Bipolar Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Ovarian Cancer as Targets for Therapy

rvTWAS: identifying gene-trait association using sequences by utilizing transcriptome-directed feature selection

Toward the identification of genetic basis of complex traits, transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) is successful in integrating transcriptome data. However, TWAS is only applicable for common variants, excluding rare variants in exome or whole-genome sequences. This is partly because of the inherent limitation of TWAS protocols that rely on predicting gene expressions. Our previous research has revealed the insight into TWAS: the 2 steps in TWAS, building and applying the expression prediction models, are essentially genetic feature selection and aggregations that do not have to involve predictions. Based on this insight disentangling TWAS, rare variants' inability of predicting expression traits is no longer an obstacle. Herein, we developed "rare variant TWAS," or rvTWAS, that first uses a Bayesian model to conduct expression-directed feature selection and then uses a kernel machine to carry out feature aggregation, forming a model leveraging expressions for association mapping including rare variants. We demonstrated the performance of rvTWAS by thorough simulations and real data analysis in 3 psychiatric disorders, namely schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. We confirmed that rvTWAS outperforms existing TWAS protocols and revealed additional genes underlying psychiatric disorders. Particularly, we formed a hypothetical mechanism in which zinc finger genes impact all 3 disorders through transcriptional regulations. rvTWAS will open a door for sequence-based association mappings integrating gene expressions.

Euphorbia factor L2 suppresses the generation of liver metastatic ascites in breast cancer via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with breast cancer, in part due to the lack of effective treatments. Euphorbia factor L2 (EFL2) is a diterpenoid extracted from Euphorbia lathyris L. seeds, which has attracted increasing attention in recent years due to its anticancer effect. However, the role and molecular mechanism of EFL2 in breast cancer liver metastasis remain unclear. In the present study, a breast cancer liver metastasis model was constructed and the effect of EFL2 on ascites generation in mice was examined. H&E staining detected inflammatory cells and tumor cells in the liver, small intestine and tumor tissues. Western blotting and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing‑3 (NLRP3) and related molecules in tumor tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the levels of CD4 and CD8 T cells in tumor tissue and immunofluorescence was used to further detect the expression level of NLRP3. Finally, the aforementioned experiments were further verified by overexpressing NLPR3. It was found that EFL2 inhibited generation of ascites in the model in a dose‑dependent manner. Furthermore, EFL2 inhibited tumor cell metastasis and enhanced immune cell infiltration. Meanwhile, EFL2 dose‑dependently downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 and related molecules in the model, and overexpression of NLRP3 abolished these beneficial effects of EFL2. Taken together, the present experimental data suggested that EFL2 has a significant inhibitory effect on ascites of breast cancer liver metastasis in vivo, which may inhibit tumor cell metastasis by downregulating NLRP3 expression, providing an experimental basis for treating breast cancer metastasis.

Lysine demethylase 3A in hypoxic macrophages promotes ovarian cancer development through regulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor A/Akt signaling

BACKGROUND

Hypoxia is a vital feature of the tumor microenvironment of OC. Previous evidence exposes that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are connected with the development of ovarian cancer (OC), whereas the accurate regulatory mechanism of hypoxic macrophages regulating tumor advancement remains unclear. Herein, we examined whether the lysine demethylase 3 A (KDM3A) in hypoxic macrophages expedited the development of OC cells.

METHODS

The contents of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), CD163, CD80, KDM3A, and p-Akt/Akt were detected by western blot. Genomic Spatial Event 4630, Molecular Signatures Database, and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database were utilized for correlated gene prediction. The OC cells viability was scrutinized by cell counting kit-8 assay. The cell proliferation was inspected by 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay. The vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) level was detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

M2 polarization of TAMs was associated with poor prognosis in sufferers with OC. The OC sufferers with high level of CD163 or low level of CD80 were linked with poor overall survival and disease specific survival. Hypoxia induced THP-1-derived macrophages M2 polarization. KDM3A was high-expressed in hypoxia induced macrophages. Upregulated KDM3A in hypoxic macrophages facilitated OC cell proliferation. KDM3A upregulation in hypoxic macrophages stimulated Akt signaling activation in OC cells. KDM3A in hypoxic macrophages promoted VEGF secretion to activate Akt signaling in OC cells. VEGF inhibition or Akt signaling inactivation reversed the effects of KDM3A in hypoxic macrophages on OC cells viability and proliferation.

CONCLUSION

The KDM3A content and M2 polarization were enhanced in hypoxic macrophages, and KDM3A in hypoxic macrophages promoted OC development through regulation of the VEGF/Akt signaling pathway.

The prognostic significance of tumor-immune microenvironment in ascites of patients with high-grade serous carcinoma

BACKGROUND

High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is often associated with ascites at presentation. Our objective was to quantify immune cells (ICs) in ascites prior to any treatment was given and evaluate their impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-seven patients with primary HGSC and ascites were included. Flow-cytometric analysis was performed to detect percentages of CD3+ T cells (CD4+, CD8+, Tregs, and NKT cells), B cells, NK cells (CD56brightCD16- and CD56dimCD16+ subsets), macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Furthermore, CD103 expression was analyzed on T cells and their subsets, while PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on all ICs. Cut-off of low and high percentages of ICs was determined by the median of variables, and correlation with PFS and OS was calculated.

RESULTS

CD3+ cells were the predominant ICs (median 51%), while the presence of other ICs was much lower (median ≤10%). CD103+ expression was mostly present on CD8+, and not CD4+ cells. PD-1 was mainly expressed on CD3+ T cells (median 20%), lower expression was observed on other ICs (median ≤10%). PD-L1 expression was not detected. High percentages of CD103+CD3+ T cells, PD-1+ Tregs, CD56brightCD16- NK cells, and DCs correlated with prolonged PFS and OS, while high percentages of CD8+ cells, macrophages, and PD-1+CD56brightCD16- NK cells, along with low percentages of CD4+ cells, correlated with better OS only. DCs were the only independent prognostic marker among all ICs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results highlight the potential of ascites tumor-immune microenvironment to provide additional prognostic information for HGSC patients. However, a larger patient cohort and longer follow-up are needed to confirm our findings.

Endogenous H2O2 Self-Replenishment and Sustainable Cascades Enhance the Efficacy of Sonodynamic Therapy

Purpose

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), with its high tissue penetration and noninvasive advantages, represents an emerging approach to eradicating solid tumors. However, the outcomes of SDT are typically hampered by the low oxygen content and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Accordingly, we constructed a cascade nanoplatform to regulate the TME and improve the anti-tumor efficiency of SDT.

Methods

In this study, we rationally design cascade nanoplatform by incorporating immunostimulant hyaluronic acid (HA) and sonosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) on the polydopamine nanocarrier that is pre-doped with platinum nanozymes (designated Ce6/Pt@PDA-HA, PPCH).

Results

The cascade reactions of PPCH are evidenced by the results that HA exhibits reversing immunosuppressive that converts M2 macrophages into M1 macrophages in situ, while producing H2O2, and then platinum nanozymes further catalyze the H2O2 to produce O2, and O2 produces abundant singlet oxygen (1O2) under the action of Ce6 and low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), resulting in a domino effect and further amplifying the efficacy of SDT. Due to its pH responsiveness and mitochondrial targeting, PPCH effectively accumulates in tumor cells. Under LIFU irradiation, PPCH effectively reverses immunosuppression, alleviates hypoxia in the TME, enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and enhances SDT efficacy for eliminating tumor cells in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, an in vivo dual-modal imaging including fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging achieves precise tumor diagnosis.

Conclusion

This cascade nanoplatform will provide a promising strategy for enhancing SDT eradication against tumors by modulating immunosuppression and relieving hypoxia.

