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Zou Z, Luo T, Wang X, Wang B, Li Q. Exploring the interplay between triple-negative breast cancer stem cells and tumor microenvironment for effective therapeutic strategies. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31278. [PMID: 38807378 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive and metastatic malignancy with poor treatment outcomes. The interaction between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) plays an important role in the development of TNBC. Owing to their ability of self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation, BCSCs maintain tumor growth, drive metastatic colonization, and facilitate the development of drug resistance. TME is the main factor regulating the phenotype and metastasis of BCSCs. Immune cells, cancer-related fibroblasts (CAFs), cytokines, mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells, and extracellular matrix within the TME form a complex communication network, exert highly selective pressure on the tumor, and provide a conducive environment for the formation of BCSC niches. Tumor growth and metastasis can be controlled by targeting the TME to eliminate BCSC niches or targeting BCSCs to modify the TME. These approaches may improve the treatment outcomes and possess great application potential in clinical settings. In this review, we summarized the relationship between BCSCs and the progression and drug resistance of TNBC, especially focusing on the interaction between BCSCs and TME. In addition, we discussed therapeutic strategies that target the TME to inhibit or eliminate BCSCs, providing valuable insights into the clinical treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoling Zou
- Queen Mary College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Tinglan Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh People's Hospital of Chongqing (Affiliated Central Hospital of Chongqing University of Technology), Chongqing, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Chongqing Medicine University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh People's Hospital of Chongqing (Affiliated Central Hospital of Chongqing University of Technology), Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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2
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Shi Y, Chen Y, Wang Y, Mo D, Ai H, Zhang J, Guo M, Qian H. Therapeutic effect of small extracellular vesicles from cytokine-induced memory-like natural killer cells on solid tumors. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:447. [PMID: 39075563 PMCID: PMC11285333 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02676-1] [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: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Small extracellular vesicles (sEV) derived from diverse natural killer (NK) cell lines have proven their exceptional antitumor activities. However, sEV from human primary NK cells, especially memory-like NK cells, are rarely utilized for cancer treatment. In this study, we obtained sEV from IL-12, IL-15 and IL-18 cultured human memory-like NK cells (mNK-sEV) that showed strong cytokine-secretory ability. It was uncovered that mNK-sEV entered cancer cells via macropinocytosis and induced cell apoptosis via caspase-dependent pathway. Compared to sEV from conventionally cultured NK cells (conNK-sEV), mNK-sEV inhibited tumor growth to a greater extent. Concomitantly, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution results validated a higher accumulation of mNK-sEV than conNK-sEV in tumors of xenografted murine models. Notably, elevated containment of granulysin (GNLY) within mNK-sEV, at least in part, may contribute to the enhanced therapeutic effect. Herein our results present that mNK-sEV can be a novel class of therapeutic reagent for effective cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghong Shi
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
- Zhenjiang Municipal Key Laboratory of High Technology for Basic and Translational Research on Exosomes, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Yanxia Chen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Dan Mo
- Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Huisheng Ai
- Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Mei Guo
- Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100071, China.
| | - Hui Qian
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
- Zhenjiang Municipal Key Laboratory of High Technology for Basic and Translational Research on Exosomes, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
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3
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Zhu Y, Wu X, Zhang Y, Gu J, Zhou R, Guo Z. Single cell transcriptomic analysis reveals tumor immune infiltration by NK cells gene signature in lung adenocarcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33928. [PMID: 39071697 PMCID: PMC11283104 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33928] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Natural Killer (NK) cells are vital components of the innate immune system, crucial for combating infections and tumor growth, making them pivotal in cancer prognosis and immunotherapy. We sought to understand the diverse characteristics of NK cells within lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) by conducting single-cell RNA sequencing analyses. Methods Using the scRNA-seq dataset for multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs), we examined two major NK cell groups, NK1 and NK2, comparing the expression profiles of 422 differentially expressed NK signature genes. We identified eight genes (SPON2, PLEKHG3, CAMK2N1, RAB27B, CTBP2, EFHD2, GOLM1, and PLOD1) that distinguish NK1 from NK2 cells. A prognostic signature, the NK gene signature (NKGS) score, was established through LASSO Cox regression. High NKGS scores were linked to poorer overall survival in TCGA-LUAD patients and consistently validated in other datasets (GSE31210 and GSE14814). Results Functional analysis revealed an enrichment of genes related to the TGF-β signaling pathway in the high NKGS score group. Moreover, a high NKGS score correlated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) driven by immune evasion mechanisms. We also observed reduced T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity in the high-risk NKGS group, indicating a negative association between inflammation and risk score. Conclusion This study introduced the innovative NKGS score, differentiating NK1 from NK2 cells. High NKGS scores were associated with the TGF-β pathway and provided insights into LUAD prognosis and immune activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Zhu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuhua Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunjiao Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Gu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongwei Zhou
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhong Guo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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4
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Kroh K, Barton J, Fehling H, Lotter H, Volkmer B, Greinert R, Mhamdi-Ghodbani M, Vanegas Ramirez A, Jacobs T, Gálvez RI. Antimicrobial activity of NK cells to Trypanosoma cruzi infected human primary Keratinocytes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012255. [PMID: 39038032 PMCID: PMC11262665 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is causative for Chagas disease, which is a highly neglected tropical disease prevalent in Latin America. Humans are primary infected through vectorial transmission by blood-sucking triatomine bugs. The parasite enters the human host through mucous membranes or small skin lesions. Since keratinocytes are the predominant cell type in the epidermis, they play a critical role in detecting disruptions in homeostasis and aiding in pathogen elimination by the immune system in the human skin as alternative antigen-presenting cells. Interestingly, keratinocytes also act as a reservoir for T. cruzi, as the skin has been identified as a major site of persistent infection in mice with chronic Chagas disease. Moreover, there are reports of the emergence of T. cruzi amastigote nests in the skin of immunocompromised individuals who are experiencing reactivation of Chagas disease. This observation implies that the skin may serve as a site for persistent parasite presence during chronic human infection too and underscores the significance of investigating the interactions between T. cruzi and skin cells. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to establish and characterize the infection kinetics in human primary epidermal keratinocytes (hPEK). Our investigation focused on surface molecules that either facilitated or hindered the activation of natural killer (NK) cells, which play a crucial role in controlling the infection. To simulate the in vivo situation in humans, an autologous co-culture model was developed to examine the interactions between T. cruzi infected keratinocytes and NK cells. We evaluated the degranulation, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity of NK cells in response to the infected keratinocytes. We observed a strong activation of NK cells by infected keratinocytes, despite minimal alterations in the expression of activating or inhibitory ligands on NK cell receptors. However, stimulation with recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a cytokine known to be present in significant quantities during chronic T. cruzi infections in the host, resulted in a substantial upregulation of these ligands on primary keratinocytes. Overall, our findings suggest the crucial role of NK cells in controlling acute T. cruzi infection in the upper layer of the skin and shed light on keratinocytes as potential initial targets of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshia Kroh
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Barton
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Helena Fehling
- Molecular Infection Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Lotter
- Molecular Infection Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beate Volkmer
- Skin Cancer Center, Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Elbe Klinikum Buxtehude, Buxtehude, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Greinert
- Skin Cancer Center, Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Elbe Klinikum Buxtehude, Buxtehude, Germany
| | - Mouna Mhamdi-Ghodbani
- Skin Cancer Center, Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Elbe Klinikum Buxtehude, Buxtehude, Germany
| | - Andrea Vanegas Ramirez
- Department of Dermatology, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg & Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Jacobs
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rosa Isela Gálvez
- Protozoa Immunology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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5
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Thangaraj JL, Coffey M, Lopez E, Kaufman DS. Disruption of TGF-β signaling pathway is required to mediate effective killing of hepatocellular carcinoma by human iPSC-derived NK cells. Cell Stem Cell 2024:S1934-5909(24)00217-0. [PMID: 38986609 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.06.009] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is highly expressed in the liver tumor microenvironment and is known to inhibit immune cell activity. Here, we used human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to produce natural killer (NK) cells engineered to mediate improved anti-HCC activity. Specifically, we produced iPSC-NK cells with either knockout TGF-β receptor 2 (TGFBR2-KO) or expression of a dominant negative (DN) form of the TGF-β receptor 2 (TGFBR2-DN) combined with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that target either GPC3 or AFP. The TGFBR2-KO and TGFBR2-DN iPSC-NK cells are resistant to TGF-β inhibition and improved anti-HCC activity. However, expression of anti-HCC CARs on iPSC-NK cells did not lead to effective anti-HCC activity unless there was also inhibition of TGF-β activity. Our findings demonstrate that TGF-β signaling blockade is required for effective NK cell function against HCC and potentially other malignancies that express high levels of TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya Lakshmi Thangaraj
