, Cochran NR, Holland CS, Zhao AH, Sherman SE, Jaskolka MC, Wu M, Wilson AC, Sun X, Ciulla DM, Zhang D, Nelson JD, Zhang P, Mazzucato P, Huang Y, Giannoukos G, Marco E, Nehil M, Follit JA, Chang KH, Shearman MS, Wilson CJ, Zuris JA. A highly efficient transgene knock-in technology in clinically relevant cell types. Nat Biotechnol 2024; 42:458-469. [PMID: 37127662 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-023-01779-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Inefficient knock-in of transgene cargos limits the potential of cell-based medicines. In this study, we used a CRISPR nuclease that targets a site within an exon of an essential gene and designed a cargo template so that correct knock-in would retain essential gene function while also integrating the transgene(s) of interest. Cells with non-productive insertions and deletions would undergo negative selection. This technology, called SLEEK (SeLection by Essential-gene Exon Knock-in), achieved knock-in efficiencies of more than 90% in clinically relevant cell types without impacting long-term viability or expansion. SLEEK knock-in rates in T cells are more efficient than state-of-the-art TRAC knock-in with AAV6 and surpass more than 90% efficiency even with non-viral DNA cargos. As a clinical application, natural killer cells generated from induced pluripotent stem cells containing SLEEK knock-in of CD16 and mbIL-15 show substantially improved tumor killing and persistence in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Meng Wu
- Editas Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
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14
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Gondaliya P, Driscoll J, Yan IK, Ali Sayyed A, Patel T. Therapeutic restoration of miR-126-3p as a multi-targeted strategy to modulate the liver tumor microenvironment. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0373. [PMID: 38358374 PMCID: PMC10871752 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired natural killer (NK) cell-mediated antitumor responses contribute to the growth of liver tumors. Expression of a disintegrin and metalloprotease 9 (ADAM9) increases shedding of membrane-bound major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related protein A and results in evasion from NK cell-mediated cytolysis. ADAM9 is also involved in angiogenesis and tumor progression and is a target of miR-126-3p, a tumor suppressor that is downregulated and alters tumor cell behavior in the liver and other cancers. We evaluated the restoration of miR-126-3p and modulation of the miR-126-3p/ADAM9 axis as a therapeutic approach to simultaneously enhance NK cell-mediated cytolysis while targeting both tumor cells and their microenvironment. METHODS Precursor miRNAs were loaded into milk-derived nanovesicles to generate therapeutic vesicles (therapeutic milk-derived nanovesicles) for the restoration of functional miR-126-3p in recipient cancer cells. RESULTS Administration of therapeutic milk-derived nanovesicles increased miR-126-3p expression and reduced ADAM9 expression in target cells and was associated with an increase in membrane-bound major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related protein A. This enhanced NK cell cytolysis in adherent tumor cells and in multicellular tumor spheroids while also impairing angiogenesis and modulating macrophage chemotaxis. Moreover, IV administration of therapeutic milk-derived nanovesicles with adoptive transfer of NK cells reduced tumor burden in orthotopic hepatocellular cancer xenografts in mice. CONCLUSION A directed RNA therapeutic approach can mitigate NK cell immune evasion, reduce angiogenesis, and alter the tumor cell phenotype through the restoration of miR-126-3p in liver tumor cells. The pleiotropic effects elicited by this multi-targeted approach to modulate the local tumor microenvironment support its use for the treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piyush Gondaliya
- Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Julia Driscoll
- Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Irene K. Yan
- Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Adil Ali Sayyed
- Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Tushar Patel
- Department of Transplantation, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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15
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Saadh MJ, Rasulova I, Khalil M, Farahim F, Sârbu I, Ciongradi CI, Omar TM, Alhili A, Jawad MJ, Hani T, Ali T, Lakshmaiya N. Natural killer cell-mediated immune surveillance in cancer: Role of tumor microenvironment. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155120. [PMID: 38280274 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
In the immunological surveillance against cancer, natural killer (NK) cells are essential effectors that help eradicate altered cells. The complex interactions that occur between NK cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) are thoroughly examined in this review. The review examines how cytokine stimulation affects NK cell activation, focusing on the dynamic modulation of NK cell function within the TME. It looks at NK cell-related biomarkers such as PD-1/PD-L1, methylation HOXA9 (Homeobox A9), Stroma AReactive Invasion Front Areas (SARIFA), and NKG2A/HLA-E, providing critical information about prognosis and treatment outcomes. The changing landscape of immunotherapies-including checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-NK cells, and cytokine-based interventions-is examined in the context of enhancing NK cell activity. The review highlights the potential pathways for precision medicine going forward, focusing on customized immunotherapies based on unique biomarker profiles and investigating combination medicines to produce more robust anti-tumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed J Saadh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman 11831, Jordan; Applied Science Research Center. Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Irodakhon Rasulova
- MD, PhD, Senior Researcher, School of Humanities, Natural & Social Sciences, New Uzbekistan University, 54 Mustaqillik Ave., Tashkent, 100007, Uzbekistan; Department of Public Health, Samarkand State Medical University, Amir Temur street 18, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| | | | - Farha Farahim
- Department of Nursing, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ioan Sârbu
- 2nd Department of Surgery-Pediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania.
| | - Carmen Iulia Ciongradi
- 2nd Department of Surgery-Pediatric Surgery and Orthopedics, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania.
| | - Thabit Moath Omar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technics, Al-Noor University College, Nineveh, Iraq
| | - Ahmed Alhili
- Medical Technical College, Al-Farahidi University, Iraq
| | | | - Thamer Hani
- Dentistry Department, Al-Turath University College, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Talat Ali
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Natrayan Lakshmaiya
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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16
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Peng C, Xu Y, Wu J, Wu D, Zhou L, Xia X. TME-Related Biomimetic Strategies Against Cancer. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:109-135. [PMID: 38192633 PMCID: PMC10773252 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s441135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in various stages of tumor generation, metastasis, and evasion of immune monitoring and treatment. TME targeted therapy is based on TME components, related pathways or active molecules as therapeutic targets. Therefore, TME targeted therapy based on environmental differences between TME and normal cells has been widely studied. Biomimetic nanocarriers with low clearance, low immunogenicity, and high targeting have enormous potential in tumor treatment. This review introduces the composition and characteristics of TME, including cancer‑associated fibroblasts (CAFs), extracellular matrix (ECM), tumor blood vessels, non-tumor cells, and the latest research progress of biomimetic nanoparticles (NPs) based on TME. It also discusses the opportunities and challenges of clinical transformation of biomimetic nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yilin Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Donghai Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lili Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinhua Xia
- School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China
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17
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He S, Su L, Hu H, Liu H, Xiong J, Gong X, Chi H, Wu Q, Yang G. Immunoregulatory functions and therapeutic potential of natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicles in chronic diseases. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1328094. [PMID: 38239346 PMCID: PMC10795180 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1328094] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been proven to play a significant immunoregulatory role in many chronic diseases, such as cancer and immune disorders. Among them, EVs derived from NK cells are an essential component of the immune cell functions. These EVs have been demonstrated to carry a variety of toxic proteins and nucleic acids derived from NK cells and play a therapeutic role in diseases like malignancies, liver fibrosis, and lung injury. However, natural NK-derived EVs (NKEVs) have certain limitations in disease treatment, such as low yield and poor targeting. Concurrently, NK cells exhibit characteristics of memory-like NK cells, which have stronger proliferative capacity, increased IFN-γ production, and enhanced cytotoxicity, making them more advantageous for disease treatment. Recent research has shifted its focus towards engineered extracellular vesicles and their potential to improve the efficiency, specificity, and safety of disease treatments. In this review, we will discuss the characteristics of NK-derived EVs and the latest advancements in disease therapy. Specifically, we will compare different cellular sources of NKEVs and explore the current status and prospects of memory-like NK cell-derived EVs and engineered NKEVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang He
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lanqian Su
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Haiyang Hu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Haiqi Liu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jingwen Xiong
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiangjin Gong
- Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qibiao Wu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Guanhu Yang
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
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18
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Baek IC, Choi EJ, Kim HJ, Choi H, Shin HS, Lim DG, Kim TG. Association of KIR Genes with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection in South Koreans. J Clin Med 2024; 13:258. [PMID: 38202265 PMCID: PMC10779705 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010258] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a lower respiratory tract disease caused by a beta coronavirus (CoV) called MERS-CoV, characterized by a high mortality rate. We aimed to evaluate the association between genetic variation in killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and the risk of MERS in South Koreans. METHODS KIR genes were genotyped by multiplex polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). A case-control study was performed to identify the odds ratios (OR) of KIR genes for MERS and the association of KIR genes and their ligands, human leukocyte antigens (HLA) genes. RESULTS KIR2DS4D and KIR3DP1F showed higher frequencies in the group of all patients infected with MERS-CoV than in the control group (p = 0.023, OR = 2.4; p = 0.039, OR = 2.7). KIR2DL1, KIR2DP1, and KIR3DP1D were significantly associated with moderate/mild (Mo/Mi) cases. KIR2DL2, KIR2DS1, and KIR3DP1F were affected in severe cases. When we investigated the association between KIR genes and their ligands in MERS patient and control groups, KIR3DL1+/Bw4(80I)+, KIR3DL1+/Bw6+, KIR3DL1+/Bw6-, KIR2DS1+/C2+, and KIR3DS+/Bw4(80I)+ were associated with MERS. KIR3DL1+/Bw6- was found in Mo/Mi cases. KIR2DS1+/C2+ and KIR2DS2+/C1+ were found in severe cases. CONCLUSION Further investigations are needed to prove the various immune responses of MERS-CoV-infected cells according to variations in the KIR gene and ligand gene. A treatment strategy based on current research on the KIR gene and MERS-CoV will suggest potential treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Cheol Baek
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea; (I.-C.B.); (E.-J.C.); (H.-J.K.); (H.C.)
