1
|
Hu M, Tang B, Dai Y, Zhao X. Unveiling the regulatory mechanism of nimotuzumab on PD-L1 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients: Implications for enhanced anticancer treatment strategies. Cell Signal 2024; 121:111290. [PMID: 38977231 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The overexpression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is associated with resistance to anticancer therapies and poor prognosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Nimotuzumab, a humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mAb, has been widely used clinically for treating several solid tumors. However, whether its anticancer effect involves a reduction in PD-L1 expression remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects and underlying mechanism of nimotuzumab on PD-L1 expression in HNSCC both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, nimotuzumab inhibited IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 upregulation at both the transcriptional and protein levels in the HNSCC cell lines. Subsequent mechanism research revealed that nimotuzumab suppressed IFN-γ-stimulated PD-L1 upregulation mainly by inhibiting phosphorylation of EGFR/MEK/ERK pathway, which was further validated by MEK and ERK inhibitors. In a HNSCC tumor-bearing model, nimotuzumab significantly decreased PD-L1 expression during tumor progression or chemotherapy, and this reduction was accompanied by increased sensitivity of the tumor to docetaxel and atezolizumab. Additionally, nimotuzumab reversed PD-L1 upregulation when combined with Taxol + Cisplatin (TP) induction chemotherapy regimens and improved the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infiltration in HNSCC patients. These findings provide new insights into the anticancer mechanisms of nimotuzumab in HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minwan Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Department of National Institute for Drug Clinical Trial, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, PR China
| | - Borui Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Department of National Institute for Drug Clinical Trial, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, PR China
| | - Yuyang Dai
- Department of National Institute for Drug Clinical Trial, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, PR China
| | - Xiuli Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Department of National Institute for Drug Clinical Trial, Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Huang KCY, Ke TW, Lai CY, Hong WZ, Chang HY, Lee CY, Wu CH, Chiang SF, Liang JA, Chen JY, Yang PC, Chen WTL, Chuang EY, Chao KSC. Inhibition of DNMTs increases neoantigen-reactive T-cell toxicity against microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer in combination with radiotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:116958. [PMID: 38917760 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy is limited in the majority of colorectal cancer patients due to the low mutational and neoantigen burdens in this immunogenically "cold" microsatellite stability-colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC) cohort. Here, we showed that DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibition upregulated neoantigen-bearing gene expression in MSS-CRC, resulting in increased neoantigen presentation by MHC class I in tumor cells and leading to increased neoantigen-specific T-cell activation in combination with radiotherapy. The cytotoxicity of neoantigen-reactive T cells (NRTs) to DNMTi-treated cancer cells was highly cytotoxic, and these cells secreted high IFNγ levels targeting MSS-CRC cells after ex vivo expansion of NRTs with DNMTi-treated tumor antigens. Moreover, the therapeutic efficacy of NRTs further increased when NRTs were combined with radiotherapy in vivo. Administration of DNMTi-augmented NRTs and radiotherapy achieved an ∼50 % complete response and extended survival time in an immunocompetent MSS-CRC animal model. Moreover, remarkably, splenocytes from these mice exhibited neoantigen-specific T-cell responses, indicating that radiotherapy in combination with DNMTi-augmented NRTs prolonged and increased neoantigen-specific T-cell toxicity in MSS-CRC patients. In addition, these DNMTi-augmented NRTs markedly increase the therapeutic efficacy of cancer vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). These data suggest that a combination of radiotherapy and epi-immunotherapeutic agents improves the function of ex vivo-expanded neoantigen-reactive T cells and increases the tumor-specific cytotoxic effector population to enhance therapeutic efficacy in MSS-CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taiwan; Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ying Lai
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Center of Proton therapy and Science, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ze Hong
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Center of Proton therapy and Science, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Chang
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Center of Proton therapy and Science, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yueh Lee
- Innovation Frontier Institute of Research for Science and Technology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106344, Taiwan; Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106344, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsin Wu
- Center of Proton therapy and Science, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Centers of Genomic and Precision Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10055, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital, Taichung 42055, Taiwan
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jhen-Yu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taiwan; Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Center of Proton therapy and Science, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, Hsinchu 302, Taiwan
| | - Eric Y Chuang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - K S Clifford Chao
- Center of Proton therapy and Science, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang C, Zhao L, Lin Y, Wang S, Ye Y, Shen Z. Improving the efficiency of immune checkpoint inhibitors for metastatic pMMR/MSS colorectal cancer: Options and strategies. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 200:104204. [PMID: 37984588 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment and been extensively used for patients with metastastic colorectal cancer (mCRC), especially those harboring deficient mismatch repair/ microsatellite instability (dMMR/MSI). However, the majority of mCRC are classified as proficient mismatch repair/microsatellite stability(pMMR/MSS) type characterized by a cold immune microenvironment, rendering them generally unresponsive to ICIs. How to improve the efficacy of ICIs for these patients is an important issue to be solved. On the one hand, it is urgent to discover the predictive biomarkers and clinical characteristics associated with effectiveness and expand the subset of pMMR/MSS mCRC patients who benefit from ICIs. Additionally, combined strategies are being explored to modulate the immune microenvironment of pMMR/MSS CRC and facilitate the conversion of cold tumors into hot tumors. In this review, we have focused on the recent advancements in the predictive biomarkers and combination therapeutic strategies with ICIs for pMMR/MSS mCRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Changjiang Yang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Long Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Yilin Lin
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Yingjiang Ye
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Zhanlong Shen
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Laboratory of Surgical Oncology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Research, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee AV, Nestler KA, Chiappinelli KB. Therapeutic targeting of DNA methylation alterations in cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 258:108640. [PMID: 38570075 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a critical component of gene regulation and plays an important role in the development of cancer. Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes and silencing of DNA repair pathways facilitate uncontrolled cell growth and synergize with oncogenic mutations to perpetuate cancer phenotypes. Additionally, aberrant DNA methylation hinders immune responses crucial for antitumor immunity. Thus, inhibiting dysregulated DNA methylation is a promising cancer therapy. Pharmacologic inhibition of DNA methylation reactivates silenced tumor suppressors and bolster immune responses through induction of viral mimicry. Now, with the advent of immunotherapies and discovery of the immune-modulatory effects of DNA methylation inhibitors, there is great interest in understanding how targeting DNA methylation in combination with other therapies can enhance antitumor immunity. Here, we describe the role of aberrant DNA methylation in cancer and mechanisms by which it promotes tumorigenesis and modulates immune responses. Finally, we review the initial discoveries and ongoing efforts to target DNA methylation as a cancer therapeutic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail V Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kevin A Nestler
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Huang KCY, Chen WTL, Chen JY, Lee CY, Wu CH, Lai CY, Yang PC, Liang JA, Shiau AC, Chao KSC, Ke TW. Neoantigen-augmented iPSC cancer vaccine combined with radiotherapy promotes antitumor immunity in poorly immunogenic cancers. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:95. [PMID: 38821980 PMCID: PMC11143272 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00881-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Although irradiated induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a prophylactic cancer vaccine elicit an antitumor immune response, the therapeutic efficacy of iPSC-based cancer vaccines is not promising due to their insufficient antigenicity and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Here, we found that neoantigen-engineered iPSC cancer vaccines can trigger neoantigen-specific T cell responses to eradicate cancer cells and increase the therapeutic efficacy of RT in poorly immunogenic colorectal cancer (CRC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We generated neoantigen-augmented iPSCs (NA-iPSCs) by engineering AAV2 vector carrying murine neoantigens and evaluated their therapeutic efficacy in combination with radiotherapy. After administration of NA-iPSC cancer vaccine and radiotherapy, we found that ~60% of tumor-bearing mice achieved a complete response in microsatellite-stable CRC model. Furthermore, splenocytes from mice treated with NA-iPSC plus RT produced high levels of IFNγ secretion in response to neoantigens and had a greater cytotoxicity to cancer cells, suggesting that the NA-iPSC vaccine combined with radiotherapy elicited a superior neoantigen-specific T-cell response to eradicate cancer cells. The superior therapeutic efficacy of NA-iPSCs engineered by mouse TNBC neoantigens was also observed in the syngeneic immunocompetent TNBC mouse model. We found that the risk of spontaneous lung and liver metastasis was dramatically decreased by NA-iPSCs plus RT in the TNBC animal model. Altogether, these results indicated that autologous iPSC cancer vaccines engineered by neoantigens can elicit a high neoantigen-specific T-cell response, promote tumor regression, and reduce the risk of distant metastasis in combination with local radiotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan, ROC.
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC.
- Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, HsinChu, 302, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jia-Yi Chen
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chien-Yueh Lee
- Innovation Frontier Institute of Research for Science and Technology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, 106344, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, 106344, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Hsin Wu
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core, Centers of Genomic and Precision Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10055, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Ying Lai
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan, ROC
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan, ROC
| | - An-Cheng Shiau
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan, ROC
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC
| | - K S Clifford Chao
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404327, Taiwan, ROC.