Aspect ratio-dependent dual-regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment against osteosarcoma by hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Accumulating studies demonstrated that hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HANPs) showed a selective anti-tumor effect, making them a good candidate for osteosarcoma (OS) treatment. However, the capacity of HANPs with different aspect ratios to regulate tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) was scarcely reported before. To explore it, the three HANPs with aspect ratios from 1.86 to 6.25 were prepared by wet chemical method. After a 24 or 72 h-exposure of OS UMR106 cells or macrophages to the nanoparticles, the tumor cells exhibited immunogenic cell death (ICD) indicated by the increased production of calreticulin (CRT), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and macrophages were activated with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Next, the beneficial crosstalk between tumor cells and macrophages generated in the presence of HANPs for improved anti-tumor immunity activation. In the OS-bearing cognate rat model, HANPs inhibited OS growth, which was positively correlated with CRT and HMGB1 expression, and macrophage polarization in the tumor tissues. Additionally, HANPs promoted CD8+ T cell infiltration into the tumor and systemic dendritic cell maturation. Particularly, HANPs bearing the highest aspect ratio exhibited the strongest immunomodulatory and anti-tumor function. This study suggested the potential of HANPs to be a safe and effective drug-free nanomaterial to control the TIM for OS therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Emerging studies demonstrated that hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HANPs) inhibited tumor cell proliferation and tumor growth. However, the underlying anti-tumor mechanism still remains unclear, and the capacity of HANPs without any other additive to regulate tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) was scarcely reported before. Herein, we demonstrated that HANPs, in an aspect ratio-dependent manner, showed the potential to delay the growth of osteosarcoma (OS) and to regulate TIM by promoting the invasion of CD8+ T cells and F4/80+ macrophages, and inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumors. This work revealed the new molecular mechanism for HANPs against OS, and suggested HANPs might be a novel ICD inducer for OS treatment.

Functions, mechanisms, and clinical applications of lncRNA LINC00857 in cancer pathogenesis

Emerging data indicated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial players in the biological processes via regulating epigenetics, transcription, and protein translation. A novel lncRNA, LINC00857, was indicated to upregulate in several types of cancer. In addition, LINC00857 was functionally related to the modulation of the cancer-linked behaviors, including invasion, migration, proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell cycle, and apoptosis. The importance of LINC00857 in cancer onset and development proposed that LINC00857 has major importance in the cancer progression and may be considered as a novel prognostic/diagnostic biomarker as well as a treatment target. Here, we retrospectively investigate the available progress in biomedical research investigating the functions of LINC00857 in cancer, focusing on finding the molecular mechanisms affecting various cancer-related behaviors and exploring its clinical applications.

Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Gynecologic Cancers

Gynecologic cancers have varying response rates to immunotherapy due to the heterogeneity of each cancer's molecular biology and features of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). This article reviews key features of the TIME and its role in the pathophysiology and treatment of ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancer. Knowledge of the role of the TIME in gynecologic cancers has been rapidly developing with a large body of preclinical studies demonstrating an intricate yet dichotomous role that the immune system plays in either supporting the growth of cancer or opposing it and facilitating effective treatment. Many targets and therapeutics have been identified including cytokines, antibodies, small molecules, vaccines, adoptive cell therapy, and bacterial-based therapies but most efforts in gynecologic cancers to utilize them have not been effective. However, with the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors, we have started to see the rapid and successful employment of therapeutics in cervical and endometrial cancer. There remain many challenges in utilizing the TIME, particularly in ovarian cancer, and further studies are needed to identify and validate efficacious therapeutics.

Comparative Tumor Microenvironment Analysis of Primary and Recurrent Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumors

Adult-type granulosa cell tumors (aGCT) are rare ovarian sex cord tumors with few effective treatments for recurrent disease. The objective of this study was to characterize the tumor microenvironment (TME) of primary and recurrent aGCTs and to identify correlates of disease recurrence. Total RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on 24 pathologically confirmed, cryopreserved aGCT samples, including 8 primary and 16 recurrent tumors. After read alignment and quality-control filtering, DESeq2 was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEG) between primary and recurrent tumors. Functional enrichment pathway analysis and gene set enrichment analysis was performed using "clusterProfiler" and "GSVA" R packages. TME composition was investigated through the analysis and integration of multiple published RNA-seq deconvolution algorithms. TME analysis results were externally validated using data from independent previously published RNA-seq datasets. A total of 31 DEGs were identified between primary and recurrent aGCTs. These included genes with known function in hormone signaling such as LHCGR and INSL3 (more abundant in primary tumors) and CYP19A1 (more abundant in recurrent tumors). Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that primarily immune-related and hormone-regulated gene sets expression was increased in recurrent tumors. Integrative TME analysis demonstrated statistically significant depletion of cancer-associated fibroblasts in recurrent tumors. This finding was confirmed in multiple independent datasets.

IMPLICATIONS

Recurrent aGCTs exhibit alterations in hormone pathway gene expression as well as decreased infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts, suggesting dual roles for hormonal signaling and TME remodeling underpinning disease relapse.

Revisiting macrophages in ovarian cancer microenvironment: development, function and interaction

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and have been linked to immunosuppression and poor prognosis. TAMs have been shown to be harmful in ovarian cancer (OC), with a positive correlation between their high levels of tumors and poor overall patient survival. These cells are crucial in the progression and chemoresistance of OC. The primary pro-tumoral role of TAMs is the release of cytokines, chemokines, enzymes, and exosomes that directly enhance the invasion potential and chemoresistance of OC by activating their pro-survival signalling pathways. TAMs play a crucial role in the metastasis of OC in the peritoneum and ascities by assisting in spheroid formation and cancer cell adhesion to the metastatic regions. Furthermore, TAMs interact with tumor protein p53 (TP53), exosomes, and other immune cells, such as stem cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to support the progression and metastasis of OC. In this review we revisit development, functions and interactions of TAMs in the TME of OC patients to highlight and shed light on challenges and excitement down the road.

Neo-vascularization-based therapeutic perspectives in advanced ovarian cancer

The process of angiogenesis is well described for its potential role in the development of normal ovaries, and physiological functions as well as in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of ovarian cancer (OC). In advanced stages of OC, cancer cells spread outside the ovary to the pelvic, abdomen, lung, or multiple secondary sites. This seriously limits the efficacy of therapeutic options contributing to fatal clinical outcomes. Notably, a variety of angiogenic effectors are produced by the tumor cells to initiate angiogenic processes leading to the development of new blood vessels, which provide essential resources for tumor survival, dissemination, and dormant micro-metastasis of tumor cells. Multiple proangiogenic effectors and their signaling axis have been discovered and functionally characterized for potential clinical utility in OC. In this review, we have provided the current updates on classical and emerging proangiogenic effectors, their signaling axis, and the immune microenvironment contributing to the pathogenesis of OC. Moreover, we have comprehensively reviewed and discussed the significance of the preclinical strategies, drug repurposing, and clinical trials targeting the angiogenic processes that hold promising perspectives for the better management of patients with OC.

Targeting tumor-associated macrophages for successful immunotherapy of ovarian carcinoma

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is among the top five causes of cancer-related death in women, largely reflecting early, prediagnosis dissemination of malignant cells to the peritoneum. Despite improvements in medical therapies, particularly with the implementation of novel drugs targeting homologous recombination deficiency, the survival rates of patients with EOC remain low. Unlike other neoplasms, EOC remains relatively insensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors, which is correlated with a tumor microenvironment (TME) characterized by poor infiltration by immune cells and active immunosuppression dominated by immune components with tumor-promoting properties, especially tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In recent years, TAMs have attracted interest as potential therapeutic targets by seeking to reverse the immunosuppression in the TME and enhance the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy. Here, we review the key biological features of TAMs that affect tumor progression and their relevance as potential targets for treating EOC. We especially focus on the therapies that might modulate the recruitment, polarization, survival, and functional properties of TAMs in the TME of EOC that can be harnessed to develop superior combinatorial regimens with immunotherapy for the clinical care of patients with EOC.

