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Ari A, Sevik H, Sevinc MM, Tatar C, Buyukasik K, Surel AA, Idiz UO. Predicting the Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Using Soluble Immune Checkpoints. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2024; 39:247-254. [PMID: 38010745 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2023.0134] [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] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Personalizing neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) requires identifying biomarkers that predict treatment response. This study evaluates soluble immune checkpoints (sICPs) as predictive markers for neoadjuvant treatment response in LARC patients located in the middle and lower rectum. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included patients diagnosed with clinical stage T3 or T4 rectal cancer (RC) based on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, with or without pelvic lymph node involvement. The modified Ryan scoring system was used to assess the response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Blood samples were collected from all RC patients before initiating nCRT. Various sICPs (sCD25, 4-1BB, B7.2, free active TGF-β1, CTLA-4, PD-L1, PD-1, Tim-3, LAG-3, galectin-9), along with age, gender, stage, blood cell counts, and biochemical variables, were recorded and compared based on tumor regression grade (TRG). Results: Among 38 participants, lymphocyte count was higher, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet count were lower in patients with complete/near-complete response (TRG 0/1). In addition, TRG 0/1 patients had significantly lower levels of soluble galectin-9 than TRG 2/3 patients. Furthermore, platelet count was the only parameter that showed a significant difference among the three groups (TRG 0/1, TRG 2, and TRG 3). PLR demonstrated the highest sensitivity and specificity, with >80% for both measures. Conclusions: Lymphocyte count, PLR, NLR, platelet count, and galectin-9 may help predict favorable neoadjuvant treatment response in LARC patients, although without providing a definitive outcome. Personalized therapy based on these markers could enhance treatment decision making in LARC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Ari
- Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Husnu Sevik
- Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mert Mahsuni Sevinc
- Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cihad Tatar
- Department of General Surgery, Acibadem Taksim Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Kenan Buyukasik
- Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aziz Ahmet Surel
- Department of General Surgery, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Cankaya, Turkey
| | - Ufuk Oguz Idiz
- Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Vojdani A, Koksoy S, Vojdani E, Engelman M, Benzvi C, Lerner A. Natural Killer Cells and Cytotoxic T Cells: Complementary Partners against Microorganisms and Cancer. Microorganisms 2024; 12:230. [PMID: 38276215 PMCID: PMC10818828 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T (CD8+) cells are two of the most important types of immune cells in our body, protecting it from deadly invaders. While the NK cell is part of the innate immune system, the CD8+ cell is one of the major components of adaptive immunity. Still, these two very different types of cells share the most important function of destroying pathogen-infected and tumorous cells by releasing cytotoxic granules that promote proteolytic cleavage of harmful cells, leading to apoptosis. In this review, we look not only at NK and CD8+ T cells but also pay particular attention to their different subpopulations, the immune defenders that include the CD56+CD16dim, CD56dimCD16+, CD57+, and CD57+CD16+ NK cells, the NKT, CD57+CD8+, and KIR+CD8+ T cells, and ILCs. We examine all these cells in relation to their role in the protection of the body against different microorganisms and cancer, with an emphasis on their mechanisms and their clinical importance. Overall, close collaboration between NK cells and CD8+ T cells may play an important role in immune function and disease pathogenesis. The knowledge of how these immune cells interact in defending the body against pathogens and cancers may help us find ways to optimize their defensive and healing capabilities with methods that can be clinically applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristo Vojdani
- Immunosciences Laboratory, Inc., Los Angeles, CA 90035, USA
| | - Sadi Koksoy
- Cyrex Laboratories, LLC, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA; (S.K.); (M.E.)
| | | | - Mark Engelman
- Cyrex Laboratories, LLC, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA; (S.K.); (M.E.)
| | - Carina Benzvi
- Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (C.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Aaron Lerner
- Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (C.B.); (A.L.)
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3
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Abdel-Rahman SA, Gabr M. Small Molecule Immunomodulators as Next-Generation Therapeutics for Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:435. [PMID: 38275876 PMCID: PMC10814352 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020435] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive astrocytic glioma, remains a therapeutic challenge despite multimodal approaches. Immunotherapy holds promise, but its efficacy is hindered by the highly immunosuppressive GBM microenvironment. This review underscores the urgent need to comprehend the intricate interactions between glioma and immune cells, shaping the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in GBM. Immunotherapeutic advancements have shown limited success, prompting exploration of immunomodulatory approaches targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and microglia, constituting a substantial portion of the GBM TME. Converting protumor M2-like TAMs to antitumor M1-like phenotypes emerges as a potential therapeutic strategy for GBM. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses an additional challenge to successful immunotherapy, restricting drug delivery to GBM TME. Research efforts to enhance BBB permeability have mainly focused on small molecules, which can traverse the BBB more effectively than biologics. Despite over 200 clinical trials for GBM, studies on small molecule immunomodulators within the GBM TME are scarce. Developing small molecules with optimal brain penetration and selectivity against immunomodulatory pathways presents a promising avenue for combination therapies in GBM. This comprehensive review discusses various immunomodulatory pathways in GBM progression with a focus on immune checkpoints and TAM-related targets. The exploration of such molecules, with the capacity to selectively target key immunomodulatory pathways and penetrate the BBB, holds the key to unlocking new combination therapy approaches for GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somaya A. Abdel-Rahman
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Moustafa Gabr
- Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging Innovations Institute (MI3), Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
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4
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Xie C, Liu B, Song Z, Yang Y, Dai M, Gao Y, Yao Y, Ding C, Ai J, Zhang A. Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Isoindoline Analogues as New HPK1 Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16201-16221. [PMID: 37990878 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) is an important negative regulator in T-cell receptor signaling and as a promising key target for immunotherapy. Herein, based on the reported HPK1 inhibitor 2 featuring an isofuranone component, a structural optimization approach was conducted leading to several series of derivatives characterized by containing an isoindoline structural motif. Compound 49 was identified as a new potent HPK1 inhibitor with an IC50 value of 0.9 nM, more potent than compound 2 (5.5 nM). It also has an improved IV profile in rats and enhanced aqueous solubility. It effectively inhibited pSLP76 and reinvigorated T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, promoting T-cell function and cytokine production both in naïve and antigen-specific T cells. Furthermore, compound 49 reversed the inhibition on T-cell activity mediated by classic immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In the murine CT-26 tumor model, this compound reinvigorated the T cell and synergistically enhanced the antitumor efficacy of anti-PD1 at a well-tolerant dosage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghu Xie
