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Ferencz B, Török K, Pipek O, Fillinger J, Csende K, Lantos A, Černeková R, Mitták M, Škarda J, Delongová P, Megyesfalvi E, Schelch K, Lang C, Solta A, Boettiger K, Brcic L, Lindenmann J, Rényi-Vámos F, Aigner C, Berta J, Megyesfalvi Z, Döme B. Expression patterns of novel immunotherapy targets in intermediate- and high-grade lung neuroendocrine neoplasms. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:114. [PMID: 38693435 PMCID: PMC11063022 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03704-7] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advancements in immunotherapeutic approaches only had a modest impact on the therapy of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (LNENs). Our multicenter study aimed to investigate the expression patterns of novel immunotherapy targets in intermediate- and high-grade LNENs. METHODS The expressions of V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA), OX40L, Glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor (GITR), and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM3) proteins were measured by immunohistochemistry in surgically resected tumor samples of 26 atypical carcinoid (AC), 49 large cell neuroendocrine lung cancer (LCNEC), and 66 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Tumor and immune cells were separately scored. RESULTS Tumor cell TIM3 expression was the highest in ACs (p < 0.001), whereas elevated tumor cell GITR levels were characteristic for both ACs and SCLCs (p < 0.001 and p = 0.011, respectively). OX40L expression of tumor cells was considerably lower in ACs (vs. SCLCs; p < 0.001). Tumor cell VISTA expression was consistently low in LNENs, with no significant differences across histological subtypes. ACs were the least immunogenic tumors concerning immune cell abundance (p < 0.001). Immune cell VISTA and GITR expressions were also significantly lower in these intermediate-grade malignancies than in SCLCs or in LCNECs. Immune cell TIM3 and GITR expressions were associated with borderline prognostic significance in our multivariate model (p = 0.057 and p = 0.071, respectively). CONCLUSIONS LNEN subtypes have characteristic and widely divergent VISTA, OX40L, GITR, and TIM3 protein expressions. By shedding light on the different expression patterns of these immunotherapy targets, the current multicenter study provides support for the future implementation of novel immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bence Ferencz
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Klára Török
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Pipek
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Fillinger
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kristóf Csende
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Lantos
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Radoslava Černeková
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis, University Hospital Ostrava and Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Marcel Mitták
- Surgical Clinic, University Hospital Ostrava and Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Jozef Škarda
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Ostrava and Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Patricie Delongová
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Ostrava and Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Evelyn Megyesfalvi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, National Institute of Oncology, Chest and Abdominal Tumors Chemotherapy "B", Budapest, Hungary
| | - Karin Schelch
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Lang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Solta
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kristiina Boettiger
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luka Brcic
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jörg Lindenmann
- Division of Thoracic and Hyperbaric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ferenc Rényi-Vámos
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
- National Institute of Oncology and National Tumor Biology Laboratory, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Clemens Aigner
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judit Berta
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Zsolt Megyesfalvi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Balázs Döme
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Semmelweis University and National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary.
- National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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Gürler F, Aktürk Esen S, Kurt İnci B, Sütçüoğlu O, Uçar G, Akdoğan O, Uncu D, Turhan N, Akyürek N, Özdemir N, Özet A, Yazıcı O. Retrospective Analyses of PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3, OX40L Expressions and MSI Status in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Cancer Invest 2024; 42:141-154. [PMID: 38486421 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2024.2330102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
We investigated expressions of PD-L1, LAG-3, TIM-3, and OX40L as immune checkpoint proteins, and MSI (repetitive short-DNA-sequences due to defective DNA-repair system) status were analyzed with immunohistochemistry from tissue blocks. Of 83 patients, PD-L1 expression was observed in 18.1% (n = 15) of the patients. None of the patients exhibited LAG-3 expression. TIM-3 expression was 4.9% (n = 4), OX40L was 22.9% (n = 19), and 8.4% (n = 7) of the patients had MSI tumor. A low-to-intermediate positive correlation was observed between PD-L1 and TIM-3 expressions (rho: 0.333, p < 0.01). Although PD-L1 expression was higher in grade 3 NET/NEC, MSI status was prominent in grade 1/2 NET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatih Gürler
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selin Aktürk Esen
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bediz Kurt İnci
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aksaray Training & Research Hospital, Aksaray, Turkey
| | - Osman Sütçüoğlu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Uçar
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Orhun Akdoğan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yenimahalle Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Doğan Uncu
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nesrin Turhan
- Department of Pathology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nalan Akyürek
- Department of Pathology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nuriye Özdemir
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Özet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ozan Yazıcı