Interactions between Platelets and Tumor Microenvironment Components in Ovarian Cancer and Their Implications for Treatment and Clinical Outcomes

Platelets, the primary operatives of hemostasis that contribute to blood coagulation and wound healing after blood vessel injury, are also involved in pathological conditions, including cancer. Malignancy-associated thrombosis is common in ovarian cancer patients and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Platelets extravasate into the tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer and interact with cancer cells and non-cancerous elements. Ovarian cancer cells also activate platelets. The communication between activated platelets, cancer cells, and the tumor microenvironment is via various platelet membrane proteins or mediators released through degranulation or the secretion of microvesicles from platelets. These interactions trigger signaling cascades in tumors that promote ovarian cancer progression, metastasis, and neoangiogenesis. This review discusses how interactions between platelets, cancer cells, cancer stem cells, stromal cells, and the extracellular matrix in the tumor microenvironment influence ovarian cancer progression. It also presents novel potential therapeutic approaches toward this gynecological cancer.

Triple functional mild photothermal improves gene editing of PD-L1 for enhanced antitumor immunity

Traditional photothermal therapy ablates tumor cells by a high temperature (> 50 °C). Although it has shown good anti-tumor effect in animal models, the potential damages to healthy tissues and the unnecessary inflammatory reactions caused by the high temperature have hindered the clinical transitions of traditional photothermal therapy. In this study, we used polydopamine (PDA) as a mild photothermal material and control the maximum temperature below 45 °C, which not only avoided the side effects caused by a high temperature, but also ablated a fraction of tumor cells and produced tumor antigens. Meanwhile, the near-infrared (NIR) light also served as a "switch" to trigger the release of CRISPR/Cas9 RNP from Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) after their accumulation to tumor sites via magnetic targeting. The triple functional mild photothermal therapy achieved significant PD-L1 gene knockout efficiency in the tumor-bearing mice, reversed the condition of immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment, led to a higher level of anti-tumor immune responses and effectively inhibited the growth of melanoma. We anticipate that this triple functional mild photothermal therapy would provide a potential new approach for the treatment of malignant tumors.

Integration of local and systemic immunity in ovarian cancer: Implications for immunotherapy

Cancer is a disease that induces many local and systemic changes in immunity. The difficult nature of ovarian cancer stems from the lack of characteristic symptoms that contributes to a delayed diagnosis and treatment. Despite the enormous progress in immunotherapy, its efficacy remains limited. The heterogeneity of tumors, lack of diagnostic biomarkers, and complex immune landscape are the main challenges in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Integrative approaches that combine the tumor microenvironment - local immunity - together with periphery - systemic immunity - are urgently needed to improve the understanding of the disease and the efficacy of treatment. In fact, multiparametric analyses are poised to improve our understanding of ovarian tumor immunology. We outline an integrative approach including local and systemic immunity in ovarian cancer. Understanding the nature of both localized and systemic immune responses will be crucial to boosting the efficacy of immunotherapies in ovarian cancer patients.

Therapeutic implications of the tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 therapy

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) ranks as the second most common cause of gynecologic cancer death. The conventional treatment for patients with EOC is postoperative therapy along with platinum chemotherapy. However, a more efficient treatment regimen is of great need for these patients diagnosed with advanced disease (FIGO stages III–IV), whose survival is approximately 29%. Immunotherapy seems to be an encouraging therapeutic strategy for EOC. Given the crucial role in the complicated interactions between tumor cells and other cells, the tumor microenvironment (TME) influences the response to immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss feasible strategies for EOC immunotherapy by exploiting the reciprocity of cancer cells and the constituents of the TME.

Spheroid Formation and Peritoneal Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Stromal and Immune Components

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological cancers, with the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rate. Peritoneal dissemination (or carcinomatosis) accompanied by ascites formation is the most unfavorable factor in the progression and recurrence of OC. Tumor cells in ascites are present as either separate cells or, more often, as cell aggregates, i.e., spheroids which promote implantation on the surface of nearby organs and, at later stages, metastases to distant organs. Malignant ascites comprises a unique tumor microenvironment; this fact may be of relevance in the search for new prognostic and predictive factors that would make it possible to personalize the treatment of patients with OC. However, the precise mechanisms of spheroid formation and carcinomatosis are still under investigation. Here, we summarize data on ascites composition as well as the activity of fibroblasts and macrophages, the key stromal and immune components, in OC ascites. We describe current knowledge about the role of fibroblasts and macrophages in tumor spheroid formation, and discuss the specific functions of fibroblasts, macrophages and T cells in tumor peritoneal dissemination and implantation.

GAS5 represses endometrial cancer development via promoting anti-tumor function of tumor-associated macrophages

The tumor-suppressor role of Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) have been proven in various types of cancer. However, the specific function of GAS5 in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) of endometrial cancer (EC) is elusive. qPCR results showed that GAS5 expression increased in EC tissues and primary TAMs from EC tumors. TAMs infiltration was significantly positively associated with the developmental stage of EC. Direct co-culture of GAS5-overexpressing TAMs and EC cells showed that GAS5 enhanced phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and activation of cytotoxic T cells, and repressed "Don't eat me" signals between TAMs and EC cells. Tumor formation in immunodeficient mice showed that GAS5-overexpressing macrophages could repress EC formation in vivo. GAS5 promoted M1 polarization by activating the miR-21-PTEN-AKT signaling pathway and directly repressing the nuclear accumulation and phosphorylation of oncogenic yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) in TAMs. GAS5 inhibited the development of EC from both innate and adaptive immunity by transforming TAMs from a pro-tumor to an anti-tumor phenotype. These anti-tumor effects of GAS5 on TAMs were mediated by the activation of the miR-21-PTEN-AKT pathway and inhibition of YAP1.

The Give-and-Take Interaction Between the Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Cells Regulating Tumor Progression and Repression

A fundamental concern of the majority of cancer scientists is related to the identification of mechanisms involved in the evolution of neoplastic cells at the cellular and molecular level and how these processes are able to control cancer cells appearance and death. In addition to the genome contribution, such mechanisms involve reciprocal interactions between tumor cells and stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Indeed, tumor cells survival and growth rely on dynamic properties controlling pro and anti-tumorigenic processes. The anti-tumorigenic function of the TME is mainly regulated by immune cells such as dendritic cells, natural killer cells, cytotoxic T cells and macrophages and normal fibroblasts. The pro-tumorigenic function is also mediated by other immune cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells, M2-tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and regulatory T (Treg) cells, as well as carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), adipocytes (CAA) and endothelial cells. Several of these cells can show both, pro- and antitumorigenic activity. Here we highlight the importance of the reciprocal interactions between tumor cells and stromal cells in the self-centered behavior of cancer cells and how these complex cellular interactions control tumor progression and repression.