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zilan Song
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ye Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mengdi Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yinglei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yujia Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Chunyong Ding
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jing Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ao Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- National Key Laboratory of Innovative Immunotherapy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai 200210, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310053, China
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5
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Rouvinov K, Mazor G, Kozlener E, Meirovitz A, Shrem NS, Abu Saleh O, Shalata S, Yakobson A, Shalata W. Cemiplimab as First Line Therapy in Advanced Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Real-World Experience. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1623. [PMID: 38003938 PMCID: PMC10672594 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13111623] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In the treatment of cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness compared to conventional cytotoxic or platinum-based chemotherapies. To assess the efficacy of ICI's in penile squamous cell carcinoma (pSCC) we performed a retrospective observational study. We reviewed electronic medical records of patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), diagnosed between January 2020 and February 2023. Nine patients were screened, of whom three were ineligible for chemotherapy and received immunotherapy, cemiplimab, in a first-line setting. Each of the three immunotherapy-treated patients achieved almost a complete response (CR) after only a few cycles of therapy. The first patient had cerebral arteritis during treatment and received a high-dose steroid treatment with resolution of the symptoms of arteritis. After tapering down the steroids dose, the patient continued cemiplimab without further toxicity. The other two patients did not have any toxic side effects of the treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first real world report of near CR with cemiplimab as a first-line treatment in penile SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren Rouvinov
- The Legacy Heritage Center & Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Gal Mazor
- Medical School for International Health, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ella Kozlener
- Department of Oncology, Bnei Zion Medical Center, Haifa 31048, Israel
| | - Amichay Meirovitz
- The Legacy Heritage Center & Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Noa Shani Shrem
- The Legacy Heritage Center & Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Omar Abu Saleh
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Emek Medical Centre, Afula 18341, Israel
| | - Sondos Shalata
- Nutrition Unit, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya 22000, Israel
| | - Alexander Yakobson
- The Legacy Heritage Center & Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Walid Shalata
- The Legacy Heritage Center & Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka Medical Center and Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
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6
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Rocco D, Della Gravara L, Ragone A, Sapio L, Naviglio S, Gridelli C. Prognostic Factors in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4684. [PMID: 37835378 PMCID: PMC10571734 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Taking into account the huge epidemiologic impact of lung cancer (in 2020, lung cancer accounted for 2,206,771 of the cases and for 1,796,144 of the cancer-related deaths, representing the second most common cancer in female patients, the most common cancer in male patients, and the second most common cancer in male and female patients) and the current lack of recommendations in terms of prognostic factors for patients selection and management, this article aims to provide an overview of the current landscape in terms of currently available immunotherapy treatments and the most promising assessed prognostic biomarkers, highlighting the current state-of-the-art and hinting at future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Rocco
- Department of Pulmonary Oncology, AORN dei Colli Monaldi, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Luigi Della Gravara
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (L.D.G.); (L.S.); (S.N.)
| | - Angela Ragone
- Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, 44227 Dortmund, Germany;
| | - Luigi Sapio
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (L.D.G.); (L.S.); (S.N.)
| | - Silvio Naviglio
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (L.D.G.); (L.S.); (S.N.)
| | - Cesare Gridelli
- Division of Medical Oncology, “S.G. Moscati” Hospital, Contrada Amoretta, 83100 Avellino, Italy
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7
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Yakobson A, Abu Jama A, Abu Saleh O, Michlin R, Shalata W. PD-1 Inhibitors in Elderly and Immunocompromised Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4041. [PMID: 37627069 PMCID: PMC10452426 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164041] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the skin is the second most common form of skin cancer, with aging and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays being the main causes of the disease. Cemiplimab and pembrolizumab recently gained regulatory approval for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic cSCC-conditions that are not treatable by surgical resection and/or radiotherapy. Although the results from the clinical trials have been promising, these studies have not included immunosuppressed, elderly patients. In this study, we included all immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients over the age of 75 years diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic cSCC and treated with cemiplimab or pembrolizumab. The median duration of follow-up from cSCC diagnosis was 35.6 months, 82.9% of patients were male, and the median age was 83 years old. The median progression-free survival was 8.94 months. The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 85.6%, the majority of which were grades 1 or 2. The disease control rate was 91.4%, the complete response rate was 17.1%, the partial response rate was 51.4%, the stable disease rate was 23%, and the progressive disease rate was 8.7%. Based on this study, cemiplimab and pembrolizumab for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic cSCC in elderly, immunocompromised patients are efficacious, with acceptable safety profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Yakobson
- The Legacy Heritage Cancer Center & Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka Medical Center, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel (R.M.)
| | - Ashraf Abu Jama
- The Legacy Heritage Cancer Center & Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka Medical Center, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel (R.M.)
| | - Omar Abu Saleh
- Dermatology and Venereology, The Emek Medical Centre, Afula 18341, Israel
| | - Regina Michlin
- The Legacy Heritage Cancer Center & Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka Medical Center, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel (R.M.)
| | - Walid Shalata
- The Legacy Heritage Cancer Center & Dr. Larry Norton Institute, Soroka Medical Center, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel (R.M.)