- School of Chinese Medicine and Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan, ROC.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shen J, Guillén Mancina E, Chen S, Manolakou T, Gad H, Warpman Berglund U, Sanjiv K, Helleday T. Mitotic MTH1 inhibitor TH1579 induces PD-L1 expression and inflammatory response through the cGAS-STING pathway. Oncogenesis 2024; 13:17. [PMID: 38796460 PMCID: PMC11127983 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-024-00518-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The mitotic MTH1 inhibitor TH1579 is a dual inhibitor that inhibits mitosis and incorporation of oxidative DNA damage and leads to cancer-specific cell death. The response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment is often augmented by DNA damaging agents through the cGAS-STING pathway. This study investigates whether TH1579 can improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockades through its immunomodulatory properties. Various human and murine cancer cell lines were treated with mitotic MTH1i TH1579, and the expression of PD-L1 and T-cell infiltration-related chemokines was analysed by flow cytometry and real-time qPCR. Syngeneic mouse models were established to examine the combined effect of TH1579 and PD-L1 blockade. In our investigation, we found that TH1579 upregulates PD-L1 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels in human cancer cell lines. However, in murine cell lines, the increase was less pronounced. An in vivo experiment in a syngeneic mouse melanoma model showed that TH1579 treatment significantly increased the efficacy of atezolizumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, compared to vehicle or atezolizumab monotherapy. Furthermore, TH1579 exhibited immune-modulatory properties, elevating cytokines such as IFN-β and chemokines including CCL5 and CXCL10, in a cGAS-STING pathway-dependent manner. In conclusion, TH1579 has the potential to improve ICI treatment by modulating immune checkpoint-related proteins and pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianyu Shen
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emilio Guillén Mancina
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shenyu Chen
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Theodora Manolakou
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helge Gad
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Warpman Berglund
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Oxcia AB, Norrbackagatan 70C, 11334, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kumar Sanjiv
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Helleday
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, S10 2RX, Sheffield, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen JY, Lin PY, Hong WZ, Yang PC, Chiang SF, Chang HY, Ke TW, Liang JA, Chen WTL, Chao KSC, Huang KCY. Activation of STING by the novel liposomal TLC388 enhances the therapeutic response to anti-PD-1 antibodies in combination with radiotherapy. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:92. [PMID: 38564022 PMCID: PMC10987363 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03692-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Current immune checkpoint inhibiters (ICIs) have contrasting clinical results in poorly immunogenic cancers such as microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC). Therefore, understanding and developing the combinational therapeutics for ICI-unresponsive cancers is critical. Here, we demonstrated that the novel topoisomerase I inhibitor TLC388 can reshape the tumor immune landscape, corroborating their antitumor effects combined with radiotherapy as well as immunotherapy. We found that TLC388 significantly triggered cytosolic single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) accumulation for STING activation, leading to type I interferons (IFN-Is) production for increased cancer immunogenicity to enhance antitumor immunity. TLC388-treated tumors were infiltrated by a vast number of dendritic cells, immune cells, and costimulatory molecules, contributing to the favorable antitumor immune response within the tumor microenvironment. The infiltration of cytotoxic T and NK cells were more profoundly existed within tumors in combination with radiotherapy and ICIs, leading to superior therapeutic efficacy in poorly immunogenic MSS-CRC. Taken together, these results showed that the novel topoisomerase I inhibitor TLC388 increased cancer immunogenicity by ssDNA/STING-mediated IFN-I production, enhancing antitumor immunity for better therapeutic efficacy in combination with radiotherapy and ICIs for poorly immunogenic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jhen-Yu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Po-Yu Lin
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Wei-Ze Hong
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, 42055, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Chang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan R.O.C
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, HsinChu, 302, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - K S Clifford Chao
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan R.O.C..
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
| | - Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
- Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang F, Fu K, Wang Y, Pan C, Wang X, Liu Z, Yang C, Zheng Y, Li X, Lu Y, To KKW, Xia C, Zhang J, Shi Z, Hu Z, Huang M, Fu L. Small-molecule agents for cancer immunotherapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:905-952. [PMID: 38486980 PMCID: PMC10935485 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, exemplified by the remarkable clinical benefits of the immune checkpoint blockade and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, is revolutionizing cancer therapy. They induce long-term tumor regression and overall survival benefit in many types of cancer. With the advances in our knowledge about the tumor immune microenvironment, remarkable progress has been made in the development of small-molecule drugs for immunotherapy. Small molecules targeting PRR-associated pathways, immune checkpoints, oncogenic signaling, metabolic pathways, cytokine/chemokine signaling, and immune-related kinases have been extensively investigated. Monotherapy of small-molecule immunotherapeutic drugs and their combinations with other antitumor modalities are under active clinical investigations to overcome immune tolerance and circumvent immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance. Here, we review the latest development of small-molecule agents for cancer immunotherapy by targeting defined pathways and highlighting their progress in recent clinical investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Kai Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yujue Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Can Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xueping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Zeyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Chuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yu Lu
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Kenneth Kin Wah To
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Chenglai Xia
- Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Zhi Shi
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zeping Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ye C, Jiang N, Zheng J, Zhang S, Zhang J, Zhou J. Epigenetic therapy: Research progress of decitabine in the treatment of solid tumors. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189066. [PMID: 38163523 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Decitabine's early successful therapeutic outcomes in hematologic malignancies have led to regulatory approvals from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for addressing myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These approvals have sparked keen interest in exploring the potential of decitabine for treating solid tumors. Continuous preclinical and clinical trials have proved that low doses of decitabine also bring benefits in treating solid tumors, and various proposed mechanisms attempt to explain the potential efficacy. It is important to note that the application of decitabine in solid tumors is still considered investigational. This article reviews the application mechanism and current status of decitabine in the treatment of solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenlin Ye
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zheng
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shumeng Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingchen Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianya Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Thoracic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chen LC, Yang PC, Chen CY, Chiang SF, Chen TW, Chen WTL, Ke TW, Liang JA, Shiau A, Chao KSC, Huang KCY. Dual Inhibition of B7-H3 and EGFR Overcomes Acquired Chemoresistance in Colon Adenocarcinoma. J Cancer 2024; 15:1750-1761. [PMID: 38370387 PMCID: PMC10869969 DOI: 10.7150/jca.91089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in therapeutic strategies for colorectal cancer (CRC), CRC has a high disease incidence with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Notably, immunotherapy has shown limited efficacy in treating metastatic CRC, underscoring the need for alternative immunotherapeutic targets for the management of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In the present study, we evaluated the levels of the immune checkpoint proteins PD-L1, PD-L2 and B7-H3 in a large cohort retrospective study. We found that tumor B7-H3 (52.7%) was highly expressed in primary tumors compared to that in PD-L1 (33.6%) or PD-L2 (34.0%). Elevated B7-H3 expression was associated with advanced stage and the risk of distant metastasis and correlated with poor disease-free survival (DFS), suggesting that tumor B7-H3 was an independent prognostic factor associated with worse DFS in colon adenocarcinoma patients (COAD), especially high-risk COAD patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Furthermore, we found that B7-H3 significantly promoted cell proliferation and tumor growth in CRC. B7-H3 may stabilize EGFR to activate its downstream pathway for cancer cell proliferation and resistance to oxaliplatin (OXP). Dual targeting of B7-H3 and EGFR markedly rescued the susceptibility to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Overall, these results showed that B7-H3 exhibited a high prevalence in COAD patients and was significantly associated with worse prognosis in COAD patients. Dual targeting of B7-H3 and EGFR signaling might be a potential therapeutic strategy for high-risk COAD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Chi Chen
- Department of Pathology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Chen
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung 42055, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Wei Chen
- Department of Pathology, Asia University Hospital, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, HsinChu 302, Taiwan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - An‑Cheng Shiau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - K. S. Clifford Chao
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Huang KCY, Chiang SF, Lin PC, Hong WZ, Yang PC, Chang HP, Peng SL, Chen TW, Ke TW, Liang JA, Chen WTL, Chao KSC. TNFα modulates PANX1 activation to promote ATP release and enhance P2RX7-mediated antitumor immune responses after chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:24. [PMID: 38195677 PMCID: PMC10776587 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06408-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
ATP and its receptor P2RX7 exert a pivotal effect on antitumor immunity during chemotherapy-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD). Here, we demonstrated that TNFα-mediated PANX1 cleavage was essential for ATP release in response to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC). TNFα promoted PANX1 cleavage via a caspase 8/3-dependent pathway to enhance cancer cell immunogenicity, leading to dendritic cell maturation and T-cell activation. Blockade of the ATP receptor P2RX7 by the systemic administration of small molecules significantly attenuated the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy and decreased the infiltration of immune cells. In contrast, administration of an ATP mimic markedly increased the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy and enhanced the infiltration of immune cells in vivo. High PANX1 expression was positively correlated with the recruitment of DCs and T cells within the tumor microenvironment and was associated with favorable survival outcomes in CRC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Furthermore, a loss-of-function P2RX7 mutation was associated with reduced infiltration of CD8+ immune cells and poor survival outcomes in patients. Taken together, these results reveal that TNFα-mediated PANX1 cleavage promotes ATP-P2RX7 signaling and is a key determinant of chemotherapy-induced antitumor immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
- Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, 42055, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Chun Lin
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wei-Ze Hong
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hui-Ping Chang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shin-Lei Peng
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsung-Wei Chen
- Department of Pathology, Asia University Hospital, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- School of Chinese Medicine and Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, HsinChu, 302, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - K S Clifford Chao
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Nunes SP, Morales L, Rubio C, Munera-Maravilla E, Lodewijk I, Suárez-Cabrera C, Martínez VG, Pérez-Escavy M, Pérez-Crespo M, Alonso Sánchez M, Montesinos E, San José-Enériz E, Agirre X, Prósper F, Pineda-Lucena A, Henrique R, Dueñas M, Correia MP, Jerónimo C, Paramio JM. Modulation of tumor microenvironment by targeting histone acetylation in bladder cancer. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:1. [PMID: 38172127 PMCID: PMC10764810 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01786-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the epigenetic machinery in both tumor and immune cells contribute to bladder cancer (BC) development, constituting a promising target as an alternative therapeutic option. Here, we have explored the effects of a novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor CM-1758, alone or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in BC. We determined the antitumor effects of CM-1758 in various BC cell lines together with the induction of broad transcriptional changes, with focus on the epigenetic regulation of PD-L1. Using an immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model of metastatic BC, we studied the effects of CM-1758 alone or in combination with anti-PD-L1 not only on tumor cells, but also in the tumor microenvironment. In vitro, we found that CM-1758 has cytotoxic and cytostatic effects either by inducing apoptosis or cell cycle arrest in BC cells at low micromolar levels. PD-L1 is epigenetically regulated by histone acetylation marks and is induced after treatment with CM-1758. We also observed that treatment with CM-1758 led to an important delay in tumor growth and a higher CD8 + T cell tumor infiltration. Moreover, anti-PD-L1 alone or in combination with CM-1758 reprogramed macrophage differentiation towards a M1-like polarization state and increased of pro-inflammatory cytokines systemically, yielding potential further antitumor effects. Our results suggest the possibility of combining HDAC inhibitors with immunotherapies for the management of advanced metastatic BC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra P Nunes
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/CI-IPOP@RISE (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lucia Morales
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Rubio
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ester Munera-Maravilla
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iris Lodewijk
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristian Suárez-Cabrera
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Victor G Martínez
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Pérez-Escavy
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
| | - Miriam Pérez-Crespo
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Alonso Sánchez
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Montesinos
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
| | - Edurne San José-Enériz
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xabier Agirre
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Felipe Prósper
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
- Departmento de Hematología, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, and CCUN, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Antonio Pineda-Lucena
- Small-Molecule Discovery Platform, Molecular Therapeutics Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/CI-IPOP@RISE (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, ICBAS - School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Dueñas
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Margareta P Correia
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/CI-IPOP@RISE (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, ICBAS - School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/CI-IPOP@RISE (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, ICBAS - School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jesús M Paramio
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain.