Plasma Gelsolin Confers Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer by Resetting the Relative Abundance and Function of Macrophage Subtypes

Simple Summary

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest female cancers with very poor survival, primarily due to late diagnosis, recurrence and chemoresistance. Although the over-expression of plasma gelsolin (pGSN) protects ovarian cancer cells from chemotherapy-induced death, its immunological role in the tumor microenvironment is less explored. Here, we demonstrate that pGSN over-expression downregulates the anti-tumor functions of M1 macrophages, an effect that contributes to chemoresistance and poor patient survival. This study demonstrates the novel inhibitory role of pGSN on tumor-infiltrated M1 macrophages and also offers new insights in maximizing the effectiveness of immunotherapy for ovarian cancer patients.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is the most lethal gynaecological cancer with a 5-year survival rate less than 50%. Despite new therapeutic strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs), tumor recurrence and drug resistance remain key obstacles in achieving long-term therapeutic success. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the cellular mechanisms of immune dysregulation in chemoresistant OVCA in order to harness the host’s immune system to improve survival. The over-expression of plasma gelsolin (pGSN) mRNA is associated with a poorer prognosis in OVCA patients; however, its immuno-modulatory role has not been elucidated. In this study, for the first time, we report pGSN as an inhibitor of M1 macrophage anti-tumor functions in OVCA chemoresistance. Increased epithelial pGSN expression was associated with the loss of chemoresponsiveness and poor survival. While patients with increased M1 macrophage infiltration exhibited better survival due to nitric-oxide-induced ROS accumulation in OVCA cells, cohorts with poor survival had a higher infiltration of M2 macrophages. Interestingly, increased epithelial pGSN expression was significantly associated with the reduced survival benefits of infiltrated M1 macrophages, through apoptosis via increased caspase-3 activation and reduced production of iNOS and TNFα. Additionally, epithelial pGSN expression was an independent prognostic marker in predicting progression-free survival. These findings support our hypothesis that pGSN is a modulator of inflammation and confers chemoresistance in OVCA, in part by resetting the relative abundance and function of macrophage subtypes in the ovarian tumor microenvironment. Our findings raise the possibility that pGSN may be a potential therapeutic target for immune-mediated chemoresistance in OVCA.

Repression of lncRNA PART1 attenuates ovarian cancer cell viability, migration and invasion through the miR-503-5p/FOXK1 axis

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a female malignant tumor with a high fatality rate. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are deeply involved in OC progression. The aim of this study is to explore the specific mechanism of lncRNA prostate androgen-regulated transcript 1 (PART1) in OC.

METHODS

Quantitative real time PCR was utilized to determine the expression levels of PART1, microRNA (miR)-503-5p and forkhead-box k1 (FOXK1) in OC tissues and/or cells. The cell viability, migration, and invasion in OC were evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-h-tetrazolium bromide assay, wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell apoptosis. The xenograft tumor was conducted in nude mice to verify the effect of PART1 knockdown on OC in vivo. The target relationships among PART1, miR-503-5p and FOXK1 were predicted by StarBase, and verified by luciferase reporter assay. The level of FOXK1 was assessed by western blot.

RESULTS

Increased expression of PART1 and FOXK1 was observed in OC tissues or cells, whereas miR-503-5p was downregulated. PART1 silencing or miR-503-5p overexpression repressed the cell viability, migration and invasion, and protomed apoptosis. Meanwhile, miR-503-5p was a target of PART1, and FOXK1 was a direct target gene of miR-503-5p. Both downregulation of miR-503-5p and upregulation of FOXK1 partly relieved the suppressive effects of PART1 knockdown on the oncogenicity of OC in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Decreased PART1 represses the cell viability, migration and invasion of OC via regulating the miR-503-5p/FOXK1 axis, which provided an underlying target for treating OC.

Panobinostat enhances olaparib efficacy by modifying expression of homologous recombination repair and immune transcripts in ovarian cancer

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) sensitize homologous recombination (HR)-proficient human ovarian cancer cells to PARP inhibitors (PARPi). To investigate mechanisms of anti-tumor effects of combined HDACi/PARPi treatment we performed transcriptome analysis in HR- proficient human ovarian cancer cells and tested drug effects in established immunocompetent mouse ovarian cancer models. Human SKOV-3 cells were treated with vehicle (Con), olaparib (Ola), panobinostat (Pano) or Pano+Ola and RNA-seq analysis performed. DESeq2 identified differentially expressed HR repair and immune transcripts. Luciferised syngeneic mouse ovarian cancer cells (ID8-luc) were treated with the HDACi panobinostat alone or combined with olaparib and effects on cell viability, apoptosis, DNA damage and HR efficiency determined. C57BL/6 mice with intraperitoneally injected ID8-luc cells were treated with panobinostat and/or olaparib followed by assessment of tumor burden, markers of cell proliferation, apoptosis and DNA damage, tumor-infiltrating T cells and macrophages, and other immune cell populations in ascites fluid. There was a significant reduction in expression of 20/37 HR pathway genes by Pano+Ola, with immune and inflammatory-related pathways also significantly enriched by the combination. In ID8 cells, Pano+Ola decreased cell viability, HR repair, and enhanced DNA damage. Pano+Ola also co-operatively reduced tumor burden and proliferation, increased tumor apoptosis and DNA damage, enhanced infiltration of CD8+ T cells into tumors, and decreased expression of M2-like macrophage markers. In conclusion, panobinostat in combination with olaparib targets ovarian tumors through both direct cytotoxic and indirect immune-modulating effects.

Exploring the clinical value of tumor microenvironment in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Platinum resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer (OvCa) is rising at an alarming rate, with recurrence of chemo-resistant high grade serous OvCa (HGSC) in roughly 75 % of all patients. Additionally, HGSC has an abysmal five-year survival rate, standing at 39 % and 17 % for FIGO stages III and IV, respectively. Herein we review the crucial cellular interactions between HGSC cells and the cellular and non-cellular components of the unique peritoneal tumor microenvironment (TME). We highlight the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM), ascitic fluid as well as the mesothelial cells, tumor associated macrophages, neutrophils, adipocytes and fibroblasts in platinum-resistance. Moreover, we underscore the importance of other immune-cell players in conferring resistance, including natural killer cells, myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) and T-regulatory cells. We show the clinical relevance of the key platinum-resistant markers and their correlation with the major pathways perturbed in OvCa. In parallel, we discuss the effect of immunotherapies in re-sensitizing platinum-resistant patients to platinum-based drugs. Through detailed analysis of platinum-resistance in HGSC, we hope to advance the development of more effective therapy options for this aggressive disease.

Macrophages in ovarian cancer and their interactions with monoclonal antibody therapies

The unmet clinical need for effective treatments in ovarian cancer has yet to be addressed using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which have largely failed to overcome tumour-associated immunosuppression, restrict cancer growth, and significantly improve survival. In recent years, experimental mAb design has moved away from solely targeting ovarian tumours and instead sought to modulate the wider tumour microenvironment (TME). Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) may represent an attractive therapeutic target for mAbs in ovarian cancer due to their high abundance and close proximity to tumour cells and their active involvement in facilitating several pro-tumoural processes. Moreover, the expression of several antibody crystallisable fragment (Fc) receptors and broad phenotypic plasticity of TAMs provide opportunities to modulate TAM polarisation using mAbs to promote anti-tumoural phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the role of TAMs in ovarian cancer TME and the emerging strategies to target the contributions of these cells in tumour progression through the rationale design of mAbs.

Host Mesothelin Expression Increases Ovarian Cancer Metastasis in the Peritoneal Microenvironment

Mesothelin (MSLN), a glycoprotein normally expressed by mesothelial cells, is overexpressed in ovarian cancer (OvCa) suggesting a role in tumor progression, although the biological function is not fully understood. OvCa has a high mortality rate due to diagnosis at advanced stage disease with intraperitoneal metastasis. Tumor cells detach from the primary tumor as single cells or multicellular aggregates (MCAs) and attach to the mesothelium of organs within the peritoneal cavity producing widely disseminated secondary lesions. To investigate the role of host MSLN in the peritoneal cavity we used a mouse model with a null mutation in the MSLN gene (MSLN^KO). The deletion of host MSLN expression modified the peritoneal ultrastructure resulting in abnormal mesothelial cell surface architecture and altered omental collagen fibril organization. Co-culture of murine OvCa cells with primary mesothelial cells regardless of MSLN expression formed compact MCAs. However, co-culture with MSLN^KO mesothelial cells resulted in smaller MCAs. An allograft tumor study, using wild-type mice (MSLN^WT) or MSLN^KO mice injected intraperitoneally with murine OvCa cells demonstrated a significant decrease in peritoneal metastatic tumor burden in MSLN^KO mice compared to MSLN^WT mice. Together, these data support a role for host MSLN in the progression of OvCa metastasis.