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Seo H, Verma A, Kinzel M, Huang Q, Mahoney DJ, Jacquelot N. Targeting Potential of Innate Lymphoid Cells in Melanoma and Other Cancers. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2001. [PMID: 37514187 PMCID: PMC10384206 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15072001] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Reinvigorating the killing function of tumor-infiltrating immune cells through the targeting of regulatory molecules expressed on lymphocytes has markedly improved the prognosis of cancer patients, particularly in melanoma. While initially thought to solely strengthen adaptive T lymphocyte anti-tumor activity, recent investigations suggest that other immune cell subsets, particularly tissue-resident innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), may benefit from immunotherapy treatment. Here, we describe the recent findings showing immune checkpoint expression on tissue-resident and tumor-infiltrating ILCs and how their effector function is modulated by checkpoint blockade-based therapies in cancer. We discuss the therapeutic potential of ILCs beyond the classical PD-1 and CTLA-4 regulatory molecules, exploring other possibilities to manipulate ILC effector function to further impede tumor growth and quench disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hobin Seo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Amisha Verma
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Megan Kinzel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Qiutong Huang
- The University of Queensland Frazer Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Douglas J Mahoney
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Nicolas Jacquelot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Research Institute, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
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Rebaudi F, De Rosa A, Greppi M, Pistilli R, Pucci R, Govoni FA, Iacoviello P, Broccolo F, Tomasello G, Pesce S, Laganà F, Bianchi B, Di Gaudio F, Rebaudi A, Marcenaro E. A new method for oral cancer biomarkers detection with a non-invasive cyto-salivary sampling and rapid-highly sensitive ELISA immunoassay: a pilot study in humans. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1216107. [PMID: 37483588 PMCID: PMC10358763 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1216107] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for approximately 90% of oral malignancies and has a 5-year mortality rate close to 50%. A consistent part (70%) of all oral cancers is diagnosed at an advanced stage since available screening techniques are ineffective. Therefore, it would be urgent to improve them. The diagnostic gold standard is tissue biopsy with histological and immunohistochemical assessment. This method presents some limitations. Biopsy is invasive and the histopathological evaluation is semi-quantitative, and the absolute abundance of the target cannot be reliably determined. In addition, tissue is highly processed and may lead to loss of information of the natural state. The search for classical and new clinical biomarkers on fragments of tissue/cells collected with a cytobrush is a highly hopeful technique for early detection and diagnosis of OSCC, because of its non-invasive sampling and easy collection method. Methods Here we analyzed cytobrush biopsies samples collected from the oral cavity of 15 patients with already diagnosed OSCC by applying an innovative high-sensitivity ELISA technique, in order to verify if this approach may provide useful information for detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of OSCC. To this end, we selected six biomarkers, already used in clinical practice for the diagnosis of OSCC (EGFR, Ki67, p53) or selected based on recent scientific and clinical data which indicate their presence or over-expression in cells undergoing transformation and their role as possible molecular targets in immunecheckpoints blockade therapies (PD-L1, HLA-E, B7-H6). Results The selected tumor biomarkers were highly expressed in the tumor core, while were virtually negative in healthy tissue collected from the same patients. These differences were highly statistically significant and consistent with those obtained using the gold standard test clearly indicating that the proposed approach, i.e. analysis of biomarkers by a custom ELISA technique, is strongly reliable. Discussion These preliminary data suggest that this non-invasive rapid phenotyping technique could be useful as a screening tool for phenotyping oral lesions and support clinical practice by precise indications on the characteristics of the lesion, also with a view to the application of new anti-tumor treatments, such as immunotherapy, aimed at OSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Rebaudi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Alfredo De Rosa
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberto Pistilli
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | - Resi Pucci
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Iacoviello
- Department of Maxillofacial and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Broccolo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Laganà
- IRCCS Ospedale San Martino, Unità Operativa Complessa di Chirurgia Maxillofacciale e Odontoiatra, Genova, Italy
| | - Bernardo Bianchi
- IRCCS Ospedale San Martino, Unità Operativa Complessa di Chirurgia Maxillofacciale e Odontoiatra, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Gaudio
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, CQRC (Quality Control and Chemical Risk) Hospital Company, Hospitals Reunited Villa Sofia Cervello, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alberto Rebaudi
- Private Practice, President of Bio.C.R.A. (Biomaterials Clinical-Histological Research Association), Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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10
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Greppi M, Obino V, Goda R, Rebaudi F, Carlomagno S, Della Chiesa M, Sivori S, Ubezio G, Agostini V, Bo A, Pesce S, Marcenaro E. Identification of a novel cord blood NK cell subpopulation expressing functional programmed death receptor-1. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1183215. [PMID: 37441071 PMCID: PMC10335745 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1183215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Natural Killer cells (NKs) represent the innate counterpart of TCRαβ lymphocytes and are characterized by a high anti-tumor and an anti-viral cytotoxic activity. Recently, it has been demonstrated that NKs can express PD-1 as an additional inhibitory receptor. Specifically, PD-1 was identified on a subpopulation of terminally differentiated NKs from healthy adults with previous HCMV infection. So far it is unknown whether PD-1 appears during NK-cell development and whether this process is directly or indirectly related to HCMV infection. Methods In this study, we analyzed the expression and function of PD-1 on Cord Blood derived NKs (CB-NKs) on a large cohort of newborns through multiparametric cytofluorimetric analysis. Results We identified PD-1 on CB-NKs in more than of half the newborns analyzed. PD-1 was present on CD56dim NKs, and particularly abundant on CD56neg NKs, but only rarely present on CD56bright NKs. Importantly, unlike in adult healthy donors, in CB-NKs PD-1 is co-expressed not only with KIR, but also with NKG2A. PD-1 expression was independent of HCMV mother seropositivity and occurs in the absence of HCMV infection/reactivation during pregnancy. Notably, PD-1 expressed on CB-NKs was functional and mediated negative signals when triggered. Conclusion To our understanding, this study is the first to report PD-1 expression on CB derived NKs and its features in perinatal conditions. These data may prove important in selecting the most suitable CB derived NK cell population for the development of different immunotherapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valentina Obino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Rayan Goda
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Rebaudi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Bo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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11
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Ma Z, Wang J, Hu L, Wang S. Function of Innate Lymphoid Cells in Periodontal Tissue Homeostasis: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076099. [PMID: 37047071 PMCID: PMC10093809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076099] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Periodontitis is an irreversible inflammatory response that occurs in periodontal tissues. Given the size and diversity of natural flora in the oral mucosa, host immunity must strike a balance between pathogen identification and a complicated system of tolerance. The innate immune system, which includes innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), certainly plays a crucial role in regulating this homeostasis because pathogens are quickly recognized and responded to. ILCs are a recently discovered category of tissue-resident lymphocytes that lack adaptive antigen receptors. ILCs are found in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs and are particularly prevalent at mucosal barrier surfaces, where they control inflammatory response and homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that ILCs are important players in periodontitis; however, the mechanisms that govern the innate immune response in periodontitis still require further investigation. This review focuses on the intricate crosstalk between ILCs and the microenvironment in periodontal tissue homeostasis, with the purpose of regulating or improving immune responses in periodontitis prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyu Ma
- Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, School of Basic Medicine, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jinsong Wang
- Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, School of Basic Medicine, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Capital Medical University Beijing 100070, China
| | - Lei Hu
- Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, School of Basic Medicine, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Immunology Research Center for Oral and Systemic Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Songlin Wang
- Beijing Laboratory of Oral Health, School of Basic Medicine, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Capital Medical University Beijing 100070, China
- Immunology Research Center for Oral and Systemic Health, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
- Laboratory for Oral and General Health Integration and Translation, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
- Research Unit of Tooth Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
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12
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Rocco D, Della Gravara L, Battiloro C, Palazzolo G, Gridelli C. Recently approved and emerging monoclonal antibody immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2023; 23:261-268. [PMID: 36803090 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2023.2183116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION CTLA-4/PD-1/PD-L1- directed immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are one of the standard therapies for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, some new classes of monoclonal antibodies are emerging as promising therapies for advanced NSCLC. AREAS COVERED Therefore, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the recently approved as well as emerging monoclonal antibody immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. EXPERT OPINION Further and larger studies will be needed to explore the promising emerging data on new ICIs. Future phase III trials could allow us to properly assess the role of each immune checkpoints in the wider context of the tumor microenvironment and thus the best new ICIs to use, the best approach and the most effective subset of patients to select.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Rocco
- Department of Pulmonary Oncology, AORN dei Colli Monaldi, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Della Gravara
- Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Battiloro
- Department of Pulmonary Oncology, AORN dei Colli Monaldi, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Cesare Gridelli
- Division of Medical Oncology, S.G. Moscati Hospital, Avellino, Italy
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13
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Guan H, Zhou Z, Hou X, Zhang F, Zhao J, Hu K. Safety and potential increased risk of toxicity of radiotherapy combined immunotherapy strategy. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2023; 19:35-50. [PMID: 35538049 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.13688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating interest has emerged in exploring the toxicity profiles of the combination strategy of radiotherapy (RT) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Much remains unknown regarding safety and the potential increased risk of toxicity of a combined treatment. ICI prolongs survival but can induce immune-related adverse events as well. To increase awareness of adverse effect and support immediate and successful management, we go over the literature on the safety of RT combined immunotherapy strategy. Representative evidence relevant to RT combined with ICI in the brain, lung, head and neck, and pelvic malignance was reviewed respectively. Given radiation doses and fractionation, the irradiated volume, the timing of RT, and ICI would significantly affect the safety and efficiency of ICI+RT combination therapy, and no consensus had been reached about how to arrange RT delivery in the combined contexture, we went over the available literature and tried to address these challenges including the timing of RT, optimal dose and fractionations, RT target and target volume, and potential biomarkers to predict toxicity. We found even though RT+ICI combination therapy might augment toxicities, the majority of patients experienced grade 4 or 5 AE are relatively rare and no significant difference could be found between combination group and monotherapy group. Sometimes the acute toxicity with ICI is much less predictable and often life threatening and in some can give rise to permanent effects. Clinicians across disciplines should be aware of these uncommon lethal complications induced by ICI+RT. Early recognition is the key to successful treatment, reversibility of organ dysfunction, and in some cases even prevention of fatal outcome. If recognized early, managed properly, and no fatal AE occurs, the development of irAE indicates a good prognosis. It should be noted that nothing is known about potential late effects because very few studies have 5-year follow-up. The nature of irAE is the attack of activated immune cells on normal tissues. The nature of RT-induced AE is the DNA damage on normal tissue, which is related with the dose delivered and volume irradiated and the tolerance of surrounding normal tissues. The immune-modulating effect of SBRT may augment the damage on normal tissues. To maximize the antitumor immune response, 8-12 Gy/fraction is preferred when conducting RT. The available clinical evidence suggest RT of this dose/fractionated strategy combined with ICI have a tolerable AE profile, which need further validation by more clinical trials in the future. The combination strategy of RT with anti-PD1/PDL1 anti-body is supposed to be concurrent or RT followed by anti-PD1/PDL1 antibody. Although RT and ipilimumab combination sequence is controversial, ipilimumab prior to or concurrent with RT might be proper, which need more clinical validation. Under the concept of immunological dose painting, SBRT work as a trigger of immune response. It has been observed that SBRT of partially radiated tumors combined with ICI could induce similar tumor control compared with total tumor irradiation. The side effects of RT may be mitigated potentially due to the reduction of irradiated volume. The antitumor efficiency and safety profile of immunological RT dose painting+ICI deserve further investigation. Clinical predictive factors for irAE risk remain unclear, and more investigation deserves to be conducted about the irAE prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Guan
- Department of radiation oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziqi Zhou
- Department of radiation oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaorong Hou
- Department of radiation oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuquan Zhang
- Department of radiation oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Hu
- Department of radiation oncology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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14
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Provinciali N, Greppi M, Pesce S, Rutigliani M, Briata IM, Buttiron Webber T, Fava M, DeCensi A, Marcenaro E. Case report: Variable response to immunotherapy in ovarian cancer: Our experience within the current state of the art. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1094017. [PMID: 36601114 PMCID: PMC9806340 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1094017] [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: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in ovarian cancer (OC) treatment, including the introduction of bevacizumab and PARP-inhibitors, OC remains a lethal disease. Other therapeutic options are being explored, such as immunotherapy (IT), which has been proved effective in many solid tumors. Findings about tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic and regulatory T cells, together with the expression of PD-1 on immune cells and of PD-L1 on tumor cells, gave the rationale for an attempt to the use of IT also in OC. We treated two patients with avelumab, an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, after the first line of chemotherapy: Patient A underwent 19 cycles of maintenance therapy with avelumab with a disease-free interval of 12 months, whereas patient B showed a slight progression of disease after only eight cycles. A higher PD-L1 expression in tumor cells of patient A was detected. She also underwent a genomic assessment that described the presence of a high Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) and a status of Loss of Heterozygosity (LoH). This different response to the same treatment puts in evidence that some genomic and immune features might be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Provinciali
