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Liu J, Li B, Li L, Ming X, Xu ZP. Advances in Nanomaterials for Immunotherapeutic Improvement of Cancer Chemotherapy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2403024. [PMID: 38773882 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Immuno-stimulative effect of chemotherapy (ISECT) is recognized as a potential alternative to conventional immunotherapies, however, the clinical application is constrained by its inefficiency. Metronomic chemotherapy, though designed to overcome these limitations, offers inconsistent results, with effectiveness varying based on cancer types, stages, and patient-specific factors. In parallel, a wealth of preclinical nanomaterials holds considerable promise for ISECT improvement by modulating the cancer-immunity cycle. In the area of biomedical nanomaterials, current literature reviews mainly concentrate on a specific category of nanomaterials and nanotechnological perspectives, while two essential issues are still lacking, i.e., a comprehensive analysis addressing the causes for ISECT inefficiency and a thorough summary elaborating the nanomaterials for ISECT improvement. This review thus aims to fill these gaps and catalyze further development in this field. For the first time, this review comprehensively discusses the causes of ISECT inefficiency. It then meticulously categorizes six types of nanomaterials for improving ISECT. Subsequently, practical strategies are further proposed for addressing inefficient ISECT, along with a detailed discussion on exemplary nanomedicines. Finally, this review provides insights into the challenges and perspectives for improving chemo-immunotherapy by innovations in nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, 000000, China
- GoodMedX Tech Limited Company, Hong Kong SAR, 000000, China
| | - Bei Li
- Cancer Centre and Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, 999078, China
| | - Li Li
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Xin Ming
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, USA
| | - Zhi Ping Xu
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, the University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, and Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, 518107, China
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Khalifa J, Lévy A, Sauvage LM, Thureau S, Darréon J, Le Péchoux C, Lerouge D, Pourel N, Antoni D, Blais E, Martin É, Marguerit A, Giraud P, Riet FG. Radiotherapy in the management of synchronous metastatic lung cancer. Cancer Radiother 2024; 28:22-35. [PMID: 37574329 DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic lung cancer classically portends a poor prognosis. The management of metastatic lung cancer has dramatically changed with the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapy and due to a better understanding of the oligometastatic process. In metastatic lung cancers, radiation therapy which was only used with palliative intent for decades, represents today a promising way to treat primary and oligometastatic sites with a curative intent. Herein we present through a literature review the role of radiotherapy in the management of synchronous metastatic lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Khalifa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, institut Claudius-Regaud/IUCT-Oncopole, Toulouse, France; U1037, Inserm, CRCT, Toulouse, France.
| | - A Lévy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, International Center for Thoracic Cancers (CICT), Gustave-Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France; Faculté de médecine, université Paris-Saclay, 94270 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Université Paris-Saclay, Molecular Radiotherapy and Therapeutic Innovation lab, Inserm U1030, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - L-M Sauvage
- Department of Radiation Oncology, institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - S Thureau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, centre Henri-Becquerel, Rouen, France; QuantIf-Litis EA4108, université de Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - J Darréon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
| | - C Le Péchoux
- Department of Radiation Oncology, International Center for Thoracic Cancers (CICT), Gustave-Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - D Lerouge
- Department of Radiation Oncology, centre François-Baclesse, Caen, France
| | - N Pourel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, institut Sainte-Catherine, Avignon, France
| | - D Antoni
- Department of Radiation Oncology, institut de cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, Strasbourg, France
| | - E Blais
- Department of Radiation Oncology, polyclinique Marzet, Pau, France
| | - É Martin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, centre Georges-François-Leclerc, Dijon, France
| | - A Marguerit
- Department of Radiation Oncology, institut de cancérologie de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - P Giraud
- Department of Radiation Oncology, hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - F-G Riet
- Department of Radiation Oncology, centre hospitalier privé Saint-Grégoire, Saint-Grégoire, France
