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Wu X, Stabile LP, Burns TF. The Emerging Role of Immune Checkpoint Blockade for the Treatment of Lung Cancer Brain Metastases. Clin Lung Cancer 2024; 25:483-501. [PMID: 38991863 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2024.06.004] [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: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer has the highest incidence of brain metastases (BM) among solid organ cancers. Traditionally whole brain radiation therapy has been utilized for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) BM treatment, although stereotactic radiosurgery has emerged as the superior treatment modality for most patients. Highly penetrant central nervous system (CNS) tyrosine kinase inhibitors have also shown significant CNS activity in patients harboring select oncogenic drivers. There is emerging evidence that patients without oncogene-driven tumors derive benefit from the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The CNS activity of ICIs have not been well studied given exclusion of patients with active BM from landmark trials, due to concerns of inadequate CNS penetration and activity. However, studies have challenged the idea of an immune-privileged CNS, given the presence of functional lymphatic drainage within the CNS and destruction of the blood brain barrier by BM. An emerging understanding of the interactions between tumor and CNS immune cells in the BM tumor microenvironment also support a role for immunotherapy in BM treatment. In addition, posthoc analyses of major trials have shown improved intracranial response and survival benefit of regimens with ICIs over chemotherapy (CT) alone for patients with BM. Two prospective phase 2 trials evaluating pembrolizumab monotherapy and atezolizumab plus CT in patients with untreated NSCLC BM also demonstrated significant intracranial responses. This review describes the interplay between CNS immune cells and tumor cells, discusses current evidence for ICI CNS activity from retrospective and prospective studies, and speculates on future directions of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiancheng Wu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Laura P Stabile
- Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Timothy F Burns
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
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2
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Tyagi A, Wu SY, Watabe K. Metabolism in the progression and metastasis of brain tumors. Cancer Lett 2022; 539:215713. [PMID: 35513201 PMCID: PMC9999298 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Malignant brain tumors and metastases pose significant health problems and cause substantial morbidity and mortality in children and adults. Based on epidemiological evidence, gliomas comprise 30% and 80% of primary brain tumors and malignant tumors, respectively. Brain metastases affect 15-30% of cancer patients, particularly primary tumors of the lung, breast, colon, and kidney, and melanoma. Despite advancements in multimodal molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy that do not ensure long-term treatment, malignant brain tumors and metastases contribute significantly to cancer related mortality. Recent studies have shown that metastatic cancer cells possess distinct metabolic traits to adapt and survive in new environment that differs significantly from the primary site in both nutrient composition and availability. As metabolic regulation lies at the intersection of many research areas, concerted efforts to understand the metabolic mechanism(s) driving malignant brain tumors and metastases may reveal novel therapeutic targets to prevent or reduce metastasis and predict biomarkers for the treatment of this aggressive disease. This review focuses on various aspects of metabolic signaling, interface between metabolic regulators and cellular processes, and implications of their dysregulation in the context of brain tumors and metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Tyagi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Shih-Ying Wu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Kounosuke Watabe
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
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Majorini MT, Colombo MP, Lecis D. Few, but Efficient: The Role of Mast Cells in Breast Cancer and Other Solid Tumors. Cancer Res 2022; 82:1439-1447. [PMID: 35045983 PMCID: PMC9306341 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-3424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumor outcome is determined not only by cancer cell-intrinsic features but also by the interaction between cancer cells and their microenvironment. There is great interest in tumor-infiltrating immune cells, yet mast cells have been less studied. Recent work has highlighted the impact of mast cells on the features and aggressiveness of cancer cells, but the eventual effect of mast cell infiltration is still controversial. Here, we review multifaceted findings regarding the role of mast cells in cancer, with a particular focus on breast cancer, which is further complicated because of its classification into subtypes characterized by different biological features, outcome, and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mario Paolo Colombo
- Corresponding Authors: Daniele Lecis, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, Milano 20133, Italy. Phone: 022-390-2212; E-mail: ; and Mario Paolo Colombo,
| | - Daniele Lecis
- Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy.,Corresponding Authors: Daniele Lecis, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, Milano 20133, Italy. Phone: 022-390-2212; E-mail: ; and Mario Paolo Colombo,
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Mast Cell–Tumor Interactions: Molecular Mechanisms of Recruitment, Intratumoral Communication and Potential Therapeutic Targets for Tumor Growth. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030349. [PMID: 35159157 PMCID: PMC8834237 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are tissue-resident immune cells that are important players in diseases associated with chronic inflammation such as cancer. Since MCs can infiltrate solid tumors and promote or limit tumor growth, a possible polarization of MCs to pro-tumoral or anti-tumoral phenotypes has been proposed and remains as a challenging research field. Here, we review the recent evidence regarding the complex relationship between MCs and tumor cells. In particular, we consider: (1) the multifaceted role of MCs on tumor growth suggested by histological analysis of tumor biopsies and studies performed in MC-deficient animal models; (2) the signaling pathways triggered by tumor-derived chemotactic mediators and bioactive lipids that promote MC migration and modulate their function inside tumors; (3) the possible phenotypic changes on MCs triggered by prevalent conditions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) such as hypoxia; (4) the signaling pathways that specifically lead to the production of angiogenic factors, mainly VEGF; and (5) the possible role of MCs on tumor fibrosis and metastasis. Finally, we discuss the novel literature on the molecular mechanisms potentially related to phenotypic changes that MCs undergo into the TME and some therapeutic strategies targeting MC activation to limit tumor growth.