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.), Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Greppi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy,*Correspondence: Emanuela Marcenaro, ; Silvia Pesce,
| | | | - Irene Maria Briata
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.), Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tania Buttiron Webber
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.), Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marianna Fava
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.), Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea DeCensi
- Division of Medical Oncology, Ente Ospedaliero (E.O.), Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy,Centre for Cancer Prevention, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy,*Correspondence: Emanuela Marcenaro, ; Silvia Pesce,
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15
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Yang X, Zheng Y, Xing X, Sui X, Jia W, Pan H. Immune subtype identification and multi-layer perceptron classifier construction for breast cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:943874. [PMID: 36568197 PMCID: PMC9780074 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.943874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Breast cancer is a heterogeneous tumor. Tumor microenvironment (TME) has an important effect on the proliferation, metastasis, treatment, and prognosis of breast cancer. Methods In this study, we calculated the relative proportion of tumor infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in the breast cancer TME, and used the consensus clustering algorithm to cluster the breast cancer subtypes. We also developed a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) classifier based on a deep learning framework to detect breast cancer subtypes, which 70% of the breast cancer research cohort was used for the model training and 30% for validation. Results By performing the K-means clustering algorithm, the research cohort was clustered into two subtypes. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimate analysis showed significant differences in the overall survival (OS) between the two identified subtypes. Estimating the difference in the relative proportion of TIICs showed that the two subtypes had significant differences in multiple immune cells, such as CD8, CD4, and regulatory T cells. Further, the expression level of immune checkpoint molecules (PDL1, CTLA4, LAG3, TIGIT, CD27, IDO1, ICOS) and tumor mutational burden (TMB) also showed significant differences between the two subtypes, indicating the clinical value of the two subtypes. Finally, we identified a 38-gene signature and developed a multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifier that combined multi-gene signature to identify breast cancer subtypes. The results showed that the classifier had an accuracy rate of 93.56% and can be robustly used for the breast cancer subtype diagnosis. Conclusion Identification of breast cancer subtypes based on the immune signature in the tumor microenvironment can assist clinicians to effectively and accurately assess the progression of breast cancer and formulate different treatment strategies for different subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbo Yang
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuanjie Zheng
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Yuanjie Zheng, ; Huali Pan,
| | - Xianrong Xing
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Medical College, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaodan Sui
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Weikuan Jia
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Huali Pan
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China,Business School, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China,*Correspondence: Yuanjie Zheng, ; Huali Pan,
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16
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Expression of immune checkpoint molecules on adult and neonatal T-cells. Immunol Res 2022; 71:185-196. [PMID: 36417145 PMCID: PMC10060332 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-022-09340-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
AbstractTerm and especially preterm neonates are much more susceptible to serious bacterial infections than adults. But not only the susceptibility to infection is increased in neonates, but also their risk for developing post-inflammatory diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). This may be due to an impaired ability to terminate inflammation. In the study presented here, we aimed to investigate the proliferative response and the expression of immune-checkpoint molecules (ICM) and activation markers on neonatal T-cells in comparison to adult T-cells with the hypothesis that an increased activation of neonatal T-cells may contribute to the failure of inflammation resolution observed in neonates. We show that neonatal CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells show an increased proliferative capacity and an increased expression of activation markers compared to adult T-cells upon stimulation with OKT3 as well as a decreased expression of ICM, especially PD-L1 on their surface. This decreased expression of PD-L1 by neonatal T-cells was also observed after stimulation with GBS, but not after stimulation with E. coli, the two most important pathogens in neonatal sepsis. Expression of the T-cell receptor CD3 and the co-stimulatory molecule CD28 did not differ between adult and neonatal T-cells upon bacterial stimulation. Decreased expression of ICM upon T-cell activation may be a reason for the increased risk of neonates to develop post-inflammatory diseases.
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17
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Borgovan T, Yanamandra N, Schmidt H. INNATE IMMUNITY AS A TARGET FOR NOVEL THERAPEUTICS IN TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:781-794. [DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2096005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Theo Borgovan
- Oncology Research and DevelopmentGlaxoSmithKline, 1250 S. Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426,
| | - Niranjan Yanamandra
- Immuno-Oncology & Combinations Research Unit.GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 S. Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426,
| | - Hank Schmidt
- Oncology Research and DevelopmentGlaxoSmithKline, 1250 S. Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426,
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18
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Della Chiesa M, Setti C, Giordano C, Obino V, Greppi M, Pesce S, Marcenaro E, Rutigliani M, Provinciali N, Paleari L, DeCensi A, Sivori S, Carlomagno S. NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1033. [PMID: 35891197 PMCID: PMC9323201 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Natural Killer (NK) cells are all round players in immunity thanks to their powerful and immediate response against transformed cells and the ability to modulate the subsequent adaptive immune response. The potential of immunotherapies based on NK cell involvement has been initially revealed in the hematological setting but has inspired the design of different immune tools to also be applied against solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Indeed, despite cancer prevention screening plans, surgery, and chemotherapy strategies, CRC is one of the most widespread cancers and with the highest mortality rate. Therefore, further efficient and complementary immune-based therapies are in urgent need. In this review, we gathered the most recent advances in NK cell-based immunotherapies aimed at fighting CRC, in particular, the use of monoclonal antibodies targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), immune checkpoint blockade, and adoptive NK cell therapy, including NK cells modified with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-NK).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Della Chiesa
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Chiara Setti
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Chiara Giordano
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Valentina Obino
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Marco Greppi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Silvia Pesce
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | | | | | - Laura Paleari
- A.Li.Sa., Liguria Region Health Authority, 16121 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Andrea DeCensi
- Medical Oncology, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, Italy; (N.P.); (A.D.)
| | - Simona Sivori
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Simona Carlomagno
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (C.S.); (C.G.); (V.O.); (M.G.); (S.P.); (E.M.); (S.S.)