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Backlund E, Grozman V, Egyhazi Brage S, Lewensohn R, Lindberg K, Helgadottir H. Radiotherapy with or without immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma: efficacy and tolerability. Acta Oncol 2023; 62:1921-1930. [PMID: 37966921 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2023.2280766] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Radiotherapy (RT) is primarily considered as a palliative treatment in patients with metastatic melanoma. However, observations suggest that when RT is combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), it can induce an immune response leading to an anti-tumoral effect also distant from the irradiated area - a phenomenon called 'abscopal effect'. The frequency and circumstances of abscopal effect among metastatic melanoma patients remains uncertain and further research is necessary. MATERIAL AND METHOD This retrospective study included all metastatic melanoma patients who received non-stereotactic RT in Stockholm, Sweden in 2015-2020. Patients were grouped depending on if RT was given at start of ICI (RT + ICI(start)), at ICI progression (RT + ICI(salvage)) or without ICI (RT(only)). Response rates in irradiated (RR(irradiated)) and overall response rates in non-irradiated (ORR(non-irradiated)) metastases were evaluated together with survival and toxicity in each cohort. RESULTS In the RT + ICI(start) (n = 47), RT + ICI(salvage) (n = 41) and RT(only) (n = 55) cohorts, RR(irradiated) was 70.7%, 67.5% and 43.1% (p = 0.018) while the ORR(non-irradiated) was 36.1%, 14.8% and 0.0% (p = 0.003), and the median overall survival was 18.2, 15.0 and 7.2 months, respectively (p = 0.014). Local response to RT was in all cohorts associated with longer survival (p < 0.001). The frequency of grade ≥3 immune-related adverse events was 17.0% and 19.5% in the RT + ICI(start) and RT + ICI(salvage) cohorts. No increased frequency of RT-related adverse events was seen in the RT + ICI cohorts, compared to the RT(only) cohort. CONCLUSION This retrospective study showed that melanoma patients receiving RT in combination with ICI had a superior antitumoral response in both irradiated and non-irradiated lesions as compared to patients receiving only RT. Additionally, a subgroup of patients receiving RT when progressing on ICI experienced tumor regression also in non-irradiated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Backlund
- Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vitali Grozman
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
| | | | - Rolf Lewensohn
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Lindberg
- Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hildur Helgadottir
- Department of Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Pasquier C, Chaltiel L, Massabeau C, Rabeau A, Lebas L, Lusque A, Texier JS, Moyal ECJ, Mazières J, Khalifa J. Impact of radiation on host immune system in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy and durvalumab consolidation for unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1186479. [PMID: 37397359 PMCID: PMC10313116 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1186479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The optimal modalities of radiotherapy when combining concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) and immunotherapy (IO) for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) remain to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of radiation on different immune structures and immune cells in patients treated with CCRT followed by durvalumab. Material and methods Clinicopathologic data, pre- and post-treatment blood counts, and dosimetric data were collected in patients treated with CCRT and durvalumab consolidation for LA-NSCLC. Patients were divided into two groups according to the inclusion (NILN-R+) or not (NILN-R-) of at least one non-involved tumor-draining lymph node (NITDLN) in the clinical target volume (CTV). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Fifty patients were included with a median follow-up of 23.2 months (95% CI 18.3-35.2). Two-year PFS and 2-year OS were 52.2% (95% CI 35.8-66.3) and 66.2% (95% CI 46.5-80.1), respectively. In univariable analysis, NILN-R+ (hazard ratio (HR) 2.60, p = 0.028), estimated dose of radiation to immune cells (EDRIC) >6.3 Gy (HR 3.19, p = 0.049), and lymphopenia ≤ 500/mm3 at IO initiation (HR 2.69, p = 0.021) were correlated with poorer PFS; lymphopenia ≤ 500/mm3 was also associated with poorer OS (HR 3.46, p = 0.024). In multivariable analysis, NILN-R+ was the strongest factor associated with PFS (HR 3.15, p = 0.017). Conclusion The inclusion of at least one NITDLN station within the CTV was an independent factor for poorer PFS in the context of CCRT and durvalumab for LA-NSCLC. The optimal sparing of immune structures might help in achieving better synergy between radiotherapy and immunotherapy in this indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corentin Pasquier
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Léonor Chaltiel
- Department of Biostatistics, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Carole Massabeau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Audrey Rabeau
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Hôpital Larrey, Toulouse, France
| | - Louisiane Lebas
- Department of Pulmonology, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal des Vallées de l’Ariège (CHIVA), Saint-Jean-de-Verges, France
| | - Amélie Lusque
- Department of Biostatistics, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Sébastien Texier
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Elizabeth Cohen-Jonathan Moyal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1037, Centre de Recherche contre le Cancer de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Julien Mazières
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Hôpital Larrey, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jonathan Khalifa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