- Biomedical Research Institute I+12, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yan L, Geng Q, Cao Z, Liu B, Li L, Lu P, Lin L, Wei L, Tan Y, He X, Li L, Zhao N, Lu C. Insights into DNMT1 and programmed cell death in diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115753. [PMID: 37871559 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
DNMT1 (DNA methyltransferase 1) is the predominant member of the DNMT family and the most abundant DNMT in various cell types. It functions as a maintenance DNMT and is involved in various diseases, including cancer and nervous system diseases. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental mechanism that regulates cell proliferation and maintains the development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. DNMT1 plays a regulatory role in various types of PCD, including apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and others. DNMT1 is closely associated with the development of various diseases by regulating key genes and pathways involved in PCD, including caspase 3/7 activities in apoptosis, Beclin 1, LC3, and some autophagy-related proteins in autophagy, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) in ferroptosis, and receptor-interacting protein kinase 1-receptor-interacting protein kinase 3-mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL) in necroptosis. Our study summarizes the regulatory relationship between DNMT1 and different types of PCD in various diseases and discusses the potential of DNMT1 as a common regulatory hub in multiple types of PCD, offering a perspective for therapeutic approaches in disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lan Yan
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Geng
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwen Cao
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peipei Lu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lini Wei
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Tan
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan He
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Huang KCY, Ke TW, Chen JY, Hong WZ, Chiang SF, Lai CY, Chen TW, Yang PC, Chen LC, Liang JA, Chen WTL, Chao KSC. Dysfunctional TLR1 reduces the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy by attenuating HMGB1-mediated antitumor immunity in locally advanced colorectal cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19440. [PMID: 37945630 PMCID: PMC10636035 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46254-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Regional lymph node metastasis is an important predictor for survival outcome and an indicator for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. Even with advances in adjuvant chemotherapeutic regimens, 5-year distant metastasis and survival rates are still unsatisfactory. Here, we evaluate the clinical significance of polymorphisms in receptors for HMGB1, which is the hallmark of chemotherapy-induced immunogenic cell death, in patients with stage II-III colon carcinoma (COAD). We found that high cytosolic HMGB1 is elicited in stage III COAD patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with the TLR1-N248S polymorphism (rs4833095), which causes loss-of-function in HMGB1-mediated TLR1-TLR2 signaling, may influence the therapeutic efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy, leading to a high risk of distant metastasis within 5 years [HR = 1.694, 95% CI = 1.063-2.698, p = 0.027], suggesting that TLR1-N248S is an independent prognostic factor for locally advanced colon carcinoma patients. We found that defective TLR1 impaired TLR1/2 signaling during dendritic cell (DC) maturation for the antitumor immune response under immunogenic chemotherapy oxaliplatin (OXP) treatment. Defective TLR1 on DCs impaired their maturation ability by HMGB1 and reduced the secretion of IFNγ from T cells to eradicate tumor cells in vitro. Moreover, systemic inhibition of TLR1/2 dramatically reduced the tumor-infiltrating immune cells by OXP treatment, leading to poor therapeutic response to OXP. In contrast, administration of a TLR1/2 agonist synergistically increased the benefit of OXP treatment and triggered a high density of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. We also observed that fewer tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes were located within the tumor microenvironment in patients bearing the TLR1-N248S polymorphism. Overall, our results suggest that dysfunctional TLR1 may reduce the therapeutic response to adjuvant chemotherapy by impairing HMGB1-mediated DC maturation and attenuating the antitumor immune response in locally advanced colon carcinoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Cancer Biology and Precision Therapeutics Center, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Chinese Medicine and Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jia-Yi Chen
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wei-Ze Hong
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, 42055, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Ying Lai
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsung-Wei Chen
- Department of Pathology, Asia University Hospital, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Liang-Chi Chen
- Department of Pathology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, HsinChu, 302, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - K S Clifford Chao
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lin Q, Wang X, Hu Y. The opportunities and challenges in immunotherapy: Insights from the regulation of PD-L1 in cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2023:216318. [PMID: 37454966 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive molecule programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is frequently upregulated in human cancers. Binding of PD-L1 to its receptor, programmed death-1 (PD-1), on activated T cells facilitates cancer cells to evade the host immune system. Antibody-based PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors can inhibit PD-1/PD-L1 interaction allowing reactivate cytotoxic T cells to eradicate advanced cancer cells. However, the majority of cancer patients fail to respond to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies and the molecular mechanisms for this remain poorly understood. Recent studies show that PD-L1 expression level on tumor cells affect the clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint therapies. Thus, furthering our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of PD-L1 expression in cancer cells will be critical to improve clinical response rates and the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 immune therapies. Here we review recent studies, primarily focusing on the mechanisms that regulate PD-L1 expression at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and protein level, with the purpose to drive the development of more targeted and effective anti-PD-1/PD-L1 cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Lin
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150001, China; Key Laboratory of Science and Engineering for the Multi-modal Prevention and Control of Major Chronic Diseases, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China
| | - Xingwen Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150001, China; Key Laboratory of Science and Engineering for the Multi-modal Prevention and Control of Major Chronic Diseases, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China
| | - Ying Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150001, China; Key Laboratory of Science and Engineering for the Multi-modal Prevention and Control of Major Chronic Diseases, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Parvini S, Majidpoor J, Mortezaee K. The impact of PD-L1 as a biomarker of cancer responses to combo anti-PD-1/CTLA-4. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 247:154583. [PMID: 37267723 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Combination therapy of solid tumors with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is a promising and rapidly evolving area of clinical research. Combo nivolumab-ipilimumab therapy has demonstrated potent efficacy in recent years, and PD-L1 expression profile has shown to play a key role in determining the most optimal immunotherapeutic regimen in advanced cancer patients. Here, the focus is over the impact of PD-L1 on combo nivolumab-ipilimumab in advanced solid cancer patients. Interpretations of this review indicate that patient responses to combo nivolumab-ipilimumab can be affected from different levels of PD-L1 expression states. A point required attention is the variations in responses among diverse cancer types or between different doses of the immunotherapy drugs. In general, higher rates of responses are seen with higher PD-L1 expression levels in many cancer types. This, however, is not coincided with survival of patients. Taken all into consideration, it could be asserted that considering PD-L1 as a solo biomarker may not be reliable for predicting clinical efficacy of combo nivolumab-ipilimumab. Thus, a search for other biomarkers or combination of PD-L1 with other factors may be considered for predicting patient responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sasan Parvini
- Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Shi X, Shu L, Wang M, Yao J, Yao Q, Bian S, Chen X, Wan J, Zhang F, Zheng S, Wang H. Triple-Combination Immunogenic Nanovesicles Reshape the Tumor Microenvironment to Potentiate Chemo-Immunotherapy in Preclinical Cancer Models. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2204890. [PMID: 37017572 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies have had a tremendous impact on cancer therapy. However, most patients harbor a poorly immunogenic tumor microenvironment (TME), presenting overwhelming de novo refractoriness to ICB inhibitors. To address these challenges, combinatorial regimens that employ chemotherapies and immunostimulatory agents are urgently needed. Here, a combination chemoimmunotherapeutic nanosystem consisting of a polymeric monoconjugated gemcitabine (GEM) prodrug nanoparticle decorated with an anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody (αPD-L1) on the surface and a stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist encapsulated inside is developed. Treatment with GEM nanoparticles upregulates PD-L1 expression in ICB-refractory tumors, resulting in augmented intratumor drug delivery in vivo and synergistic antitumor efficacy via activation of intratumor CD8+ T cell responses. Integration of a STING agonist into the αPD-L1-decorated GEM nanoparticles further improves response rates by transforming low-immunogenic tumors into inflamed tumors. Systemically administered triple-combination nanovesicles induce robust antitumor immunity, resulting in durable regression of established large tumors and a reduction in the metastatic burden, coincident with immunological memory against tumor rechallenge in multiple murine tumor models. These findings provide a design rationale for synchronizing STING agonists, PD-L1 antibodies, and chemotherapeutic prodrugs to generate a chemoimmunotherapeutic effect in treating ICB-nonresponsive tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P. R. China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250117, P. R. China
| | - Liwei Shu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Minwen Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310016, P. R. China
| | - Jie Yao
- The First Affiliated Hospital, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P. R. China
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
| | - Qigu Yao
- State Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, P. R. China
- National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Suchen Bian
- The First Affiliated Hospital, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Xiaona Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P. R. China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250117, P. R. China
| | - Jianqin Wan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P. R. China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250117, P. R. China
| | - Fu Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P. R. China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P. R. China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250117, P. R. China
| | - Hangxiang Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310003, P. R. China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250117, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Taib N, Merhi M, Inchakalody V, Mestiri S, Hydrose S, Makni-Maalej K, Raza A, Sahir F, Azizi F, Nizamuddin PB, Fernandes Q, Yoosuf ZSKM, Almoghrabi S, Al-Zaidan L, Shablak A, Uddin S, Maccalli C, Al Homsi MU, Dermime S. Treatment with decitabine induces the expression of stemness markers, PD-L1 and NY-ESO-1 in colorectal cancer: potential for combined chemoimmunotherapy. J Transl Med 2023; 21:235. [PMID: 37004094 PMCID: PMC10067322 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04073-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism of tumor immune escape and progression in colorectal cancer (CRC) is widely investigated in-vitro to help understand and identify agents that might play a crucial role in response to treatment and improve the overall survival of CRC patients. Several mechanisms of immune escape and tumor progression, including expression of stemness markers, inactivation of immunoregulatory genes by methylation, and epigenetic silencing, have been reported in CRC, indicating the potential of demethylating agents as anti-cancer drugs. Of these, a chemotherapeutic demethylating agent, Decitabine (DAC), has been reported to induce a dual effect on both DNA demethylation and histone changes leading to an increased expression of target biomarkers, thus making it an attractive anti-tumorigenic drug. METHODS We compared the effect of DAC in primary 1076 Col and metastatic 1872 Col cell lines isolated and generated from patients' tumor tissues. Both cell lines were treated with DAC, and the expression of the NY-ESO-1 cancer-testis antigen, the PD-L1 immunoinhibitory marker, and the CD44, Nanog, KLF-4, CD133, MSI-1 stemness markers were analyzed using different molecular and immunological assays. RESULTS DAC treatment significantly upregulated stemness markers in both primary 1076 Col and meta-static 1872 Col cell lines, although a lower effect occurred on the latter: CD44 (7.85 fold; ***p = 0.0001 vs. (4.19 fold; *p = 0.0120), Nanog (4.1 fold; ***p < 0.0001 vs.1.69 fold; ***p = 0.0008), KLF-4 (4.33 fold; ***p < 0.0001 vs.2.48 fold; ***p = 0.0005), CD133 (16.77 fold; ***p = 0.0003 vs.6.36 fold; *p = 0.0166), and MSI-1 (2.33 fold; ***p = 0.0003 vs.2.3 fold; ***p = 0.0004), respectively. Interestingly, in the metastatic 1872 Col cells treated with DAC, the expression of both PD-L1 and NY-ESO-1 was increased tenfold (*p = 0.0128) and fivefold (***p < 0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the upregulation of both stemness and immune checkpoint markers by DAC treatment on CRC cells might represent a mechanism of immune evasion. In addition, induction of NY-ESO-1 may represent an immuno-therapeutic option in metastatic CRC patients. Finally, the combination of DAC and anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 antibodies treatment should represent a potential therapeutic intervention for this group of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nassiba Taib
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Varghese Inchakalody
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sarra Mestiri
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shereena Hydrose
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Karama Makni-Maalej
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Afsheen Raza
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fairooz Sahir
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fouad Azizi
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Parveen B Nizamuddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Queenie Fernandes
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zeenath Safira K M Yoosuf
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Salam Almoghrabi
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Lobna Al-Zaidan
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Alaaeldin Shablak
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Cristina Maccalli
- Laboratory of Immune and Biological Therapy, Human Immunology Department, Research Branch, Sidra Medicine, 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Said Dermime
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar.