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Michael Coffey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Edith Lopez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dan S Kaufman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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6
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Li F, Tian C, Wang Y, Wu H, Jin M, Du X, Yan J, Yang X, Yu H. Prognostic significance of peripheral and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in newly diagnosed stage III/IV non-small-cell lung cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1349178. [PMID: 38841570 PMCID: PMC11150824 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1349178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aim Lymphocytes are effector cells that fight cancer by killing tumor cells. Here, we aim to explore the prognostic significance of both peripheral and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in newly diagnosed stage III/IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and methods In total, 105 cases of newly diagnosed stage III/IV NSCLC from July 2017 to October 2022 at the Tianjin Beichen Hospital were retrospectively investigated. Peripheral blood samples at the time of diagnosis and tumor tissue slices from these patients were collected. General peripheral blood cell composition and TILs were measured and analyzed via an automatic blood analyzer and immunofluorescence staining analysis. The overall survival (OS) time of all patients was also obtained and analyzed. Results The median overall survival (mOS) of all patients is 12 months. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 60.5, 28.4, and 18.6%, respectively. Peripheral lymphocyte and neutrophil percentages, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) expression, tumor size, and tumor pathology are the prognostic factors of OS for newly diagnosed stage III/IV NSCLC patients. Moreover, patients with high tumor CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration survived significantly longer compared to patients with low tumor CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.011, respectively). Compared to low tumor CD33+ cell infiltration, high tumor CD33+ cell infiltration was associated with worse OS (p = 0.018). High tumor CD8+ T cell infiltration was associated with lower peripheral lymphocyte number, lower serum CRP expression, smaller tumor size, and better tumor pathology (p = 0.012, p = 0.040, p = 0.012, and p = 0.029, respectively). Conclusion Increased numbers of peripheral lymphocytes, CD33+ cells, CD4+ TILs, and CD8+ TILs were significantly associated with OS in newly diagnosed stage III/IV NSCLC patients, which were positively associated with several basic clinical factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenge Li
- Department of Oncology, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Core Laboratory, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chong Tian
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yupeng Wang
- Department of Oncology, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Huancheng Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengli Jin
- Core Laboratory, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueming Du
- Department of Oncology, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jin Yan
- Department of Oncology, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueling Yang
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Haipeng Yu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
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7
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Bergerud KMB, Berkseth M, Pardoll DM, Ganguly S, Kleinberg LR, Lawrence J, Odde DJ, Largaespada DA, Terezakis SA, Sloan L. Radiation Therapy and Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells: Breaking Down Their Cancerous Partnership. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:42-55. [PMID: 38042450 PMCID: PMC11082936 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) has been a primary treatment modality in cancer for decades. Increasing evidence suggests that RT can induce an immunosuppressive shift via upregulation of cells such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MDSCs inhibit antitumor immunity through potent immunosuppressive mechanisms and have the potential to be crucial tools for cancer prognosis and treatment. MDSCs interact with many different pathways, desensitizing tumor tissue and interacting with tumor cells to promote therapeutic resistance. Vascular damage induced by RT triggers an inflammatory signaling cascade and potentiates hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment (TME). RT can also drastically modify cytokine and chemokine signaling in the TME to promote the accumulation of MDSCs. RT activation of the cGAS-STING cytosolic DNA sensing pathway recruits MDSCs through a CCR2-mediated mechanism, inhibiting the production of type 1 interferons and hampering antitumor activity and immune surveillance in the TME. The upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor mobilizes MDSCs to the TME. After recruitment, MDSCs promote immunosuppression by releasing reactive oxygen species and upregulating nitric oxide production through inducible nitric oxide synthase expression to inhibit cytotoxic activity. Overexpression of arginase-1 on subsets of MDSCs degrades L-arginine and downregulates CD3ζ, inhibiting T-cell receptor reactivity. This review explains how radiation promotes tumor resistance through activation of immunosuppressive MDSCs in the TME and discusses current research targeting MDSCs, which could serve as a promising clinical treatment strategy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew Berkseth
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Drew M Pardoll
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sudipto Ganguly
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lawrence R Kleinberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jessica Lawrence
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
| | - David J Odde
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - David A Largaespada
- Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - Lindsey Sloan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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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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9
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Sánchez-Castillo A, Heylen E, Hounjet J, Savelkouls KG, Lieuwes NG, Biemans R, Dubois LJ, Reynders K, Rouschop KM, Vaes RDW, De Keersmaecker K, Lambrecht M, Hendriks LEL, De Ruysscher DKM, Vooijs M, Kampen KR. Targeting serine/glycine metabolism improves radiotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:568-584. [PMID: 38160212 PMCID: PMC10876524 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02553-y] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer, and 85% of cases are classified as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Metabolic rewiring is a cancer hallmark that causes treatment resistance, and lacks insights into serine/glycine pathway adaptations upon radiotherapy. METHODS We analyzed radiotherapy responses using mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics in NSCLC patient's plasma and cell lines. Efficacy of serine/glycine conversion inhibitor sertraline with radiotherapy was investigated by proliferation, clonogenic and spheroid assays, and in vivo using a serine/glycine dependent NSCLC mouse model by assessment of tumor growth, metabolite and cytokine levels, and immune signatures. RESULTS Serine/glycine pathway metabolites were significantly consumed in response to radiotherapy in NSCLC patients and cell models. Combining sertraline with radiotherapy impaired NSCLC proliferation, clonogenicity and stem cell self-renewal capacity. In vivo, NSCLC tumor growth was reduced solely in the sertraline plus radiotherapy combination treatment group. Tumor weights linked to systemic serine/glycine pathway metabolite levels, and were inhibited in the combination therapy group. Interestingly, combination therapy reshaped the tumor microenvironment via cytokines associated with natural killer cells, supported by eradication of immune checkpoint galectin-1 and elevated granzyme B levels. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight that targeting serine/glycine metabolism using sertraline restricts cancer cell recovery from radiotherapy and provides tumor control through immunomodulation in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaís Sánchez-Castillo
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elien Heylen
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer, KU Leuven, and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Judith Hounjet
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kim G Savelkouls
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Natasja G Lieuwes
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rianne Biemans
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ludwig J Dubois
- Department of Precision Medicine, The M-Lab, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kobe Reynders
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Oncology, Experimental Radiation Oncology, KU Leuven, and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kasper M Rouschop
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rianne D W Vaes
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kim De Keersmaecker
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer, KU Leuven, and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten Lambrecht
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lizza E L Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonology, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk K M De Ruysscher
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Vooijs
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kim R Kampen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer, KU Leuven, and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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10
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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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11
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Meng X, Ma F, Yu D. The diverse effects of cisplatin on tumor microenvironment: Insights and challenges for the delivery of cisplatin by nanoparticles. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 240:117362. [PMID: 37827371 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117362] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Cisplatin is a well-known platinum-based chemotherapy medication that is widely utilized for some malignancies. Despite the direct cytotoxic consequences of cisplatin on tumor cells, studies in the recent decade have revealed that cisplatin can also affect different cells and their secretions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cisplatin has complex impacts on the TME, which may contribute to its anti-tumor activity or drug resistance mechanisms. These regulatory effects of cisplatin play a paramount function in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. This paper aims to review the diverse impacts of cisplatin and nanoparticles loaded with cisplatin on cancer cells and also non-cancerous cells in TME. The impacts of cisplatin on immune cells, tumor stroma, cancer cells, and also hypoxia will be discussed in the current review. Furthermore, we emphasize the challenges and prospects of using cisplatin in combination with other adjuvants and therapeutic modalities that target TME. We also discuss the potential synergistic effects of cisplatin with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and other agents with anticancer potentials such as polyphenols and photosensitizers. Furthermore, the potential of nanoparticles for targeting TME and better delivery of cisplatin into tumors will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Meng
- Zhuji Sixth People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji, Zhejiang, 311801, China
| | - Fengyun Ma
- Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang, 311800, China.