- Université de Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1037, Centre de Recherche contre le Cancer de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
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Wu L, Zhang Z, Bai M, Yan Y, Yu J, Xu Y. Radiation combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors for unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: synergistic mechanisms, current state, challenges, and orientations. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:119. [PMID: 37221584 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01139-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Until the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), definitive radiotherapy (RT) concurrently with chemotherapy was recommended for unresectable, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). The trimodality paradigm with consolidation ICIs following definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy has been the standard of care since the PACIFIC trial. Preclinical evidence has demonstrated the role of RT in the cancer-immune cycle and the synergistic effect of RT combined with ICIs (iRT). However, RT exerts a double-edged effect on immunity and the combination strategy still could be optimized in many areas. In the context of LA-NSCLC, optimized RT modality, choice, timing, and duration of ICIs, care for oncogenic addicted tumors, patient selection, and novel combination strategies require further investigation. Targeting these blind spots, novel approaches are being investigated to cross the borders of PACIFIC. We discussed the development history of iRT and summarized the updated rationale for the synergistic effect. We then summarized the available research data on the efficacy and toxicity of iRT in LA-NSCLC for cross-trial comparisons to eliminate barriers. Progression during and after ICIs consolidation therapy has been regarded as a distinct resistance scenario from primary or secondary resistance to ICIs, the subsequent management of which has also been discussed. Finally, based on unmet needs, we probed into the challenges, strategies, and auspicious orientations to optimize iRT in LA-NSCLC. In this review, we focus on the underlying mechanisms and recent advances of iRT with an emphasis on future challenges and directions that warrant further investigation. Taken together, iRT is a proven and potential strategy in LA-NSCLC, with multiple promising approaches to further improve the efficacy. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhenshan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Menglin Bai
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yujie Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Yaping Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Kuge T, Shiroyama T, Tamiya A, Tamiya M, Kanazu M, Kinehara Y, Tanaka T, Morimura O, Taniguchi Y, Niki T, Tetsumoto S, Hayashi K, Nishino K, Nagatomo I, Kumanogoh A. Impact of Lymphopenia Recovery After Chemoradiotherapy on Durvalumab Consolidation Therapy in Stage III NSCLC. JTO Clin Res Rep 2023; 4:100505. [PMID: 37284296 PMCID: PMC10239913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtocrr.2023.100505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Durvalumab maintenance therapy after definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment modality for stage III NSCLC. Although severe treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) during CRT may impair the efficacy of subsequent durvalumab therapy, data on the effect of TRL recovery on consolidation durvalumab therapy are lacking. Methods This retrospective study evaluated patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC treated with durvalumab after concurrent CRT. The patients were enrolled across nine institutes throughout Japan between August 2018 and March 2020. The effect of TRL recovery on survival was evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of their lymphocyte recovery status: the recovery group involved patients who did not experience severe TRL or experienced TRL but exhibited lymphocyte count recovery at durvalumab initiation, and the nonrecovery group involved patients who experienced severe TRL and did not exhibit lymphocyte count recovery on durvalumab initiation. Results Among the 151 patients evaluated, 41 (27%) and 110 (73%) patients were classified into the recovery and the nonrecovery groups, respectively. The nonrecovery group had significantly worse progression-free survival than the recovery group (21.9 mo versus not reached, p = 0.018). Recovery from TRL (p = 0.027) and high pre-CRT lymphocyte count (p = 0.028) independently influenced progression-free survival. Conclusions Baseline lymphocyte count and recovery from TRL at the start of durvalumab therapy were predictive factors for survival outcomes in patients with NSCLC treated with durvalumab consolidation after concurrent CRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Kuge
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Shiroyama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akihiro Tamiya
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Motohiro Tamiya
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaki Kanazu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuhei Kinehara
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Nippon Life Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsunehiro Tanaka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Osaka Police Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Osamu Morimura
- Department of Internal Medicine, Toyonaka Municipal Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Taniguchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshie Niki