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Yi JH, Yoon SE, Ryu KJ, Ko YH, Kim WS, Kim SJ. Pre-treatment serum IL-10 predicts the risk of secondary central nervous system involvement in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Cytokine 2020; 129:155048. [PMID: 32135464 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a very heterogeneous group of lymphomas, much effort has gone in trying to identify patients with increased risk for early death or secondary central nervous system (CNS) involvement. To better predict their outcomes, we measured the levels of various cytokines in serum samples of patients with DLBCL and analyzed their clinical outcomes. METHODS We measured the levels of seven serum cytokines at diagnosis in 313 DLBCL patients who were treated with R-CHOP. Their impact on clinical outcomes, including time to secondary CNS involvement and the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate, were analyzed. RESULTS The median age was 56 years (range, 16-86 years), and 177 patients (57%) were men. Secondary CNS involvement was found in 5.4% (16/294) cases, and time to secondary CNS involvement was significantly short in patients with elevated interleukin (IL)-10 (p = 0.012). With the 3-year OS rate of the whole cohort being 73.6%, serum levels of several cytokines, such as CCL3 > 4.0 pg/mL (54.3% vs. 76.1%, p = 0.001), CCL5 > 450 pg/mL (57.0% vs. 78.1%, p < 0.001), any expression of IL-6 (59.3% vs. 76.6%, p = 0.001), and any expression of IL-10 (68.2% vs. 84.5%, p = 0.001), showed prognostic impact. Higher expressions of these cytokines were associated with worse manifestations of clinical prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that some cytokines impact OS and secondary CNS involvement. Future studies are required to elucidate how these findings can be incorporated to the conventional prognostic factors for more tailored approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ho Yi
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Eun Yoon
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Ju Ryu
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Hyeh Ko
- Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Seog Kim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Jin Kim
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Leibold AT, Monaco GN, Dey M. The role of the immune system in brain metastasis. CURRENT NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 10:33-48. [PMID: 31097897 PMCID: PMC6513348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic brain tumors are the most common brain tumors in adults. With numerous successful advancements in systemic treatment of most common cancer types, brain metastasis is becoming increasingly important in the overall prognosis of cancer patients. Brain metastasis of peripheral tumor is the result of complex interplay of primary tumor, immune system and central nervous system microenvironment. Once formed, brain metastases hide behind the blood brain barrier and become inaccessible to chemotherapies that are otherwise successful in targeting systemic cancer. The approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors for several common cancers such as advanced melanoma and lung cancers brings with it the opportunity and obligation to further understand the mechanisms of immunosuppression by tumors that spread to the brain as well as the interaction between the brain environment and tumor microenvironment. In this review paper we define the central role of the immune system in the development of brain metastases. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature to outline the molecular mechanisms of immunosuppression used by tumors and how the immune system interacts with the central nervous system to facilitate brain metastasis. In particular we discuss the tumor-type-specific mechanisms of metastasis of cancers that preferentially metastasize to the brain as well as the therapies that effectively modulate the immune response, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam T Leibold
- Department of Neurosurgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, IU Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Gina N Monaco
- Department of Neurosurgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, IU Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Mahua Dey
- Department of Neurosurgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, IU Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Yu Y, Blokhuis BRJ, Diks MAP, Keshavarzian A, Garssen J, Redegeld FA. Functional Inhibitory Siglec-6 Is Upregulated in Human Colorectal Cancer-Associated Mast Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2138. [PMID: 30294327 PMCID: PMC6159741 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mast cells (MC) accumulate in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the relationship between MC density and cancer progression has been well recognized. MC can be either pro-tumor or anti-tumor players, depending on the local factors present in the tumor microenvironment. Upon malignant transformation, cancer cells express high levels of sialic acids on cell membrane or by secretion. Siglecs are a family of immunoglobulin-like