| | - Dingli Yu
- Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang, 311800, China
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12
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Yao L, Wang Q, Ma W. Navigating the Immune Maze: Pioneering Strategies for Unshackling Cancer Immunotherapy Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5857. [PMID: 38136402 PMCID: PMC10742031 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has ushered in a transformative era in oncology, offering unprecedented promise and opportunities. Despite its remarkable breakthroughs, the field continues to grapple with the persistent challenge of treatment resistance. This resistance not only undermines the widespread efficacy of these pioneering treatments, but also underscores the pressing need for further research. Our exploration into the intricate realm of cancer immunotherapy resistance reveals various mechanisms at play, from primary and secondary resistance to the significant impact of genetic and epigenetic factors, as well as the crucial role of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, we stress the importance of devising innovative strategies to counteract this resistance, such as employing combination therapies, tailoring immune checkpoints, and implementing real-time monitoring. By championing these state-of-the-art methods, we anticipate a paradigm that blends personalized healthcare with improved treatment options and is firmly committed to patient welfare. Through a comprehensive and multifaceted approach, we strive to tackle the challenges of resistance, aspiring to elevate cancer immunotherapy as a beacon of hope for patients around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Yao
- Key Laboratory for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Qingqing Wang
- Institute of Immunology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Wenxue Ma
- Department of Medicine, Moores Cancer Center, Sanford Stem Cell Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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13
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Du Y, Pollok KE, Shen J. Unlocking Glioblastoma Secrets: Natural Killer Cell Therapy against Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5836. [PMID: 38136381 PMCID: PMC10741423 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245836] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) represents a paramount challenge as the most formidable primary brain tumor characterized by its rapid growth, aggressive invasiveness, and remarkable heterogeneity, collectively impeding effective therapeutic interventions. The cancer stem cells within GBM, GBM stem cells (GSCs), hold pivotal significance in fueling tumor advancement, therapeutic refractoriness, and relapse. Given their unique attributes encompassing self-renewal, multipotent differentiation potential, and intricate interplay with the tumor microenvironment, targeting GSCs emerges as a critical strategy for innovative GBM treatments. Natural killer (NK) cells, innate immune effectors recognized for their capacity to selectively detect and eliminate malignancies without the need for prior sensitization, offer substantial therapeutic potential. Harnessing the inherent capabilities of NK cells can not only directly engage tumor cells but also augment broader immune responses. Encouraging outcomes from clinical investigations underscore NK cells as a potentially effective modality for cancer therapy. Consequently, NK cell-based approaches hold promise for effectively targeting GSCs, thereby presenting an avenue to enhance treatment outcomes for GBM patients. This review outlines GBM's intricate landscape, therapeutic challenges, GSC-related dynamics, and elucidates the potential of NK cell as an immunotherapeutic strategy directed towards GSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanning Du
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA;
| | - Karen E. Pollok
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jia Shen
- Medical Sciences Program, Indiana University School of Medicine, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA;
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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14
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Dagher OK, Posey AD. Forks in the road for CAR T and CAR NK cell cancer therapies. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1994-2007. [PMID: 38012406 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01659-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has resulted in unprecedented long-term clearance of relapse/refractory hematological malignancies in both pediatric and adult patients. However, severe toxicities, such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity, associated with CAR T cells affect therapeutic utility; and treatment efficacies for solid tumors are still not impressive. As a result, engineering strategies that modify other immune cell types, especially natural killer (NK) cells have arisen. Owing to both CAR-dependent and CAR-independent (innate immune-mediated) antitumor killing capacity, major histocompatibility complex-independent cytotoxicity, reduced risk of alloreactivity and lack of major CAR T cell toxicities, CAR NK cells constitute one of the promising next-generation CAR immune cells that are also amenable as 'off-the-shelf' therapeutics. In this Review, we compare CAR T and CAR NK cell therapies, with particular focus on immunological synapses, engineering strategies and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oula K Dagher
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Avery D Posey
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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15
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Balzasch BM, Cerwenka A. Microenvironmental signals shaping NK-cell reactivity in cancer. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250103. [PMID: 37194594 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the postulation of the "missing-self" concept, much progress has been made in defining requirements for NK-cell activation. Unlike T lymphocytes that process signals from receptors in a hierarchic manner dominated by the T-cell receptors, NK cells integrate receptor signals more "democratically." Signals originate not only the downstream of cell-surface receptors triggered by membrane-bound ligands or cytokines, but are also mediated by specialized microenvironmental sensors that perceive the cellular surrounding by detecting metabolites or the availability of oxygen. Thus, NK-cell effector functions are driven in an organ and disease-dependent manner. Here, we review the latest findings on how NK-cell reactivity in cancer is determined by the reception and integration of complex signals. Finally, we discuss how this knowledge can be exploited to guide novel combinatorial approaches for NK-cell-based anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca M Balzasch
- Department of Immunobiochemistry, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunosciences (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Adelheid Cerwenka
- Department of Immunobiochemistry, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunosciences (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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16
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Bun A, Nagahashi M, Kuroiwa M, Komatsu M, Miyoshi Y. Baseline interleukin-6 is a prognostic factor for patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with eribulin. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 202:575-583. [PMID: 37733188 PMCID: PMC10564839 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07086-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Eribulin is a unique anti-cancer drug which can improve overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), probably by modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of serum levels of immune-related and inflammatory cytokines in patients treated with eribulin. Furthermore, we investigated the association between cytokines and immune cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and cytotoxic and regulatory T cells, to explore how these cytokines might affect the immune microenvironment. METHODS Sixty-eight patients with MBC treated with eribulin were recruited for this retrospective study. The relationship of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, to progression-free survival and OS was examined. CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte, MDSCs and regulatory T cell levels were determined in the blood by flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS In our cohort, patients with high IL-6 at baseline had shorter progression-free survival and OS compared with those with low IL-6 (p = 0.0017 and p = 0.0012, respectively). Univariable and multivariable analyses revealed that baseline IL-6 was an independent prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.0058). Importantly, CD8+ lymphocytes were significantly lower and MDSCs were significantly higher in patients with high IL-6, compared to those with low IL-6. CONCLUSION Baseline IL-6 is an important prognostic factor in patients with MBC treated with eribulin. Our results show that high IL-6 is associated with higher levels of MDSCs which suppress anti-tumor immunity, such as CD8+ cells. It appears that eribulin is not particularly effective in patients with high IL-6 due to a poor tumor immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Bun
- Department of Surgery, Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Masayuki Nagahashi
- Department of Surgery, Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Mamiko Kuroiwa
- Department of Surgery, Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Miki Komatsu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan
| | - Yasuo Miyoshi
- Department of Surgery, Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, School of Medicine, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, 663-8501, Japan.
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17
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Fantini M, Arlen PM, Tsang KY. Potentiation of natural killer cells to overcome cancer resistance to NK cell-based therapy and to enhance antibody-based immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1275904. [PMID: 38077389 PMCID: PMC10704476 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1275904] [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: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cellular components of the innate immune system that can recognize and suppress the proliferation of cancer cells. NK cells can eliminate cancer cells through direct lysis, by secreting perforin and granzymes, or through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). ADCC involves the binding of the Fc gamma receptor IIIa (CD16), present on NK cells, to the constant region of an antibody already bound to cancer cells. Cancer cells use several mechanisms to evade antitumor activity of NK cells, including the accumulation of inhibitory cytokines, recruitment and expansion of immune suppressor cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), modulation of ligands for NK cells receptors. Several strategies have been developed to enhance the antitumor activity of NK cells with the goal of overcoming cancer cells resistance to NK cells. The three main strategies to engineer and boost NK cells cytotoxicity include boosting NK cells with modulatory cytokines, adoptive NK cell therapy, and the employment of engineered NK cells to enhance antibody-based immunotherapy. Although the first two strategies improved the efficacy of NK cell-based therapy, there are still some limitations, including immune-related adverse events, induction of immune-suppressive cells and further cancer resistance to NK cell killing. One strategy to overcome these issues is the combination of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that mediate ADCC and engineered NK cells with potentiated anti-cancer activity. The advantage of using mAbs with ADCC activity is that they can activate NK cells, but also favor the accumulation of immune effector cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Several clinical trials reported that combining engineered NK cells with mAbs with ADCC activity can result in a superior clinical response compared to mAbs alone. Next generation of clinical trials, employing engineered NK cells with mAbs with higher affinity for CD16 expressed on NK cells, will provide more effective and higher-quality treatments to cancer patients.
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18
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Zhang H, Wang J, Li F. Modulation of natural killer cell exhaustion in the lungs: the key components from lung microenvironment and lung tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1286986. [PMID: 38022613 PMCID: PMC10657845 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1286986] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of tumor-induced death worldwide and remains a primary global health concern. In homeostasis, due to its unique structure and physiological function, the lung microenvironment is in a state of immune tolerance and suppression, which is beneficial to tumor development and metastasis. The lung tumor microenvironment is a more complex system that further enhances the immunosuppressive features in the lungs. NK cells are abundantly located in the lungs and play crucial roles in lung tumor surveillance and antitumor immunity. However, the immunosuppressive microenvironment promotes significant challenges to NK cell features, leading to their hypofunction, exhaustion, and compromised antitumor activity. Thus, understanding the complex interactions among the lung microenvironment, lung tumor microenvironment, and NK cell exhaustion is critical for the development of effective cancer immunotherapeutic strategies. The present review will discuss NK cell hypofunction and exhaustion within the lung microenvironment and lung tumor microenvironment, focusing on lung tissue-specific factors, including key cytokines and unique environmental components, that modulate NK cell activation and function. Understanding the functional mechanisms of key factors would help to design strategies to reverse NK cell exhaustion and restore their antitumor function within the lung tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Zhang
- Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fengqi Li
- Institute of Health and Medicine, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, Anhui, China
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19
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Yoo S, Choi S, Kim I, Kim IS. Hypoxic regulation of extracellular vesicles: Implications for cancer therapy. J Control Release 2023; 363:201-220. [PMID: 37739015 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.09.034] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in intercellular communication and have been implicated in cancer progression. Hypoxia, a pervasive hallmark of cancer, is known to regulate EV biogenesis and function. Hypoxic EVs contain a specific set of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites, capable of reprogramming the biology and fate of recipient cells. Enhancing the intrinsic therapeutic efficacy of EVs can be achieved by strategically modifying their structure and contents. Moreover, the use of EVs as drug delivery vehicles holds great promise for cancer treatment. However, various hurdles must be overcome to enable their clinical application as cancer therapeutics. In this review, we aim to discuss the current knowledge on the hypoxic regulation of EVs. Additionally, we will describe the underlying mechanisms by which EVs contribute to cancer progression in hypoxia and outline the progress and limitations of hypoxia-related EV therapeutics for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongkyeong Yoo
- Department of Pharmacology and Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, South Korea; Research Center for Controlling Intercellular Communication, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, South Korea
| | - Sanga Choi
- Department of Pharmacology and Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, South Korea; Research Center for Controlling Intercellular Communication, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, South Korea
| | - Iljin Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, South Korea; Research Center for Controlling Intercellular Communication, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, South Korea.
| | - In-San Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; Chemical and Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, South Korea.