| | - Eun-Jeong Choi
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea; (I.-C.B.); (E.-J.C.); (H.-J.K.); (H.C.)
| | - Hyoung-Jae Kim
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea; (I.-C.B.); (E.-J.C.); (H.-J.K.); (H.C.)
| | - Haeyoun Choi
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea; (I.-C.B.); (E.-J.C.); (H.-J.K.); (H.C.)
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung-Shik Shin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon 34824, Republic of Korea;
| | - Dong-Gyun Lim
- Translational Research Center, Research Institute of Public Health, National Medical Center, Seoul 04564, Republic of Korea
| | - Tai-Gyu Kim
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea; (I.-C.B.); (E.-J.C.); (H.-J.K.); (H.C.)
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
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19
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Zhang H, Yang L, Wang T, Li Z. NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy. Bioact Mater 2024; 31:63-86. [PMID: 37601277 PMCID: PMC10432724 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells display a unique inherent ability to identify and eliminate virus-infected cells and tumor cells. They are particularly powerful for elimination of hematological cancers, and have attracted considerable interests for therapy of solid tumors. However, the treatment of solid tumors with NK cells are less effective, which can be attributed to the very complicated immunosuppressive microenvironment that may lead to the inactivation, insufficient expansion, short life, and the poor tumor infiltration of NK cells. Fortunately, the development of advanced nanotechnology has provided potential solutions to these issues, and could improve the immunotherapy efficacy of NK cells. In this review, we summarize the activation and inhibition mechanisms of NK cells in solid tumors, and the recent advances in NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy boosted by diverse nanomaterials. We also propose the challenges and opportunities for the clinical application of NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Li Yang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Suzhou, 215123, China
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20
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Bachari A, Nassar N, Schanknecht E, Telukutla S, Piva TJ, Mantri N. Rationalizing a prospective coupling effect of cannabinoids with the current pharmacotherapy for melanoma treatment. WIREs Mech Dis 2024; 16:e1633. [PMID: 37920964 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the leading fatal forms of cancer, yet from a treatment perspective, we have minimal control over its reoccurrence and resistance to current pharmacotherapies. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has recently been accepted as a multifaceted homeostatic regulator, influencing various physiological processes across different biological compartments, including the skin. This review presents an overview of the pathophysiology of melanoma, current pharmacotherapy used for treatment, and the challenges associated with the different pharmacological approaches. Furthermore, it highlights the utility of cannabinoids as an additive remedy for melanoma by restoring the balance between downregulated immunomodulatory pathways and elevated inflammatory cytokines during chronic skin conditions as one of the suggested critical approaches in treating this immunogenic tumor. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava Bachari
- The Pangenomics Lab, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nazim Nassar
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ellen Schanknecht
- The Pangenomics Lab, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Terrence Jerald Piva
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nitin Mantri
- The Pangenomics Lab, School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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21
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Liu C, Li Y, Li Y, Hu M, Wang H, Lu S, Li Z, Dilimulati D, Jiao S, Lu S, Zhao W. Sufficiently activated mature natural killer cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells substantially enhance antitumor activity. Immun Inflamm Dis 2024; 12:e1143. [PMID: 38270321 PMCID: PMC10777885 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peripheral blood-derived natural killer (NK) cells spontaneously lyse tumor cells without prior sensitization. However, NK cells in peripheral blood (PBNK cells) are in a resting state and exhibit inhibitory phenotypes and impaired cytotoxicity. Thus, strengthening the cytotoxic effector function of PBNK cells and improving NK cell expansion in vitro for a convenient allogeneic therapy are essential. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pure cytokine activation and expansion of NK cells (super NK [SNK]) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were studied. Markers of activated and inhibited NK cells and cytokine secretion by NK cells were examined using flow cytometry. NK cell antitumor activity in vitro was assessed using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay and an Incucyte real-time imaging system. Additionally, the function of SNK cells against ascites caused by ovarian cancer in NOD-Prkdc(em26Cd52)il2rg(em26Cd22)/Nju (NCG) mice was determined. In a further investigation of the differences between PBNK and SNK, the mRNA of both cells was sequenced and analyzed. RESULTS Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed selective NK cell expansion upon cytokine activation and culture. Both SNK and PBNK cells expressed activation markers, but at different levels, and SNK cells secreted more cytokines related to cytotoxicity than PBNK cells did. Accordingly, SNK cells exhibited strong antitumor activity ex vivo and improved NCG mice survival after intraperitoneal ovarian cancer transplantation. Mechanistically, SNK cells expressed more genes associated with nucleotide metabolism, fatty acid, and ATP metabolism than PBNK cells. CONCLUSION SNK cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells have sufficiently activated mature characteristics and high antitumor activity, rendering them a highly promising and essential therapeutic approach for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanling Liu
- Department of OncologyChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yingying Li
- Research and Development DepartmentBeijing DCTY® Biotech Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Yanrong Li
- Research and Development DepartmentBeijing DCTY® Biotech Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Meng Hu
- Research and Development DepartmentBeijing DCTY® Biotech Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Research and Development DepartmentBeijing DCTY® Biotech Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Shasha Lu
- Research and Development DepartmentBeijing DCTY® Biotech Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Zhao Li
- Research and Development DepartmentBeijing DCTY® Biotech Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Dilinuer Dilimulati
- Research and Development DepartmentBeijing DCTY® Biotech Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Shunchang Jiao
- Department of OncologyChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Shelian Lu
- Research and Development DepartmentBeijing DCTY® Biotech Co., LtdBeijingChina
| | - Weihong Zhao
- Department of OncologyChinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
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22
