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Wang H, Huang H, Liu T, Chen Y, Li J, He M, Peng J, Liang E, Li J, Liu W. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets predict the efficacy of TACE with or without PD-1 inhibitors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective clinical study. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1325330. [PMID: 38404585 PMCID: PMC10884244 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1325330] [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: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Although peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, particularly PD-1+ T cells, are promising prognostic indicators for patients with cancer. However, their clinical significance remains unclear. Methods We prospectively enrolled 157 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with or without PD-1 inhibitors. Twenty peripheral lymphocyte subsets and cytokines were analyzed. We analyzed the differences in PD-1+ T cells between patients treated with and without PD-1 inhibitors and their associations with tumor response, survival prognosis, and clinical features. Results We found that the baseline CD8+PD-1+ and CD4+PD-1+ T-cell frequencies in patients who had received PD-1 inhibitors were lower than those in patients who had not received PD-1 inhibitors (p < 0.001). In the former patients, there were no differences in PD-1+ T-cell frequencies between the responder and non-responder subgroups (p > 0.05), whereas in the latter patients, the levels of CD8+PD-1+ T cells, CD4+PD-1+ T cells, and CD8+PD-1+/CD4+PD-1+ ratio did not predict tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), or overall survival (OS) (p>0.05). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis of patients treated with or without PD-1 inhibitors revealed that the levels of CD8+CD38+ T cells (OR = 2.806, p = 0.006) were associated with tumor response, whereas those of CD8+CD28+ T cells (p = 0.038, p = 0.001) and natural killer (NK) cells (p = 0.001, p = 0.027) were associated with PFS and OS. Although, these independent prognostic factors were associated with progressive tumor characteristics (p<0.05), with the exception of CD8+CD28+ T cells, changes in these factors before and after treatment were unassociated with tumor response (p > 0.05). Conclusion Circulating CD8+CD38+ T cells, CD8+CD28+ T cells, and NK cells were identified as potential prognostic factors for tumor response and survival in patients with HCC. Contrastingly, although PD-1 inhibitors can effectively block the T cell PD-1 receptor, the baseline PD-1+ T-cell frequencies and changes in the frequency of these cells have limited prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Wang
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Refractory Chronic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijie Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaoming Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinwei Li
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianxin Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Enyu Liang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaping Li
- Department of Interventional Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wendao Liu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Budi HS, Farhood B. Targeting oral tumor microenvironment for effective therapy. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:101. [PMID: 37221555 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02943-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral cancers are among the common head and neck malignancies. Different anticancer therapy modalities such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and also targeted molecular therapy may be prescribed for targeting oral malignancies. Traditionally, it has been assumed that targeting malignant cells alone by anticancer modalities such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy suppresses tumor growth. In the last decade, a large number of experiments have confirmed the pivotal role of other cells and secreted molecules in the tumor microenvironment (TME) on tumor progression. Extracellular matrix and immunosuppressive cells such as tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs) play key roles in the progression of tumors like oral cancers and resistance to therapy. On the other hand, infiltrated CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells are key anti-tumor cells that suppress the proliferation of malignant cells. Modulation of extracellular matrix and immunosuppressive cells, and also stimulation of anticancer immunity have been suggested to treat oral malignancies more effectively. Furthermore, the administration of some adjuvants or combination therapy modalities may suppress oral malignancies more effectively. In this review, we discuss various interactions between oral cancer cells and TME. Furthermore, we also review the basic mechanisms within oral TME that may cause resistance to therapy. Potential targets and approaches for overcoming the resistance of oral cancers to various anticancer modalities will also be reviewed. The findings for targeting cells and potential therapeutic targets in clinical studies will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Setia Budi
- Department of Oral Biology, Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.
