The role of B cells in cancer development

Glioblastoma Multiforme: Sensitivity to Antimicrobial Peptides LL-37 and PG-1, and Their Combination with Chemotherapy for Predicting the Overall Survival of Patients

Background/Objectives: Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most malignant and intractable of all cancers, with an unfavorable clinical prognosis for affected patients. The objective was to analyze the sensitivity of GBM cells to the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) cathelicidin (LL-37) and protegrin-1 (PG-1), both alone and in combination with chemotherapy, to predict overall survival (OS) in the patients. Methods: The study was conducted on 27 GBM patients treated in the neurosurgical department of the Almazov Medical Research Centre (Saint Petersburg, Russia) from 2021 to 2024. The cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy, AMPs, and their combinations on brain tumor cells were assessed by an MTT assay using a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50). Results: In GBM cells from the patients, LL-37 and PG-1 exhibited strong anticancer effects, surpassing those of chemotherapy drugs. These LL-37 and PG-1 anticancer effects were associated with a statistically significant increase in life expectancy and OS in GBM patients. These findings were confirmed by experiments on rats with C6 glioma, where the intranasal administration of LL-37 (300 μM) and PG-1 (600 μM) increased the life expectancy of the animals to 69 and 55 days, respectively, compared to 24 days in the control group (HR = 4.139, p = 0.0005; HR = 2.542, p = 0.0759). Conclusions: Additionally, the combination of LL-37 and PG-1 with chemotherapy drugs showed that a high IC50 of LL-37 with cisplatin (cutoff > 800 μM) in GBM cells was associated with increased life expectancy (19 vs. 5 months, HR = 4.708, p = 0.0101) and OS in GBM patients. These combinations could be used in future GBM treatments.

Immunometabolism of ferroptosis in the tumor microenvironment

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death that results from excess lipid peroxidation in cellular membranes. Within the last decade, physiological and pathological roles for ferroptosis have been uncovered in autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, infection, and cancer biology. Excitingly, cancer cell metabolism may be targeted to induce death by ferroptosis in cancers that are resistant to other forms of cell death. Ferroptosis sensitivity is regulated by oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and iron metabolism, which are all influenced by the tumor microenvironment (TME). Whereas some cancer cell types have been shown to adapt to these stressors, it is not clear how immune cells regulate their sensitivities to ferroptosis. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of ferroptosis sensitivity in different immune cell subsets, how ferroptosis influences which immune cells infiltrate the TME, and how these interactions can determine epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. While much focus has been placed on inducing ferroptosis in cancer cells, these are important considerations for how ferroptosis-modulating strategies impact anti-tumor immunity. From this perspective, we also discuss some promising immunotherapies in the field of ferroptosis and the challenges associated with targeting ferroptosis in specific immune cell populations.

Imbalance of B-Cell Subpopulations in the Microenvironment of Sarcoidosis or Lung Cancer

Although the role of T lymphocytes in sarcoidosis (SA) and lung cancer (LC) is quite well reported, the occurrence of B cells in disease microenvironments may suggest their potential role as natural modifiers of the immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the B-cell profile and lymphocyte-related hematological parameters between patients with SA, LC and healthy controls (HCs). The cells were assessed by flow cytometry and a hematological analyzer in peripheral blood (PB) and material from lymph nodes (LNs) obtained by the EBUS/TBNA method. We showed that in SA patients, there were higher percentages of naïve B and CD21low B cells and a lower percentage of class-switched memory B cells than LC patients in LNs. We observed a higher median proportion of non-switched memory and transitional B cells in the PB of SA patients than in LC patients. We noticed the lowest median proportion of class-switched memory B cells in the PB from SA patients. LC patients had a higher percentage of RE-LYMP and AS-LYMP than SA patients. Our study presented a different profile of B-cell subpopulations in SA and LC patients, distinguishing dominant subpopulations, and showed the relocation from distant compartments of the circulation to the disease microenvironment, thus emphasizing their role.