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19
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Kim MJ, Ha SJ. Differential Role of PD-1 Expressed by Various Immune and Tumor Cells in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment: Expression, Function, Therapeutic Efficacy, and Resistance to Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:767466. [PMID: 34901012 PMCID: PMC8662983 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.767466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), tumor cells interact with various cells and operate various strategies to avoid antitumor immune responses. These immune escape strategies often make the TIME resistant to cancer immunotherapy. Neutralizing immune escape strategies is necessary to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint receptors (ICRs) expressed in effector immune cells inhibit their effector function via direct interaction with immune checkpoint ligands (ICLs) expressed in tumor cells. Therefore, blocking ICRs or ICLs has been developed as a promising cancer immunotherapy by reinvigorating the function of effector immune cells. Among the ICRs, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) has mainly been antagonized to enhance the survival of human patients with cancer by restoring the function of tumor-infiltrating (TI) CD8+ T cells. It has been demonstrated that PD-1 is expressed not only in TI CD8+ T cells, but also in other TI immune cells and even tumor cells. While PD-1 suppresses the function of TI CD8+ T cells, it is controversial whether PD-1 suppresses or amplifies the suppressive function of TI-suppressive immune cells (e.g., regulatory T cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and myeloid cells). There is also controversy regarding the role of tumor-expressing PD-1. Therefore, a precise understanding of the expression pattern and function of PD-1 in each cell subset is important for improving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Here, we review the differential role of PD-1 expressed by various TI immune cells and tumor cells. We focused on how cell-type-specific ablation or blockade of PD-1 affects tumor growth in a murine tumor model. Furthermore, we will also describe how the blockade of PD-1 acts on TI immune cells in human patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myeong Joon Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.,Brain Korea 21 (BK21) FOUR Program, Yonsei Education & Research Center for Biosystems, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang-Jun Ha
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.,Brain Korea 21 (BK21) FOUR Program, Yonsei Education & Research Center for Biosystems, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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20
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Qu Y, Wang C, Liu L, Li S, Zhang X, Ma Z, Bai H, Wang J. Predictive Value of Max's Giant Associated Protein Mutation in Outcomes of Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:728647. [PMID: 34733843 PMCID: PMC8558674 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.728647] [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: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has considerably improved prognosis in multiple cancers. However, regardless of PD-L1 expression and TMB, better predictive biomarkers are required to identify ICI-responsive patients. We analyzed a pan-cancer cohort as the discovery cohort to identify the role of Max’s giant associated protein (MGA) mutation in the outcome of ICI treatment in different types of cancers. A pooled lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cohort was considered as the validation cohort. Another two LUAD cohorts who received conventional treatment were included for prognostic analysis and mechanism exploration. In the discovery cohort, MGA mutation was a favorable survival biomarker for patients with LUAD than in those with other types of cancers. MGA mutation was positively correlated with the TMB score. The results of the validation cohort were consistent with those of the discovery cohort. Patients with MGA mutation in the TMB-low subgroup had longer survival. Two LUAD cohorts who received standard treatment showed that the MGA mutation was not a prognostic biomarker for standard treatment. Mechanically, we found that the co-mutant genes did not affect the prognostic role of MGA mutation. Gene-set enrichment analysis revealed that genes belonging to the immunodeficiency pathway were enriched in the MGA wild-type group in LUAD. Moreover, activated NK cells were more enriched in the MGA mutant LUAD group. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that MGA mutation was an independent predictive biomarker for ICI therapy. These results may provide a novel insight into identifying potential patients with LUAD for ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lihui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Sini Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zixiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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21
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Grimaldi A, Pietropaolo G, Stabile H, Kosta A, Capuano C, Gismondi A, Santoni A, Sciumè G, Fionda C. The Regulatory Activity of Noncoding RNAs in ILCs. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102742. [PMID: 34685721 PMCID: PMC8534545 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are innate lymphocytes playing essential functions in protection against microbial infections and participate in both homeostatic and pathological contexts, including tissue remodeling, cancer, and inflammatory disorders. A number of lineage-defining transcription factors concurs to establish transcriptional networks which determine the identity and the activity of the distinct ILC subsets. However, the contribution of other regulatory molecules in controlling ILC development and function is also recently emerging. In this regard, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent key elements of the complex regulatory network of ILC biology and host protection. ncRNAs mostly lack protein-coding potential, but they are endowed with a relevant regulatory activity in immune and nonimmune cells because of their ability to control chromatin structure, RNA stability, and/or protein synthesis. Herein, we summarize recent studies describing how distinct types of ncRNAs, mainly microRNAs, long ncRNAs, and circular RNAs, act in the context of ILC biology. In particular, we comment on how ncRNAs can exert key effects in ILCs by controlling gene expression in a cell- or state-specific manner and how this tunes distinct functional outputs in ILCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Grimaldi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.P.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (A.G.); (A.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Giuseppe Pietropaolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.P.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (A.G.); (A.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Helena Stabile
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.P.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (A.G.); (A.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Andrea Kosta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.P.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (A.G.); (A.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Cristina Capuano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Angela Gismondi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.P.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (A.G.); (A.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.P.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (A.G.); (A.S.); (G.S.)
- IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sciumè
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.P.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (A.G.); (A.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.P.); (H.S.); (A.K.); (A.G.); (A.S.); (G.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0649255118; Fax: +39-0644340632
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Szudy-Szczyrek A, Ahern S, Kozioł M, Majowicz D, Szczyrek M, Krawczyk J, Hus M. Therapeutic Potential of Innate Lymphoid Cells for Multiple Myeloma Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4806. [PMID: 34638291 PMCID: PMC8507621 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194806] [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: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a recently identified family of lymphocyte-like cells lacking a specific antigen receptor. They are part of the innate immune system. They play a key role in tissue homeostasis and also control inflammatory and neoplastic processes. In response to environmental stimuli, ILCs change their phenotype and functions, and influence the activity of other cells in the microenvironment. ILC dysfunction can lead to a wide variety of diseases, including cancer. ILC can be divided into three subgroups: ILC Group 1, comprising NK cells and ILC1; Group 2, including ILC2 alone; and Group 3, containing Lymphoid Tissue inducers (LTi) and ILC3 cells. While Group 1 ILCs mainly exert antitumour activity, Group 2 and Group 3 ILCs are protumorigenic in nature. A growing body of preclinical and clinical data support the role of ILCs in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM). Therefore, targeting ILCs may be of clinical benefit. In this manuscript, we review the available data on the role of ILCs in MM immunology and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Szudy-Szczyrek
- Chair and Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.K.); (D.M.)
| | - Sean Ahern
- Department of Haematology, University Hospital Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (S.A.); (J.K.)