Malignant Ascites in Ovarian Cancer: Cellular, Acellular, and Biophysical Determinants of Molecular Characteristics and Therapy Response

Ascites refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum resulting from an underlying pathology, such as metastatic cancer. Among all cancers, advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer is most frequently associated with the production of malignant ascites and is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. Despite decades of evidence showing that the accumulation of peritoneal fluid portends the poorest outcomes for cancer patients, the role of malignant ascites in promoting metastasis and therapy resistance remains poorly understood. This review summarizes the current understanding of malignant ascites, with a focus on ovarian cancer. The first section provides an overview of heterogeneity in ovarian cancer and the pathophysiology of malignant ascites. Next, analytical methods used to characterize the cellular and acellular components of malignant ascites, as well the role of these components in modulating cell biology, are discussed. The review then provides a perspective on the pressures and forces that tumors are subjected to in the presence of malignant ascites and the impact of physical stress on therapy resistance. Treatment options for malignant ascites, including surgical, pharmacological and photochemical interventions are then discussed to highlight challenges and opportunities at the interface of drug discovery, device development and physical sciences in oncology.

Beta-glucans is a potential inhibitor of ovarian cancer: based on molecular and biological aspects

Ovarian cancer is a lethal type of cancer which is initiated in the ovaries and affects 1 out of every 75 women. Due to the high number of deaths (almost 152,000) related to this cancer, it seems that novel effiecient therapeutic methods are required in this field. Beta-glucans are a type of glucose linear polymers which have proven to have a lot of advantageous activities. Recently, investigations have declared that these polysaccharides have the potential to be used as anti-cancer drugs. These agents are able to affect several mechanisms such as inflammation and apoptosis and that is how cancers are prone to be affected by them. In this review, we attempt to investigate the role of beta-glucans on ovarian cancer. We hope that this paper might give novel insights in the field of ovarian cancer treatment.

The Complement System in Ovarian Cancer: An Underexplored Old Path

Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynecological cancers. Current therapeutic strategies allow temporary control of the disease, but most patients develop resistance to treatment. Moreover, although successful in a range of solid tumors, immunotherapy has yielded only modest results in ovarian cancer. Emerging evidence underscores the relevance of the components of innate and adaptive immunity in ovarian cancer progression and response to treatment. Particularly, over the last decade, the complement system, a pillar of innate immunity, has emerged as a major regulator of the tumor microenvironment in cancer immunity. Tumor-associated complement activation may support chronic inflammation, promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment, induce angiogenesis, and activate cancer-related signaling pathways. Recent insights suggest an important role of complement effectors, such as C1q or anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, and their receptors C3aR and C5aR1 in ovarian cancer progression. Nevertheless, the implication of these factors in different clinical contexts is still poorly understood. Detailed knowledge of the interplay between ovarian cancer cells and complement is required to develop new immunotherapy combinations and biomarkers. In this context, we discuss the possibility of targeting complement to overcome some of the hurdles encountered in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Prognostic implications of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes for recurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer

The recurrence of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is largely attributed to tumour cells escaping from the surveillance of immune cells. However, to date there is a lack of studies that have systematically evaluated the associations between the infiltration fraction of immune cells and the recurrence risk of EOC. Based on the micro-ribonucleic acid (microRNA) expression profiles of 441 EOC patients, we constructed a microRNA-based panel with recurrence prediction potential using non-negative matrix factorization consensus clustering. Then, we evaluated the association between recurrence risk and infiltration proportions among 10 immune cell types by CIBERSORT and a multivariable Cox regression model. As a result, we identified a 72-microRNA-based panel that could stratify patients into high and low risk of recurrence. The infiltration of plasma cells and M1 macrophages was consistently significantly associated with the risk of recurrence in patients with EOC. Plasma cells were significantly associated with a decreased risk of relapse [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.58, p = 0.006), while M1 macrophages were associated with an increased risk of relapse (HR = 1.59, p = 0.003). Therefore, the 72-microRNA-based panel, M1 macrophages and plasma cells may hold potential to serve as recurrence predictors of EOC patients in clinical practice.

Macrophage Polarization States in the Tumor Microenvironment

The M1/M2 macrophage paradigm plays a key role in tumor progression. M1 macrophages are historically regarded as anti-tumor, while M2-polarized macrophages, commonly deemed tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), are contributors to many pro-tumorigenic outcomes in cancer through angiogenic and lymphangiogenic regulation, immune suppression, hypoxia induction, tumor cell proliferation, and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) can influence macrophage recruitment and polarization, giving way to these pro-tumorigenic outcomes. Investigating TME-induced macrophage polarization is critical for further understanding of TAM-related pro-tumor outcomes and potential development of new therapeutic approaches. This review explores the current understanding of TME-induced macrophage polarization and the role of M2-polarized macrophages in promoting tumor progression.

CC Chemokine Ligand 7 Derived from Cancer-Stimulated Macrophages Promotes Ovarian Cancer Cell Invasion

In the tumor microenvironment, macrophages have been suggested to be stimulated by tumor cells, becoming tumor-associated macrophages that promote cancer development and progression. We examined the effect of these macrophages on human ovarian cancer cell invasion and found that conditioned medium of macrophages stimulated by ovarian cancer cells (OC-MQs) significantly increased cell invasion. CC chemokine ligand 7 (CCL7) expression and production were significantly higher in OC-MQs than in the control macrophages. Peritoneal macrophages from patients with ovarian cancer showed higher CCL7 expression levels than those from healthy controls. Inhibition of CCL7 using siRNA and neutralizing antibodies reduced the OC-MQ-CM-induced ovarian cancer cell invasion. CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) was highly expressed in human ovarian cancer cells, and a specific inhibitor of this receptor reduced the OC-MQ-CM-induced invasion. Specific signaling and transcription factors were associated with enhanced CCL7 expression in OC-MQs. CCL7-induced invasion required the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 via activation of extracellular signal-related kinase signaling in human ovarian cancer cells. These data suggest that tumor-associated macrophages can affect human ovarian cancer metastasis via the CCL7/CCR3 axis.

Tumor microenvironment remodeling-based penetration strategies to amplify nanodrug accessibility to tumor parenchyma

Remarkable advances in nano delivery systems have provided new hope for tumor prevention, diagnosis and treatment. However, only limited clinical therapeutic effects against solid tumors were achieved. One of the main reasons is the presence of abundant physiological and pathological barriers in vivo that impair tumoral penetration and distribution of the nanodrugs. These barriers are related to the components of tumor microenvironment (TME) including abnormal tumor vasculature, rich composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and abundant stroma cells. Herein, we review the advanced strategies of TME remodeling to overcome these biological obstacles against nanodrug delivery. This review aims to offer a perspective guideline for the implementation of promising approaches to facilitate intratumoral permeation of nanodrugs through alleviation of biological barriers. At the same time, we analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the corresponding methods and put forward possible directions for the future researches.