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Prokopeva AE, Emene CC, Gomzikova MO. Antitumor Immunity: Role of NK Cells and Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Immunotherapy. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 46:140-152. [PMID: 38248313 PMCID: PMC10814167 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46010011] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays a crucial role in recognizing and eliminating altered tumor cells. However, tumors develop mechanisms to evade the body's natural immune defenses. Therefore, methods for specifically recognizing/targeting tumor cells, for instance, through the activation, directed polarization, and training of immune cells, have been developed based on the body's immune cells. This strategy has been termed cellular immunotherapy. One promising strategy for treating tumor diseases is NK cell-based immunotherapy. NK cells have the ability to recognize and destroy transformed cells without prior activation as well as tumor cells with reduced MHC-I expression. A novel approach in immunotherapy is the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from NK cells. The main advantages of NK cell-derived EVs are their small size and better tissue penetration into a tumor. The aim of this review is to systematically present existing information on the mechanisms of antitumor immunity and the role of NK cells and extracellular vesicles in cancer immunotherapy. Clinical and preclinical studies utilizing NK cells and extracellular vesicles for anticancer therapy currently underway will provide valuable insights for researchers in the field of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina E. Prokopeva
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420111, Russia;
| | - Charles C. Emene
- Laboratory of Intercellular Communication, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420111, Russia;
| | - Marina O. Gomzikova
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420111, Russia;
- Laboratory of Intercellular Communication, Kazan Federal University, Kazan 420111, Russia;
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23
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Abdoul-Latif FM, Ainane A, Houmed Aboubaker I, Mohamed J, Ainane T. An Overview of Cancer in Djibouti: Current Status, Therapeutic Approaches, and Promising Endeavors in Local Essential Oil Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1617. [PMID: 38004482 PMCID: PMC10674319 DOI: 10.3390/ph16111617] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Djibouti, a developing economy, grapples with significant socioeconomic obstacles and the prevalence of infectious pathologies, including certain forms of neoplasms. These challenges are exacerbated by limited access to affordable medical technologies for diagnosis, coupled with a lack of preventive interventions, particularly in disadvantaged areas. The attention devoted to local phytotherapeutic treatments underscores the uniqueness of Djibouti's flora, resulting from its distinctive geographical position. International focus specifically centers on harnessing this potential as a valuable resource, emphasizing the phytoconstituents used to counter pathologies, notably carcinomas. This comprehensive overview covers a broad spectrum, commencing with an examination of the current state of knowledge, namely an in-depth investigation of oncological risk factors. Essential elements of control are subsequently studied, highlighting the fundamental prerequisites for effective management. The significance of dietary habits in cancer prevention and support is explored in depth, while traditional methods are examined, highlighting the cultural significance of indigenous essential oil therapies and encouraging further research based on the promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatouma Mohamed Abdoul-Latif
- Medicinal Research Institute, Center for Studies and Research of Djibouti, IRM-CERD, Route de l’Aéroport, Haramous, Djibouti P.O. Box 486, Djibouti;
| | - Ayoub Ainane
- Superior School of Technology of Khenifra (EST-Khenifra), University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, P.O. Box 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco; (A.A.); (T.A.)
| | | | - Jalludin Mohamed
- Medicinal Research Institute, Center for Studies and Research of Djibouti, IRM-CERD, Route de l’Aéroport, Haramous, Djibouti P.O. Box 486, Djibouti;
| | - Tarik Ainane
- Superior School of Technology of Khenifra (EST-Khenifra), University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, P.O. Box 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco; (A.A.); (T.A.)
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24
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Dabbagh Moghaddam F, Dadgar D, Esmaeili Y, Babolmorad S, Ilkhani E, Rafiee M, Wang XD, Makvandi P. Microfluidic platforms in diagnostic of ovarian cancer. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:117084. [PMID: 37683792 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
The most important reason for death from ovarian cancer is the late diagnosis of this disease. The standard treatment of ovarian cancer includes surgery and chemotherapy based on platinum, which is associated with side effects for the body. Due to the nonspecific nature of clinical symptoms, developing a platform for early detection of this disease is needed. In recent decades, the advancements of microfluidic devices and systems have provided several advantages for diagnosing ovarian cancer. Designing and manufacturing new platforms using specialized technologies can be a big step toward improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this group of diseases. Organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices are increasingly used as a promising platform in cancer research, with a focus on specific biological aspects of the disease. This review focusing on ovarian cancer and microfluidic application technologies in its diagnosis. Additionally, it discusses microfluidic platforms and their potential future perspectives in advancing ovarian cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Dabbagh Moghaddam
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Delara Dadgar
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Esmaeili
- Biosensor Research Center, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 8174673461, Iran
| | - Shahrzad Babolmorad
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ilkhani
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maedeh Rafiee
- Department of Veterinary Sciences University of Wyoming, 1174 Snowy Range Road Laramie, WY, 82070, USA
| | - Xiang-Dong Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, 324000, Quzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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25
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Agrez M, Chandler C, Thurecht KJ, Fletcher NL, Liu F, Subramaniam G, Howard CB, Blyth B, Parker S, Turner D, Rzepecka J, Knox G, Nika A, Hall AM, Gooding H, Gallagher L. An immunomodulating peptide with potential to suppress tumour growth and autoimmunity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19741. [PMID: 37957274 PMCID: PMC10643673 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47229-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancers and autoimmune diseases commonly co-exist and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (ICI) exacerbates autoimmune pathologies. We recently described a lipidic peptide, designated IK14004, that promotes expansion of immunosuppressive T regulatory (Treg) cells and uncouples interleukin-2 from interferon-gamma production while activating CD8+ T cells. Herein, we report IK14004-mediated inhibition of Lewis lung cancer (LLC) growth and re-invigoration of splenocyte-derived exhausted CD4+ T cells. In human immune cells from healthy donors, IK14004 modulates expression of the T cell receptor α/β subunits, induces Type I IFN expression, stimulates natural killer (NK) cells to express NKG2D/NKp44 receptors and enhances K562 cytotoxicity. In both T and NK cells, IK14004 alters the IL-12 receptor β1/β2 chain ratio to favour IL-12p70 binding. Taken together, this novel peptide offers an opportunity to gain further insight into the complexity of ICI immunotherapy so that autoimmune responses may be minimised without promoting tumour evasion from the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Agrez
- InterK Peptide Therapeutics Limited, New South Wales, Australia.