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nishinomiya Municipal Central Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Tetsumoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Suita Municipal Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazumi Nishino
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Izumi Nagatomo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kumanogoh
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Immunopathology, World Premier International (WPI), Immunology Frontier Research Center (iFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Infectious Diseases for Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development – Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (AMED–CREST), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS (CAMaD), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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Aboudaram A, Chaltiel L, Pouessel D, Graff-Cailleaud P, Benziane-Ouaritini N, Sargos P, Schick U, Créhange G, Cohen-Jonathan Moyal E, Chevreau C, Khalifa J. Consolidative Radiotherapy for Metastatic Urothelial Bladder Cancer Patients with No Progression and with No More than Five Residual Metastatic Lesions Following First-Line Systemic Therapy: A Retrospective Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041161. [PMID: 36831503 PMCID: PMC9954747 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Local consolidative radiotherapy in the treatment of metastatic malignancies has shown promising results in several types of tumors. The objective of this study was to assess consolidative radiotherapy to the bladder and to residual metastases in metastatic urothelial bladder cancer with no progression following first-line systemic therapy. MATERIALS/METHODS Patients who received first-line therapy for the treatment of metastatic urothelial bladder cancer (mUBC) and who were progression-free following treatment with no more than five residual metastases were retrospectively identified through the database of four Comprehensive Cancer Centers, between January 2005 and December 2018. Among them, patients who received subsequent definitive radiotherapy (of EQD2Gy > 45Gy) to the bladder and residual metastases were included in the consolidative group (irradiated (IR) group), and the other patients were included in the observation group (NIR group). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined from the start of the first-line chemotherapy using the Kaplan-Meier method. To prevent immortal time bias, a Cox model with time-dependent covariates and 6-month landmark analyses were performed to examine OS and PFS. RESULTS A total of 91 patients with at least stable disease following first-line therapy and with no more than five residual metastases were analyzed: 51 in the IR group and 40 in the NIR group. Metachronous metastatic disease was more frequent in the NIR group (19% vs. 5%, p = 0.02); the median number of metastases in the IR group vs. in the NIR group was 2 (1-9) vs. 3 (1-5) (p = 0.04) at metastatic presentation, and 1 (0-5) vs. 2 (0-5) (p = 0.18) after completion of chemotherapy (residual lesions), respectively. Two grade 3 toxicities (3.9%) and no grade 4 toxicity were reported in the IR group related to radiotherapy. With a median follow up of 85.9 months (95% IC (36.7; 101.6)), median OS and PFS were 21.7 months (95% IC (17.1; 29.7)) and 11.1 months (95% IC (9.9; 14.1)) for the whole cohort, respectively. In multivariable analysis, consolidative radiotherapy conferred a benefit in both PFS (HR = 0.49, p = 0.007) and OS (HR = 0.47, p = 0.015) in the whole population; in the landmark analysis at 6 months, radiotherapy was associated with improved OS (HR = 0.48, p = 0.026), with a trend for PFS (HR = 0.57, p = 0.082). CONCLUSION Consolidative radiotherapy for mUBC patients who have not progressed after first-line therapy and with limited residual disease seems to confer both OS and PFS benefits. The role of consolidative radiotherapy in the context of avelumab maintenance should be addressed prospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Aboudaram
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse—Oncopole, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Léonor Chaltiel
- Department of Biostatistics, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse—Oncopole, 31059 Toulouse, France
| | - Damien Pouessel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse—Oncopole, 31059 Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Paul Sargos
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Bergonié, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Ulrike Schick
- Department of Radiation Oncology, CHU Brest, 29200 Brest, France
| | - Gilles Créhange
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Curie, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Elizabeth Cohen-Jonathan Moyal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse—Oncopole, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Christine Chevreau
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse—Oncopole, 31059 Toulouse, France
| | - Jonathan Khalifa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud/Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse—Oncopole, 31000 Toulouse, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-5-31-15-54-01
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8