Integrative Analysis of Histone Acetylation Regulated CYP4F12 in Esophageal Cancer Development

Current therapeutic strategies for esophageal cancer (EC) patients have yielded limited improvements in survival rates. Recent research has highlighted the influence of drug metabolism enzymes on both drug response and EC development. Our study aims to identify specific drug metabolism enzymes regulated by histone acetylation and to elucidate its molecular and clinical features. CYP4F12 exhibited a notable upregulation subsequent to trichostatin A treatment as evidenced by RNA sequencing analysis conducted on the KYSE-150 cell line. The change in gene expression was associated with increased acetylation level of histone 3 K18 and K27 in the promoter. The regulation was dependent on p300. In silicon analysis of both The Cancer Genome Atlas esophageal carcinoma and GSE53624 dataset suggested a critical role of CYP4F12 in EC development, because CYP4F12 was downregulated in tumor tissues and predicted better disease-free survival. Gene ontology analysis has uncovered a robust correlation between CYP4F12 and processes related to cell migration, as well as its involvement in cytosine-mediated immune activities. Further investigation into the relationship between immune cells and CYP4F12 expression has indicated an increased level of B cell infiltration in samples with high CYP4F12 expression. CYP4F12 was also negatively correlated with the expression of inhibitory checkpoints. An accurate predictive nomogram model was established combining with clinical factors and CYP4F12 expression. In conclusion, CYP4F12 was crucial in EC development, and targeting CYP4F12 may improve the therapeutic efficacy of current treatment in EC patients. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: CYP4F12 expression was downregulated in esophageal cancer (EC) patients and could be induced by trichostatin A. During EC development, CYP4F12 was linked to reduced cell migration and increased infiltration of B cells. CYP4F12 also is a biomarker as prognostic predictors and therapeutic guide in EC patients.

Breast Cancer Immune Landscape: Interplay Between Systemic and Local Immunity

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignancies in women worldwide. Numerous studies in immuno-oncology and successful trials of immunotherapy have demonstrated the causal role of the immune system in cancer pathogenesis. The interaction between the tumor and the immune system is known to have a dual nature. Despite cytotoxic lymphocyte activity against transformed cells, a tumor can escape immune surveillance and leverage chronic inflammation to maintain its own development. Research on antitumor immunity primarily focuses on the role of the tumor microenvironment, whereas the systemic immune response beyond the tumor site is described less thoroughly. Here, a comprehensive review of the formation of the immune profile in breast cancer patients is offered. The interplay between systemic and local immune reactions as self-sustaining mechanism of tumor progression is described and the functional activity of the main cell populations related to innate and adaptive immunity is discussed. Additionally, the interaction between different functional levels of the immune system and their contribution to the development of the pro- or anti-tumor immune response in BC is highlighted. The presented data can potentially inform the development of new immunotherapy strategies in the treatment of patients with BC.

B cells and the coordination of immune checkpoint inhibitor response in patients with solid tumors

Immunotherapy profoundly changed the landscape of cancer therapy by providing long-lasting responses in subsets of patients and is now the standard of care in several solid tumor types. However, immunotherapy activity beyond conventional immune checkpoint inhibition is plateauing, and biomarkers are overall lacking to guide treatment selection. Most studies have focused on T cell engagement and response, but there is a growing evidence that B cells may be key players in the establishment of an organized immune response, notably through tertiary lymphoid structures. Mechanisms of B cell response include antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis, promotion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation, maintenance of antitumor immune memory. In several solid tumor types, higher levels of B cells, specific B cell subpopulations, or the presence of tertiary lymphoid structures have been associated with improved outcomes on immune checkpoint inhibitors. The fate of B cell subpopulations may be widely influenced by the cytokine milieu, with versatile roles for B-specific cytokines B cell activating factor and B cell attracting chemokine-1/CXCL13, and a master regulatory role for IL-10. Roles of B cell-specific immune checkpoints such as TIM-1 are emerging and could represent potential therapeutic targets. Overall, the expanding field of B cells in solid tumors of holds promise for the improvement of current immunotherapy strategies and patient selection.

Immune cells in the B-cell lymphoma microenvironment: From basic research to clinical applications

ABSTRACT

B-cell lymphoma is a group of hematological malignancies characterized by variable genetic and biological features and clinical behaviors. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network in tumors, which consists of surrounding blood vessels, extracellular matrix, immune and non-immune cells, and signaling molecules. Increasing evidence has shown that the TME, especially immune cells within, is a double-edged sword, acting either as a tumor killer or as a promoter of tumor progression. These pro-tumor activities are driven by subpopulations of immune cells that express typical markers but have unique transcriptional characteristics, making tumor-associated immune cells good targets for human anti-cancer therapy by ablating immunosuppressive cells or enhancing immune-activated cells. Thus, exploring the role of immune cells in the TME provides distinct insights for immunotherapy in B-cell lymphoma. In this review, we elucidated the interaction between immune cells and tumor cells and their function in the initiation, progression, and prognosis of B-cell lymphoma, from preclinical experiments to clinical trials. Furthermore, we outlined potential therapeutic approaches and discussed the potential clinical value and future perspectives of targeting immune cells in patients with B-cell lymphoma.