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | | | - Kristofer J Thurecht
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nicholas L Fletcher
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Feifei Liu
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gayathri Subramaniam
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Christopher B Howard
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Benjamin Blyth
- Department of Oncology,, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Sir Peter MacCallum, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen Parker
- InterK Peptide Therapeutics Limited, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | - Gavin Knox
- Concept Life Sciences, Edinburgh, Scotland
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26
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Ding YD, Shu LZ, He RS, Chen KY, Deng YJ, Zhou ZB, Xiong Y, Deng H. Listeria monocytogenes: a promising vector for tumor immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1278011. [PMID: 37868979 PMCID: PMC10587691 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1278011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer receives enduring international attention due to its extremely high morbidity and mortality. Immunotherapy, which is generally expected to overcome the limits of traditional treatments, serves as a promising direction for patients with recurrent or metastatic malignancies. Bacteria-based vectors such as Listeria monocytogenes take advantage of their unique characteristics, including preferential infection of host antigen presenting cells, intracellular growth within immune cells, and intercellular dissemination, to further improve the efficacy and minimize off-target effects of tailed immune treatments. Listeria monocytogenes can reshape the tumor microenvironment to bolster the anti-tumor effects both through the enhancement of T cells activity and a decrease in the frequency and population of immunosuppressive cells. Modified Listeria monocytogenes has been employed as a tool to elicit immune responses against different tumor cells. Currently, Listeria monocytogenes vaccine alone is insufficient to treat all patients effectively, which can be addressed if combined with other treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, reactivated adoptive cell therapy, and radiotherapy. This review summarizes the recent advances in the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of Listeria monocytogenes vaccine in anti-tumor immunity, and discusses the most concerned issues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Dan Ding
- Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lin-Zhen Shu
- Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Rui-Shan He
- Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Kai-Yun Chen
- Office of Clinical Trials Administration, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yan-Juan Deng
- Department of Pathology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Tumor Immunology Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Tumor Immunology Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ying Xiong
- Department of General Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Huan Deng
- Department of Pathology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Tumor Immunology Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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27
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Liu WS, Wu LL, Chen CM, Zheng H, Gao J, Lu ZM, Li M. Lipid-hybrid cell-derived biomimetic functional materials: A state-of-the-art multifunctional weapon against tumors. Mater Today Bio 2023; 22:100751. [PMID: 37636983 PMCID: PMC10448342 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Cell-derived biomimetic functional materials have shown great promise in the treatment of tumors. These materials are derived from cell membranes, extracellular vesicles and bacterial outer membrane vesicles and may evade immune recognition, improve drug targeting and activate antitumor immunity. However, their use is limited owing to their low drug-loading capacity and complex preparation methods. Liposomes are artificial bionic membranes that have high drug-loading capacity and can be prepared and modified easily. Although they can overcome the disadvantages of cell-derived biomimetic functional materials, they lack natural active targeting ability. Lipids can be hybridized with cell membranes, extracellular vesicles or bacterial outer membrane vesicles to form lipid-hybrid cell-derived biomimetic functional materials. These materials negate the disadvantages of both liposomes and cell-derived components and represent a promising delivery platform in the treatment of tumors. This review focuses on the design strategies, applications and mechanisms of action of lipid-hybrid cell-derived biomimetic functional materials and summarizes the prospects of their further development and the challenges associated with it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Shang Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Li-Li Wu
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Cui-Min Chen
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zheng-Mao Lu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200011, China
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Izadpanah A, Mohammadkhani N, Masoudnia M, Ghasemzad M, Saeedian A, Mehdizadeh H, Poorebrahim M, Ebrahimi M. Update on immune-based therapy strategies targeting cancer stem cells. Cancer Med 2023; 12:18960-18980. [PMID: 37698048 PMCID: PMC10557910 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating data reveals that tumors possess a specialized subset of cancer cells named cancer stem cells (CSCs), responsible for metastasis and recurrence of malignancies, with various properties such as self-renewal, heterogenicity, and capacity for drug resistance. Some signaling pathways or processes like Notch, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), Hedgehog (Hh), and Wnt, as well as CSCs' surface markers such as CD44, CD123, CD133, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) have pivotal roles in acquiring CSCs properties. Therefore, targeting CSC-related signaling pathways and surface markers might effectively eradicate tumors and pave the way for cancer survival. Since current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy cannot eradicate all of the CSCs and tumor relapse may happen following temporary recovery, improving novel and more efficient therapeutic options to combine with current treatments is required. Immunotherapy strategies are the new therapeutic modalities with promising results in targeting CSCs. Here, we review the targeting of CSCs by immunotherapy strategies such as dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, chimeric antigen receptors (CAR)-engineered immune cells, natural killer-cell (NK-cell) therapy, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), checkpoint inhibitors, and the use of oncolytic viruses (OVs) in pre-clinical and clinical studies. This review will mainly focus on blood malignancies but also describe solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Izadpanah
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
| | - Niloufar Mohammadkhani
- Department of Clinical BiochemistrySchool of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mina Masoudnia
- Department of ImmunologySchool of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Mahsa Ghasemzad
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology‐Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in BiologyUniversity of Science and CultureTehranIran
| | - Arefeh Saeedian
- Radiation Oncology Research CenterCancer Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of Radiation OncologyCancer Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Hamid Mehdizadeh
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
| | - Mansour Poorebrahim
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, University of CalgaryAlbertaCalgaryCanada
| | - Marzieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research CenterRoyan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECRTehranIran
- Department of regenerative medicineCell Science research Center, Royan Institute for stem cell biology and technology, ACECRTehranIran
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Kiaei SZF, Nouralishahi A, Ghasemirad M, Barkhordar M, Ghaffari S, Kheradjoo H, Saleh M, Mohammadzadehsaliani S, Molaeipour Z. Advances in natural killer cell therapies for breast cancer. Immunol Cell Biol 2023; 101:705-726. [PMID: 37282729 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12658] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cause of cancer death in women. According to the American Cancer Society's yearly cancer statistics, BC constituted almost 15% of all the newly diagnosed cancer cases in 2022 for both sexes. Metastatic disease occurs in 30% of patients with BC. The currently available treatments fail to cure metastatic BC, and the average survival time for patients with metastatic BC is approximately 2 years. Developing a treatment method that terminates cancer stem cells without harming healthy cells is the primary objective of novel therapeutics. Adoptive cell therapy is a branch of cancer immunotherapy that utilizes the immune cells to attack cancer cells. Natural killer (NK) cells are an essential component of innate immunity and are critical in destroying tumor cells without prior stimulation with antigens. With the advent of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), the autologous or allogeneic use of NK/CAR-NK cell therapy has raised new hopes for treating patients with cancer. Here, we describe recent developments in NK and CAR-NK cell immunotherapy, including the biology and function of NK cells, clinical trials, different sources of NK cells and their future perspectives on BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Zahra Fotook Kiaei
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Ghasemirad
- Department of Periodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Maryam Barkhordar
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center (HORCSCT), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sasan Ghaffari
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Mahshid Saleh
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin Graduate School, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Zahra Molaeipour