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 2030, Doha, Qatar.
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, 34110, Doha, Qatar.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lin YS, Chiang SF, Chen CY, Hong WZ, Chen TW, Chen WTL, Ke TW, Yang PC, Liang JA, Shiau AC, Chao KSC, Huang KCY. Targeting CD73 increases therapeutic response to immunogenic chemotherapy by promoting dendritic cell maturation. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023:10.1007/s00262-023-03416-4. [PMID: 36881132 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03416-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The CD39-CD73-adenosinergic pathway converts adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to adenosine for inhibiting anti-tumor immune responses. Therefore, targeting CD73 to reinvigorate anti-tumor immunity is considered the novel cancer immunotherapy to eradicate tumor cells. To fully understand the critical role of CD39/CD73 in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), this study aims to comprehensive investigate the prognostic significance of CD39 and CD73 in stage I-IV COAD. Our data demonstrated that CD73 staining strongly marked malignant epithelial cells and CD39 was highly expressed in stromal cells. Attractively, tumor CD73 expression was significantly associated with tumor stage and the risk of distant metastasis, which suggested CD73 was as an independent factor for colon adenocarcinoma patients in univariate COX analysis [HR = 1.465, 95%CI = 1.084-1.978, p = 0.013]; however, high stromal CD39 in COAD patients was more likely to have favorable survival outcome [HR = 1.458, p = 1.103-1.927, p = 0.008]. Notably, high CD73 expression in COAD patients showed poor response to adjuvant chemotherapy and high risk of distant metastasis. High CD73 expression was inversely associated with less infiltration of CD45+ and CD8+ immune cells. However, administration with anti-CD73 antibodies significantly increased the response to oxaliplatin (OXP). Blockade of CD73 signaling synergistically enhanced OXP-induced ATP release, which is a marker of immunogenic cell death (ICD), promotes dendritic cell maturation and immune cell infiltration. Moreover, the risk of colorectal cancer lung metastasis was also decreased. Taken together, the present study revealed tumor CD73 expression inhibited the recruitment of immune cells and correlated with a poor prognosis in COAD patients, especially patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Targeting CD73 to markedly increased the therapeutic response to chemotherapy and inhibited lung metastasis. Therefore, tumor CD73 may be an independent prognostic factor as well as the potential of therapeutic target for immunotherapy to benefit colon adenocarcinoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Shan Lin
- Department of Pathology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, 42055, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Yi Chen
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wei-Ze Hong
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tsung-Wei Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Pathology, Asia University Hospital, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan, ROC
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, HsinChu, 302, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - An-Cheng Shiau
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - K S Clifford Chao
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan, ROC.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Costa PMDS, Sales SLA, Pinheiro DP, Pontes LQ, Maranhão SS, Pessoa CDÓ, Furtado GP, Furtado CLM. Epigenetic reprogramming in cancer: From diagnosis to treatment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1116805. [PMID: 36866275 PMCID: PMC9974167 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1116805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Disruption of the epigenetic program of gene expression is a hallmark of cancer that initiates and propagates tumorigenesis. Altered DNA methylation, histone modifications and ncRNAs expression are a feature of cancer cells. The dynamic epigenetic changes during oncogenic transformation are related to tumor heterogeneity, unlimited self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation. This stem cell-like state or the aberrant reprogramming of cancer stem cells is the major challenge in treatment and drug resistance. Given the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications, the ability to restore the cancer epigenome through the inhibition of the epigenetic modifiers is a promising therapy for cancer treatment, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer therapies, including immunotherapies. Herein, we highlighted the main epigenetic alterations, their potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis and the epigenetic therapies approved for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Mikael da Silva Costa
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil,Postgraduation Program in Biotechnology Northeastern Network of Biotechnology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Sarah Leyenne Alves Sales
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil,Postgraduation Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | - Larissa Queiroz Pontes
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ-Ceará, Sector of Biotechnology, Eusebio, Ceará, Brazil,Postgraduation Program in Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Sarah Sant’Anna Maranhão
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Claudia do Ó. Pessoa
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Drug Research and Development Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil,Postgraduation Program in Biotechnology Northeastern Network of Biotechnology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil,Postgraduation Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Gilvan Pessoa Furtado
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ-Ceará, Sector of Biotechnology, Eusebio, Ceará, Brazil,Postgraduation Program in Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Cristiana Libardi Miranda Furtado
- Drug Research and Development Center, Postgraduate Program in Translational Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil,Experimental Biology Center, University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil,*Correspondence: Cristiana Libardi Miranda Furtado,
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Benelli R, Zocchi MR, Poggi A. Immune Checkpoint Receptor/Ligand Expression and Chemotherapy in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030914. [PMID: 36765872 PMCID: PMC9913607 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint (IC) molecules act as receptors, expressed on immune effector cells, that are able to recognize specific ligands in normal or tumor cells [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Benelli
- SSD Oncologia Molecolare e Angiogenesi, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Zocchi
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, Ospedale San Raffaele, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Poggi
- SSD Oncologia Molecolare e Angiogenesi, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Walker RR, Rentia Z, Chiappinelli KB. Epigenetically programmed resistance to chemo- and immuno-therapies. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:41-71. [PMID: 36990538 PMCID: PMC10184181 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to cancer treatments remains a major barrier in developing cancer cures. While promising combination chemotherapy treatments and novel immunotherapies have improved patient outcomes, resistance to these treatments remains poorly understood. New insights into the dysregulation of the epigenome show how it promotes tumor growth and resistance to therapy. By altering control of gene expression, tumor cells can evade immune cell recognition, ignore apoptotic cues, and reverse DNA damage induced by chemotherapies. In this chapter, we summarize the data on epigenetic remodeling during cancer progression and treatment that enable cancer cell survival and describe how these epigenetic changes are being targeted clinically to overcome resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reddick R Walker
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zainab Rentia
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- The George Washington University Cancer Center (GWCC), Washington, DC, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Aru B, Pehlivanoğlu C, Dal Z, Dereli-Çalışkan NN, Gürlü E, Yanıkkaya-Demirel G. A potential area of use for immune checkpoint inhibitors: Targeting bone marrow microenvironment in acute myeloid leukemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1108200. [PMID: 36742324 PMCID: PMC9895857 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1108200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) arises from the cells of myeloid lineage and is the most frequent leukemia type in adulthood accounting for about 80% of all cases. The most common treatment strategy for the treatment of AML includes chemotherapy, in rare cases radiotherapy and stem cell and bone marrow transplantation are considered. Immune checkpoint proteins involve in the negative regulation of immune cells, leading to an escape from immune surveillance, in turn, causing failure of tumor cell elimination. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) target the negative regulation of the immune cells and support the immune system in terms of anti-tumor immunity. Bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) bears various blood cell lineages and the interactions between these lineages and the noncellular components of BMM are considered important for AML development and progression. Administration of ICIs for the AML treatment may be a promising option by regulating BMM. In this review, we summarize the current treatment options in AML treatment and discuss the possible application of ICIs in AML treatment from the perspective of the regulation of BMM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Başak Aru
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Cemil Pehlivanoğlu
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Zeynep Dal
- School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Ege Gürlü
- School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Gülderen Yanıkkaya-Demirel
- Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye,*Correspondence: Gülderen Yanıkkaya-Demirel,
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Li M, Zhang D. DNA methyltransferase-1 in acute myeloid leukaemia: beyond the maintenance of DNA methylation. Ann Med 2022; 54:2011-2023. [PMID: 35838271 PMCID: PMC9291682 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2099578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is considered an essential epigenetic event during leukaemogenesis and the emergence of drug resistance, which is primarily regulated by DNA methyltransferases. DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) is one of the members of DNA methyltransferases, in charge of maintaining established methylation. Recently, DNMT1 is shown to promote malignant events of cancers through the epigenetic and non-epigenetic processes. Increasing studies in solid tumours have identified DNMT1 as a therapeutic target and a regulator of therapy resistance; however, it is unclear whether DNMT1 is a critical regulator in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and how it works. In this review, we summarized the recent understanding of DNMT1 in normal haematopoiesis and AML and discussed the possible functions of DNMT1 in promoting the development of AML and predicting the sensitivity of hypomethylation agents to better understand the relationship between DNMT1 and AML and to look for new hope to treat AML patients.Key messagesThe function of DNA methyltransferase-1 in acute myeloid leukaemia.DNA methyltransferase-1 predicts the sensitivity of drug and involves the emergence of drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Li