Exploring prognostic microbiota markers in patients with endometrial carcinoma: Intratumoral insights

Endometrial cancer, a leading gynecological malignancy, is profoundly influenced by the uterine microbiota, a key factor in disease prognosis and treatment. Our study underscores the distinct microbial compositions in endometrial cancer compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues, revealing a dominant presence of p_Actinobacteria in cancerous tissues as opposed to p_Firmicutes in surrounding areas. Through comprehensive analysis, we identified 485 unique microorganisms in cancer tissues, 26 of which correlate with patient prognosis. Employing univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses, we devised a microbial risk scoring model, effectively stratifying patients into high and low-risk categories, thereby providing predictive insights into their overall survival. We further developed a nomogram that incorporates the microbial risk score along with age, grade, and clinical stage, significantly enhancing the accuracy of our clinical prediction model for endometrial cancer. Moreover, our study delves into the differential immune landscapes of high-risk and low-risk patients. The low-risk group displayed a higher prevalence of activated B cells and increased T cell co-stimulation, indicative of a robust immune response. Conversely, high-risk patients showed elevated tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion scores, suggesting less favorable outcomes in immunotherapy. Notably, the efficacy of IPS-CTLA4 and PD1/PD-L1/PD-L2 blockers was substantially higher in the low-risk group, pointing to a more responsive immunotherapeutic approach. In summary, our research elucidates the unique microbial patterns in endometrial cancer and adjacent tissues, and establishes both a microbial risk score model and a clinical prediction nomogram. These findings highlight the potential of uterine microbiota as a biomarker for customizing treatment strategies, enabling precise interventions for high-risk patients while preventing overtreatment in low-risk cases. This study emphasizes the microbiota's role in tailoring immunotherapy, offering a novel perspective in the treatment and prognosis of endometrial cancer. Significantly, our study's expansive sample analysis from the TCGA-UCEC cohort, employing linear discriminant analysis effect size methodology, not only validates but also enhances our understanding of the microbiota's role in endometrial cancer, paving the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in its management.

Potential role of immune cell therapy in gynecological cancer and future promises: a comprehensive review

Gynecological malignancies are most leading causes of death among women worldwide. The high prevalence of gynecologic malignancies remains significant, necessitating to turn the novel treatment approach like immunotherapy, wherein cancer cells are killed by the invasion of immune system. In recent year, immunotherapy has mostly an advanced treatment approach to repressing the tumor cells survival, proliferation, and invasion via the activation of immune systems. Moreover, various types of immune cells including T-cells, B-cells, and dendritic cells are associated with the immunotherapeutic strategy in cancer treatment. Although the significant role of T-cells against cancer is well established, while B-cells and dendritic cells also play an important role against different gynecological cancer by regulating the immune system. This review focuses on that arena and highlight the role of immune cells in the treatment of gynaecological cancer. Various immune cell-based anticancer therapies such as T-cell therapies, Adoptive Cellular transfer, B-cell therapies as well as approaches to Dendritic Cell therapies have been discussed in detail. Furthermore, the clinical settings and future avenues regarding immunotherapy on gynecological cancer have also been reviewed and illuminated in the recent study.

Genomic and Transcriptomic Characterization of Gastric Cancer with Bone Metastasis

PURPOSE

Bone metastasis (BM) adversely affects the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC). We investigated molecular features and immune microenvironment that characterize GC with BM compared to GC without BM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Targeted DNA and whole transcriptome sequencing were performed using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor tissues (gastrectomy specimens) of 50 GC cases with distant metastases (14 with BM and 36 without BM). In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for mucin-12 and multiplex IHC for immune cell markers were performed.