- Hematology Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Bagus BI. Autologous natural killer cells as a promising immunotherapy for locally advanced colon adenocarcinoma: Three years follow-up of resectable case. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2023; 6:e1866. [PMID: 37439389 PMCID: PMC10480413 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1866] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the last decade, a new modality of immunotherapy has been announced, with the expectation of better long-term clinical outcomes and disease-free survival after the definitive surgical treatment of colon cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells as part of cellular therapy in immunotherapy have the potential effect as an adjuvant therapy for locally advanced and metastasized colorectal adenocarcinoma. We would evaluate the clinical outcome of autologous NK cell therapy for resectable colon cancer. CASE A 64-year-old woman presented with a transverse colon tumor-related partial intestinal obstruction and a history of bloody diarrhea. A transverse colectomy has been done, and the pathology report reported adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon and positive lymph node involvement (TNM stage III). The patient had R0 resection status. A PET scan was done 6 months later, with positive lymph node glucose uptake at mesocolic. NK cell therapy was administered for 2 cycles with a 3-month interval, and PET scan follow-up was done 3 years after resection; no more glucose uptake was found, and the patients tolerated the therapy well with no immune-related adverse effects reported. CONCLUSION As a new modality in immunotherapy strategies for locally advanced colon adenocarcinoma, particularly in cases unsuitable for standard chemotherapeutic treatment, autologous NK cells have a promising effect and are feasible and well tolerated in our clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Budhi Ida Bagus
- Department of SurgerySebelas Maret UniversitySurakartaIndonesia
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Guo F, Zhang Y, Bai L, Cui J. Natural killer cell therapy targeting cancer stem cells: Old wine in a new bottle. Cancer Lett 2023; 570:216328. [PMID: 37499742 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
A small proportion of cancer cells that have stem cell-like properties are known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). They can be used to identify malignant tumor phenotypes and patients with poor prognosis. Targeting these cells has been shown to improve the effectiveness of cancer therapies. Owing to the nature of CSCs, they are resistant to conventional treatment methods such as radio- and chemotherapy. Therefore, more effective anti-CSC therapies are required. Immunotherapy, including natural killer (NK) and T cell therapy, has demonstrated the ability to eliminate CSCs. NK cells have demonstrated superior anti-CSC capabilities compared to T cells in recognizing low levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression. However, CSC escape also occurs during NK cell therapy. It is important to determine CSC-specific immune evasion mechanisms and find out potential solutions to optimize NK cell function. Therefore, this review discusses promising strategies that can improve the efficiency of NK cell therapy in treating CSCs, and aims to provide a reference for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Guo
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Ling Bai
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 71 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
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Scheffschick A, Nenonen J, Xiang M, Winther AH, Ehrström M, Wahren-Herlenius M, Eidsmo L, Brauner H. Skin infiltrating NK cells in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma are increased in number and display phenotypic alterations partially driven by the tumor. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1168684. [PMID: 37691935 PMCID: PMC10485839 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1168684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are characterized by focal infiltration of malignant T cell clones in solitary skin lesions. Many CTCL patients experience an indolent disease, but some progress to advanced disease with high fatality. We hypothesized that natural killer (NK) cells participate in local control of tumor growth in CTCL skin. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analysis of the density, localization, phenotype and function of NK cells in twenty-nine fresh or formalin-fixed skin biopsies from twenty-four CTCL patients and twenty-three biopsies from twenty healthy controls highlighted higher numbers of CD56+CD3- NK cells in CTCL skin. A reduced fraction of CTCL skin NK cells expressed the maturation marker CD57, the cytotoxic protein granzyme B and the activation marker CD69, indicating reduced tumor-killing abilities of the NK cells. Retained expression of immune checkpoint proteins or inhibitory proteins including PD1, TIM3, LAG3, CD73 and NKG2A and the activating receptors CD16 and NKp46 indicated maintained effector functions. Indeed, the capacity of NK cells to produce anti-tumor acting IFNγ upon PMA+ionomycin stimulation was similar in cells from CTCL and healthy skin. Co-cultures of primary human NK cells or the NK cell line NKL with CTCL cells resulted in reduced levels of granzyme B and CD69, indicating that close cellular interactions with CTCL cells induced the impaired functional NK cell phenotype. In conclusion, increased numbers of NK cells in CTCL skin exhibit a partially impaired phenotype in terms of activity. Enhancing NK cell activity with NK cell activating cytokines such as IL-15 or immune checkpoint blockade therefore represents a potential immunotherapeutic approach in CTCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Scheffschick
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julia Nenonen
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mengmeng Xiang
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna H. Winther
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Dermatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcus Ehrström
- Department of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Wahren-Herlenius
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- The Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Liv Eidsmo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanna Brauner
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Dermatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wilhelm G, Mertowska P, Mertowski S, Przysucha A, Strużyna J, Grywalska E, Torres K. The Crossroads of the Coagulation System and the Immune System: Interactions and Connections. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12563. [PMID: 37628744 PMCID: PMC10454528 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The coagulation and immune systems, two vital systems in the human body, share intimate connections that fundamentally determine patient health. These systems work together through several common regulatory pathways, including the Tissue Factor (TF) Pathway. Immune cells expressing TF and producing pro-inflammatory cytokines can influence coagulation, while coagulation factors and processes reciprocally impact immune responses by activating immune cells and controlling their functions. These shared pathways contribute to maintaining health and are also involved in various pathological conditions. Dysregulated coagulation, triggered by infection, inflammation, or tissue damage, can result in conditions such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Concurrently, immune dysregulation may lead to coagulation disorders and thrombotic complications. This review elucidates these intricate interactions, emphasizing their roles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Understanding the complex interplay between these systems is critical for disease management and the development of effective treatments. By exploring these common regulatory mechanisms, we can uncover innovative therapeutic strategies targeting these intricate disorders. Thus, this paper presents a comprehensive overview of the mutual interaction between the coagulation and immune systems, highlighting its significance in health maintenance and disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Wilhelm
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Microsurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (G.W.); (K.T.)
| | - Paulina Mertowska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (S.M.); (E.G.)
| | - Sebastian Mertowski
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (S.M.); (E.G.)
| | - Anna Przysucha
- Chair and Department of Didactics and Medical Simulation, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Jerzy Strużyna
- East Center of Burns Treatment and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Ewelina Grywalska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (S.M.); (E.G.)
| | - Kamil Torres
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Microsurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (G.W.); (K.T.)
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Hatami Z, Hashemi ZS, Eftekhary M, Amiri A, Karpisheh V, Nasrollahi K, Jafari R. Natural killer cell-derived exosomes for cancer immunotherapy: innovative therapeutics art. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:157. [PMID: 37543612 PMCID: PMC10403883 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02996-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cells (CAR-NK) promote off-the-shelf cellular therapy for solid tumors and malignancy.However,, the development of CAR-NK is due to their immune surveillance uncertainty and cytotoxicity challenge was restricted. Natural killer cell-derived exosome (NK-Exo) combine crucial targeted cellular therapies of NK cell therapies with unique non-toxic Exo as a self-origin shuttle against cancer immunotherapy. This review study covers cytokines, adoptive (autologous and allogenic) NK immunotherapy, stimulatory and regulatory functions, and cell-free derivatives from NK cells. The future path of NK-Exo cytotoxicity and anti-tumor activity with considering non-caspase-independent/dependent apoptosis and Fas/FasL pathway in cancer immunotherapy. Finally, the significance and implication of NK-Exo therapeutics through combination therapy and the development of emerging approaches for the purification and delivery NK-Exo to severe immune and tumor cells and tissues were discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Hatami
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Sadat Hashemi
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohamad Eftekhary
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Ala Amiri