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| | - Donghua Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Alexandraki A, Strati K. Decitabine Treatment Induces a Viral Mimicry Response in Cervical Cancer Cells and Further Sensitizes Cells to Chemotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214042. [PMID: 36430521 PMCID: PMC9692951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the anti-cancer, chemosensitizing and/or immunomodulating effects of decitabine (DAC) to be used as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cervical cancer (CC). METHODS Cervical cancer cell lines were treated with low doses of DAC treatment used as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy. End-point in vitro assays were developed as indicators of the anti-cancer and/or immunomodulating effects of DAC treatment in CC cells. These assays include cell viability, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis, induction of a viral-mimicry response pathway, expression of MHC-class I and PD-L1 and chemosensitivity. RESULTS High and low doses of DAC treatment induced reduction in cell viability in HeLa (HPV18+), CaSki (HPV16+) and C33A (HPV-) cells. Specifically, a time-dependent reduction in cell viability of HeLa and CaSki cells was observed accompanied by robust cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and alterations in the cell cycle distribution. Decrease in cell viability was also observed in a non-transformed immortal keratinocyte (HaCat) suggesting a non-cancer specific target effect. DAC treatment also triggered a viral mimicry response through long-term induction of cytoplasmic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and activation of downstream IFN-related genes in both HPV+ and HPV- cells. In addition, DAC treatment increased the number of CC cells expressing MHC-class I and PD-L1. Furthermore, DAC significantly increased the proportion of early and late apoptotic CC cells quantified using FACS. Our combination treatments showed that low dose DAC treatment sensitizes cells to chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Low doses of DAC treatment promotes robust induction of a viral mimicry response, immunomodulating and chemosensitizing effects in CC, indicating its promising therapeutic role in CC in vitro.
Collapse
|
26
|
Wang Y, Gao P, Hao Z, Chen L, Li X, Jiao Y, Liu J, Li J, Zhang Y, Peng X, Ning B, Zhan X. The effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the tumor immune microenvironment in gastrointestinal tumors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1054598. [DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1054598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is capable of regulating the growth of tumors, and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the TIME can affect the prognosis and treatment responses of patients. Consequently, therapies targeting these immune cells have emerged as important antitumor treatments. As a crucial componet of the perioperative treatment of malignant tumors, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) can improve the surgical resection rate and prognosis of patients and is a suitable clinical model to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy on the TIME. To provide a rationale for developing valid combinational therapies, this review summarizes the impact of NACT on the TIME, the relationship between tumor-infiltrating immune cells and treatment responses of patients, and the prognostic value of these infiltrating immune cells.
Collapse
|
27
|
GAO Z, LING X, SHI C, WANG Y, LIN A. Tumor immune checkpoints and their associated inhibitors. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2022; 23:823-843. [PMID: 36226537 PMCID: PMC9561405 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2200195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Immunological evasion is one of the defining characteristics of cancers, as the immune modification of an immune checkpoint (IC) confers immune evasion capabilities to tumor cells. Multiple ICs, such as programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), can bind to their respective receptors and reduce tumor immunity in a variety of ways, including blocking immune cell activation signals. IC blockade (ICB) therapies targeting these checkpoint molecules have demonstrated significant clinical benefits. This is because antibody-based IC inhibitors and a variety of specific small molecule inhibitors can inhibit key oncogenic signaling pathways and induce durable tumor remission in patients with a variety of cancers. Deciphering the roles and regulatory mechanisms of these IC molecules will provide crucial theoretical guidance for clinical treatment. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the functional and regulatory mechanisms of these IC molecules at multiple levels, including epigenetic regulation, transcriptional regulation, and post-translational modifications. In addition, we provide a summary of the medications targeting various nodes in the regulatory pathway, and highlight the potential of newly identified IC molecules, focusing on their potential implications for cancer diagnostics and immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zerui GAO
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Key Laboratory for Cell and Gene Engineering of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou310058, China,Chu Kochen Honors College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Xingyi LING
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Key Laboratory for Cell and Gene Engineering of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Chengyu SHI
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Key Laboratory for Cell and Gene Engineering of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Ying WANG
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Key Laboratory for Cell and Gene Engineering of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Aifu LIN
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Key Laboratory for Cell and Gene Engineering of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou310058, China,Breast Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310003, China,International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu322000, China,ZJU-QILU Joint Research Institute, Hangzhou310058, China,Aifu LIN,
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Li X, Xia C, Liu M, Liu J, Dong M, Zhao H, Xu S, Wang D, Wei S, Song Z, Chen G, Liu H, Chen J. Neoadjuvant camrelizumab and chemotherapy in patients with resectable stage IIIA squamous non-small-cell lung cancer: Clinical experience of three cases. Front Oncol 2022; 12:843116. [PMID: 36176413 PMCID: PMC9514096 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.843116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy has attracted much attention as a treatment for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. However, there is scarce evidence of the safety and efficacy of camrelizumab as neoadjuvant in lung cancer. Here, we present three patients who were diagnosed with IIIA squamous non-small-cell lung cancer from September to December in 2020 and received two cycles of neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus nab-paclitaxel and nedaplatin, followed by surgical resection. All three patients had a reduction in the tumor size on CT image and not delayed planned surgery. We did not observe grade 3 or 4 adverse events. Two of the three patients achieved a major pathological response (MPR), including one complete tumor regression of the primary lung tumor. Multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry revealed that CD8+ T cells, FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, and PD-L1 expression on immune cells in the surgical specimen were much higher than in the pretreatment biopsy sample in patients with MPR. This was not observed in the patient without MPR. Camrelizumab plus chemotherapy could potentially be a neoadjuvant regimen for resectable IIIA squamous non-small-cell lung cancer, with a high MPR proportion, and did not compromise surgical procedure. Our findings should be validated in a future randomized clinical trial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunqiu Xia
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Minghui Liu
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jinghao Liu
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ming Dong
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Honglin Zhao
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Song Xu
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Sen Wei
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zuoqing Song
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongyu Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Chen,
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Caruso FP, D'Andrea MR, Coppola L, Landriscina M, Condelli V, Cerulo L, Giordano G, Porras A, Pancione M. Lymphocyte antigen 6G6D-mediated modulation through p38α MAPK and DNA methylation in colorectal cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:253. [PMID: 35953834 PMCID: PMC9373545 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02672-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to being novel biomarkers for poor cancer prognosis, members of Lymphocyte antigen-6 (Ly6) gene family also play a crucial role in avoiding immune responses to tumors. However, it has not been possible to identify the underlying mechanism of how Ly6 gene regulation operates in human cancers. Transcriptome, epigenome and proteomic data from independent cancer databases were analyzed in silico and validated independently in 334 colorectal cancer tissues (CRC). RNA mediated gene silencing of regulatory genes, and treatment with MEK and p38 MAPK inhibitors were also tested in vitro. We report here that the Lymphocyte antigen 6G6D is universally downregulated in mucinous CRC, while its activation progresses through the classical adenoma-carcinoma sequence. The DNA methylation changes in LY6G6D promoter are intimately related to its transcript regulation, epigenomic and histological subtypes. Depletion of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), which maintains DNA methylation, results in the derepression of LY6G6D expression. RNA-mediated gene silencing of p38α MAPK or its selective chemical inhibition, however, reduces LY6G6D expression, reducing trametinib’s anti-inflammatory effects. Patients treated with FOLFOX-based first-line therapy experienced decreased survival due to hypermethylation of the LY6G6D promoter and decreased p38α MAPK signaling. We found that cancer-specific immunodominant epitopes are controlled by p38α MAPKs signaling and suppressed by DNA methylation in histological variants with Mucinous differentiation. This work provides a promising prospective for clinical application in diagnosis and personalized therapeutic strategies of colorectal cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luigi Coppola
- UOC Anatomia ed Istologia Patologica e Citologia Diagnostica, Dipartimento dei Servizi Diagnostici e della Farmaceutica, Ospedale Sandro Pertini, ASL Roma 2, 00157, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Landriscina
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, IRCCS, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata (CROB), Rionero in Vulture, Potenza, Italy
| | - Valentina Condelli
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, IRCCS, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata (CROB), Rionero in Vulture, Potenza, Italy
| | - Luigi Cerulo
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, BIOGEM scrl, Ariano Irpino, Avellino, Italy
| | - Guido Giordano
- Unit of Medical Oncology and Biomolecular Therapy, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Policlinico Riuniti, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Almudena Porras
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Massimo Pancione
- Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Chen Y, Bai B, Ying K, Pan H, Xie B. Anti-PD-1 combined with targeted therapy: Theory and practice in gastric and colorectal cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188775. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
|
31
|
Liu Z, Yu X, Xu L, Li Y, Zeng C. Current insight into the regulation of PD-L1 in cancer. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:44. [PMID: 35907881 PMCID: PMC9338491 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00297-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying cancer immune escape are a core topic in cancer immunology research. Cancer cells can escape T cell-mediated cellular cytotoxicity by exploiting the inhibitory programmed cell-death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1, CD274) immune checkpoint. Studying the PD-L1 regulatory pattern of tumor cells will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms of tumor immune evasion and improve cancer treatment. Recent studies have found that tumor cells regulate PD-L1 at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels and influence the anti-tumor immune response by regulating PD-L1. In this review, we focus on the regulation of PD-L1 in cancer cells and summarize the underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuandi Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Xibao Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Ling Xu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China.