RESULTS

Most GC cases with BM had a histologic type of poorly cohesive carcinoma and showed worse overall survival (OS) than GC without BM (p < 0.05). GC with BM tended to have higher mutation rates in TP53, KDR, APC, KDM5A, and RHOA than GC without BM. Chief cell-enriched genes (PGA3, PGC, and LIPF), MUC12, MFSD4A, TSPAN7, and TRIM50 were upregulated in GC with BM compared to GC without BM, which was correlated with poor OS (p < 0.05). However, the expression of SERPINA6, SLC30A2, PMAIP1, and ITIH2 were downregulated in GC with BM. GC with BM was associated with PIK3/AKT/mTOR pathway activation, whereas GC without BM showed the opposite effect. The densities of helper, cytotoxic, and regulatory T cells did not differ between the two groups, whereas the densities of macrophages were lower in GC with BM (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

GC with BM had different gene mutation and expression profiles than GC without BM, and had more genetic alterations associated with a poor prognosis.

Comparative Analysis of the GNAI Family Genes in Glioblastoma through Transcriptomics and Single-Cell Technologies

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive cancers with a low overall survival rate. The treatment of GBM is challenging due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which hinders drug delivery. Invasive procedures alone are not effective at completely removing such tumors. Hence, identifying the crucial pathways and biomarkers for the treatment of GBM is of prime importance. We conducted this study to identify the pathways associated with GBM. We used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) GBM genomic dataset to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We investigated the prognostic values of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(i) alpha subunit (GNAI) family of genes in GBM using a Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) dataset. Within this dataset, we observed the association in the tumor microenvironment between the gene expression of GNAI subunit 3 (GNAI3) and a poor prognosis. MetaCore and gene ontology (GO) analyses were conducted to explore the role of GNAI3 in co-expressed genes and associated signaling pathways using a transcript analysis. Notable pathways included "Cytoskeleton remodeling regulation of actin cytoskeleton organization by the kinase effectors of Rho GTPases" and "Immune response B cell antigen receptor (BCR) pathway". A single-cell analysis was used to assess GNAI3 expression in GBM. The results demonstrated that GNAI family genes, specifically GNAI3, were significantly associated with carcinogenesis and malignancy in GBM patients. Our findings suggest that the GNAI3 gene holds potential as a prognostic biomarker for GBM.

The tumor micro-environment in pediatric glioma: friend or foe?

Brain tumors are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality related to cancer in children, where high-grade glioma harbor the worst prognosis. It has become obvious that pediatric glioma differs significantly from their adult counterparts, rendering extrapolations difficult. Curative options for several types of glioma are lacking, albeit ongoing research efforts and clinical trials. As already proven in the past, inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity plays an important role in the resistance to therapy and thus implicates morbidity and mortality for these patients. However, while less studied, the tumor micro-environment (TME) adds another level of heterogeneity. Knowledge gaps exist on how the TME interacts with the tumor cells and how the location of the various cell types in the TME influences tumor growth and the response to treatment. Some studies identified the presence of several (immune) cell types as prognostic factors, but often lack a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms, possibly leading to contradictory findings. Although the TME in pediatric glioma is regarded as "cold", several treatment options are emerging, with the TME being the primary target of treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to study the TME of pediatric glioma, so that the interactions between TME, tumoral cells and therapeutics can be better understood before, during and after treatment. In this review, we provide an overview of the available insights into the composition and role of the TME across different types of pediatric glioma. Moreover, where possible, we provide a framework on how a particular TME may influence responses to conventional- and/or immunotherapy.

Association between AHR Expression and Immune Dysregulation in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Insights from Comprehensive Immune Profiling of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Pancreatic cancer, particularly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), has an immune suppressive environment that allows tumour cells to evade the immune system. The aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a transcription factor that can be activated by certain exo/endo ligands, including kynurenine (KYN) and other tryptophan metabolites. Once activated, AHR regulates the expression of various genes involved in immune responses and inflammation. Previous studies have shown that AHR activation in PDAC can have both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic effects, depending on the context. It can promote tumour growth and immune evasion by suppressing anti-tumour immune responses or induce anti-tumour effects by enhancing immune cell function. In this study involving 30 PDAC patients and 30 healthy individuals, peripheral blood samples were analysed. PDAC patients were categorized into Low (12 patients) and High/Medium (18 patients) AHR groups based on gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The Low AHR group showed distinct immune characteristics, including increased levels of immune-suppressive proteins such as PDL1, as well as alterations in lymphocyte and monocyte subtypes. Functional assays demonstrated changes in phagocytosis, nitric oxide production, and the expression of cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10. These findings indicate that AHR's expression level has a crucial role in immune dysregulation in PDAC and could be a potential target for early diagnostics and personalised therapeutics.