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Karpisheh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Kaveh Nasrollahi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Jafari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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Einloth KR, Gayfield S, McMaster T, Didier A, Dworkin L, Creeden JF. The application, safety, and future of ex vivo immune cell therapies and prognosis in different malignancies. BIOIMPACTS : BI 2023; 13:439-455. [PMID: 38022382 PMCID: PMC10676524 DOI: 10.34172/bi.2023.27521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Immunotherapy has revolutionized how cancer is treated. Many of these immunotherapies rely on ex vivo expansion of immune cells, classically T cells. Still, several immunological obstacles remain, including tumor impermeability by immune cells and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Logistically, high costs of treatment and variable clinical responses have also plagued traditional T cell-based immunotherapies. Methods To review the existing literature on cellular immunotherapy, the PubMed database was searched for publications using variations of the phrases "cancer immunotherapy", "ex vivo expansion", and "adoptive cell therapy". The Clinicaltrials.gov database was searched for clinical trials related to ex vivo cellular therapies using the same phrases. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for cancer treatment were also referenced. Results To circumvent the challenges of traditional T cell-based immunotherapies, researchers have developed newer therapies including tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), T cell receptor (TCR) modified T cell, and antibody-armed T cell therapies. Additionally, newer immunotherapeutic strategies have used other immune cells, including natural killer (NK) and dendritic cells (DC), to modulate the T cell immune response to cancers. From a prognostic perspective, circulating tumor cells (CTC) have been used to predict cancer morbidity and mortality. Conclusion This review highlights the mechanism and clinical utility of various types of ex vivo cellular therapies in the treatment of cancer. Comparing these therapies or using them in combination may lead to more individualized and less toxic chemotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn R. Einloth
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Scott Gayfield
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Thomas McMaster
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Alexander Didier
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Lance Dworkin
- Department of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Justin Fortune Creeden
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA
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Mirzazadeh S, Bemani P, Halimi H, Sanaee MN, Karami N, Ramzi M, Farjadian S. Association of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and their cognate HLA class I ligands with susceptibility to acute myeloid leukemia in Iranian patients. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11456. [PMID: 37454198 PMCID: PMC10349836 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38479-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most prevalent leukemia in adults. Among the various NK receptors, killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) carry out indispensable roles in NK cell development and function through engaging with class I human leukocyte antigens (HLA-I) as their ligands. Besides divergent KIR and HLA loci, KIR/HLA-I combinations have a significant effect on NK cell response. In this case-control study, we aimed to verify the association of KIR/HLA-I combinations with susceptibility to AML in the Southwestern Iranian population. KIR and HLA genotyping was performed with PCR-SSP by some novel primers for 181 patients with AML and 181 healthy controls. According to our results, the frequencies of KIR3DS1 (p = 0.0001, OR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.51-3.58), KIR2DS4fl (p = 0.02, OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.05-2.21), CxT4 genotypes (p = 0.03, OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.05-3.82), and T4 gene cluster (p = 0.01, OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.17-3.41) were significantly higher in patients than controls, while C1/C2 genotype (p = 0.00002, OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.25-0.61), HLA-A Bw4 (p = 0.02, OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.38-0.94), and HLA-A*11 (p = 0.03, OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.34-0.95) alleles were more frequent in controls. In addition, inhibitory (i)KIR/HLA-I combinations analysis revealed higher frequencies of KIR2DL1( +)/HLA-C2( +), KIR2DL2/3( +)/HLA-C1( +), KIR3DL1( +)/HLA-A Bw4( +), and KIR3DL2( +)/HLA-A*03/11( +) in the control group (p = 0.002, OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.3-0.78; p = 0.04, OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.99; p = 0.04, OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.4-0.99; and p = 0.03, OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.4-0.95, respectively). Overall, the number of iKIR/HLA-I combinations was more in the control group. Moreover, KIR3DS1( +)/HLA-B Bw4Ile80( +) and the sum of HLA-B Bw4/A Bw4 combined with KIR3DS1 as activating KIR/HLA-I combinations were more frequent among patients than controls (p = 0.01, OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.14-3.49 and p = 0.005, OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.22-3.19, respectively). In conclusion, our results postulate that inhibitory combinations play a protective role against AML by developing potent NK cells during education. It is noteworthy that KIR/HLA-I combination studies can be applicable in donor selection for allogeneic NK cell therapy in hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mirzazadeh
- Department of Immunology, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Peyman Bemani
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hossein Halimi
- Department of Immunology, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nabi Sanaee
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Narges Karami
- Department of Immunology, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mani Ramzi
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shirin Farjadian
- Department of Immunology, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Kim SH, Kim MJ, Lim M, Kim J, Kim H, Yun CK, Yoo YJ, Lee Y, Min K, Choi YS. Enhancement of the Anticancer Ability of Natural Killer Cells through Allogeneic Mitochondrial Transfer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3225. [PMID: 37370835 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123225] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
An in vitro culture period of at least 2 weeks is required to produce sufficient natural killer (NK) cells for immunotherapy, which are the key effectors in hematological malignancy treatment. Mitochondrial damage and fragmentation reduce the NK cell immune surveillance capacity. Thus, we hypothesized that the transfer of healthy mitochondria to NK cells could enhance their anticancer effects. Allogeneic healthy mitochondria isolated from WRL-68 cells were transferred to NK cells. We evaluated NK cells' proliferative capacity, cell cycle, and cytotoxic capacity against various cancer cell types by analyzing specific lysis and the cytotoxic granules released. The relationship between the transferred allogenic mitochondrial residues and NK cell function was determined. After mitochondrial transfer, the NK cell proliferation rate was 1.2-fold higher than that of control cells. The mitochondria-treated NK cells secreted a 2.7-, 4.1-, and 5-fold higher amount of granzyme B, perforin, and IFN-γ, respectively, when co-cultured with K562 cells. The specific lysis of various solid cancer cells increased 1.3-1.6-fold. However, once allogeneic mitochondria were eliminated, the NK cell activity returned to the pre-mitochondrial transfer level. Mitochondria-enriched NK cells have the potential to be used as a novel solid cancer treatment agent, without the need for in vitro cytokine-induced culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Hoon Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Jin Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Lim
- Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
- Research & Development Division, Humancellbio Co., Ltd., Suwon 16227, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Kim
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Hyunmin Kim
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Chang-Koo Yun
- Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Joo Yoo
- Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngjun Lee
- Research & Development Division, Humancellbio Co., Ltd., Suwon 16227, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyunghoon Min
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam 13496, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Soo Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
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Shakiba Y, Vorobyev PO, Mahmoud M, Hamad A, Kochetkov DV, Yusubalieva GM, Baklaushev VP, Chumakov PM, Lipatova AV. Recombinant Strains of Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus for Cancer Immunotherapy. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:823-841. [PMID: 37748878 DOI: 10.1134/s000629792306010x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Cancer virotherapy is an alternative therapeutic approach based on the viruses that selectively infect and kill tumor cells. Vaccinia virus (VV) is a member of the Poxviridae, a family of enveloped viruses with a large linear double-stranded DNA genome. The proven safety of the VV strains as well as considerable transgene capacity of the viral genome, make VV an excellent platform for creating recombinant oncolytic viruses for cancer therapy. Furthermore, various genetic modifications can increase tumor selectivity and therapeutic efficacy of VV by arming it with the immune-modulatory genes or proapoptotic molecules, boosting the host immune system, and increasing cross-priming recognition of the tumor cells by T-cells or NK cells. In this review, we summarized the data on bioengineering approaches to develop recombinant VV strains for enhanced cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Shakiba
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia.
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Pavel O Vorobyev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Marah Mahmoud
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Azzam Hamad
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Dmitriy V Kochetkov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Gaukhar M Yusubalieva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
- Federal Research Clinical Center for Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies, Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA), Moscow, 115682, Russia
- Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies of the FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 117513, Russia
| | - Vladimir P Baklaushev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
- Federal Research Clinical Center for Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies, Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA), Moscow, 115682, Russia
- Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies of the FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 117513, Russia