| | - Chengwu Zeng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No.601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, 510632, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Huang KCY, Chiang SF, Chang HY, Chen WTL, Yang PC, Chen TW, Liang JA, Shiau A, Ke TW, Clifford Chao KS. Engineered sTRAIL-armed MSCs overcome STING deficiency to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of radiotherapy for immune checkpoint blockade. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:610. [PMID: 35835756 PMCID: PMC9283452 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05069-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) mainly elicits antitumor immunity via the cGAS/STING axis for type I interferon (IFN) production. However, dysregulation of cGAS/STING constrains radiotherapy-induced antitumor immunity and type I IFN-dependent cell death and is associated with shorter survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Due to their tumor tropism, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown the potential to deliver therapeutic genes for cancer therapy. Here, we showed that MSCs enhance the sensitivity to RT by inducing TRAIL-dependent cell death and remodel the tumor microenvironment by recruiting CD8+ immune cells to upregulate PD-L1 in the tumor. By engineering MSCs to express CRC-specific soluble TRAIL via adenovirus-associated virus 2 (AAV2), we found that the therapeutic activity of MSC-sTRAIL was superior to that of MSCs alone when combined with RT. Combined treatment with MSC-sTRAIL and RT significantly reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis by inducing TRAIL-dependent cell death in STING-deficient colorectal cancer cells. MSC-sTRAIL directly triggered TRAIL-dependent cell death to overcome the deficiency of the cGAS/STING axis. Moreover, these combination treatments of MSC-sTRAIL and RT significantly remodeled the tumor microenvironment, which was more suitable for anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. Taken together, this therapeutic strategy represents a novel targeted treatment option for patients with colorectal cancer, especially cGAS/STING-deficient patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan ,Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- grid.454740.6Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, 42055 Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Chang
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan ,Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, HsinChu, 302 Taiwan Taiwan ,Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan ,grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Wei Chen
- grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan ,grid.252470.60000 0000 9263 9645Department of Pathology, Asia University Hospital, Asia University, Taichung, 41354 Taiwan
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan ,grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan
| | - An‑Cheng Shiau
- grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan ,Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan ,grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092School of Chinese Medicine & Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan
| | - K. S. Clifford Chao
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan ,grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan ,Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan ,grid.254145.30000 0001 0083 6092Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402 Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Chen TW, Hung WZ, Chiang SF, Chen WTL, Ke TW, Liang JA, Huang CY, Yang PC, Huang KCY, Chao KSC. Dual inhibition of TGFβ signaling and CSF1/CSF1R reprograms tumor-infiltrating macrophages and improves response to chemotherapy via suppressing PD-L1. Cancer Lett 2022; 543:215795. [PMID: 35718267 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
TGFβ contributes to chemoresistance in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) via diverse immune-microenvironment mechanisms. Here, we found that cancer cell autonomous TGFβ directly triggered tumor programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) upregulation, resulting in resistance to chemotherapy. Inhibition of tumor PD-L1 expression sensitized cancer cells to chemotherapy, reduced lung metastasis and increased the influx of CD8+ T cells. However, chemorefractory cancer cell-derived CSF1 recruited TAMs for TGFβ-mediated PD-L1 upregulation via a vicious cycle. High infiltration of macrophages was clinically correlated with the status of tumor PD-L1 after chemotherapy treatment in CRC patients. We found that depletion of immunosuppressive CSF1R+ TAM infiltration and blockade of the TGFβ receptor resulted in an increased influx of cytotoxic CD8+ T and effector memory CD8+ cells, a reduction in regulatory T cells, and a synergistic inhibition of tumor growth when combined with chemotherapy. These findings show that CSF1R+ TAMs and TGFβ are the dominant components that regulate PD-L1 expression within the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, providing a therapeutic strategy for advanced CRC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Wei Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan; Department of Pathology, Asia University Hospital, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ze Hung
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, 42055, Taiwan
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, HsinChu, 302, Taiwan; Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine & Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yang Huang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan; Center of General Education, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien, 970, Taiwan; Cardiovascular and Mitochondrial Related Disease Research Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, 97004, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan
| | - Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan; Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
| | - K S Clifford Chao
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan; Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan; Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Yan D, Li W, Liu Q, Yang K. Advances in Immune Microenvironment and Immunotherapy of Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutated Glioma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:914618. [PMID: 35769466 PMCID: PMC9234270 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.914618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapy have become current important tumor research concerns. The unique immune microenvironment plays a crucial role in the malignant progression of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant gliomas. IDH mutations in glioma can inhibit tumor-associated immune system evasion of NK cell immune surveillance. Meanwhile, mutant IDH can inhibit classical and alternative complement pathways and directly inhibit T-cell responses by metabolizing isocitrate to D-2-Hydroxyglutaric acid (2-HG). IDH has shown clinically relevant efficacy as a potential target for immunotherapy. This article intends to summarize the research progress in the immunosuppressive microenvironment and immunotherapy of IDH-mutant glioma in recent years in an attempt to provide new ideas for the study of occurrence, progression, and treatment of IDH-mutant glioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongming Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Weicheng Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Qibing Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- *Correspondence: Qibing Liu, ; Kun Yang,
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- *Correspondence: Qibing Liu, ; Kun Yang,
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Xu Y, Li P, Liu Y, Xin D, Lei W, Liang A, Han W, Qian W. Epi-immunotherapy for cancers: rationales of epi-drugs in combination with immunotherapy and advances in clinical trials. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2022; 42:493-516. [PMID: 35642676 PMCID: PMC9198339 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades, several epi-drugs, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and adoptive cell therapies have received clinical approval for use in certain types of cancer. However, monotherapy with epi-drugs or ICIs has shown limited efficacy in most cancer patients. Epigenetic agents have been shown to regulate the crosstalk between the tumor and host immunity to alleviate immune evasion, suggesting that epi-drugs can potentially synergize with immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss recent insights into the rationales of incorporating epigenetic therapy into immunotherapy, called epi-immunotherapy, and focus on an update of current clinical trials in both hematological and solid malignancies. Furthermore, we outline the future challenges and strategies in the field of cancer epi-immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xu
- Department of Hematologythe Second Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310009P. R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell BiologyLife Sciences InstituteZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058P. R. China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of HematologyTongji Hospital of Tongji UniversityShanghai200065P. R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Bio‐Therapeuticthe First Medical CentreChinese PLA General HospitalBeijing100853P. R. China
| | - Dijia Xin
- Department of Hematologythe Second Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310009P. R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell BiologyLife Sciences InstituteZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058P. R. China
| | - Wen Lei
- Department of Hematologythe Second Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310009P. R. China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell BiologyLife Sciences InstituteZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310058P. R. China
| | - Aibin Liang
- Department of HematologyTongji Hospital of Tongji UniversityShanghai200065P. R. China
| | - Weidong Han
- Department of Bio‐Therapeuticthe First Medical CentreChinese PLA General HospitalBeijing100853P. R. China
| | - Wenbin Qian
- Department of Hematologythe Second Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310009P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
LI XM, YUAN DY, LIU YH, ZHU L, QIN HK, YANG YB, LI Y, YAN F, WANG YJ. Panax notoginseng saponins prevent colitis-associated colorectal cancer via inhibition IDO1 mediated immune regulation. Chin J Nat Med 2022; 20:258-269. [DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(22)60179-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
37
|
Yamaguchi H, Hsu JM, Yang WH, Hung MC. Mechanisms regulating PD-L1 expression in cancers and associated opportunities for novel small-molecule therapeutics. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:287-305. [DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00601-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
38
|
Xiang Y, Chen L, Liu C, Yi X, Li L, Huang Y. Redirecting Chemotherapeutics to the Endoplasmic Reticulum Increases Tumor Immunogenicity and Potentiates Anti-PD-L1 Therapy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2104591. [PMID: 34859582 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202104591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in cancer cells has been considered as a pharmacological target. Still, the effects of a ER-targeted system remain less investigated, due to the fact that most chemo-drugs take actions in the nucleus. Here, it is demonstrated that ER-targeted delivery of doxorubicin (DOX), a typically nucleus-tropic-and-acting agent, attenuates its original effect on cytotoxicity while generating new functions favorable for immune activation. First, a library of DOX derivatives with variable ER-targeting abilities is synthesized. The results reveal that higher ER-targeting efficiency correlates with greater ER stress. As compared with naïve drug, ER-targeted DOX considerably alters the mode of action from nuclear DNA damage-associated cytotoxicity to ER stress-mediated calreticulin exposure. Consequently, ER-targeted DOX decreases cytotoxicity but increases the capability to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD). Therefore, a platform combining naïve and ER-targeted DOX is constructed for in vivo application. Conventional polymer-DOX conjugate inhibits tumor growth by exerting a direct killing effect, and ER-targeted polymer-DOX conjugate suppresses residual tumors by eliciting ICD-associated immunity, together resulting in considerable tumor regression. In addition, simultaneous inhibition of adaptive PD-L1 enrichment (due to negative-feedback to ICD induction) further leads to greater therapeutic outcome. Collectively, ER-targeted therapy can enhance anticancer efficacy by promoting ICD-associated immunotherapy, and potentiating chemotherapy and checkpoint blockade therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yucheng Xiang
- Key laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System (Ministry of Education), West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Liqiang Chen
- Key laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System (Ministry of Education), West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Chendong Liu
- Key laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System (Ministry of Education), West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoli Yi
- Key laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System (Ministry of Education), West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Lian Li
- Key laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System (Ministry of Education), West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Huang
- Key laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System (Ministry of Education), West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Chen L, Jiang X, Zhang Q, Li Q, Zhang X, Zhang M, Yu Q, Gao D. How to overcome tumor resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy by immunotherapy modifying the tumor microenvironment in MSS CRC. Clin Immunol 2022; 237:108962. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.108962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
40
|
Wang Z, Wang X, Yu H, Chen M. Glioma-targeted multifunctional nanoparticles to co-deliver camptothecin and curcumin for enhanced chemo-immunotherapy. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:1292-1303. [PMID: 35083994 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01987b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Camptothecin (CPT) is a potent broad-spectrum antitumor agent with efficient therapeutic effect for various cancers. However, its application in glioma therapy has been impeded by the tumor immunosuppressive environment and blood-brain barrier (BBB)-associated drug delivery challenges. Herein, neurotransmitter analogs-modified liposomes (NTs-LIP) were prepared by doping lipidized tryptamine (Tryp) to co-deliver CPT and curcumin (CUR) for improved chemo-immunotherapy in glioma. The introduction of Tryp promotes the delivery efficiency of CPT and CUR across the BBB. CPT inhibits cell proliferation after cellular uptake of NTs-LIP, the combination of which with CUR downregulates the elevated expression of the programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) caused by CPT to prevent the inactivation of T-cells and synergistically enhance chemo-immunotherapy efficacy. Furthermore, both Tryp and CUR interfere with the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) pathway to reduce regulatory T cell (Treg)-mediated immunosuppression, exhibiting the potential to combine with PD-L1 inhibition for synergistic antitumor immunity. Taken together, this platform contributes towards targeted delivery and alleviation of the immunosuppressive environment in glioma therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.
| | - Xuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.
| | - Hua Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.
| | - Meiwan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Brown LJ, Achinger-Kawecka J, Portman N, Clark S, Stirzaker C, Lim E. Epigenetic Therapies and Biomarkers in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030474. [PMID: 35158742 PMCID: PMC8833457 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epigenetic therapies are promising agents for overcoming clinical resistance to conventional treatments in breast cancer. In the assessed trials, the use of epigenetic therapies for the management of breast cancer has not translated from the pre-clinical to clinical setting. However, novel epigenetic treatments remain promising, especially in the era of personalized medicine and improved genomic evaluation. The aim of our review was to assess the published evidence for the clinical utility of epigenetic therapies and their biomarkers in breast cancer and the potential value of epigenetic biomarkers to direct clinical management. Abstract Epigenetic therapies remain a promising, but still not widely used, approach in the management of patients with cancer. To date, the efficacy and use of epigenetic therapies has been demonstrated primarily in the management of haematological malignancies, with limited supportive data in solid malignancies. The most studied epigenetic therapies in breast cancer are those that target DNA methylation and histone modification; however, none have been approved for routine clinical use. The majority of pre-clinical and clinical studies have focused on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. Even though the use of epigenetic therapies alone in the treatment of breast cancer has not shown significant clinical benefit, these therapies show most promise in use in combinations with other treatments. With improving technologies available to study the epigenetic landscape in cancer, novel epigenetic alterations are increasingly being identified as potential biomarkers of response to conventional and epigenetic therapies. In this review, we describe epigenetic targets and potential epigenetic biomarkers in breast cancer, with a focus on clinical trials of epigenetic therapies. We describe alterations to the epigenetic landscape in breast cancer and in treatment resistance, highlighting mechanisms and potential targets for epigenetic therapies. We provide an updated review on epigenetic therapies in the pre-clinical and clinical setting in breast cancer, with a focus on potential real-world applications. Finally, we report on the potential value of epigenetic biomarkers in diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of response to therapy, to guide and inform the clinical management of breast cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Julia Brown
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Joanna Achinger-Kawecka
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Neil Portman
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Susan Clark
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Clare Stirzaker
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Elgene Lim
- School of Clinical Medicine, St. Vincent’s Campus, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; (L.J.B.); (J.A.-K.); (N.P.); (S.C.); (C.S.)
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Zheng X, Liu Z, Mi M, Wen Q, Wu G, Zhang L. Disulfiram Improves the Anti-PD-1 Therapy Efficacy by Regulating PD-L1 Expression via Epigenetically Reactivation of IRF7 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:734853. [PMID: 34858816 PMCID: PMC8631359 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.734853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), particularly programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), has shown considerable clinical benefits in patients with various cancers. Many studies show that PD-L1 expression may be biomarkers to help select responders for anti-PD-1 treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that control PD-L1 expression. As a potential chemosensitizer and anticancer drug, disulfiram (DSF) kills tumor cells via regulating multiple signaling pathways and transcription factors. However, its effect on tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) remains unclear. Here, we showed that DSF increased PD-L1 expression in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Through bioinformatics analysis, we found that DNMT1 was highly expressed in TNBC tissue and PD-L1 was negatively correlated with IRF7 expression. DSF reduced DNMT1 expression and activity, and hypomethylated IRF7 promoter region resulting in upregulation of IRF7. Furthermore, we found DSF enhanced PD-L1 expression via DNMT1-mediated IRF7 hypomethylation. In in vivo experiments, DSF significantly improved the response to anti-PD-1 antibody (Ab) in 4T1 breast cancer mouse model. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that granzyme B+ and CD8+ T cells in the tumor tissues were significantly increased in the combination group. By analyzing the results of the tumor tissue RNA sequencing, four immune-associated pathways were significantly enriched in the DSF joint anti-PD-1 Ab group. In conclusion, we found that DSF could upregulate PD-L1 in TNBC cells and elucidated its mechanism. Our findings revealed that the combination of DSF and anti-PD-1 Ab could activate TIME to show much better antitumor efficacy than monotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zheng
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zijian Liu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mi Mi
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiuyue Wen
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Wu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liling Zhang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Dang Q, Liu Z, Hu S, Chen Z, Meng L, Hu J, Wang G, Yuan W, Han X, Li L, Sun Z. Derivation and Clinical Validation of a Redox-Driven Prognostic Signature for Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:743703. [PMID: 34778061 PMCID: PMC8578893 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.743703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), a seriously threat that endangers public health, has a striking tendency to relapse and metastasize. Redox-related signaling pathways have recently been extensively studied in cancers. However, the study and potential role of redox in CRC remain unelucidated. We developed and validated a risk model for prognosis and recurrence prediction in CRC patients via identifying gene signatures driven by redox-related signaling pathways. The redox-driven prognostic signature (RDPS) was demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for patient survival (including OS and RFS) in four public cohorts and one clinical in-house cohort. Additionally, there was an intimate association between the risk score and tumor immune infiltration, with higher risk score accompanied with less immune cell infiltration. In this study, we used redox-related factors as an entry point, which may provide a broader perspective for prognosis prediction in CRC and have the potential to provide more promising evidence for immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qin Dang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shengyun Hu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhuang Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lingfang Meng
- Department of Ultrasound, Zhengzhou Sixth People's Hospital, Henan Infectious Disease Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Junhong Hu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guixian Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Weitang Yuan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Li
- Internet Medical and System Applications of National Engineering Laboratory, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhenqiang Sun
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.,Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Lee EJ, Jang GY, Lee SE, Lee JW, Han HD, Park YM, Kang TH. A novel form of immunotherapy using antigen peptides conjugated on PD-L1 antibody. Immunol Lett 2021; 240:137-148. [PMID: 34710507 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 have shown promising cancer clinical outcomes. However, IC therapy has low patient response rates (10%-15%). Thus, ICIs and sufficient antigen combinations into the tumor microenvironment (TME) is important to produce strong tumor-specific adaptive immune responses. Mice were treated with cisplatin, and human cancer cells were exposed to inflammatory cytokines, to confirm increased PD-L1 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I expression by tumor cells or dendritic cells. TC-1, CT26, B16-F1, or B16-F10 tumor cells, and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, were treated with interferon (IFN)-β, IFN-γ, or tumor necrosis factor-α to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor PD-L1 and MHC I upregulation, and to examine MHC I, CD40, CD80, CD86, or PD-L1 levels, respectively. For synergistic combination therapy, αPD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) covalently linked to the long E7 peptide was generated. Chemotherapy shifted the TME to express high PD-L1 and MHC I, resulting in targeted ICI cargo delivery and enhanced generation and activation of tumor antigen-specific T cells. Synergistic effects of vaccination and IC blockade in the TME were demonstrated using an anti-PD-L1 mAb covalently conjugated to the E7 long peptide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Ji Lee
- Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 268 Chungwon-daero, Chungju-si Chungcheongbuk-do 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Gun-Young Jang
- Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 268 Chungwon-daero, Chungju-si Chungcheongbuk-do 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Eun Lee
- Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 268 Chungwon-daero, Chungju-si Chungcheongbuk-do 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Won Lee
- Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 268 Chungwon-daero, Chungju-si Chungcheongbuk-do 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Dong Han
- Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 268 Chungwon-daero, Chungju-si Chungcheongbuk-do 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong-Min Park
- Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 268 Chungwon-daero, Chungju-si Chungcheongbuk-do 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Heung Kang
- Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Huang KCY, Chiang SF, Ke TW, Chen TW, Hu CH, Yang PC, Chang HY, Liang JA, Chen WTL, Chao KSC. DNMT1 constrains IFNβ-mediated anti-tumor immunity and PD-L1 expression to reduce the efficacy of radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1989790. [PMID: 38283033 PMCID: PMC10813565 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1989790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy can boost the therapeutic response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by recruiting T lymphocytes and upregulating PD-L1 expression within the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, in some cases, tumor PD-L1 expression cannot be induced, even in the presence of abundant T lymphocytes, in locally advanced colorectal cancer patients who receive preoperative neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). In this study, we found that PD-L1 promoter methylation is negatively correlated with tumor PD-L1 expression and is an independent biomarker for locally advanced colorectal cancer patients. PD-L1 methylation (mCD274) was significantly associated with shorter disease-free survival (cg15837913 loci, p = .0124). By multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses including influent factors, mCD274 was classified as an independent prognostic factor for poor 5-year DFS [cg15837913, hazard ratio: HR = 4.06, 95% CI = 1.407-11.716, p = .01]. We found that the immunomodulatory agent DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi) led to demethylation of the PD-L1 promoter and increased radiotherapy-induced PD-L1 upregulation via interferon β (IFNβ). DNMTi not only induced tumor PD-L1 expression but increased the expression of immune-related genes as well as intratumoral T cell infiltration in vivo. Furthermore, DNMTi strongly enhanced the response to combined treatment with radiotherapy and anti-PD-L1 inhibitors, and prolonged survival in microsatellite stability (MSS) colorectal model. Therefore, DNMTi remodeled the tumor microenvironment to improve the effect of radiotherapy and anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy by directly triggering tumor PD-L1 expression and eliciting stronger immune responses, which may provide potential clinical benefits to colorectal cancer patients in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital, TaichungTaiwan
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
