1
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Ferdous KU, Tesfay MZ, Cios A, Shelton RS, Hartupee C, Urbaniak A, Chamcheu JC, Mavros MN, Giorgakis E, Mustafa B, Simoes CC, Miousse IR, Basnakian AG, Moaven O, Post SR, Cannon MJ, Kelly T, Nagalo BM. Enhancing Neoadjuvant Virotherapy's Effectiveness by Targeting Stroma to Improve Resectability in Pancreatic Cancer. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1596. [PMID: 39062169 PMCID: PMC11275208 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071596] [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: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
About one-fourth of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are categorized as borderline resectable (BR) or locally advanced (LA). Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have not yielded the anticipated outcomes in curing patients with BR/LA PDAC. The surgical resection of these tumors presents challenges owing to the unpredictability of the resection margin, involvement of vasculature with the tumor, the likelihood of occult metastasis, a higher ratio of positive lymph nodes, and the relatively larger size of tumor nodules. Oncolytic virotherapy has shown promising activity in preclinical PDAC models. Unfortunately, the desmoplastic stroma within the PDAC tumor microenvironment establishes a barrier, hindering the infiltration of oncolytic viruses and various therapeutic drugs-such as antibodies, adoptive cell therapy agents, and chemotherapeutic agents-in reaching the tumor site. Recently, a growing emphasis has been placed on targeting major acellular components of tumor stroma, such as hyaluronic acid and collagen, to enhance drug penetration. Oncolytic viruses can be engineered to express proteolytic enzymes that cleave hyaluronic acid and collagen into smaller polypeptides, thereby softening the desmoplastic stroma, ultimately leading to increased viral distribution along with increased oncolysis and subsequent tumor size regression. This approach may offer new possibilities to improve the resectability of patients diagnosed with BR and LA PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khandoker Usran Ferdous
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.U.F.); (M.Z.T.); (A.C.); (C.C.S.); (S.R.P.); (T.K.)
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.N.M.); (M.J.C.)
| | - Mulu Z. Tesfay
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.U.F.); (M.Z.T.); (A.C.); (C.C.S.); (S.R.P.); (T.K.)
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.N.M.); (M.J.C.)
| | - Aleksandra Cios
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.U.F.); (M.Z.T.); (A.C.); (C.C.S.); (S.R.P.); (T.K.)
| | - Randal S. Shelton
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Conner Hartupee
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (C.H.); (O.M.)
| | - Alicja Urbaniak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (A.U.); (I.R.M.)
| | - Jean Christopher Chamcheu
- Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA 70813, USA;
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Michail N. Mavros
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.N.M.); (M.J.C.)
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
- Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Emmanouil Giorgakis
- Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Bahaa Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Camila C. Simoes
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.U.F.); (M.Z.T.); (A.C.); (C.C.S.); (S.R.P.); (T.K.)
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.N.M.); (M.J.C.)
| | - Isabelle R. Miousse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (A.U.); (I.R.M.)
| | - Alexei G. Basnakian
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, John L. McClellan Memorial VA Hospital, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Omeed Moaven
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (C.H.); (O.M.)
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Louisiana Cancer Research Center, Louisiana State University (LSU) Health, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Steven R. Post
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.U.F.); (M.Z.T.); (A.C.); (C.C.S.); (S.R.P.); (T.K.)
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.N.M.); (M.J.C.)
| | - Martin J. Cannon
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.N.M.); (M.J.C.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Thomas Kelly
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.U.F.); (M.Z.T.); (A.C.); (C.C.S.); (S.R.P.); (T.K.)
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.N.M.); (M.J.C.)
| | - Bolni Marius Nagalo
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (K.U.F.); (M.Z.T.); (A.C.); (C.C.S.); (S.R.P.); (T.K.)
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.N.M.); (M.J.C.)