| | - Bagher Farhood
- Department of Medical Physics and Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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Zhao M, He Y, Zhu N, Song Y, Hu Q, Wang Z, Ni Y, Ding L. IL-33/ST2 signaling promotes constitutive and inductive PD-L1 expression and immune escape in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:833-843. [PMID: 36463324 PMCID: PMC9977940 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02090-0] [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: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss-of-function of PD-L1 induces therapy resistance of anti-PD-1/L1 therapy, and the complex regulatory mechanisms are not completely understood. We previously reported that stroma-derived interleukin-33 (IL-33) promoted the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We here focused on the immune-regulation role of IL-33 and its receptor ST2 signaling in PD-L1-positive OSCC patients. METHODS Activated T cells in in situ and peripheral blood were analyzed by IL-33/ST3 expression. Knockdown or overexpression of ST2 combined with IL-33/IFN-γ stimulation were performed to determine PD-L1 expression and PD-L1-dependent immune escape in OSCC/human T cells co-culture system, and OSCC orthotopic model based on humanized mouse with immune reconstitution and C57BL/6 mice models. RESULTS High IL-33/ST2 correlated with less activated T cells infiltration in situ and peripheral blood. Knockdown of ST2 down-regulated constitutive PD-L1 expression, whereas ST2 also promoted IL-33-induced PD-L1 Mechanistically, IL-33/ST2 activated JAK2/STAT3 pathway to directly promoted PD-L1 expression, and also activated MyD88/NF-κB signaling to up-regulate IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR), which indirectly strengthen IFN-γ-induced PD-L1. Furthermore, ST2 is required for PD-L1-mediated immune tolerance in vitro and in vivo. ST2high OSCC patients have more PD-L1 and IFN-γR level in situ. CONCLUSIONS IL-33/ST2 signaling enhanced PD-L1-mediated immune escape, ST2high OSCC patients might benefit from anti-PD-1/L1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxiang Zhao
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093, China
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 30 Zhongyang Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
- Department of Stomatology, Ningbo First Hospital, 59 Liuting street, Ningbo, 315000, China
| | - Yijia He
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Nisha Zhu
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Yuxian Song
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Qingang Hu
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 30 Zhongyang Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Yanhong Ni
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093, China.
| | - Liang Ding
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093, China.
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Duan Y, Chen R, Huang Y, Meng X, Chen J, Liao C, Tang Y, Zhou C, Gao X, Sun J. Tuning the ignition of CAR: optimizing the affinity of scFv to improve CAR-T therapy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:14. [PMID: 34966954 PMCID: PMC11073403 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04089-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
How single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) affect the functions of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has not been well studied. Here, the components of CAR with an emphasis on scFv were described, and then several methods to measure scFv affinity were discussed. Next, scFv optimization studies for CD19, CD38, HER2, GD2 or EGFR were overviewed, showing that tuning the affinity of scFv could alleviate the on-target/off-tumor toxicity. The affinities of scFvs for different antigens were also summarized to designate a relatively optimal working range for CAR design. Last, a synthetic biology approach utilizing a low-affinity synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptor to achieve ultrasensitivity of antigen-density discrimination and murine models to assay the on-target/off-tumor toxicity of CARs were highlighted. Thus, this review provides preliminary guidelines of choosing the right scFvs for CARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Duan
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital & Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruoqi Chen
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital & Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanjie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xianhui Meng
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital & Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiangqing Chen
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital & Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chan Liao
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongmin Tang
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chun Zhou
- School of Public Health, and Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital & Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Zhejiang Engineering Laboratory for Stem Cell and Immunotherapy, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Identification and Validation of PLOD2 as an Adverse Prognostic Biomarker for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11121842. [PMID: 34944486 PMCID: PMC8699216 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2), a key enzyme that catalyzes the hydroxylation of lysine, plays a crucial role in the progression of several solid tumors. However, its spatial expression profile and prognostic significance in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have not been revealed. Materials: Mass spectrometry was used to explore amino acid perturbations between OSCC tumor tissues and paired normal tissues of 28 patients. Then, PLOD2 mRNA and protein levels were assessed using several public databases and 18 pairs of OSCC patients’ tissues. Additionally, PLOD2 spatial expression profiles were investigated in 100 OSCC patients by immunohistochemistry and its diagnostic and prognostic values were also evaluated. Lastly, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to investigate the potential functions of PLOD2 in OSCC. Results: Lysine was significantly elevated in OSCC tissues and could effectively distinguish tumor from normal tissues (AUC = 0.859, p = 0.0035). PLOD2 mRNA and protein levels were highly increased in tumor tissues of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (p < 0.001) and OSCC compared with those in nontumor tissues (p < 0.001). Histopathologically, PLOD2 was ubiquitously expressed in tumor cells (TCs) and fibroblast-like cells (FLCs) of OSCC patients but absent in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Patients with highly expressed PLOD2 in TCs (PLOD2TCs) and FLCs (PLOD2FLCs) showed poor differentiation, a worse pattern of invasion (WPOI) and more lymph node metastasis (LNM), contributing to higher postoperative metastasis risk and poor survival time. However, PLOD2FLCs rather than PLOD2TCs was an independent risk factor for survival outcomes in OSCC patients. Molecularly, GSEA demonstrated highly expressed PLOD2 was mainly enriched in epithelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT), TGF-beta signaling and hypoxia pathway, which are associated with poor clinical outcomes of OSCC patients. Conclusions: PLOD2 was a poor prognostic biomarker for OSCC patients and may affect the metastasis of OSCC through EMT pathway. These findings might shed novel sights for future research in PLOD2 targeted OSCC therapy.
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