receptors that bind sialic acids and each subtype has a distinct pattern of expression on immune cells. Among them, Siglec-6 is expressed predominately by MC. However, the function of Siglec-6 in MC is largely unexplored and whether it is expressed by CRC-associated MC remains unknown. In this study, we explored the function of Siglec-6 in CD34+ derived human MC. MC activation was initiated by IgE crosslinking with or without preincubation of anti-Siglec-6 Ab. Siglec-6 engagement significantly attenuated IgE-dependent MC degranulation as measured by ß-hexosaminidase release and CD63 expression. Interestingly, the production of GM-CSF was also shown reduced upon Siglec-6 engagement. To mimic the milieu of CRC, we cultured primary human MC with colon cancer cells or under hypoxia and Siglec-6 was then measured on these conditioned MC. Coculture with colon cancer cells (HT29 and Caco2) induced upregulation of Siglec-6 on MC. In comparison, normal colon cells (CCD841) had no effect. Also, a time-dependent increase of Siglec-6 by MC was observed under 1% O2. Immunohistochemistry of CRC tissue showed expression of Siglec-6 by MC in submucosa. Lectin immunochemistry revealed the presence of actual ligands for Siglec-6 in human CRC tissues. Together, our findings illustrate that Siglec-6 is a functionally inhibitory receptor on MC and suggest that Siglec-6 expression may be relevant for MC activity in the tumor microenvironment of CRC.
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MESH Headings
- Antigens, CD/immunology
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Antigens, CD34/immunology
- Antigens, CD34/metabolism
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/immunology
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/metabolism
- Biopsy
- Caco-2 Cells
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/immunology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Coculture Techniques
- Colorectal Neoplasms/immunology
- Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/immunology
- HT29 Cells
- Humans
- Lectins/immunology
- Lectins/metabolism
- Mast Cells/immunology
- Mast Cells/metabolism
- Primary Cell Culture
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Up-Regulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Yu
- Division of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Bart R. J. Blokhuis
- Division of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mara A. P. Diks
- Division of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ali Keshavarzian
- Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Nutricia Research, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Frank A. Redegeld
- Division of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Yu Y, Blokhuis B, Derks Y, Kumari S, Garssen J, Redegeld F. Human mast cells promote colon cancer growth via bidirectional crosstalk: studies in 2D and 3D coculture models. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1504729. [PMID: 30377568 PMCID: PMC6205014 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1504729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation drives the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), where tumor-infiltrating immune cells interact with cancer cells in a dynamic crosstalk. Mast cells (MC), one of earliest recruited immune cells, accumulate in CRC tissues and their density is correlated with cancer progression. However, the exact contribution of MC in CRC and their interaction with colon cancer cells is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of primary human MC and their mediators on colon cancer growth using 2D and 3D coculture models. Primary human MC were generated from peripheral CD34+ stem cells. Transwell chambers were used to analyze MC chemotaxis to colon cancer. Colon cancer cells HT29 and Caco2 differentially recruited MC by releasing CCL15 or SCF, respectively. Using BrdU proliferation assays, we demonstrated that MC can directly support colon cancer proliferation and this effect was mediated by their cellular crosstalk. 3D coculture models with cancer spheroids further confirmed the pro-tumor effect of MC on colon cancer growth, where direct cell-cell contact is dispensable and increased production of multiple soluble mediators was detected. Moreover, TLR2 stimulation of MC promoted stronger growth of colon cancer spheroids. By examining the transcriptome profile of colon cancer-cocultured MC versus control MC, we identified several MC marker genes, which were deregulated in expression. Our study provides an advanced in vitro model to investigate the role of human MC in cancer. Our data support the detrimental role of MC in CRC development and provide a molecular insight into the cellular crosstalk between MC and colon cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Yu
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Blokhuis
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Yvonne Derks
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sangeeta Kumari
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Immunology, Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Redegeld
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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