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20
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Yan J, Yang Y, Lu J, Yuan Y, Wu X, Huang J, Zhang S. Identification of TMEM178 as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Breast Cancer. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 52:2427-2439. [PMID: 38106832 PMCID: PMC10719715 DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v52i11.14042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Background The transmembrane protein (TMEM) family plays important roles in cancer. However, the expression pattern and biological roles of TMEM178, a member of TMEM family, remains unclear in breast cancer (BRCA). Methods Methylation and RNA-seq data were obtained to explore methylation level. Expression of TMEM178, methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-CdR was used to verify the effect of methylation status on the expression of TMEM178. We comprehensively investigated the prognostic outcomes, biological functions and effects on immune cell infiltration of the TMEM178 in BRCA using multiple bioinformatics methods. Results The expression of TMEM178 was downregulated and negatively correlated with the level of DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) in BRCA. Consistently, TMEM178 mRNA were confirmed to be downregulated, while upregulated in response to treatment with methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-CdR by RT-qPCR. Patients with high expression of TMEM178 have better prognosis and are more sensitive to targeted drug Pazopanib. Immune infiltration analysis showed that the infiltration levels of CD4+ T cell subsets were reduced in BRAC tissues with high TMEM178 expression, and immunosuppressive molecules of T-cell exhaustion were lower expression level. Conclusion Hypermethylation of the TMEM178 promoter region was a contributing factor to the downregulation of its expression, and TMEM178 may reflect a prognostic and immunosuppressive situation in BRCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaoyan Yan
- Department of Basic Clinical Laboratory Medicine, School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Ye Yang
- Department of Basic Clinical Laboratory Medicine, School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Jingrun Lu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First People’s Hospital of Guiyang, Guiyang, 550002, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- Department of Basic Clinical Laboratory Medicine, School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Xiangyi Wu
- Department of Basic Clinical Laboratory Medicine, School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Basic Clinical Laboratory Medicine, School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Basic Clinical Laboratory Medicine, School of Clinical Laboratory Science, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
- Center for Clinical Laboratories, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
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21
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Zhang L, Yang S, Chen H, Xue C, Wang T, Chen S, Xu X, Ma S, Yu M, Guo T, Han Y, Yan J, Shen J, Cai H, Li F. Characterization of the biological and transcriptomic signatures of natural killer cells derived from cord blood and peripheral blood. Am J Cancer Res 2023; 13:3531-3546. [PMID: 37693132 PMCID: PMC10492111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal studies have indicated the pivotal role of natural killer cells (NKs) in the elimination of certain infections and malignancies. Currently, perinatal blood (PB) and cord blood (CB) have been considered with promising prospective for autogenous and allogeneic NKs transplantation, yet the similarities and differences at the biological and molecular levels are largely obscure. We isolated mononuclear cells (MNCs) from PB and CB, and compared the biological phenotypes of resident NKs by flow cytometry and cell counting. Then, we turned to our well-established "3ILs" strategy and co-culture for NK cell activation and cytotoxicity analyses, respectively. Finally, with the aid of transcriptomic analyses, we further dissected the signatures of PB-NKs and CB-NKs. CB-NKs revealed superiority in cellular vitality over PB-NKs, together with variations in subpopulations. CB-NKs showed higher cytotoxicity over PB-NKs against K562 cells. Furthermore, we found both NKs revealed multifaceted conservations and differences in gene expression profiling and genetic variations, together with gene subsets and signaling pathway. Collectively, both NKs revealed multifaceted similarities and diverse variations at the cellular and transcriptomic levels. Our findings would benefit the further exploration of the biological and transcriptomic properties of CB-NKs and PB-NKs, together with the development of NK cell-based cytotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leisheng Zhang
- School of Medicine, Nankai UniversityTianjin 300071, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province & National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial HospitalLanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
- Key Laboratory of Radiation Technology and Biophysics, Hefei Institute of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of SciencesHefei 230031, Anhui, China
- Jiangxi Research Center of Stem Cell Engineering, Jiangxi Health-Biotech Stem Cell Technology Co., Ltd.Shangrao 334000, Jiangxi, China
- Department of General Practice, Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan UniversityChenzhou 423000, Hunan, China
| | - Sijun Yang
- School of Medicine, Nankai UniversityTianjin 300071, China
- Jiangxi Research Center of Stem Cell Engineering, Jiangxi Health-Biotech Stem Cell Technology Co., Ltd.Shangrao 334000, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hongjun Chen
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical UniversityZunyi 563099, Guizhou, China
| | - Chun’e Xue
- Department of Hematology, Langfang City Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineLangfang 065000, Hebei, China
| | - Ti’er Wang
- Hospital Infection Management Department, Chengdu Seventh People’s HospitalChengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Hematology Research Center of Yunnan ProvinceKunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Jiangxi Research Center of Stem Cell Engineering, Jiangxi Health-Biotech Stem Cell Technology Co., Ltd.Shangrao 334000, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xianghong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province & National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial HospitalLanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Shixun Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province & National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial HospitalLanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Miao Yu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province & National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial HospitalLanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Tiankang Guo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province & National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial HospitalLanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Yan Han
- Department of General Practice, Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan UniversityChenzhou 423000, Hunan, China
| | - Jianhui Yan
- Department of General Practice, Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan UniversityChenzhou 423000, Hunan, China
| | - Jiakun Shen
- Department of Hematology, Shangrao People’s HospitalShangrao 334099, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hui Cai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics and Precision Medicine for Surgical Oncology in Gansu Province & National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial HospitalLanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Feifei Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical UniversityHefei 230032, Anhui, China
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22
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Kudling TV, Clubb JH, Pakola S, Quixabeira DC, Lähdeniemi IA, Heiniö C, Arias V, Havunen R, Cervera-Carrascon V, Santos JM, Sutinen E, Räsänen J, Borenius K, Mäyränpää MI, Aaltonen E, Sorsa S, Hemminki O, Kanerva A, Verschuren EW, Ilonen I, Hemminki A. Effective intravenous delivery of adenovirus armed with TNFα and IL-2 improves anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2241710. [PMID: 37546696 PMCID: PMC10399490 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2241710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer remains among the most difficult-to-treat malignancies and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The introduction of targeted therapies and checkpoint inhibitors has improved treatment outcomes; however, most patients with advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) eventually fail these therapies. Therefore, there is a major unmet clinical need for checkpoint refractory/resistant NSCLC. Here, we tested the combination of aPD-1 and adenovirus armed with TNFα and IL-2 (Ad5-CMV-mTNFα/mIL-2) in an immunocompetent murine NSCLC model. Moreover, although local delivery has been standard for virotherapy, treatment was administered intravenously to facilitate clinical translation and putative routine use. We showed that treatment of tumor-bearing animals with aPD-1 in combination with intravenously injected armed adenovirus significantly decreased cancer growth, even in the presence of neutralizing antibodies. We observed an increased frequency of cytotoxic tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, including tumor-specific cells. Combination treatment led to a decreased percentage of immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages and an improvement in dendritic cell maturation. Moreover, we observed expansion of the tumor-specific memory T cell compartment in secondary lymphoid organs in the group that received aPD-1 with the virus. However, although the non-replicative Ad5-CMV-mTNFα/mIL-2 virus allows high transgene expression in the murine model, it does not fully reflect the clinical outcome in humans. Thus, we complemented our findings using NSCLC ex vivo models fully permissive for the TNFα and IL-2- armed oncolytic adenovirus TILT-123. Overall, our data demonstrate the ability of systemically administered adenovirus armed with TNFα and IL-2 to potentiate the anti-tumor efficacy of aPD-1 and warrant further investigation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana V. Kudling
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - James H.A. Clubb
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Santeri Pakola
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dafne C.A. Quixabeira
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Iris A.K. Lähdeniemi
- Translational Lung Cancer Research Group, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLife, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Camilla Heiniö
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Victor Arias
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Havunen
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Victor Cervera-Carrascon
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Joao M. Santos
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eva Sutinen
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
- Individualized Drug Therapy Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Räsänen
- General Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kristian Borenius
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
- General Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko I. Mäyränpää
- Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital (HUSLAB), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eero Aaltonen
- Faculty of Medicine, Medicum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Suvi Sorsa
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Otto Hemminki
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Urology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Kanerva
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emmy W. Verschuren
- Translational Lung Cancer Research Group, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), HiLife, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Ilonen
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
- General Thoracic and Esophageal Surgery, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Akseli Hemminki
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
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23
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Bhoopathi P, Mannangatti P, Das SK, Fisher PB, Emdad L. Chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Overcoming resistance to therapy. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 159:285-341. [PMID: 37268399 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a prominent cause of cancer deaths worldwide, is a highly aggressive cancer most frequently detected at an advanced stage that limits treatment options to systemic chemotherapy, which has provided only marginal positive clinical outcomes. More than 90% of patients with PDAC die within a year of being diagnosed. PDAC is increasing at a rate of 0.5-1.0% per year, and it is expected to be the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality by 2030. The resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs, which can be innate or acquired, is the primary factor contributing to the ineffectiveness of cancer treatments. Although many PDAC patients initially responds to standard of care (SOC) drugs they soon develop resistance caused partly by the substantial cellular heterogeneity seen in PDAC tissue and the tumor microenvironment (TME), which are considered key factors contributing to resistance to therapy. A deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in PDAC progression and metastasis development, and the interplay of the TME in all these processes is essential to better comprehend the etiology and pathobiology of chemoresistance observed in PDAC. Recent research has recognized new therapeutic targets ushering in the development of innovative combinatorial therapies as well as enhancing our comprehension of several different cell death pathways. These approaches facilitate the lowering of the therapeutic threshold; however, the possibility of subsequent resistance development still remains a key issue and concern. Discoveries, that can target PDAC resistance, either alone or in combination, have the potential to serve as the foundation for future treatments that are effective without posing undue health risks. In this chapter, we discuss potential causes of PDAC chemoresistance and approaches for combating chemoresistance by targeting different pathways and different cellular functions associated with and mediating resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Bhoopathi
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Padmanabhan Mannangatti
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States.