- National University of Ireland, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Magdalena Kozioł
- Chair and Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.K.); (D.M.)
| | - Daria Majowicz
- Chair and Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.K.); (D.M.)
| | - Michał Szczyrek
- Chair and Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Janusz Krawczyk
- Department of Haematology, University Hospital Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (S.A.); (J.K.)
- National University of Ireland, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Marek Hus
- Chair and Department of Haematooncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.K.); (D.M.)
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Fejza A, Polano M, Camicia L, Poletto E, Carobolante G, Toffoli G, Mongiat M, Andreuzzi E. The Efficacy of Anti-PD-L1 Treatment in Melanoma Is Associated with the Expression of the ECM Molecule EMILIN2. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147511. [PMID: 34299131 PMCID: PMC8306837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of melanoma patients, leading to remarkable improvements in the cure. However, to ensure a safe and effective treatment, there is the need to develop markers to identify the patients that would most likely respond to the therapies. The microenvironment is gaining attention in this context, since it can regulate both the immunotherapy efficacyand angiogenesis, which is known to be affected by treatment. Here, we investigated the putative role of the ECM molecule EMILIN-2, a tumor suppressive and pro-angiogenic molecule. We verified that the EMILIN2 expression is variable among melanoma patients and is associated with the response to PD-L1 inhibitors. Consistently, in preclinical settings, the absence of EMILIN-2 is associated with higher PD-L1 expression and increased immunotherapy efficacy. We verified that EMILIN-2 modulates PD-L1 expression in melanoma cells through indirect immune-dependent mechanisms. Notably, upon PD-L1 blockage, Emilin2−/− mice displayed improved intra-tumoral vessel normalization and decreased tumor hypoxia. Finally, we provide evidence indicating that the inclusion of EMILIN2 in a number of gene expression signatures improves their predictive potential, a further indication that the analysis of this molecule may be key for the development of new markers to predict immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albina Fejza
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Research and Diagnosis, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (A.F.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Maurizio Polano
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (M.P.); (G.T.)
| | - Lucrezia Camicia
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Research and Diagnosis, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (A.F.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Evelina Poletto
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Research and Diagnosis, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (A.F.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Greta Carobolante
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Research and Diagnosis, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (A.F.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (M.P.); (G.T.)
| | - Maurizio Mongiat
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Research and Diagnosis, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (A.F.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (E.A.)
| | - Eva Andreuzzi
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Research and Diagnosis, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081 Aviano, Italy; (A.F.); (L.C.); (E.P.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (E.A.)
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Yuan X, Rasul F, Nashan B, Sun C. Innate lymphoid cells and cancer: Role in tumor progression and inhibition. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:2188-2205. [PMID: 34189723 PMCID: PMC8457100 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202049033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), a critical component of the immune system, have recently been nominated as emerging players associated with tumor progression and inhibition. ILCs are classified into five groups: natural killer (NK) cells, ILC1s, ILC2s, ILC3s, and lymphoid tissue inducer (LTis) cells. NK cells and ILC1s are mainly involved in antitumor activities due to their cytotoxic and cytokine production capabilities, respectively. The current understanding of the heterogeneous behavior of ILC2s and ILC3s in tumors is limited and incomplete. Mostly, their dual roles are modulated by their resident tissues, released cytokines, cancer types, and plasticity. Based on overlap RORγt and cytokine expression, the LTi cells were previously considered part of the ILC3s ontogeny, which are essential for the formation of the secondary lymphoid organs during embryogenesis. Indeed, these facts highlight the urgency in understanding the respective mechanisms that shape the phenotypes and responses of ILCs, either on the repressive or proliferative side in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This review aims to provide an updated view of ILCs biology with respect to tumorigenesis, including a description of ILC plasticity, their interaction with other immune cells and communication with components of the TME. Taken together, targeting ILCs for cancer immunotherapy could be a promising approach against tumors that needs to be further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Yuan
- Transplant & Immunology Laboratory, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Faiz Rasul
- Transplant & Immunology Laboratory, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Björn Nashan
- Transplant & Immunology Laboratory, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Cheng Sun
- Transplant & Immunology Laboratory, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Organ Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China
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25
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Wright Q, Gonzalez Cruz JL, Wells JW, Leggatt GR. PD-1 and beyond to Activate T Cells in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Cancers: The Case for 4-1BB and VISTA Antibodies in Combination Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3310. [PMID: 34282763 PMCID: PMC8269268 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) have a higher incidence than all other cancers combined with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), capable of metastasis, representing approximately 20% of NMSCs. Given the accessibility of the skin, surgery is frequently employed to treat localized disease, although certain localities, the delineation of clear margins, frequency and recurrence of tumors can make these cancers inoperable in a subset of patients. Other treatment modalities, including cryotherapy, are commonly used for individual lesions, with varying success. Immunotherapy, particularly with checkpoint antibodies, is increasingly a promising therapeutic approach in many cancers, offering the potential advantage of immune memory for protection against lesion recurrence. This review addresses a role for PD-1, 4-1BB and VISTA checkpoint antibodies as monotherapies, or in combination as a therapeutic treatment for both early and late-stage cSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Graham R. Leggatt
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia; (Q.W.); (J.L.G.C.); (J.W.W.)