Circulating tumor cells and host immunity: A tricky liaison

During their dissemination, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) steadily face the immune system, which is a key player in the whole metastatic cascade, from intravasation to the CTC colonization of distant sites. In this chapter, we will go through the description of immune cells involved in this controversial dialogue encompassing both the anti-tumor activity and the tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive function mediated by several circulating immune effectors as natural killer (NK) cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, T helper 17, regulatory T cells, neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, dendritic cells, and platelets. Then, we will report on the same interaction from the CTCs point of view, depicting the direct and indirect mechanisms of crosstalk with the above mentioned immune cells. Finally, we will report the recent literature evidence on the potential prognostic role of the integrated CTCs and immune cells monitoring in cancer patients management.

Dysbindin Domain-Containing 1 in Prostate Cancer: New Insights into Bioinformatic Validation of Molecular and Immunological Features

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent cancers in men, yet its pathogenic pathways remain poorly understood. Transcriptomics and high-throughput sequencing can help uncover cancer diagnostic targets and understand biological circuits. Using prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) datasets of various web-based applications (GEPIA, UALCAN, cBioPortal, SR Plot, hTFtarget, Genome Browser, and MetaCore), we found that upregulated dysbindin domain-containing 1 (DBNDD1) expression in primary prostate tumors was strongly correlated with pathways involving the cell cycle, mitotic in KEGG, WIKI, and REACTOME database, and transcription factor-binding sites with the DBNDD1 gene in prostate samples. DBNDD1 gene expression was influenced by sample type, cancer stage, and promoter methylation levels of different cancers, such as PRAD, liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Regulation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β in bipolar disorder and ATP/ITP/GTP/XTP/TTP/CTP/UTP metabolic pathways was closely correlated with the DBNDD1 gene and its co-expressed genes in PCa. DBNDD1 gene expression was positively associated with immune infiltration of B cells, Myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC), M2 macrophages, andneutrophil, whereas negatively correlated with CD8+ T cells, T follicular helper cells, M1 macrophages, and NK cells in PCa. These findings suggest that DBNDD1 may serve as a viable prognostic marker not only for early-stage PCa but also for immunotherapies.

Introduction of an Ultraviolet C-Irradiated 4T1 Murine Breast Cancer Whole-Cell Vaccine Model

The advent of immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatments. However, the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors may entail severe side effects, with the risk of therapeutic resistance. The generation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells or CAR-NK cells requires specialized molecular laboratories, is costly, and is difficult to adapt to the rapidly growing number of cancer patients. To provide a simpler but effective immune therapy, a whole-cell tumor vaccine protocol was established based on ultraviolet C (UCV)-irradiated 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer cells. The apoptosis of tumor cells after UVC irradiation was verified using resazurin and Annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometric assays. Protective immunity was achieved in immunized BALB/c mice, showing partial remission. Adoptive transfer of splenocytes or plasma from the mice in remission showed a protective effect in the naive BALB/c mice that received a living 4T1 tumor cell injection. 4T1-specific IgG antibodies were recorded in the plasma of the mice following immunization with the whole-cell vaccine. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and oligonucleotide 2006 (ODN2006) adjuvants were used for the transfer of splenocytes from C57BL/6 mice into cyclophosphamide-treated BALB/c mice, resulting in prolonged survival, reduced tumor growth, and remission in 33% of the cases, without the development of the graft-versus-host disease. Our approach offers a simple, cost-effective whole-cell vaccine protocol that can be administered to immunocompetent healthy organisms. The plasma or the adoptive transfer of HLA-matching immunized donor-derived leukocytes could be used as an immune cell therapy for cancer patients.

Tumor-Infiltrating B Lymphocytes: Promising Immunotherapeutic Targets for Primary Liver Cancer Treatment

Hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma are the fourth most lethal primary cancers worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutic strategies, including immune cell targeting therapies. The heterogeneity of liver cancer is partially explained by the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME), where adaptive and innate immune system cells are the main components. Pioneering studies of primary liver cancers revealed that tumor-infiltrating immune cells and their dynamic interaction with cancer cells significantly impacted carcinogenesis, playing an important role in cancer immune evasion and responses to immunotherapy treatment. In particular, B cells may play a prominent role and have a controversial function in the TME. In this work, we highlight the effect of B lymphocytes as tumor infiltrates in relation to primary liver cancers and their potential prognostic value. We also present the key pathways underlying B-cell interactions within the TME, as well as the way that a comprehensive characterization of B-cell biology can be exploited to develop novel immune-based therapeutic approaches.