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24
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Cole CB, Morelli MP, Fantini M, Miettinen M, Fetsch P, Peer C, Figg WD, Yin T, Houston N, McCoy A, Lipkowitz S, Zimmer A, Lee JM, Pavelova M, Villanueva EN, Trewhitt K, Solarz BB, Fergusson M, Mavroukakis SA, Zaki A, Tsang KY, Arlen PM, Annunziata CM. First-in-human phase 1 clinical trial of anti-core 1 O-glycans targeting monoclonal antibody NEO-201 in treatment-refractory solid tumors. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:76. [PMID: 36991390 PMCID: PMC10053355 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02649-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NEO201 is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) generated against tumor-associated antigens from patients with colorectal cancer. NEO-201 binds to core 1 or extended core 1 O-glycans expressed by its target cells. Here, we present outcomes from a phase I trial of NEO-201 in patients with advanced solid tumors that have not responded to standard treatments. METHODS This was a single site, open label 3 + 3 dose escalation clinical trial. NEO-201 was administered intravenously every two weeks in a 28-day cycle at dose level (DL) 1 (1 mg/kg), DL 1.5 (1.5 mg/kg) and DL 2 (2 mg/kg) until dose limiting toxicity (DLT), disease progression, or patient withdrawal. Disease evaluations were conducted after every 2 cycles. The primary objective was to assess the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of NEO-201. The secondary objective was to assess the antitumor activity by RECIST v1.1. The exploratory objectives assessed pharmacokinetics and the effect of NEO-201 administration on immunologic parameters and their impact on clinical response. RESULTS Seventeen patients (11 colorectal, 4 pancreatic and 2 breast cancers) were enrolled; 2 patients withdrew after the first dose and were not evaluable for DLT. Twelve of the 15 patients evaluable for safety discontinued due to disease progression and 3 patients discontinued due to DLT (grade 4 febrile neutropenia [1 patient] and prolonged neutropenia [1 patient] at DL 2, and grade 3 prolonged (> 72 h) febrile neutropenia [1 patient] at DL 1.5). A total of 69 doses of NEO-201 were administered (range 1-15, median 4). Common (> 10%) grade 3/4 toxicities occurred as follows: neutropenia (26/69 doses, 17/17 patients), white blood cell decrease (16/69 doses, 12/17 patients), lymphocyte decrease (8/69 doses, 6/17 patients). Thirteen patients were evaluable for disease response; the best response was stable disease (SD) in 4 patients with colorectal cancer. Analysis of soluble factors in serum revealed that a high level of soluble MICA at baseline was correlated with a downregulation of NK cell activation markers and progressive disease. Unexpectedly, flow cytometry showed that NEO-201 also binds to circulating regulatory T cells and reduction of the quantities of these cells was observed especially in patients with SD. CONCLUSIONS NEO-201 was safe and well tolerated at the MTD of 1.5 mg/kg, with neutropenia being the most common adverse event. Furthermore, a reduction in the percentage of regulatory T cells following NEO-201 treatment supports our ongoing phase II clinical trial evaluating the efficiency of the combination of NEO-201 with the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab in adults with treatment-resistant solid tumors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03476681 . Registered 03/26/2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Cole
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Maria Pia Morelli
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Markku Miettinen
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Patricia Fetsch
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cody Peer
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - William D Figg
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tyler Yin
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nicole Houston
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ann McCoy
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stanley Lipkowitz
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexandra Zimmer
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jung-Min Lee
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Miroslava Pavelova
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Erin N Villanueva
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kathryn Trewhitt
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - B Brooke Solarz
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Maria Fergusson
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Anjum Zaki
- Precision Biologics, Inc, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Christina M Annunziata
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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25
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Starska-Kowarska K. The Role of Different Immunocompetent Cell Populations in the Pathogenesis of Head and Neck Cancer-Regulatory Mechanisms of Pro- and Anti-Cancer Activity and Their Impact on Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1642. [PMID: 36980527 PMCID: PMC10046400 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061642] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most aggressive and heterogeneous groups of human neoplasms. HNSCC is characterized by high morbidity, accounting for 3% of all cancers, and high mortality with ~1.5% of all cancer deaths. It was the most common cancer worldwide in 2020, according to the latest GLOBOCAN data, representing the seventh most prevalent human malignancy. Despite great advances in surgical techniques and the application of modern combinations and cytotoxic therapies, HNSCC remains a leading cause of death worldwide with a low overall survival rate not exceeding 40-60% of the patient population. The most common causes of death in patients are its frequent nodal metastases and local neoplastic recurrences, as well as the relatively low response to treatment and severe drug resistance. Much evidence suggests that the tumour microenvironment (TME), tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and circulating various subpopulations of immunocompetent cells, such regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs), cytotoxic CD3+CD8+ T cells (CTLs) and CD3+CD4+ T helper type 1/2/9/17 (Th1/Th2/Th9/Th17) lymphocytes, T follicular helper cells (Tfh) and CD56dim/CD16bright activated natural killer cells (NK), carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumour-associated neutrophils (N1/N2 TANs), as well as tumour-associated macrophages (M1/M2 phenotype TAMs) can affect initiation, progression and spread of HNSCC and determine the response to immunotherapy. Rapid advances in the field of immuno-oncology and the constantly growing knowledge of the immunosuppressive mechanisms and effects of tumour cancer have allowed for the use of effective and personalized immunotherapy as a first-line therapeutic procedure or an essential component of a combination therapy for primary, relapsed and metastatic HNSCC. This review presents the latest reports and molecular studies regarding the anti-tumour role of selected subpopulations of immunocompetent cells in the pathogenesis of HNSCC, including HPV+ve (HPV+) and HPV-ve (HPV-) tumours. The article focuses on the crucial regulatory mechanisms of pro- and anti-tumour activity, key genetic or epigenetic changes that favour tumour immune escape, and the strategies that the tumour employs to avoid recognition by immunocompetent cells, as well as resistance mechanisms to T and NK cell-based immunotherapy in HNSCC. The present review also provides an overview of the pre- and clinical early trials (I/II phase) and phase-III clinical trials published in this arena, which highlight the unprecedented effectiveness and limitations of immunotherapy in HNSCC, and the emerging issues facing the field of HNSCC immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Starska-Kowarska
- Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Lodz, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland; ; Tel.: +48-604-541-412
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, EnelMed Center Expert, Drewnowska 58, 91-001 Lodz, Poland
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26
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Canella A, Rajappa P. Therapeutic utility of engineered myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Gene Ther 2023:10.1038/s41417-023-00600-7. [PMID: 36854896 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00600-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite promising results shown in hematologic tumors, immunotherapies for the treatment of solid tumors have mostly failed so far. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and phenotype of tumor infiltrating macrophages are among the more prevalent reasons for this failure. Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs, M2-macrophages) are circulating myeloid cells recruited to the local tumor microenvironment, and together with regulatory T cells (T-regs), are reprogrammed to become immune suppressive. This results in the inactivation or hampered recruitment of cytotoxic CD8 + T and Natural Killer (NK) cells. Recently, attempts have been made to try to leverage specific myeloid functions and properties, including their ability to reach the TME and to mediate the phagocytosis of cancer cells. Additionally, myeloid cells have been used for drug delivery and reprogramming the tumor microenvironment in cancer patients. This approach, together with the advancements in genome editing, paved the way for the development of novel cell-mediated immunotherapies. This article focuses on the latest studies that detail the therapeutic properties of genetically engineered or pharmacologically modulated myeloid cells in cancer preclinical models, limitations, pitfalls, and evaluations of these approaches in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Canella
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Prajwal Rajappa
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics and Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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27
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Celada Luis G, Albers Acosta E, de la Fuente H, Velasco Balanza C, Arroyo Correas M, Romero-Laorden N, Alfranca A, Olivier Gómez C. A Comprehensive Analysis of Immune Response in Patients with Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051364. [PMID: 36900156 PMCID: PMC10000243 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bladder carcinoma has elevated morbimortality due to its high recurrence and progression in localized disease. A better understanding of the role of the tumor microenvironment in carcinogenesis and response to treatment is needed. METHODS Peripheral blood and samples of urothelial bladder cancer and adjacent healthy urothelial tissue were collected from 41 patients and stratified in low- and high-grade urothelial bladder cancer, excluding muscular infiltration or carcinoma in situ. Mononuclear cells were isolated and labeled for flow cytometry analysis with antibodies aimed at identifying specific subpopulations within T lymphocytes, myeloid cells and NK cells. RESULTS In peripheral blood and tumor samples, we detected different percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, monocyte and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, as well as differential expression of activation- and exhaustion-related markers. Conversely, only a significant increase in bladder total monocytes was found when comparing bladder and tumor samples. Interestingly, we identified specific markers differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with different outcomes. CONCLUSION The analysis of host immune response in patients with NMIBC may help to identify specific markers that allow optimizing therapy and patient follow-up. Further investigation is needed to establish a strong predictive model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Nuria Romero-Laorden