| | - Tsung-Wei Chen
- Department of Pathology, Asia University Hospital, Asia University, TaichungTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
| | - Ching-Han Hu
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Chang
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
| | - Ji-An Liang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, HsinChuTaiwan
| | - K. S. Clifford Chao
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
- Proton Therapy and Science Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, TaichungTaiwan
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Parker WB, Thottassery JV. 5-Aza-4'-thio-2'-deoxycytidine, a new orally bioavailable non-toxic "best-in-class" DNMT1 depleting agent in clinical development. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 379:211-222. [PMID: 34503994 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is an enzyme that functions as a maintenance methyltransferase during DNA replication, and depletion of this enzyme from cells is considered to be a rational goal in DNA methylation dependent disorders. Two DNMT1 depleting agents aza-dCyd (5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, decitabine) and aza-Cyd (5-aza-cytidine, azacitidine) are currently used for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia, and have also been investigated for non-oncology indications such as sickle cell disease. However, these agents have several off-target activities leading to significant toxicities that limit dosing and duration of treatment. Development of more selective inhibitors of DNMT1 could therefore afford treatment for long durations at effective doses. We have discovered that 5-aza-4'-thio-2'-deoxycytidine (aza-T-dCyd) is as effective as aza-dCyd in depleting DNMT1 in mouse tumor models, but with markedly low toxicity. In this review we describe the preclinical studies that led to the development of aza-T-dCyd as a superior DNMT1 depleting agent with respect to aza-dCyd, and will describe its pharmacology, metabolism, and mechanism of action. In an effort to understand why aza-T-dCyd is a more selective DNMT1 depleting agent than aza-dCyd, we will also compare and contrast the activities of these two agents. Significance Statement Aza-T-dCyd is a potent DNMT1 depleting agent. Although similar in structure to decitabine (aza-dCyd) its metabolism and mechanism of action is different than that of aza-dCyd, resulting in less off target activity and less toxicity. The larger therapeutic index of aza-T-dCyd (DNMT1 depletion vs toxicity) in mice suggests that it would be a better clinical candidate to selectively deplete DNMT1 from target cells and determine whether or not depletion of DNMT1 is an effective target for various diseases.
Collapse
|
47
|
Huang KCY, Chiang SF, Yang PC, Ke TW, Chen TW, Lin CY, Chang HY, Chen WTL, Chao KSC. ATAD3A stabilizes GRP78 to suppress ER stress for acquired chemoresistance in colorectal cancer. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:6481-6495. [PMID: 33580514 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AAA domain containing 3A (ATAD3A) is a nucleus-encoded mitochondrial protein with vital function in communication between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria which is participated in cancer metastasis. Here we show that elevated ATAD3A expression is clinically associated with poor 5-year disease-free survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), especially high-risk CRC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Our results indicated ATAD3A is significantly upregulated to reduce chemotherapy-induced cancer cell death. We found that knockdown of ATAD3A leads to dysregulation in protein processing for inducing ER stress by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). In response to chemotherapy-induced ER stress, ATAD3A interacts with elevated GRP78 protein to assist protein folding and alleviate ER stress for cancer cell survival. This reduction of ER stress leads to reduce the surface exposure of calreticulin, which is the initiator of immunogenic cell death and antitumor immunity. However, silencing of ATAD3A enhances cell death, triggers the feasibility of chemotherapy-induced ER stress for antitumor immunity, increases infiltration of T lymphocytes and delays tumor regrowth in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, CRC patients with less ATAD3A have high density of CD45+ intratumoral infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and memory CD45RO+ TILs. Taken together, our results suggest that pharmacologic targeting to ATAD3A might be a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance antitumor immunity for CRC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chih-Yang Huang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Translation Research Core, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fen Chiang
- Lab of Precision Medicine, Feng-Yuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan
- Cancer Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chen Yang
- Cancer Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tao-Wei Ke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine & Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Wei Chen
- Department of Pathology, Asia University Hospital, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yu Lin
- Cancer Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Chang
- Cancer Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - William Tzu-Liang Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, China Medical University HsinChu Hospital, China Medical University, HsinChu, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kun-San Clifford Chao
- Cancer Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Liu N, Shan F, Ma M. Strategic enhancement of immune checkpoint inhibition in refractory Colorectal Cancer: Trends and future prospective. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 99:108017. [PMID: 34352568 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), known as a frequently fatal disease, ranking as the third most common malignancy, is the second leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Metastases are common in CRC patients which account for approximately 25% of the patients at diagnosis, 50% of patients during treatment which is associated closely with CRC mortality. Conventional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are standards of care for the treatment of CRC patients. However, primary tumor recurrence and secondary disease in patients receiving standard of care treatment modalities occur in 50% of patients so that new treatment modalities are needed. Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has transformed the management of patients suffered from metastatic CRC (mCRC) with mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) and microsatellite instability (MSI) -high (MSI-H) while manifests ineffectiveness in preserved mismatch repair (pMMR) or microsatellite stable (MSS) "cold" tumors which makes up the majority (95%) of mCRC. In this review, we mainly lay emphasis on the development of combinations in therapy strategies with ICIs with other immune based treatment approaches to increase the intra-tumoral immune response and render tumors 'immune-reactive', thereby increasing the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Mingxing Ma
- Department of Colorectal Cancer Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Wu SY, Xiao Y, Wei JL, Xu XE, Jin X, Hu X, Li DQ, Jiang YZ, Shao ZM. MYC suppresses STING-dependent innate immunity by transcriptionally upregulating DNMT1 in triple-negative breast cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002528. [PMID: 34321275 PMCID: PMC8320259 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer and lacks definite treatment targets. Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) heterogeneity has a profound impact on the immunotherapy response. Tumors with non-inflamed TIME derive limited benefit from immunotherapy. However, what drives the formation of the non-inflamed TIME in TNBC remains unclear. Methods Using our multiomics database of TNBC, we conducted an analysis to explore the key genomic events driving the formation of the non-inflamed TIME in TNBC. In vitro and in vivo studies further revealed potential mechanisms and the efficacy of combination treatment with immunotherapy. Results With transcriptomic and genomic data, we systematically analyzed the TIME of TNBC and revealed that the classical basal-like subtype of TNBC consisted of two distinct microenvironment phenotypes, defined as the ‘inflamed’ and ‘non-inflamed’ subtypes. We performed further screening and demonstrated that MYC amplification and overexpression led to low immune infiltration and cytolytic activity in TIME. Mechanistically, MYC bound to DNMT1 promoter and activated DNMT1 transcription in TNBC cells, thus suppressing the Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-STING pathway via an epigenetic regulatory way. In MYC-overexpressing TNBC, decitabine, an Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, converted tumors from non-inflamed to inflamed tumors by enhancing T cell infiltration. Furthermore, the combination of decitabine with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor reversed T cell exhaustion and improved T cell function in mouse models, which elicited potent antitumor activity in MYC-overexpressing TNBC. Conclusions Our work elucidates that the classic oncogene MYC induces immune evasion by repressing innate immunity. Furthermore, we provide a rationale for combining DNA methyltransferase inhibition with immunotherapy for the treatment of MYC-overexpressing TNBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Li Wei
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-En Xu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Da-Qiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China .,Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China .,Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Fu Y, Peng Y, Zhao S, Mou J, Zeng L, Jiang X, Yang C, Huang C, Li Y, Lu Y, Wu M, Yang Y, Kong T, Lai Q, Wu Y, Yao Y, Wang Y, Gou L, Yang J. Combination Foretinib and Anti-PD-1 Antibody Immunotherapy for Colorectal Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:689727. [PMID: 34307367 PMCID: PMC8298272 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.689727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have achieved unprecedented success in cancer immunotherapy. However, the overall response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for many cancers is only between 20 and 40%, and even less for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop an efficient immunotherapeutic strategy for CRC. Here, we developed a novel CRC combination therapy consisting of a multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (Foretinib) and anti-PD-1 antibody. The combination therapy significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice, led to improved tumor regression without relapse (83% for CT26 tumors and 50% for MC38 tumors) and prolonged overall survival. Mechanistically, Foretinib caused increased levels of PD-L1 via activating the JAK2-STAT1 pathway, which could improve the effectiveness of the immune checkpoint inhibitor. Moreover, the combination therapy remodeled the tumor microenvironment and enhanced anti-tumor immunity by further increasing the infiltration and improving the function of T cells, decreasing the percentage of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and inhibiting their polarization toward the M2 phenotype. Furthermore, the combination therapy inhibited the metastasis of CT26-Luc tumors to the lung in BALB/c mouse by reducing proportions of regulatory T-cells, TAMs and M2 phenotype TAMs in their lungs. This study suggests that a novel combination therapy utilizing both Foretinib and anti-PD-1 antibody could be an effective combination strategy for CRC immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuyin Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yujia Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shengyan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jun Mou
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Vaccine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lishi Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengli Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yin Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengdan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanfang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinhuai Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yangping Wu
- Department of Clinical Research Management, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuqin Yao
- West China School of Public Health and Healthy Food Evaluation Research Center/No. 4 West China Teaching Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lantu Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinliang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|