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Yang H, Lei G, Deng Z, Sun F, Tian Y, Cheng J, Yu H, Li C, Bai C, Zhang S, An G, Yang P. An Engineered Influenza a Virus Expressing the Co-Stimulator OX40L as an Oncolytic Agent Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2024; 11:1-13. [PMID: 38223555 PMCID: PMC10787515 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s410703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Oncolytic virus (OV) therapy has emerged as a promising novel form of immunotherapy. Moreover, an increasing number of studies have shown that the therapeutic efficacy of OV can be further improved by arming OVs with immune-stimulating molecules. Methods In this study, we used reverse genetics to produce a novel influenza A virus, termed IAV-OX40L, which contained the immune-stimulating molecule OX40L gene in the influenza virus nonstructural (NS1) protein gene. The oncolytic effect of IAV-OX40L was explored on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Results Hemagglutination titers of the IAV-OX40L virus were stably 27-28 in specific-pathogen-free chicken embryos. The morphology and size distribution of IAV-OX40L are similar to those of the wild-type influenza. Expression of OX40L protein was confirmed by Western blot and immunofluorescence. MTS assays showed that the cytotoxicity of IAV-OX40L was higher in HCC cells (HepG2 and Huh7) than in normal liver cells (MIHA) in a time- and dose-dependent manner in vitro. We found that intratumoral injection of IAV-OX40L reduced tumor growth and increased the survival rate of mice compared with PR8-treated controls in vivo. In addition, the pathological results showed that IAV-OX40L selectively destroyed tumor tissues without harming liver and lung tissues. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of the IAV-OX40L group were significantly increased in the splenic lymphocytes of mice. Further validation confirmed that IAV-OX40L enhanced the immune response mainly by activating Th1-dominant immune cells, releasing interferon-γ and interleukin-2. Conclusion Taken together, our findings demonstrate the novel chimeric influenza OV could provide a potential therapeutic strategy for combating HCC and improve the effectiveness of virotherapy for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Department of Surgery, Taian City Central Hospital, Taian, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanglin Lei
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuoya Deng
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Sun
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuying Tian
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinxia Cheng
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongyu Yu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Li
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Changqing Bai
- Department of Respiratory, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaogeng Zhang
- Department of Hepatological Surgery, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangwen An
- Department of Pharmacy, No. 984 Hospital of the PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Penghui Yang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Hoffmann F, Fröhlich A, Sirokay J, de Vos L, Zarbl R, Dietrich J, Strieth S, Landsberg J, Dietrich D. DNA methylation of GITR, OX40, 4-1BB, CD27 , and CD40 correlates with BAP1 aberrancy and prognosis in uveal melanoma. Melanoma Res 2023; 33:116-125. [PMID: 36735464 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma represents an aggressive tumor that responds mostly poorly to established melanoma treatments. Comprehensive methylation profiling of the next-generation immunotherapeutic target genes, for example, members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, might allow for the development of companion predictive biomarkers. We have analyzed CpG sites within the immune checkpoint genes GITR, OX40, 4-1BB, CD 27, and CD40 probed by the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip in N = 80 uveal melanomas included in The Cancer Genome Atlas with regard to BAP1 aberrancy, mRNA expression, and overall survival. In all analyzed immune checkpoint genes, BAP1 aberrancy was associated with decreased CpG methylation levels. We identified specific CpG sites that significantly correlated with BAP1 aberrancy, mRNA expression levels, and overall survival. Our results suggest epigenetic regulation of the analyzed immune checkpoint genes via DNA methylation in uveal melanoma and provide rationale for methylation testing in biomarker programs in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Romina Zarbl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörn Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Dimo Dietrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
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The Importance of the Immune System and Molecular Cell Signaling Pathways in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021506. [PMID: 36675020 PMCID: PMC9861992 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021506] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a disease that in recent years has become one of the greatest threats to modern society. Every year there are more and more new cases and the percentage of deaths caused by this type of cancer increases. Despite many studies, scientists are still looking for answers regarding the mechanisms of lung cancer development and progression, with particular emphasis on the role of the immune system. The aim of this literature review was to present the importance of disorders of the immune system and the accompanying changes at the level of cell signaling in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. The collected results showed that in the process of immunopathogenesis of almost all subtypes of lung cancer, changes in the tumor microenvironment, deregulation of immune checkpoints and abnormalities in cell signaling pathways are involved, which contribute to the multistage and multifaceted carcinogenesis of this type of cancer. We, therefore, suggest that in future studies, researchers should focus on a detailed analysis of tumor microenvironmental immune checkpoints, and to validate their validity, perform genetic polymorphism analyses in a wide range of patients and healthy individuals to determine the genetic susceptibility to lung cancer development. In addition, further research related to the analysis of the tumor microenvironment; immune system disorders, with a particular emphasis on immunological checkpoints and genetic differences may contribute to the development of new personalized therapies that improve the prognosis of patients.