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Arantzazu Alfranca
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-520-23-07
| | - Carlos Olivier Gómez
- Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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28
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Efficient Redirection of NK Cells by Genetic Modification with Chemokine Receptors CCR4 and CCR2B. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043129. [PMID: 36834542 PMCID: PMC9967507 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of lymphocytes that offer great potential for cancer immunotherapy due to their natural anti-tumor activity and the possibility to safely transplant cells from healthy donors to patients in a clinical setting. However, the efficacy of cell-based immunotherapies using both T and NK cells is often limited by a poor infiltration of immune cells into solid tumors. Importantly, regulatory immune cell subsets are frequently recruited to tumor sites. In this study, we overexpressed two chemokine receptors, CCR4 and CCR2B, that are naturally found on T regulatory cells and tumor-resident monocytes, respectively, on NK cells. Using the NK cell line NK-92 as well as primary NK cells from peripheral blood, we show that genetically engineered NK cells can be efficiently redirected using chemokine receptors from different immune cell lineages and migrate towards chemokines such as CCL22 or CCL2, without impairing the natural effector functions. This approach has the potential to enhance the therapeutic effect of immunotherapies in solid tumors by directing genetically engineered donor NK cells to tumor sites. As a future therapeutic option, the natural anti-tumor activity of NK cells at the tumor sites can be increased by co-expression of chemokine receptors with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or T cell receptors (TCR) on NK cells can be performed in the future.
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29
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Samarth N, Gulhane P, Singh S. Immunoregulatory framework and the role of miRNA in the pathogenesis of NSCLC - A systematic review. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1089320. [PMID: 36620544 PMCID: PMC9811680 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1089320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With a 5-year survival rate of only 15%, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common kind of lung carcinoma and the cause of millions of deaths annually, has drawn attention. Numerous variables, such as disrupted signaling caused by somatic mutations in the EGFR-mediated RAS/RAF/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT signaling cascade, supports tumour survival in one way or another. Here, the tumour microenvironment significantly contributes to the development of cancer by thwarting the immune response. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of gene expression that can function as oncogenes or oncosuppressors. They have a major influence on the occurrence and prognosis of NSCLC. Though, a myriad number of therapies are available and many are being clinically tested, still the drug resistance, its adverse effect and toxicity leading towards fatality cannot be ruled out. In this review, we tried to ascertain the missing links in between perturbed EGFR signaling, miRNAs favouring tumorigenesis and the autophagy mechanism. While connecting all the aforementioned points multiple associations were set, which can be targeted in order to combat NSCLC. Here, we tried illuminating designing synthetically engineered circuits with the toggle switches that might lay a prototype for better therapeutic paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shailza Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India
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30
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Peng P, Lou Y, Wang S, Wang J, Zhang Z, Du P, Zheng J, Liu P, Xu LX. Activated NK cells reprogram MDSCs via NKG2D-NKG2DL and IFN-γ to modulate antitumor T-cell response after cryo-thermal therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005769. [PMID: 36521929 PMCID: PMC9756281 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) can potently inhibit T-cell activity, promote growth and metastasis of tumor and contribute to resistance to immunotherapy. Targeting MDSCs to alleviate their protumor functions and immunosuppressive activities is intimately associated with cancer immunotherapy. Natural killer (NK) cells can engage in crosstalk with multiple myeloid cells to alter adaptive immune responses, triggering T-cell immunity. However, whether the NK-cell-MDSC interaction can modulate the T-cell immune response requires further study. Cryo-thermal therapy could induce the maturation of MDSCs by creating an acute inflammatory environment to elicit a CD4+ Th1-dominant immune response, but the mechanism regulating this process remains unclear. METHODS NK cells were depleted and NKG2D was blocked with monoclonal antibodies in vivo. MDSCs, NK cells and T cells were assessed by flow cytometry and isolated by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). MDSCs and NK cells were cocultured with T cells to determine their immunological function. The transcriptional profiles of MDSCs were measured by qRT-PCR and RNA-sequencing. Isolated NK cells and MDSCs by MACS were cocultured to study the viability and maturation of MDSCs regulated by NK cells. TIMER was used to comprehensively examine the immunological, clinical, and genomic features of tumors. RESULTS NK-cell activation after cryo-thermal therapy decreased MDSC accumulation and reprogrammed immunosuppressive MDSCs toward a mature phenotype to promote T cell antitumor immunity. Furthermore, we discovered that NK cells could kill MDSCs via the NKG2D-NKG2DL axis and promote MDSC maturation by interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in response to NKG2D. In addition, CD4+ Th1-dominant antitumor immune response was dependent on NKG2D, which promoted the major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ pathway of MDSCs. High activated NK-cell infiltration and NKG2D level in tumors were positively correlated with better clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Cryo-thermal therapy induces effective CD4+ Th1-dominant antitumor immunity by activating NK cells to reprogram MDSCs, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Peng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Lou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shicheng Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjun Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zelu Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peishan Du
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiamin Zheng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lisa X Xu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Zhan M, Guo Y, Shen M, Shi X. Nanomaterial‐Boosted Tumor Immunotherapy Through Natural Killer Cells. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202200096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mengsi Zhan
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Donghua University Shanghai 201620 P.R. China
| | - Yunqi Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Donghua University Shanghai 201620 P.R. China
| | - Mingwu Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Donghua University Shanghai 201620 P.R. China
| | - Xiangyang Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Donghua University Shanghai 201620 P.R. China
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Wang YY, Li SY, Chen SQ, Wang LL, Han ZQ. Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells Activate Liver Natural Killer Cells in a Murine Model in Uveal Melanoma. Curr Med Sci 2022; 42:1071-1078. [PMID: 36245024 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-022-2623-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Elevated myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in many malignancies are associated with the increased risk for metastases and poor prognosis. Therefore, a mouse model of intraocular melanoma was established to explore how MDSCs influence liver metastases. METHODS In this study, murine B16LS melanoma cells were transplanted into the posterior compartment (PC) of the eye of C57BL/6 mice. Leucocytes from the liver of naive mice and mice bearing melanoma liver metastasis were isolated using isotonic Percoll centrifugation, examined by flow cytometry for their expression of Gr1, CD11b, F4/80, RAE-1, and Mult-1, and further isolated for MDSCs and natural killer (NK) cells. The effects of MDSCs on NK cells were tested by coculturing and assessing the ability of NK cells to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) by ELISA and NK cell cytotoxicity by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. The impact of IFN-γ on liver metastases was examined via selectively depleting IFN-γ in vivo. RESULTS The results showed that mice with liver metastases had increased levels of CD11b+Gr1+F4/80+ as well as CD11b+Gr1+F4/80- MDSCs. MDSCs significantly enhanced the generation of IFN-γ together with the cytotoxicity of the NK cells. Furthermore, these effects were cell-cell contact-dependent. Although IFN-γ was not of a toxic nature to the melanoma cells, it profoundly inhibited B16LS cell proliferation. Depleting IFN-γ in vivo led to increased liver metastases. CONCLUSION All these findings first revealed that MDSCs accumulated in liver metastasis of intraocular melanoma could activate the NK cells to produce an effective anti-tumor immune response. Thus, the MDSCs' performance in different tumor models would need more investigation to boost current immunotherapy modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Shuang-Ying Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - San-Qian Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chibi People's Hospital, Chibi, 437300, China
| | - Liang-Liang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells comprise a unique population of innate lymphoid cells endowed with intrinsic abilities to identify and eliminate virally infected cells and tumour cells. Possessing multiple cytotoxicity mechanisms and the ability to modulate the immune response through cytokine production, NK cells play a pivotal role in anticancer immunity. This role was elucidated nearly two decades ago, when NK cells, used as immunotherapeutic agents, showed safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with advanced-stage leukaemia. In recent years, following the paradigm-shifting successes of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered adoptive T cell therapy and the advancement in technologies that can turn cells into powerful antitumour weapons, the interest in NK cells as a candidate for immunotherapy has grown exponentially. Strategies for the development of NK cell-based therapies focus on enhancing NK cell potency and persistence through co-stimulatory signalling, checkpoint inhibition and cytokine armouring, and aim to redirect NK cell specificity to the tumour through expression of CAR or the use of engager molecules. In the clinic, the first generation of NK cell therapies have delivered promising results, showing encouraging efficacy and remarkable safety, thus driving great enthusiasm for continued innovation. In this Review, we describe the various approaches to augment NK cell cytotoxicity and longevity, evaluate challenges and opportunities, and reflect on how lessons learned from the clinic will guide the design of next-generation NK cell products that will address the unique complexities of each cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara J Laskowski