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Deng G, Tan X, Li Y, Zhang Y, Wang Q, Li J, Li Z. Effect of EGFR-TKIs combined with craniocerebral radiotherapy on the prognosis of EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastasis: A propensity-score matched analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1049855. [PMID: 36845694 PMCID: PMC9948088 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1049855] [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: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant lung cancers are associated with a high risk of developing brain metastases (BM). Craniocerebral radiotherapy is a cornerstone for the treatment of BM, and EGFR-TKIs act on craniocerebral metastases". However, whether EGFR-TKIs combined with craniocerebral radiotherapy can further increase the efficacy and improve the prognosis of patients is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the difference in efficacy between targeted-therapy alone and targeted-therapy combined with radiotherapy in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients with BM. Materials and Methods A total of 291 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and EGFR mutations were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted using a nearest-neighbor algorithm (1:1) to adjust for demographic and clinical covariates. Patients were divided into two groups: EGFR-TKIs alone and EGFR-TKIs combined with craniocerebral radiotherapy. Intracranial progression-free survival (iPFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare iPFS and OS between the two groups. Brain radiotherapy included WBRT, local radiotherapy, and WBRT+Boost. Results The median age at diagnosis was 54 years (range: 28-81 years). Most patients were female (55.9%) and non-smokers (75.5%). Fifty-one pairs of patients were matched using PSM. The median iPFS for EGFR-TKIs alone (n=37) and EGFR-TKIs+craniocerebral radiotherapy (n=24) was 8.9 and 14.7 months, respectively. The median OS for EGFR-TKIs alone (n=52) and EGFR-TKIs+craniocerebral radiotherapy (n=52) was 32.1 and 45.3 months, respectively. Conclusion In EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients with BM, targeted therapy combined with craniocerebral radiotherapy is an optimal treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangchuan Deng
- School of Graduate Studies, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaojing Tan
- Department of Oncology, Dongying People’s Hospital, Dongying, China
| | - Yankang Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Yingyun Zhang
- School of Graduate Studies, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Qi Wang
- School of Graduate Studies, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China,Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Jianbin Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Jianbin Li, ; Zhenxiang Li,
| | - Zhenxiang Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Jianbin Li, ; Zhenxiang Li,
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9
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de Kermenguy F, Meziani L, Mondini M, Clémenson C, Morel D, Deutsch E, Robert C. Radio-induced lymphopenia in the era of anti-cancer immunotherapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
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10
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Immunotherapy and Radiotherapy as an Antitumoral Long-Range Weapon-A Partnership with Unsolved Challenges: Dose, Fractionation, Volumes, Therapeutic Sequence. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:7388-7395. [PMID: 36290857 PMCID: PMC9601214 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29100580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, the modern oncological treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has been part of the clinical practice for malignant melanoma for more than a decade. Anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4), anti-programmed cell death Protein 1 (PD-1), or anti programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) agents are currently part of the therapeutic arsenal of metastatic or relapsed disease in numerous cancers; more recently, they have also been evaluated and validated as consolidation therapy in the advanced local stage. The combination with radiotherapy, a treatment historically considered loco-regional, changes the paradigm, offering-via synergistic effects-the potential to increase immune-mediated tumor destruction. However, the fragile balance between the tumoricidal effects through immune mechanisms and the immunosuppression induced by radiotherapy means that, in the absence of ICI, the immune-mediated potentiation effect of radiotherapy at a distance from the site of administration is rare. Through analysis of the preclinical and clinical data, especially the evidence from the PACIFIC clinical trial, we can consider that hypofractionated irradiation and reduction of the irradiated volume, in order to protect the immune-infiltrated tumor microenvironment, performed concurrently with the immunotherapy or a maximum of 2 weeks before the start of ICI treatment, could bring maximum benefits. In addition, avoiding radiation-induced lymphopenia (RILD) by protecting some anatomical lymphoid structures or large blood vessels, as well as the use of irradiation of partial tumor volumes, even in plurimetastatic disease, for the conversion of a "cold" immunological tumor into a "hot" immunological tumor are modern concepts of radiotherapy in the era of immunotherapy. Low-dose radiotherapy could also be proposed in plurimetastatic cases, the effect being different (modeling of the TME) from that of high doses per fraction irradiation (cell death with release of antigens that facilitates immune-mediated cell death).