| | - Peter M Chumakov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Anastasia V Lipatova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Yang J, Xu J, Wang W, Zhang B, Yu X, Shi S. Epigenetic regulation in the tumor microenvironment: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:210. [PMID: 37217462 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01480-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Over decades, researchers have focused on the epigenetic control of DNA-templated processes. Histone modification, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, RNA modification, and noncoding RNAs modulate many biological processes that are crucial to the development of cancers. Dysregulation of the epigenome drives aberrant transcriptional programs. A growing body of evidence suggests that the mechanisms of epigenetic modification are dysregulated in human cancers and might be excellent targets for tumor treatment. Epigenetics has also been shown to influence tumor immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumor responses. Thus, the development and application of epigenetic therapy and cancer immunotherapy and their combinations may have important implications for cancer treatment. Here, we present an up-to-date and thorough description of how epigenetic modifications in tumor cells influence immune cell responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and how epigenetics influence immune cells internally to modify the TME. Additionally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators for cancer immunotherapy. Harnessing the complex interplay between epigenetics and cancer immunology to develop therapeutics that combine thereof is challenging but could yield significant benefits. The purpose of this review is to assist researchers in understanding how epigenetics impact immune responses in the TME, so that better cancer immunotherapies can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Li YR, Dunn ZS, Yu Y, Li M, Wang P, Yang L. Advancing cell-based cancer immunotherapy through stem cell engineering. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:592-610. [PMID: 36948187 PMCID: PMC10164150 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Advances in cell-based therapy, particularly CAR-T cell therapy, have transformed the treatment of hematological malignancies. Although an important step forward for the field, autologous CAR-T therapies are hindered by high costs, manufacturing challenges, and limited efficacy against solid tumors. With ongoing progress in gene editing and culture techniques, engineered stem cells and their application in cell therapy are poised to address some of these challenges. Here, we review stem cell-based immunotherapy approaches, stem cell sources, gene engineering and manufacturing strategies, therapeutic platforms, and clinical trials, as well as challenges and future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ruide Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Zachary Spencer Dunn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Yanqi Yu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Miao Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Pin Wang
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Lizana-Vasquez GD, Torres-Lugo M, Dixon R, Powderly JD, Warin RF. The application of autologous cancer immunotherapies in the age of memory-NK cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1167666. [PMID: 37205105 PMCID: PMC10185894 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1167666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapy has revolutionized the oncology field, yielding improved results against hematological and solid malignancies. NK cells have become an attractive alternative due to their capacity to activate upon recognition of "stress" or "danger" signals independently of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) engagement, thus making tumor cells a perfect target for NK cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy even as an allogeneic solution. While this allogeneic use is currently favored, the existence of a characterized memory function for NK cells ("memory-like" NK cells) advocates for an autologous approach, that would benefit from the allogeneic setting discoveries, but with added persistence and specificity. Still, both approaches struggle to exert a sustained and high anticancer effect in-vivo due to the immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment and the logistical challenges of cGMP production or clinical deployment. Novel approaches focused on the quality enhancement and the consistent large-scale production of highly activated therapeutic memory-like NK cells have yielded encouraging but still unconclusive results. This review provides an overview of NK biology as it relates to cancer immunotherapy and the challenge presented by solid tumors for therapeutic NKs. After contrasting the autologous and allogeneic NK approaches for solid cancer immunotherapy, this work will present the current scientific focus for the production of highly persistent and cytotoxic memory-like NK cells as well as the current issues with production methods as they apply to stress-sensitive immune cells. In conclusion, autologous NK cells for cancer immunotherapy appears to be a prime alternative for front line therapeutics but to be successful, it will be critical to establish comprehensives infrastructures allowing the production of extremely potent NK cells while constraining costs of production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaby D. Lizana-Vasquez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
| | - Madeline Torres-Lugo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
| | - R. Brent Dixon
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
- Human Applications Lab (HAL) - BioCytics, Huntersville, NC, United States
| | - John D. Powderly
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
- Human Applications Lab (HAL) - BioCytics, Huntersville, NC, United States
| | - Renaud F. Warin
- Cancer Research Clinic, Carolina BioOncology Institute (CBOI), Huntersville, NC, United States
- Human Applications Lab (HAL) - BioCytics, Huntersville, NC, United States
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Yu L, Lanqing G, Huang Z, Xin X, Minglin L, Fa-hui L, Zou H, Min J. T cell immunotherapy for cervical cancer: challenges and opportunities. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1105265. [PMID: 37180106 PMCID: PMC10169584 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1105265] [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: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cellular immunotherapy has made inspiring therapeutic effects in clinical practices, which brings new hope for the cure of cervical cancer. CD8+T cells are the effective cytotoxic effector cells against cancer in antitumor immunity, and T cells-based immunotherapy plays a crucial role in cellular immunotherapy. Tumor infiltrated Lymphocytes (TIL), the natural T cells, is approved for cervical cancer immunotherapy, and Engineered T cells therapy also has impressive progress. T cells with natural or engineered tumor antigen binding sites (CAR-T, TCR-T) are expanded in vitro, and re-infused back into the patients to eradicate tumor cells. This review summarizes the preclinical research and clinical applications of T cell-based immunotherapy for cervical cancer, and the challenges for cervical cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Gong Lanqing
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziyu Huang
- School of Arts and Sciences, Brandeis University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xiaoyan Xin
- School of Arts and Sciences, Brandeis University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Liang Minglin
- School of Arts and Sciences, Brandeis University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lv Fa-hui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second People’s Hospital of Hefei, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hongmei Zou
- Department of Obstetrics, Qianjiang Central Hospital, Qianjiang, Hubei, China
| | - Jie Min
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Wang J, Ghosh D, Maniruzzaman M. Using bugs as drugs: administration of bacteria-related microbes to fight cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 197:114825. [PMID: 37075953 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Driven by the advancement of microbiology and cancer biology, bioengineering of bacteria-related microbes has demonstrated great potential in targeted cancer therapy. Presently, the major administration routes of bacteria-related microbes for cancer treatment include intravenous injection, intratumoral injection, intraperitoneal injection, and oral delivery. Administration routes of bacteria play a key role in anticancer therapeutic efficacy since different delivery approaches might exert an anticancer effect through diverse mechanisms. Herein, we provide an overview of the primary routes of bacteria administration as well as their advantages and limitations. Furthermore, we discuss that microencapsulation can overcome the current challenges of direct administration of free bacteria. We also review the latest advancements in combining functional particles with engineered bacteria to fight against cancer, which can be further coupled with conventional anticancer therapies to improve the therapeutic effect. Eventually, we highlight the application prospect of bioprinting in cancer bacteriotherapy, which enables the long-term sustained delivery and individualized dose regimen, representing a new paradigm for personalized cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Wang
- Pharmaceutical Engineering and 3D Printing (PharmE3D) Lab, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Debadyuti Ghosh
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Mohammed Maniruzzaman
- Pharmaceutical Engineering and 3D Printing (PharmE3D) Lab, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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Mishra V, Tripathi V, Yadav P, Singh MP. Beta glucan as an immune stimulant in tumor microenvironment - Insight into lessons and promises from past decade. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 234:123617. [PMID: 36758755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is characterized by a perturbed immune landscape. Inside tumor microenvironment, immune system is reprogrammed to facilitate tumor growth and survival rather than eliminating it. This immune evasive mechanism needs to be reversed to normal for effective anticancer therapeutic strategy. Immunotherapy has emerged as a novel strategy for redeployment of immune cells against cancer. However, they suffer in their efficacy, response rate and side effects. This necessitated us to turn toward natural repertoires which can act as a substitute to conventional immunotherapeutics. Beta glucan, a polysaccharide derived from mushroom, serves the role of immunomodulator inside tumor microenvironment. It acts as pathogen associated molecular pattern and bind to various pattern recognition receptors expressed on surface of immune cells thereby facilitating their activation and crosstalk. This result in resurgence of suppressed immune surveillance in the tumor milieu. In this review, we highlight in brief the advances and limitation of cancer immunotherapy. Alongside, we have discussed the detailed mechanistic principle and recent advances underlying restoration of immune functionality by beta glucan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vartika Mishra
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | | | - Priyanka Yadav
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | - M P Singh
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India.