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Luo J, Tugade T, Sun E, Pena Diaz AM, O’Gorman DB. Sustained AWT1 expression by Dupuytren's disease myofibroblasts promotes a proinflammatory milieu. J Cell Commun Signal 2022; 16:677-690. [PMID: 35414143 PMCID: PMC9733761 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-022-00677-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Palmar fibromatosis, also known as Dupuytren's disease (DD), is a common and heritable fibrosis of the hand. It is characterized by the formation of myofibroblastic nodules that can progress to palmar-digital contractures and permanent loss of dexterity. The presence of inflammatory cell infiltrate within these nodules has been interpreted to suggest a pathogenesis mediated by a proinflammatory microenvironment. However, the molecular mechanisms driving the formation of pro-fibrotic microenvironments in this and other fibroses remain unclear. To gain insights into this process, we have assessed the contributions of an alternatively spliced, multi-functional transcription factor, Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1), previously shown to be upregulated in primary myofibroblasts derived from DD tissues. Proinflammatory cytokine stimuli of DD myofibroblasts enhanced the expression of several distinct WT1 variants, the most sustained being a 5' truncated version of WT1, alternative WT1 (AWT1). Constitutive adenoviral expression of AWT1 in myofibroblasts derived from phenotypically non-fibrotic palmar fascia significantly induced the expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, including some with potential as novel therapeutic targets. In summary, these data implicate roles for sustained AWT1 expression in DD as a transcriptional driver of a proinflammatory fascial milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Luo
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
| | - Trisiah Tugade
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
| | - Emmy Sun
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
| | - Ana Maria Pena Diaz
- grid.415847.b0000 0001 0556 2414Lawson Health Research Institute, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2 Canada
| | - David B. O’Gorman
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada ,grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada ,grid.415847.b0000 0001 0556 2414Lawson Health Research Institute, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2 Canada
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Ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis in the tumor microenvironment: Perspectives for immunotherapy of SCLC. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:273-285. [PMID: 35288298 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of lung cancer characterized by dismal prognosis. Although SCLC may initially respond well to platinum-based chemotherapy, it ultimately relapses and is almost universally resistant to this treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved as the first- and third-line therapeutic regimens for extensive-stage or relapsed SCLC, respectively. Despite this, only a minority of patients with SCLC respond to ICIs partly due to a lack of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Transforming the immune "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors that are more likely to respond to ICIs is the main challenge for SCLC therapy. Ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis represent the newly discovered immunogenic cell death (ICD) forms. Promoting ICD may alter the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the influx of TILs, and combination of their inducers and ICIs plays a synergistical role in enhancing antitumor effects. Nevertheless, the combination of the above two modalities has not been systematically discussed in SCLC therapy. In the present review, we summarize the roles of distinct ICD mechanisms on antitumor immunity and recent advances of ferroptosis-, necroptosis- and pyroptosis-inducing agents, and present perspectives on these cell death mechanisms in immunotherapy of SCLC.
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Therapeutic targets and biomarkers of tumor immunotherapy: response versus non-response. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:331. [PMID: 36123348 PMCID: PMC9485144 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01136-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancers are highly complex diseases that are characterized by not only the overgrowth of malignant cells but also an altered immune response. The inhibition and reprogramming of the immune system play critical roles in tumor initiation and progression. Immunotherapy aims to reactivate antitumor immune cells and overcome the immune escape mechanisms of tumors. Represented by immune checkpoint blockade and adoptive cell transfer, tumor immunotherapy has seen tremendous success in the clinic, with the capability to induce long-term regression of some tumors that are refractory to all other treatments. Among them, immune checkpoint blocking therapy, represented by PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (nivolumab) and CTLA-4 inhibitors (ipilimumab), has shown encouraging therapeutic effects in the treatment of various malignant tumors, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma. In addition, with the advent of CAR-T, CAR-M and other novel immunotherapy methods, immunotherapy has entered a new era. At present, evidence indicates that the combination of multiple immunotherapy methods may be one way to improve the therapeutic effect. However, the overall clinical response rate of tumor immunotherapy still needs improvement, which warrants the development of novel therapeutic designs as well as the discovery of biomarkers that can guide the prescription of these agents. Learning from the past success and failure of both clinical and basic research is critical for the rational design of studies in the future. In this article, we describe the efforts to manipulate the immune system against cancer and discuss different targets and cell types that can be exploited to promote the antitumor immune response.
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