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11
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Cortiula F, Reymen B, Peters S, Van Mol P, Wauters E, Vansteenkiste J, De Ruysscher D, Hendriks LEL. Immunotherapy in unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: state of the art and novel therapeutic approaches. Ann Oncol 2022; 33:893-908. [PMID: 35777706 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The standard of care for patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) followed by 1 year of adjuvant durvalumab. Despite the survival benefit granted by immunotherapy in this setting, only 1/3 of patients are alive and disease free at 5 years. Novel treatment strategies are under development to improve patient outcomes in this setting: different anti-programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 [anti-PD-(L)1] antibodies after CCRT, consolidation immunotherapy after sequential chemoradiotherapy, induction immunotherapy before CCRT and immunotherapy concurrent with CCRT and/or sequential chemoradiotherapy. Cross-trial comparison is particularly challenging in this setting due to the different timing of immunotherapy delivery and different patients' inclusion and exclusion criteria. In this review, we present the results of clinical trials investigating immune therapy in unresectable stage III NSCLC and discuss in-depth their biological rationale, their pitfalls and potential benefits. Particular emphasis is placed on the potential mechanisms of synergism between chemotherapy, radiation therapy and different monoclonal antibodies, and how this affects the tumor immune microenvironment. The designs and questions tackled by ongoing clinical trials are also discussed. Last, we address open questions and unmet clinical needs, such as the necessity for predictive biomarkers (e.g. radiomics and circulating tumor DNA). Identifying distinct subsets of patients to tailor anticancer treatment is a priority, especially in a heterogeneous disease such as stage III NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cortiula
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), Maastricht University Medical Centre(+), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Udine University Hospital, Udine, Italy
| | - B Reymen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), Maastricht University Medical Centre(+), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - S Peters
- Oncology Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - P Van Mol
- Department of Respiratory Diseases KU Leuven, Respiratory Oncology Unit, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - E Wauters
- Department of Respiratory Diseases KU Leuven, Respiratory Oncology Unit, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Vansteenkiste
- Department of Respiratory Diseases KU Leuven, Respiratory Oncology Unit, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - D De Ruysscher
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), Maastricht University Medical Centre(+), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - L E L Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Centre(+), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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12
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Bertho A, Iturri L, Prezado Y. Radiation-induced immune response in novel radiotherapy approaches FLASH and spatially fractionated radiotherapies. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 376:37-68. [PMID: 36997269 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The last several years have revealed increasing evidence of the immunomodulatory role of radiation therapy. Radiotherapy reshapes the tumoral microenvironment can shift the balance toward a more immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive microenvironment. The immune response to radiation therapy appears to depend on the irradiation configuration (dose, particle, fractionation) and delivery modes (dose rate, spatial distributions). Although an optimal irradiation configuration (dose, temporal fractionation, spatial dose distribution, etc.) has not yet been determined, temporal schemes employing high doses per fraction appear to favor radiation-induced immune response through immunogenic cell death. Through the release of damage-associated molecular patterns and the sensing of double-stranded DNA and RNA breaks, immunogenic cell death activates the innate and adaptive immune response, leading to tumor infiltration by effector T cells and the abscopal effect. Novel radiotherapy approaches such as FLASH and spatially fractionated radiotherapies (SFRT) strongly modulate the dose delivery method. FLASH-RT and SFRT have the potential to trigger the immune system effectively while preserving healthy surrounding tissues. This manuscript reviews the current state of knowledge on the immunomodulation effects of these two new radiotherapy techniques in the tumor, healthy immune cells and non-targeted regions, as well as their therapeutic potential in combination with immunotherapy.
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Loo M, Clavier JB, Attal Khalifa J, Moyal E, Khalifa J. Dose-Response Effect and Dose-Toxicity in Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Brain Metastases: A Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236086. [PMID: 34885193 PMCID: PMC8657210 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Brain metastases are one of the most frequent complications for cancer patients. Stereotactic radiosurgery is considered a cornerstone treatment for patients with limited brain metastases and the ideal dose and fractionation schedule still remain unknown. The aim of this literature review is to discuss the dose-effect relation in brain metastases treated by stereotactic radiosurgery, accounting for fractionation and technical considerations. Abstract For more than two decades, stereotactic radiosurgery has been considered a cornerstone treatment for patients with limited brain metastases. Historically, radiosurgery in a single fraction has been the standard of care but recent technical advances have also enabled the delivery of hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for dedicated situations. Only few studies have investigated the efficacy and toxicity profile of different hypofractionated schedules but, to date, the ideal dose and fractionation schedule still remains unknown. Moreover, the linear-quadratic model is being debated regarding high dose per fraction. Recent studies shown the radiation schedule is a critical factor in the immunomodulatory responses. The aim of this literature review was to discuss the dose–effect relation in brain metastases treated by stereotactic radiosurgery accounting for fractionation and technical considerations. Efficacy and toxicity data were analyzed in the light of recent published data. Only retrospective and heterogeneous data were available. We attempted to present the relevant data with caution. A BED10 of 40 to 50 Gy seems associated with a 12-month local control rate >70%. A BED10 of 50 to 60 Gy seems to achieve a 12-month local control rate at least of 80% at 12 months. In the brain metastases radiosurgery series, for single-fraction schedule, a V12 Gy < 5 to 10 cc was associated to 7.1–22.5% radionecrosis rate. For three-fractions schedule, V18 Gy < 26–30 cc, V21 Gy < 21 cc and V23 Gy < 5–7 cc were associated with about 0–14% radionecrosis rate. For five-fractions schedule, V30 Gy < 10–30 cc, V 28.8 Gy < 3–7 cc and V25 Gy < 16 cc were associated with about 2–14% symptomatic radionecrosis rate. There are still no prospective trials comparing radiosurgery to fractionated stereotactic irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Loo