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander Biederstädt
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine III: Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katayoun Rezvani
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Abstract
Organ-specific metastasis to secondary organs is dependent on the formation of a supportive pre-metastatic niche. This tissue-specific microenvironmental response is thought to be mediated by mutational and epigenetic changes to primary tumour cells resulting in altered cross-talk between cell types. This response is augmented through the release of tumour and stromal signalling mediators including cytokines, chemokines, exosomes and growth factors. Although researchers have elucidated some of the cancer-promoting features that are bespoke to organotropic metastasis to the lungs, it remains unclear if these are organ-specific or generic between organs. Understanding the mechanisms that mediate the metastasis-promoting synergy between the host microenvironment, immunity, and pulmonary structures may elucidate predictive, prognostic and therapeutic markers that could be targeted to reduce the metastatic burden of disease. Herein, we give an updated summary of the known cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to the formation of the lung pre-metastatic niche and tissue-specific metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Cucanic
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Rae H Farnsworth
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Steven A Stacker
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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35
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Joshi S, Sharabi A. Targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells to enhance natural killer cell-based immunotherapy. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 235:108114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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Papak I, Chruściel E, Dziubek K, Kurkowiak M, Urban-Wójciuk Z, Marjański T, Rzyman W, Marek-Trzonkowska N. What Inhibits Natural Killers’ Performance in Tumour. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137030. [PMID: 35806034 PMCID: PMC9266640 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells are innate lymphocytes with the ability to lyse tumour cells depending on the balance of their activating and inhibiting receptors. Growing numbers of clinical trials show promising results of NK cell-based immunotherapies. Unlike T cells, NK cells can lyse tumour cells independent of antigen presentation, based simply on their activation and inhibition receptors. Various strategies to improve NK cell-based therapies are being developed, all with one goal: to shift the balance to activation. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of ways NK cells can lyse tumour cells and all the inhibitory signals stopping their cytotoxic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Papak
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (I.P.); (E.C.); (K.D.); (M.K.); (Z.U.-W.)
| | - Elżbieta Chruściel
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (I.P.); (E.C.); (K.D.); (M.K.); (Z.U.-W.)
| | - Katarzyna Dziubek
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (I.P.); (E.C.); (K.D.); (M.K.); (Z.U.-W.)
| | - Małgorzata Kurkowiak
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (I.P.); (E.C.); (K.D.); (M.K.); (Z.U.-W.)
| | - Zuzanna Urban-Wójciuk
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (I.P.); (E.C.); (K.D.); (M.K.); (Z.U.-W.)
| | - Tomasz Marjański
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (T.M.); (W.R.)
| | - Witold Rzyman
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (T.M.); (W.R.)
| | - Natalia Marek-Trzonkowska
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Ul. Kładki 24, 80-822 Gdansk, Poland; (I.P.); (E.C.); (K.D.); (M.K.); (Z.U.-W.)
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Cellular Therapies, Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
- Correspondence:
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Melendez E, Chondronasiou D, Mosteiro L, Martínez de Villarreal J, Fernández-Alfara M, Lynch CJ, Grimm D, Real FX, Alcamí J, Climent N, Pietrocola F, Serrano M. Natural killer cells act as an extrinsic barrier for in vivo reprogramming. Development 2022; 149:275063. [PMID: 35420133 PMCID: PMC9124575 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The ectopic expression of the transcription factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC (OSKM) enables reprogramming of differentiated cells into pluripotent embryonic stem cells. Methods based on partial and reversible in vivo reprogramming are a promising strategy for tissue regeneration and rejuvenation. However, little is known about the barriers that impair reprogramming in an in vivo context. We report that natural killer (NK) cells significantly limit reprogramming, both in vitro and in vivo. Cells and tissues in the intermediate states of reprogramming upregulate the expression of NK-activating ligands, such as MULT1 and ICAM1. NK cells recognize and kill partially reprogrammed cells in a degranulation-dependent manner. Importantly, in vivo partial reprogramming is strongly reduced by adoptive transfer of NK cells, whereas it is significantly increased by their depletion. Notably, in the absence of NK cells, the pancreatic organoids derived from OSKM-expressing mice are remarkably large, suggesting that ablating NK surveillance favours the acquisition of progenitor-like properties. We conclude that NK cells pose an important barrier for in vivo reprogramming, and speculate that this concept may apply to other contexts of transient cellular plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Melendez
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Dafni Chondronasiou
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Lluc Mosteiro
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jaime Martínez de Villarreal
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Marcos Fernández-Alfara
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Cian J. Lynch
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- BioQuant, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Francisco X. Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
- CIBERONC, Madrid 28029, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - José Alcamí
- HIV Unit, Hospital Clínic - Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- AIDS Immunopathology Unit, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid) 28220, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Núria Climent
- HIV Unit, Hospital Clínic - Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona 08036, Spain
- AIDS Immunopathology Unit, National Center for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Majadahonda (Madrid) 28220, Spain
- Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica (FCRB), Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Federico Pietrocola
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge 14152, Sweden
| | - Manuel Serrano
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona 08010, Spain
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Andrea AE, Chiron A, Mallah S, Bessoles S, Sarrabayrouse G, Hacein-Bey-Abina S. Advances in CAR-T Cell Genetic Engineering Strategies to Overcome Hurdles in Solid Tumors Treatment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:830292. [PMID: 35211124 PMCID: PMC8861853 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.830292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During this last decade, adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) emerged as a valuable therapeutic strategy in hematological cancers. However, this immunotherapy has demonstrated limited efficacy in solid tumors. The main obstacle encountered by CAR-T cells in solid malignancies is the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME impedes tumor trafficking and penetration of T lymphocytes and installs an immunosuppressive milieu by producing suppressive soluble factors and by overexpressing negative immune checkpoints. In order to overcome these hurdles, new CAR-T cells engineering strategies were designed, to potentiate tumor recognition and infiltration and anti-cancer activity in the hostile TME. In this review, we provide an overview of the major mechanisms used by tumor cells to evade immune defenses and we critically expose the most optimistic engineering strategies to make CAR-T cell therapy a solid option for solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain E. Andrea
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Thérapies Moléculaires, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Saint Joseph de Beyrouth, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Andrada Chiron
- Université de Paris, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité des technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Paris, France
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire Paris-Sud, Hôpital Kremlin-Bicêtre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le-Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Sarah Mallah
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Stéphanie Bessoles
- Université de Paris, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité des technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Sarrabayrouse
- Université de Paris, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité des technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Paris, France
| | - Salima Hacein-Bey-Abina
- Université de Paris, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité des technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Paris, France