HE4 Overexpression by Ovarian Cancer Promotes a Suppressive Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Enhanced Tumor and Macrophage PD-L1 Expression

Ovarian cancer is a highly fatal malignancy characterized by early chemotherapy responsiveness but the eventual development of resistance. Immune targeting therapies are changing treatment paradigms for numerous cancer types but have had minimal success in ovarian cancer. Through retrospective patient sample analysis, we have determined that high human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) production correlates with multiple markers of immune suppression in ovarian cancer, including lower CD8⁺ T cell infiltration, higher PD-L1 expression, and an increase in the peripheral monocyte to lymphocyte ratio. To further understand the impact that HE4 has on the immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer, we injected rats with syngeneic HE4 high- and low-expressing cancer cells and analyzed the differences in their tumor and ascites immune milieu. We found that high tumoral HE4 expression promotes an ascites cytokine profile that is rich in myeloid-recruiting and differentiation factors, with an influx of M2 macrophages and increased arginase 1 production. Additionally, CTL activation is significantly reduced in the ascites fluid, and there is a trend toward lower CTL infiltration of the tumor, whereas NK cell recruitment to the ascites and tumor is also reduced. PD-L1 expression by tumor cells and macrophages is increased by HE4 through a novel posttranscriptional mechanism. Our data have identified HE4 as a mediator of tumor-immune suppression in ovarian cancer, highlighting this molecule as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of this devastating disease.

Computational modeling of malignant ascites reveals CCL5-SDC4 interaction in the immune microenvironment of ovarian cancer

Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity is commonly found in advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients, which creates a specialized tumor microenvironment for cancer progression. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of ascites cells from five patients with ovarian cancer, we identified seven cell types, including heterogeneous macrophages and ovarian cancer cells. We resolved a distinct polarization state of macrophages by MacSpectrum analysis and observed subtype-specific enrichment of pathways associated with their functions. The communication between immune and cancer cells was predicted through a putative ligand-receptor pair analysis using NicheNet. We found that CCL5, a chemotactic ligand, is enriched in immune cells (T cells and NK cells) and mediates ovarian cancer cell survival in the ascites, possibly through SDC4. Moreover, SDC4 expression correlated with poor overall survival in ovarian cancer patients. Our study highlights the potential role of T cells and NK cells in long-term survival patients with ovarian cancer, indicating SDC4 as a potential prognostic marker in ovarian cancer patients.

Targeting the tumour microenvironment in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer typically presents at an advanced stage, and although the majority of cases initially respond well to platinum-based therapies, chemoresistance almost always occurs leading to a poor long-term prognosis. While various cellular autonomous mechanisms contribute to intrinsic or acquired platinum resistance, the tumour microenvironment (TME) plays a central role in resistance to therapy and disease progression by providing cancer stem cell niches, promoting tumour cell metabolic reprogramming, reducing chemotherapy drug perfusion and promoting an immunosuppressive environment. As such, the TME is an attractive therapeutic target which has been the focus of intense research in recent years. This review provides an overview of the unique ovarian cancer TME and its role in disease progression and therapy resistance, highlighting some of the latest preclinical and clinical data on TME-targeted therapies. In particular, it focuses on strategies targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumour-associated macrophages, cancer stem cells and cancer cell metabolic vulnerabilities.

Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Human Breast, Colorectal, Lung, Ovarian and Prostate Cancers

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are major innate immune cells that constitute up to 50% of the cell mass of human tumors. TAMs are highly heterogeneous cells that originate from resident tissue-specific macrophages and from newly recruited monocytes. TAMs’ variability strongly depends on cancer type, stage, and intratumor heterogeneity. Majority of TAMs are programmed by tumor microenvironment to support primary tumor growth and metastatic spread. However, TAMs can also restrict tumor growth and metastasis. In this review, we summarized the knowledge about the role of TAMs in tumor growth, metastasis and in the response to cancer therapy in patients with five aggressive types of cancer: breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian, and prostate cancers that are frequently metastasize into distant organs resulting in high mortality of the patients. Two major TAM parameters are applied for the evaluation of TAM correlation with the cancer progression: total amount of TAMs and specific phenotype of TAMs identified by functional biomarkers. We summarized the data generated in the wide range of international patient cohorts on the correlation of TAMs with clinical and pathological parameters of tumor progression including lymphatic and hematogenous metastasis, recurrence, survival, therapy efficiency. We described currently available biomarkers for TAMs that can be measured in patients’ samples (tumor tissue and blood). CD68 is the major biomarker for the quantification of total TAM amounts, while transmembrane receptors (stabilin-1, CD163, CD206, CD204, MARCO) and secreted chitinase-like proteins (YKL-39, YKL-40) are used as biomarkers for the functional TAM polarization. We also considered that specific role of TAMs in tumor progression can depend on the localization in the intratumoral compartments. We have made the conclusion for the role of TAMs in primary tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy sensitivity for breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian, and prostate cancers. In contrast to other cancer types, majority of clinical studies indicate that TAMs in colorectal cancer have protective role for the patient and interfere with primary tumor growth and metastasis. The accumulated data are essential for using TAMs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets to develop cancer-specific immunotherapy and to design efficient combinations of traditional therapy and new immunomodulatory approaches.

The role of caspase-8 in the tumor microenvironment of ovarian cancer

Caspase-8 is an aspartate-specific cysteine protease, which is best known for its apoptotic functions. Caspase-8 is placed at central nodes of multiple signal pathways, regulating not only the cell cycle but also the invasive and metastatic cell behavior, the immune cell homeostasis and cytokine production, which are the two major components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Ovarian cancer often has dysregulated caspase-8 expression, leading to imbalance between its apoptotic and non-apoptotic functions within the tumor and the surrounding milieu. The downregulation of caspase-8 in ovarian cancer seems to be linked to high aggressiveness with chronic inflammation, immunoediting, and immune resistance. Caspase-8 plays therefore an essential role not only in the primary tumor cells but also in the TME by regulating the immune response, B and T lymphocyte activation, and macrophage differentiation and polarization. The switch between M1 and M2 macrophages is possibly associated with changes in the caspase-8 expression. In this review, we are discussing the non-apoptotic functions of caspase-8, highlighting this protein as a modulator of the immune response and the cytokine composition in the TME. Considering the low survival rate among ovarian cancer patients, it is urgently necessary to develop new therapeutic strategies to optimize the response to the standard treatment. The TME is highly heterogenous and provides a variety of opportunities for new drug targets. Given the variety of roles of caspase-8 in the TME, we should focus on this protein in the development of new therapeutic strategies against the TME of ovarian cancer.

Increased canonical NF-kappaB signaling specifically in macrophages is sufficient to limit tumor progression in syngeneic murine models of ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

New treatment options for ovarian cancer are urgently required. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an attractive target for therapy; repolarizing TAMs from M2 (pro-tumor) to M1 (anti-tumor) phenotypes represents an important therapeutic goal. We have previously shown that upregulated NF-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling in macrophages promotes M1 polarization, but effects in the context of ovarian cancer are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of increasing macrophage NF-κB activity in immunocompetent mouse models of ovarian cancer.