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Yoon DH, Koh Y, Jung M, Kwak JE, Shin EC, Hwang YK, Kim WS. Phase I Study: Safety and Efficacy of an Ex Vivo-Expanded Allogeneic Natural Killer Cell (MG4101) with Rituximab for Relapsed/Refractory B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Transplant Cell Ther 2023; 29:253.e1-253.e9. [PMID: 36610490 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtct.2022.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The prognosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) remains poor, with an unmet need for novel therapies. MG4101, an ex vivo-expanded allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell, can enhance rituximab antibody-dependent cytotoxicity in relapsed/refractory (r/r) B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of MG4101 plus rituximab for patients with r/r NHL. Patients received escalating doses of i.v. MG4101 plus rituximab every 2 weeks. IL-2 was administered s.c. after MG4101 treatment. Fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide was administered i.v. before rituximab treatment in cycles 1, 3, and 5. A 3+3 design was used to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and maximum feasible dose. Assessments were performed over a 6-cycle period, with an extended maintenance period of up to 8 cycles. Nine patients received 3 different doses of MG4101 and rituximab. MTD could not be determined because of the absence of dose-limiting toxicity. Treatment-related adverse events, mostly grade 1 or 2, occurred in 89% of patients. Only 1 patient experienced grade 1 cytokine release syndrome. MG4101 persisted for at least 7 days in 7 patients. Four patients achieved a partial response and 1 patient attained a complete response, for an overall response rate of 55.6%. Two patients showed prolonged responses and low exhaustion marker levels in T cells. For allogeneic NK cell therapy, strategies including the use of the high-affinity hFcγRIIIaV158 variant of the KIR B/x haplotype with lymphodepleting chemotherapy may be promising options for improving clinical efficacy in the antibody combination therapeutic setting as an off-the-shelf product. MG4101 plus rituximab presented a favorable safety profile and overall response rate in patients with r/r NHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dok Hyun Yoon
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Youngil Koh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Miyoung Jung
- Cell Therapy Research Center, GC Cell, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Kwak
- Cell Therapy Research Center, GC Cell, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | | | - Won Seog Kim
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
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46
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Ott LC, Cuenca AG. Innate immune cellular therapeutics in transplantation. FRONTIERS IN TRANSPLANTATION 2023; 2:1067512. [PMID: 37994308 PMCID: PMC10664839 DOI: 10.3389/frtra.2023.1067512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Successful organ transplantation provides an opportunity to extend the lives of patients with end-stage organ failure. Selectively suppressing the donor-specific alloimmune response, however, remains challenging without the continuous use of non-specific immunosuppressive medications, which have multiple adverse effects including elevated risks of infection, chronic kidney injury, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Efforts to promote allograft tolerance have focused on manipulating the adaptive immune response, but long-term allograft survival rates remain disappointing. In recent years, the innate immune system has become an attractive therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of transplant organ rejection. Indeed, contemporary studies demonstrate that innate immune cells participate in both the initial alloimmune response and chronic allograft rejection and undergo non-permanent functional reprogramming in a phenomenon termed "trained immunity." Several types of innate immune cells are currently under investigation as potential therapeutics in transplantation, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells, dendritic cells, regulatory macrophages, natural killer cells, and innate lymphoid cells. In this review, we discuss the features and functions of these cell types, with a focus on their role in the alloimmune response. We examine their potential application as therapeutics to prevent or treat allograft rejection, as well as challenges in their clinical translation and future directions for investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah C Ott
- Department of General Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alex G Cuenca
- Department of General Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Peng L, Renauer PA, Ye L, Yang L, Park JJ, Chow RD, Zhang Y, Lin Q, Bai M, Sanchez A, Zhang Y, Lam SZ, Chen S. Perturbomics of tumor-infiltrating NK cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.14.532653. [PMID: 36993337 PMCID: PMC10055047 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.14.532653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are an innate immune cell type that serves at the first level of defense against pathogens and cancer. NK cells have clinical potential, however, multiple current limitations exist that naturally hinder the successful implementation of NK cell therapy against cancer, including their effector function, persistence, and tumor infiltration. To unbiasedly reveal the functional genetic landscape underlying critical NK cell characteristics against cancer, we perform perturbomics mapping of tumor infiltrating NK cells by joint in vivo AAV-CRISPR screens and single cell sequencing. We establish a strategy with AAV-SleepingBeauty(SB)- CRISPR screening leveraging a custom high-density sgRNA library targeting cell surface genes, and perform four independent in vivo tumor infiltration screens in mouse models of melanoma, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma. In parallel, we characterize single-cell transcriptomic landscapes of tumor-infiltrating NK cells, which identifies previously unexplored sub-populations of NK cells with distinct expression profiles, a shift from immature to mature NK (mNK) cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and decreased expression of mature marker genes in mNK cells. CALHM2, a calcium homeostasis modulator that emerges from both screen and single cell analyses, shows both in vitro and in vivo efficacy enhancement when perturbed in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells. Differential gene expression analysis reveals that CALHM2 knockout reshapes cytokine production, cell adhesion, and signaling pathways in CAR- NKs. These data directly and systematically map out endogenous factors that naturally limit NK cell function in the TME to offer a broad range of cellular genetic checkpoints as candidates for future engineering to enhance NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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48
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Lipinski B, Arras P, Pekar L, Klewinghaus D, Boje AS, Krah S, Zimmermann J, Klausz K, Peipp M, Siegmund V, Evers A, Zielonka S. NKp46-specific single domain antibodies enable facile engineering of various potent NK cell engager formats. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4593. [PMID: 36775946 PMCID: PMC9951198 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we describe the generation of potent NK cell engagers (NKCEs) based on single domain antibodies (sdAbs) specific for NKp46 harboring the humanized Fab version of Cetuximab for tumor targeting. After immunization of camelids, a plethora of different VHH domains were retrieved by yeast surface display. Upon reformatting into Fc effector-silenced NKCEs targeting NKp46 and EGFR in a strictly monovalent fashion, the resulting bispecific antibodies elicited potent NK cell-mediated killing of EGFR-overexpressing tumor cells with potencies (EC50 killing) in the picomolar range. This was further augmented via co-engagement of Fcγ receptor IIIa (FcγRIIIa). Importantly, NKp46-specific sdAbs enabled the construction of various NKCE formats with different geometries and valencies which displayed favorable biophysical and biochemical properties without further optimization. By this means, killing capacities were further improved significantly. Hence, NKp46-specific sdAbs are versatile building blocks for the construction of different NKCE formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Lipinski
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.,Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Paul Arras
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lukas Pekar
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Daniel Klewinghaus
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Ammelie Svea Boje
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Simon Krah
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jasmin Zimmermann
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.,Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Katja Klausz
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Peipp
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Vanessa Siegmund
- Protein and Cell Sciences, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Evers
- Computational Chemistry and Biology, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.,Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
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Gabr H, Abdel Aal AA, Bastawy S, Fateen M, Abd El Dayem OY, Youssef EA, Afifi R, Kamal M. Comparison of T Lymphocyte Subsets and Natural Killer Lymphocytes in Moderate Versus Severe COVID-19 Patients. Viral Immunol 2023; 36:250-258. [PMID: 36847755 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2022.0125] [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: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe respiratory involvement that follows a process of immune dysregulation and intense cytokine production remains to be the most dreaded complication of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. The aim of this study was to analyze T lymphocyte subsets and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes in moderate and severe cases of COVID-19 infection and assess their significance in disease severity and prognosis. Twenty moderate cases and 20 severe cases of COVID-19 were studied and compared regarding blood picture, biochemical markers, T lymphocyte population subsets, and NK lymphocytes, which were determined by flow cytometric analysis. On analyzing the flow cytometric data of T lymphocyte cells and their subsets and NK cells in two groups of COVID-19 infection (one group moderate and the other severe cases), some immature NK lymphocyte relative and absolute counts were higher in the severe patients with worse outcome and death, while some mature NK lymphocyte relative and absolute counts were depressed in both groups. Also, interleukin (IL)-6 was significantly higher in severe cases when compared to moderate cases, and there was a positive significant correlation between immature NK lymphocyte relative and absolute counts and IL-6. There was no statistically significant difference between T lymphocyte subsets (T helper and T cytotoxic) with disease severity or outcome. Some immature NK lymphocyte subsets contribute to the widespread inflammatory response that complicates severe cases of COVID-19; therapeutic approaches directed to enhancing NK maturation or drugs that block NK cell inhibitory receptors have a potential role in controlling COVID-19 induced cytokine storm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala Gabr
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Kasr Alainy, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Asmaa A Abdel Aal
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Kasr Alainy, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samah Bastawy
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Fateen
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Kasr Alainy, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Omnia Y Abd El Dayem
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Kasr Alainy, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman A Youssef
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Kasr Alainy, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rania Afifi
- Internal Medicine-Hematology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mostafa Kamal
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
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CAR-T-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Promising Development of CAR-T Anti-Tumor Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041052. [PMID: 36831396 PMCID: PMC9954490 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogenous population of plasma membrane-surrounded particles that are released in the extracellular milieu by almost all types of living cells. EVs are key players in intercellular crosstalk, both locally and systemically, given that they deliver their cargoes (consisting of proteins, lipids, mRNAs, miRNAs, and DNA fragments) to target cells, crossing biological barriers. Those mechanisms further trigger a wide range of biological responses. Interestingly, EV phenotypes and cargoes and, therefore, their functions, stem from their specific parental cells. For these reasons, EVs have been proposed as promising candidates for EV-based, cell-free therapies. One of the new frontiers of cell-based immunotherapy for the fight against refractory neoplastic diseases is represented by genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) lymphocytes, which in recent years have demonstrated their effectiveness by reaching commercialization and clinical application for some neoplastic diseases. CAR-T-derived EVs represent a recent promising development of CAR-T immunotherapy approaches. This crosscutting innovative strategy is designed to exploit the advantages of genetically engineered cell-based immunotherapy together with those of cell-free EVs, which in principle might be safer and more efficient in crossing biological and tumor-associated barriers. In this review, we underlined the potential of CAR-T-derived EVs as therapeutic agents in tumors.
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