- Radiotherapy Department, University Cancer Institute of Toulouse—Oncopôle, 31100 Toulouse, France; (J.A.K.); (E.M.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jean-Baptiste Clavier
- Radiotherapy Department, Strasbourg Europe Cancer Institute (ICANS), 67033 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Justine Attal Khalifa
- Radiotherapy Department, University Cancer Institute of Toulouse—Oncopôle, 31100 Toulouse, France; (J.A.K.); (E.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Elisabeth Moyal
- Radiotherapy Department, University Cancer Institute of Toulouse—Oncopôle, 31100 Toulouse, France; (J.A.K.); (E.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Jonathan Khalifa
- Radiotherapy Department, University Cancer Institute of Toulouse—Oncopôle, 31100 Toulouse, France; (J.A.K.); (E.M.); (J.K.)
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14
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Li X, Shi H, Zhang W, Bai C, He M, Ta N, Huang H, Ning Y, Fang C, Qin H, Dong Y. Immunotherapy and Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment: Current Place and New Insights in Primary Pulmonary NUT Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:690115. [PMID: 34660264 PMCID: PMC8515126 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.690115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary pulmonary nuclear protein of testis carcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive malignant tumor. It accounts for approximately 0.22% of primary thoracic tumors and is little known, so it is often misdiagnosed as pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma. No effective treatment has been formed yet, and the prognosis is extremely poor. This review aims to summarize the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of primary pulmonary nuclear protein of testis carcinoma in order to better recognize it and discuss the current and innovative strategies to overcome it. With the increasing importance of cancer immunotherapy and tumor microenvironment, the review also discusses whether immunotherapy and targeting the tumor microenvironment can improve the prognosis of primary pulmonary nuclear protein of testis carcinoma and possible treatment strategies. We reviewed and summarized the clinicopathological features of all patients with primary pulmonary nuclear protein of testis carcinoma who received immunotherapy, including initial misdiagnosis, disease stage, immunohistochemical markers related to tumor neovascularization, and biomarkers related to immunotherapy, such as PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) and TMB (tumor mutational burden). In the meanwhile, we summarized and analyzed the progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) of patients with primary pulmonary nuclear protein of testis carcinoma treated with PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1)/PD-L1 inhibitors and explored potential population that may benefit from immunotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review on the exploration of the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy effectiveness in primary pulmonary nuclear protein of testis carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Chong Bai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Miaoxia He
- Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Na Ta
- Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Haidong Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Yunye Ning
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Fang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Qin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchao Dong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changhai Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University), Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, China
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15
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Schmidt M, Heimes AS. Immunomodulating Therapies in Breast Cancer-From Prognosis to Clinical Practice. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4883. [PMID: 34638367 PMCID: PMC8507771 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the immune system in breast cancer has been debated for decades. The advent of technologies such as next generation sequencing (NGS) has elucidated the crucial interplay between somatic mutations in tumors leading to neoantigens and immune responses with increased tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and improved prognosis of breast cancer patients. In particular, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a higher mutational burden compared to other breast cancer subtypes. In addition, higher levels of tumor-associated antigens suggest that immunotherapies are a promising treatment option, specifically for TNBC. Indeed, higher concentrations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with better prognosis and response to chemotherapy in TNBC. An important target within the cancer immune cell cycle is the "immune checkpoint". Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPis) block the interaction of certain cell surface proteins that act as "brakes" on immune responses. Recent studies have shown that ICPis improve survival in both early and advanced TNBC. However, this comes at the price of increased toxicity, particularly immune-mediated toxicity. As an alternative approach, individualized mRNA vaccination strategies against tumor-associated neoantigens represent another promising approach leading to neoantigen-specific immune responses. These novel strategies should help to improve treatment outcomes, especially for patients with triple negative breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Schmidt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
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