METHODS

We have generated a transgenic mouse model, termed IKFM, which allows doxycycline-inducible overexpression of a constitutively active form of IKK2 (cIKK2) specifically within macrophages. The IKFM model was used to evaluate effects of increasing macrophage NF-κB activity in syngeneic murine TBR5 and ID8-Luc models of ovarian cancer in two temporal windows: 1) in established tumors, and 2) during tumor implantation and early tumor growth. Tumor weight, ascites volume, ascites supernatant and cells, and solid tumor were collected at sacrifice. Populations of macrophages and T cells within solid tumor and/or ascites were analyzed by immunofluorescent staining and qPCR, and soluble factors in ascitic fluid were analyzed by ELISA. Comparisons of control versus IKFM groups were performed by 2-tailed Mann-Whitney test, and a P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Increased expression of the cIKK2 transgene in TAMs from IKFM mice was confirmed at the mRNA and protein levels. Tumors from IKFM mice, regardless of the timing of doxycycline (dox) administration, demonstrated greater necrosis and immune infiltration than control tumors. Analysis of IKFM ascites and tumors showed sustained shifts in macrophage populations away from the M2 and towards the anti-tumor M1 phenotype. There were also increased tumor-infiltrating CD3⁺/CD8⁺ T cells in IKFM mice, accompanied by higher levels of CXCL9, a T cell activating factor secreted by macrophages, in IKFM ascitic fluid.

CONCLUSIONS

In syngeneic ovarian cancer models, increased canonical NF-κB signaling in macrophages promoted anti-tumor TAM phenotypes and increased cytotoxic T cell infiltration, which was sufficient to limit tumor progression. This may present a novel translational approach for ovarian cancer treatment, with the potential to increase responses to T cell-directed therapy in future studies.

Impact of anatomic site on antigen-presenting cells in cancer

Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy (CBT) can induce long-term clinical benefits in patients with advanced cancer; however, response rates to CBT vary by cancer type. Cancers of the skin, lung, and kidney are largely responsive to CBT, while cancers of the pancreas, ovary, breast, and metastatic lesions to the liver respond poorly. The impact of tissue-resident immune cells on antitumor immunity is an emerging area of investigation. Recent evidence indicates that antitumor immune responses and efficacy of CBT depend on the tissue site of the tumor lesion. As myeloid cells are predominantly tissue-resident and can shape tumor-reactive T cell responses, it is conceivable that tissue-specific differences in their function underlie the tissue-site-dependent variability in CBT responses. Understanding the roles of tissue-specific myeloid cells in antitumor immunity can open new avenues for treatment design. In this review, we discuss the roles of tissue-specific antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in governing antitumor immune responses, with a particular focus on the contributions of tissue-specific dendritic cells. Using the framework of the Cancer-Immunity Cycle, we examine the contributions of tissue-specific APC in CBT-sensitive and CBT-resistant carcinomas, highlight how these cells can be therapeutically modulated, and identify gaps in knowledge that remain to be addressed.

A targeting black phosphorus nanoparticle based immune cells nano-regulator for photodynamic/photothermal and photo-immunotherapy

Photo-immunotherapy is a novel therapeutic approach against malignant tumors with minimal invasiveness. Herein, a targeting multifunctional black phosphorus (BP) nanoparticle, modified by PEGylated hyaluronic acid (HA), was designed for photothermal/photodynamic/photo-immunotherapy. In vitro and in vivo assays indicated that HA-BP nanoparticles possess excellent biocompatibility, stability, and sufficient therapeutic efficacy in the combined therapy of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer therapy. Moreover, the results of in vitro showed that HA-BP down-regulated the expression of CD206 (M2 macrophage marker) by 42.3% and up-regulated the ratio of CD86（M1 macrophage marker）by 59.6%, indicating that HA-BP nanoparticles have functions in remodeling tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) phenotype (from pro-tumor M2 TAMs to anti-tumor M1 macrophages). Fluorescence (FL) and photoacoustic (PA) multimodal imaging confirmed the selective accumulation of HA-BP in tumor site via both CD44⁺ mediated active targeting and passive EPR effect. In vitro and in vivo studies suggested that the combined therapy of PDT, PTT and immunotherapy using HA-BP could not only significantly inhibit original tumor but also induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and release Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which could induce maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) and activate effector cells that robustly evoke the antitumor immune responses for cancer treatment. This study expands the biomedical application of BP nanoparticles and displays the potential of modified BP as a multifunctional therapeutic platform for the future cancer therapy.

•

Novel HA-BP NPs were synthesized for photothermal/photodynamic/photo-immunotherapy.

•

HA-BP NPs with size around 50 nm possess remarkable enhancement of tumor targeting and accumulation ability.

•

HA-BP NPs could promote M2 to M1 macrophage polarization and further enhance invasion of activated CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells.

Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer: Function and Therapeutic Strategy

Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death in patients with gynecological malignancy. Despite optimal cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, ovarian cancer disseminates and relapses frequently, with poor prognosis. Hence, it is urgent to find new targeted therapies for ovarian cancer. Recently, the tumor microenvironment has been reported to play a vital role in the tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer, especially with discoveries from genome-, transcriptome- and proteome-wide studies; thus tumor microenvironment may present potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. Here, we review the interactions between the tumor microenvironment and ovarian cancer and various therapies targeting the tumor environment.

Metabolic reprograming of tumor-associated macrophages

A large body of scientific evidence corroborated by clinical and animal model experiments indicates that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a crucial role in tumor development and progression. TAMs are a key immune cell type present in tumor microenvironment (TME) and associated with poor prognosis, drug resistance, enhanced angiogenesis and metastasis in cancer. TAMs are a phenotypically diverse population of myeloid cells which display tremendous plasticity and dynamic metabolic nature. A complete interpretation of pro-tumoral and anti-tumoral metabolic switch in TAMs is essential to understand immune evasion mechanisms in cancer. Recent studies have also implicated epigenetic mechanisms as significantly regulators of TAM functions. In this review we provide an overview of metabolic circuitry in TAMs, its impact on immune effector cells and interventions aimed at rewiring the metabolic circuits in TAMs. Mechanisms responsible for TAM polarization in cancer are also discussed.

Integrated Analysis of Prognostic and Immune Associated Integrin Family in Ovarian Cancer

Human integrin receptors are important for cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion in normal epithelial cells. Emerging evidences have indicated integrin members are involved in cancer development and progression as well. However, the expression patterns and clinical significance of the whole integrin family in ovarian cancer (OC) have not yet been well understood. In the present study, we utilized the public datasets including GEPIA, GEO, ONCOMINE, cBioPortal, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, TIMER databases, to analyze the expression and prognostic value of integrin members in OC. We found ITGA3/B4/B6/B7/B8 were abnormally overexpressed in OC; ITGA6 was good prognosis predictor in OC; ITGA3/ B4/B8 were poor prognosis predictor specially in advanced OC patients; elevated ITGA3/B4 might promote metastasis and elevated ITGA3/B8 might promote platinum resistance of OC; ITGA3 and ITGB4 might synergistically or independently regulate cell adhesion and proliferation; ITGA4/AL/AM/AX/B2/B7 showed strong correlations with various tumor immune infiltrates (TILs), especially with pro-tumor immunes cell types like monocyte, M2 macrophage and exhaustion T cells infiltration; ITGAL/AM/B2/B7 and residing memory CD8+ T cells marker ITGAE were specially associated with early OC patients outcome. Our results implied that ITGA3/B4 were important prognostic markers of advanced OC, ITGAL/AM/ B2/B7 were immune associated prognosis markers of early OC, together they might render important therapeutic targets for OC.