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire Paris-Sud, Hôpital Kremlin-Bicêtre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le-Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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Li JH, O’Sullivan TE. Back to the Future: Spatiotemporal Determinants of NK Cell Antitumor Function. Front Immunol 2022; 12:816658. [PMID: 35082797 PMCID: PMC8785903 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.816658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells play a crucial role in host protection during tumorigenesis. Throughout tumor development, however, NK cells become progressively dysfunctional through a combination of dynamic tissue-specific and systemic factors. While a number of immunosuppressive mechanisms present within the tumor microenvironment have been characterized, few studies have contextualized the spatiotemporal dynamics of these mechanisms during disease progression and across anatomical sites. Understanding how NK cell immunosuppression evolves in these contexts will be necessary to optimize NK cell therapy for solid and metastatic cancers. Here, we outline the spatiotemporal determinants of antitumor NK cell regulation, including heterogeneous tumor architecture, temporal disease states, diverse cellular communities, as well as the complex changes in NK cell states produced by the sum of these higher-order elements. Understanding of the signals encountered by NK cells across time and space may reveal new therapeutic targets to harness the full potential of NK cell therapy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joey H. Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Timothy E. O’Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Ren X, Du H, Cheng W, Wang Y, Xu Y, Yan S, Gao Y. Construction of a ferroptosis-related eight gene signature for predicting the prognosis and immune infiltration of thyroid cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:997873. [PMID: 36407322 PMCID: PMC9672669 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.997873] [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: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the endocrine system. Most patients with thyroid cancer have a good prognosis, although a small proportion experience recurrence and metastasis and have a poor prognosis. Ferroptosis is a novel form of regulated cell death (RCD); previous studies have confirmed that ferroptosis was associated with thyroid cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the key ferroptosis-related genes in thyroid cancer and their relationship with prognosis and immune cell infiltration. METHODS In this study, 497 thyroid cancer RNA expression datasets were downloaded from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) cohort and a prognostic risk model for eight ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) was constructed by Lasso-Cox regression. The prognostic value of the risk model and the correlation of prognostic features with immune scores and tumor immune cell infiltration were systematically analyzed. RESULTS The prognostic risk model for eight FRGs (DPP4, TYRO3, TIMP1, CDKN2A, SNCA, NR4A1, IL-6 and FABP4) were constructed and validated in training and testing cohorts. Kaplan-Meier curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed that that the ferroptosis-related eight gene signature had good predictive value for the prognosis of thyroid cancer (THCA) patients. Multivariate regression analysis further showed that the risk score of the prognostic model could be used as an independent prognostic factor for THCA patients. Functional enrichment analysis showed that DEGs in high risk and low risk groups were involved in immune-related biological processes and that there were significant differences in immune cell infiltration between the two risk groups. CONCLUSION We identified eight key genes related to ferroptosis in THCA patients. Further studies are now needed to investigate the mechanisms involved; these genes may represent clinical diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Ren
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Huijun Du
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Weilun Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yujing Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuanxin Xu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuang Yan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Shuang Yan, ; Yunan Gao,
| | - Yunan Gao
- Department of Cardiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Shuang Yan, ; Yunan Gao,
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KDM1A Identified as a Potential Oncogenic Driver and Prognostic Biomarker via Multi-Omics Analysis. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2021; 2021:4668565. [PMID: 34925656 PMCID: PMC8677413 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4668565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Lysine-specific demethylase 1A (KDM1A) is a histone demethylation enzyme and a crucial epigenetic factor for multiple pathological pathways that mediate carcinogenesis and immunogenicity. Although increasing evidence supposes the association between KDM1A and cancers, no systematic multi-omics analysis of KDM1A is available. Methods We systematically evaluated the KDM1A expression of various cancer and normal tissues and the unique relationship between KDM1A expression and prognosis of cancer cases based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx), and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) database. The genetic variations, phosphorylation, and DNA methylation of KDM1A were analyzed via various tools. We further analyzed the correlation of KDM1A expression and fibroblasts and immune cell infiltration score of TCGA samples via TIMER2.0. Results KDM1A was highly expressed in 17 types of total 33 cancers, while it expressed low levels in only 4 cancers. High KDM1A expression was associated with worse survival status in various cancers. KDM1A expression was positively correlated with the cancer-associated fibroblasts and myeloid-derived suppressor cells infiltration levels in most cancer types. Additionally, KDM1A in most cancer types was negatively correlated with Th1 cell infiltration and positively correlated with Th2 cells. Moreover, spliceosome, cell cycle, and RNA transport pathways were involved in the functional mechanisms of KDM1A via enrichment analysis. Conclusions Our study describes the epigenetic factor KDM1A as an oncogene and prognostic biomarker. Our findings provide valuable guidance for further analysis of KDM1A function in pathogenesis and potential clinical treatment.
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Payload Delivery: Engineering Immune Cells to Disrupt the Tumour Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236000. [PMID: 34885108 PMCID: PMC8657158 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have shown impressive clinical success against haematological malignancies such as B cell lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, their efficacy against non-haematological solid malignancies has been largely disappointing. Solid tumours pose many additional challenges for CAR T cells that have severely blunted their potency, including homing to the sites of disease, survival and persistence within the adverse conditions of the tumour microenvironment, and above all, the highly immunosuppressive nature of the tumour milieu. Gene engineering approaches for generating immune cells capable of overcoming these hurdles remain an unmet therapeutic need and ongoing area of research. Recent advances have involved gene constructs for membrane-bound and/or secretable proteins that provide added effector cell function over and above the benefits of classical CAR-mediated cytotoxicity, rendering immune cells not only as direct cytotoxic effectors against tumours, but also as vessels for payload delivery capable of both modulating the tumour microenvironment and orchestrating innate and adaptive anti-tumour immunity. We discuss here the novel concept of engineered immune cells as vessels for payload delivery into the tumour microenvironment, how these cells are better adapted to overcome the challenges faced in a solid tumour, and importantly, the novel gene engineering approaches required to deliver these more complex polycistronic gene constructs.
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Bauer M, Jasinski-Bergner S, Mandelboim O, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B. Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Malignancies and Immune Escape: The Role of the Tumor Microenvironment and Tumor Cell Evasion Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205189. [PMID: 34680337 PMCID: PMC8533749 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Epstein–Barr virus, also termed human herpes virus 4, is a human pathogenic double-stranded DNA virus. It is highly prevalent and has been linked to the development of 1–2% of cancers worldwide. EBV-associated malignancies encompass various structural and epigenetic alterations. In addition, EBV-encoded gene products and microRNAs interfere with innate and adaptive immunity and modulate the tumor microenvironment. This review provides an overview of the characteristic features of EBV with a focus on the intrinsic and extrinsic immune evasion strategies, which contribute to EBV-associated malignancies. Abstract The detailed mechanisms of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection in the initiation and progression of EBV-associated malignancies are not yet completely understood. During the last years, new insights into the mechanisms of malignant transformation of EBV-infected cells including somatic mutations and epigenetic modifications, their impact on the microenvironment and resulting unique immune signatures related to immune system functional status and immune escape strategies have been reported. In this context, there exists increasing evidence that EBV-infected tumor cells can influence the tumor microenvironment to their own benefit by establishing an immune-suppressive surrounding. The identified mechanisms include EBV gene integration and latent expression of EBV-infection-triggered cytokines by tumor and/or bystander cells, e.g., cancer-associated fibroblasts with effects on the composition and spatial distribution of the immune cell subpopulations next to the infected cells, stroma constituents and extracellular vesicles. This review summarizes (i) the typical stages of the viral life cycle and EBV-associated transformation, (ii) strategies to detect EBV genome and activity and to differentiate various latency types, (iii) the role of the tumor microenvironment in EBV-associated malignancies, (iv) the different immune escape mechanisms and (v) their clinical relevance. This gained information will enhance the development of therapies against EBV-mediated diseases to improve patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Bauer
- Department of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 14, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Department of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, En Kerem, P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Department of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 14, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Department of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany;
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstr. 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(345)-557-1357
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Gu S, Qian L, Zhang Y, Chen K, Li Y, Wang J, Wang P. Significance of intratumoral infiltration of B cells in cancer immunotherapy: From a single cell perspective. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188632. [PMID: 34626740 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy for cancer has provided new treatment approaches for malignant tumors, but there are low rates of response and high rates of resistance. The most recent sequencing method which is called single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq) determines the transcriptome at the single cell level, which allows high-resolution dynamic monitoring of the tumor microenvironment (TME) during immunotherapy. As an important part of humoral immunity, tumor-infiltrated B cells have been reported to have distinct functions in anti-tumor immunity, which are characterized by their RNA transcriptome, membrane surface receptors, and immunoglobulin secretion, suggesting great immunotherapeutic effects. On the basis of the important roles of B cells in immunotherapy reported in recent publications, we discuss the tumor-infiltrated B cells' subpopulations, differentiation trajectory, and interactions with other cells in the TME in this review, hoping to illustrate its significance in potential clinical application as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Gu
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ling Qian
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yalei Zhang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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