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26
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Two Complementarity Immunotherapeutics in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients-Mechanism of Action and Future Concepts. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112836. [PMID: 34200219 PMCID: PMC8201041 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112836] [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: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Here, we focused on the most important mechanisms of action of combined immunotherapy with modern anticancer approaches in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. This knowledge is extremely important for lung cancer clinicians. First, it facilitates proper involvement of the patient in the treatment and monitoring its effectiveness. More importantly, the knowledge of the immunotherapy mechanisms will certainly allow quick recognition of the side effects of such a therapy, which are totally different of those observed after chemotherapy. Side effects of combination therapies can occur at any stage of treatment, and even after completion thereof. This review article could particularly explain the mechanism of action of combined immunotherapy, which have different targets in patients. Abstract Due to the limited effectiveness of immunotherapy used as first-line monotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the concepts of combining classical immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint antibodies with other treatment methods have been developed. Pembrolizumab and atezolizumab were registered in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC, while durvalumab found its application in consolidation therapy after successful chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced NSCLC. Exceptionally attractive, due to their relatively low toxicity and high effectiveness, are treatment approaches in which a combination of two different immunotherapy methods is applied. This method is based on observations from clinical trials in which nivolumab and ipilimumab were used as first-line therapy for advanced NSCLC. It turned out that the dual blockade of immune checkpoints activated T lymphocytes in different compartments of the immune response, at the same time affecting the downregulation of immune suppressor cells (regulatory T cells). These experiments not only resulted in the registration of combination therapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab, but also initiated other clinical trials using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in combination with other ICIs or activators of costimulatory molecules found on immune cells. There are also studies in which ICIs are associated with molecules that modify the tumour environment. This paper describes the mechanism of the synergistic effect of a combination of different immunotherapy methods in NSCLC patients.
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Shaver KA, Croom-Perez TJ, Copik AJ. Natural Killer Cells: The Linchpin for Successful Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:679117. [PMID: 33995422 PMCID: PMC8115550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.679117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a highly successful and rapidly evolving treatment modality that works by augmenting the body’s own immune system. While various immune stimulation strategies such as PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4 checkpoint blockade result in robust responses, even in patients with advanced cancers, the overall response rate is low. While immune checkpoint inhibitors are known to enhance cytotoxic T cells’ antitumor response, current evidence suggests that immune responses independent of cytotoxic T cells, such as Natural Killer (NK) cells, play crucial role in the efficacy of immunotherapeutic interventions. NK cells hold a distinct role in potentiating the innate immune response and activating the adaptive immune system. This review highlights the importance of the early actions of the NK cell response and the pivotal role NK cells hold in priming the immune system and setting the stage for successful response to cancer immunotherapy. Yet, in many patients the NK cell compartment is compromised thus lowering the chances of successful outcomes of many immunotherapies. An overview of mechanisms that can drive NK cell dysfunction and hinder immunotherapy success is provided. Rather than relying on the likely dysfunctional endogenous NK cells to work with immunotherapies, adoptive allogeneic NK cell therapies provide a viable solution to increase response to immunotherapies. This review highlights the advances made in development of NK cell therapeutics for clinical application with evidence supporting their combinatorial application with other immune-oncology approaches to improve outcomes of immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari A Shaver
- College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Tayler J Croom-Perez
- Burnett School of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Alicja J Copik
- Burnett School of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
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28
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Gurney M, O’Dwyer M. Realizing Innate Potential: CAR-NK Cell Therapies for Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1568. [PMID: 33805422 PMCID: PMC8036691 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Next-generation cellular immunotherapies seek to improve the safety and efficacy of approved CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell products or apply their principles across a growing list of targets and diseases. Supported by promising early clinical experiences, CAR modified natural killer (CAR-NK) cell therapies represent a complementary and potentially off-the-shelf, allogeneic solution. While acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents an intuitive disease in which to investigate CAR based immunotherapies, key biological differences to B-cell malignancies have complicated progress to date. As CAR-T cell trials treating AML are growing in number, several CAR-NK cell approaches are also in development. In this review we explore why CAR-NK cell therapies may be particularly suited to the treatment of AML. First, we examine the established role NK cells play in AML biology and the existing anti-leukemic activity of NK cell adoptive transfer. Next, we appraise potential AML target antigens and consider common and unique challenges posed relative to treating B-cell malignancies. We summarize the current landscape of CAR-NK development in AML, and potential targets to augment CAR-NK cell therapies pharmacologically and through genetic engineering. Finally, we consider the broader landscape of competing immunotherapeutic approaches to AML treatment. In doing so we evaluate the innate potential, status and remaining barriers for CAR-NK based AML immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Gurney
- Apoptosis Research Center, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland;
| | - Michael O’Dwyer
- Apoptosis Research Center, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland;
- ONK Therapeutics Ltd., H91 V6KV Galway, Ireland
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29
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Schmied L, Höglund P, Meinke S. Platelet-Mediated Protection of Cancer Cells From Immune Surveillance - Possible Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:640578. [PMID: 33777033 PMCID: PMC7988080 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.640578] [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] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing insights in the complex interactions between metastatic cancer-cells and platelets have revealed that platelet tumor cell interactions in the blood stream are an important factor supporting tumor metastasis. An increased coagulability of platelets facilitates the vascular evasion and establishment of solid tumor metastasis. Furthermore, platelets can support an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment or shield tumor cells directly from engagement of cytotoxic lymphocytes as e.g., natural killer (NK) cells. Platelets are both in the tumor microenvironment and systemically the quantitatively most important source of TGF-β, which is a key cytokine for immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. If similar platelet-tumor interactions are of physiological relevance in hematological malignancies remains less well-studied. This might be important, as T- and NK cell mediated graft vs. leukemia effects (GvL) are well-documented and malignant hematological cells have a high exposure to platelets compared to solid tumors. As NK cell-based immunotherapies gain increasing attention as a therapeutic option for patients suffering from hematological and other malignancies, we review the known interactions between platelets and NK cells in the solid tumor setting and discuss how these could also apply to hematological cancers. We furthermore explore the possible implications for NK cell therapy in patients with solid tumors and patients who depend on frequent platelet transfusions. As platelets have a protective and supportive effect on cancer cells, the impact of platelet transfusion on immunotherapy and the combination of immunotherapy with platelet inhibitors needs to be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Schmied
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Petter Höglund
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Stephan Meinke
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
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