SnapShot: TP53 status and macrophages infiltration in TCGA-analyzed tumors

The infiltration of immune cells is a hallmark of most forms of malignancy. It is well known that in Tumor Microenvironment (TME), monocytes undergo reprogramming process to differentiate into Tumor Associated Macrophages (TAMs) (M2 macrophages). Interestingly, this reprogramming process depends on signals provided by tumors. Hence, tumors from several tissues are infiltrated by functionally distinct TAMs populations. Tumor Protein p53(TP53) plays a role in the regulation or progression of DNA damage and repair through multiple mechanisms of the cell cycle, apoptosis, and genomic stability. Although, TP53 acts as a physiological break for M2 macrophages polarization; the potential regulatory function of TP53 in the infiltration of macrophages is still unknown. We used the Cancer Genomic Atlas (TCGA) clinical data from 10,009 samples across 30 types of cancer via the Tumor IMmune Estimation Tool (TIMER) (https://cistrome.shinyapps.io/timer/) to investigate whether TP53 status has an important clinical outcome on macrophages infiltration in different cancer types. Our analysis of TCGA showed that Ovarian Serous Cystadenocarcinoma (OV) patients with mutant TP53 had significantly higher macrophages infiltration than those with wild-type TP53 (P-value < 0.05) and poor prognosis associated. In contrast, Stomach Adenocarcinoma (STAD) patients with wild-type TP53 had considerably higher macrophages infiltration than those with mutant TP53 (P-value < 0.01) and poor clinical outcomes. Herein, our study sheds light on the novel clinical role of TP53 in macrophages infiltration in TME of OV and STAD patients. Furthermore, the modulation of TP53 and its co-regulators may serve as promising targets for OV and STAD patients.

Advances in Anti-Cancer Immunotherapy: Car-T Cell, Checkpoint Inhibitors, Dendritic Cell Vaccines, and Oncolytic Viruses, and Emerging Cellular and Molecular Targets

Unlike traditional cancer therapies, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy that are typically non-specific, cancer immunotherapy harnesses the high specificity of a patient’s own immune system to selectively kill cancer cells. The immune system is the body’s main cancer surveillance system, but cancers may evade destruction thanks to various immune-suppressing mechanisms. We therefore need to deploy various immunotherapy-based strategies to help bolster the anti-tumour immune responses. These include engineering T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to specifically recognise tumour neoantigens, inactivating immune checkpoints, oncolytic viruses and dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, which have all shown clinical benefit in certain cancers. However, treatment efficacy remains poor due to drug-induced adverse events and immunosuppressive tendencies of the tumour microenvironment. Recent preclinical studies have unveiled novel therapies such as anti-cathepsin antibodies, galectin-1 blockade and anti-OX40 agonistic antibodies, which may be utilised as adjuvant therapies to modulate the tumour microenvironment and permit more ferocious anti-tumour immune response.

Preclinical and Clinical Immunotherapeutic Strategies in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

In the past 20 years, the immune system has increasingly been recognized as a major player in tumor cell control, leading to considerable advances in cancer treatment. While promising with regards to melanoma, renal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, immunotherapy provides, for the time being, limited success in other cancers, including ovarian cancer, potentially due to insufficient immunogenicity or to a particularly immunosuppressive microenvironment. In this review, we provide a global description of the immune context of ovarian cancer, in particular epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We describe the adaptive and innate components involved in the EOC immune response, including infiltrating tumor-specific T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and natural killer and myeloid cells. In addition, we highlight the rationale behind the use of EOC preclinical mouse models to assess resistance to immunotherapy, and we summarize the main preclinical studies that yielded anti-EOC immunotherapeutic strategies. Finally, we focus on major published or ongoing immunotherapy clinical trials concerning EOC.

CCL2/CCR2 signaling in cancer pathogenesis

Chemokines are a family of small cytokines, which guide a variety of immune/inflammatory cells to the site of tumor in tumorigenesis. A dysregulated expression of chemokines is implicated in different types of cancer including prostate cancer. The progression and metastasis of prostate cancer involve a complex network of chemokines that regulate the recruitment and trafficking of immune cells. The chemokine CCL2 and its main receptor CCR2 have been receiving particular interest on their roles in cancer pathogenesis. The up-regulation of CCL2/CCR2 and varied immune conditions in prostate cancer, are associated with cancer advancement, metastasis, and relapse. Here we reviewed recent findings, which link CCL2/CCR2 to the inflammation and cancer pathogenesis, and discussed the therapeutic potential of CCL2/CCR2 axis in cancer treatment based on results from our group and other investigators, with a major focus on prostate cancer. Video Abstract.

The Role of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in the Progression and Chemoresistance of Ovarian Cancer

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute the main population of immune cells present in the ovarian tumor microenvironment. These cells are characterized by high plasticity and can be easily polarized by colony-stimulating factor-1, which is released by tumor cells, into an immunosuppressive M2-like phenotype. These cells are strongly implicated in both the progression and chemoresistance of ovarian cancer. The main pro-tumoral function of M2-like TAMs is the secretion of a variety of cytokines, chemokines, enzymes and exosomes that reach microRNAs, directly inducing the invasion potential and chemoresistance of ovarian cancer cells by triggering their pro-survival signaling pathways. The M2-like TAMs are also important players in the metastasis of ovarian cancer cells in the peritoneum through their assistance in spheroid formation and attachment of cancer cells to the metastatic area—the omentum. Moreover, TAMs interplay with other immune cells, such as lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells, to inhibit their responsiveness, resulting in the development of immunosuppression. The detrimental character of the M2-like type of TAMs in ovarian tumors has been confirmed by a number of studies, demonstrating the positive correlation between their high level in tumors and low overall survival of patients.

GATA3 as a master regulator for interactions of tumor-associated macrophages with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an immunosuppressive role in the tumor microenvironment and promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis in ovarian cancer. Therefore, targeting TAMs in patients with ovarian cancer is an appealing strategy; however, all trials to date have failed. To improve the efficacy of this approach, we sought to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the role of TAMs in ovarian cancer. We found that the developmental transcription factor GATA3 was highly expressed in HGSOC cell lines but not in the fallopian tube, which is the main origin of HGSOC. GATA3 expression was associated with poor prognosis in HGSOC patients (P < .05) and was found to promote proliferation and migration in HGSOC cell lines. GATA3 was released abundantly from TAM cells via exosomes and contributed to tumor growth in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, GATA3 acted as a regulator for macrophage polarization and interactions between TAMs and HGSOC to support proliferation, motility, and cisplatin chemoresistance in mutant TP53 HGSOC cell lines. Furthermore, GATA3 played a critical role in the interactions between TAMs and mutant TP53 HGSOC to promote angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition with epigenetic regulation. Targeting GATA3 using GATA3siRNA in TAMs impeded GATA3-driven proliferation, migration, cisplatin chemoresistance, and angiogenesis in mutant TP53 HGSOC cell lines. Our findings indicate that GATA3 plays a novel role in immunoediting of HGSOC and demonstrate that GATA3 may serve as a prognostic marker for HGSOC and a promising target in the treatment of HGSOC.

Host Wnt5a Potentiates Microenvironmental Regulation of Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

The noncanonical Wnt ligand Wnt5a is found in high concentrations in ascites of women with ovarian cancer. In this study, we elucidated the role of Wnt5a in ovarian cancer metastasis. Wnt5a promoted ovarian tumor cell adhesion to peritoneal mesothelial cells as well as migration and invasion, leading to colonization of peritoneal explants. Host components of the ovarian tumor microenvironment, notably peritoneal mesothelial cells and visceral adipose, secreted Wnt5a. Conditional knockout of host WNT5A significantly reduced peritoneal metastatic tumor burden. Tumors formed in WNT5A knockout mice had elevated cytotoxic T cells, increased M1 macrophages, and decreased M2 macrophages, indicating that host Wnt5a promotes an immunosuppressive microenvironment. The Src family kinase Fgr was identified as a downstream effector of Wnt5a. These results highlight a previously unreported role for host-expressed Wnt5a in ovarian cancer metastasis and suggest Fgr as a novel target for inhibition of ovarian cancer metastatic progression.Significance: This study establishes host-derived Wnt5a, expressed by peritoneal mesothelial cells and adipocytes, as a primary regulator of ovarian cancer intraperitoneal metastatic dissemination and identifies Fgr kinase as novel target for inhibition of metastasis.