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Mancini A, Gentile MT, Pentimalli F, Cortellino S, Grieco M, Giordano A. Multiple aspects of matrix stiffness in cancer progression. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1406644. [PMID: 39015505 PMCID: PMC11249764 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1406644] [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: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The biophysical and biomechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are crucial in the processes of cell differentiation and proliferation. However, it is unclear to what extent tumor cells are influenced by biomechanical and biophysical changes of the surrounding microenvironment and how this response varies between different tumor forms, and over the course of tumor progression. The entire ensemble of genes encoding the ECM associated proteins is called matrisome. In cancer, the ECM evolves to become highly dysregulated, rigid, and fibrotic, serving both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic roles. Tumor desmoplasia is characterized by a dramatic increase of α-smooth muscle actin expressing fibroblast and the deposition of hard ECM containing collagen, fibronectin, proteoglycans, and hyaluronic acid and is common in many solid tumors. In this review, we described the role of inflammation and inflammatory cytokines, in desmoplastic matrix remodeling, tumor state transition driven by microenvironment forces and the signaling pathways in mechanotransduction as potential targeted therapies, focusing on the impact of qualitative and quantitative variations of the ECM on the regulation of tumor development, hypothesizing the presence of matrisome drivers, acting alongside the cell-intrinsic oncogenic drivers, in some stages of neoplastic progression and in some tumor contexts, such as pancreatic carcinoma, breast cancer, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Mancini
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
- BioUp Sagl, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Maria Teresa Gentile
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Francesca Pentimalli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, LUM University “Giuseppe De Gennaro,” Casamassima, Bari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cortellino
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Responsible Research Hospital, Campobasso, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM), Clinical and Translational Oncology, Naples, NA, Italy
- Sbarro Health Research Organization (S.H.R.O.) Italia Foundation ETS, Candiolo, TO, Italy
| | - Michele Grieco
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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3
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Mai Z, Lin Y, Lin P, Zhao X, Cui L. Modulating extracellular matrix stiffness: a strategic approach to boost cancer immunotherapy. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:307. [PMID: 38693104 PMCID: PMC11063215 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06697-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The interplay between extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and the tumor microenvironment is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in cancer progression and the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review comprehensively discusses the key factors regulating ECM remodeling, including the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the accumulation and crosslinking of ECM proteins. Furthermore, it provides a detailed exploration of how ECM stiffness influences the behaviors of both tumor and immune cells. Significantly, the impact of ECM stiffness on the response to various immunotherapy strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockade, adoptive cell therapy, oncolytic virus therapy, and therapeutic cancer vaccines, is thoroughly examined. The review also addresses the challenges in translating research findings into clinical practice, highlighting the need for more precise biomaterials that accurately mimic the ECM and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The insights offered aim to guide future research, with the potential to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhao Mai
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunfan Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Pei Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li Cui
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
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4
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Liu C, Fang J, Kang W, Yang Y, Yu C, Chen H, Zhang Y, Ouyang H. Identification of novel potential homologous repair deficiency-associated genes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma via WGCNA coexpression network analysis and machine learning. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:2392-2408. [PMID: 38124367 PMCID: PMC10802216 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2023.2293594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Homologous repair deficiency (HRD) impedes double-strand break repair, which is a common driver of carcinogenesis. Positive HRD status can be used as theranostic markers of response to platinum- and PARP inhibitor-based chemotherapies. Here, we aimed to fully investigate the therapeutic and prognostic potential of HRD in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) and identify effective biomarkers related to HRD using comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. The HRD score was defined as the unweighted sum of the LOH, TAI, and LST scores, and it was obtained based on the previous literature. To characterize PAAD immune infiltration subtypes, the "ConsensusClusterPlus" package in R was used to conduct unsupervised clustering. A WGCNA was conducted to elucidate the gene coexpression modules and hub genes in the HRD-related gene module of PAAD. The functional enrichment study was performed using Metascape. LASSO analysis was performed using the "glmnet" package in R, while the random forest algorithm was realized using the "randomForest" package in R. The prognostic variables were evaluated using univariate Cox analysis. The prognostic risk model was built using the LASSO approach. ROC curve and KM survival analyses were performed to assess the prognostic potential of the risk model. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the PARP inhibitors was estimated using the "pRRophetic" package in R and the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer database. The "rms" package in R was used to create the nomogram. A high HRD score indicated a poor prognosis and an advanced clinical process in PAAD patients. PAAD tumors with high HRD levels revealed significant T helper lymphocyte depletion, upregulated levels of cancer stem cells, and increased sensitivity to rucaparib, Olaparib, and veliparib. Using WGCNA, 11 coexpression modules were obtained. The red module and 122 hub genes were identified as the most correlated with HRD in PAAD. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the 122 hub genes were mainly concentrated in cell cycle pathways. One novel HRD-related gene signature consisting of CKS1B, HJURP, and TPX2 were screened via LASSO analysis and a random forest algorithm, and they were validated using independent validation sets. No direct association between HRD and CKS1B, HJURP, or TPX2 has not been reported in the literature so far. Thus, these findings indicated that CKS1B, HJURP, and TPX2 have potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PAAD. We constructed a novel HRD-related prognostic model that provides new insights into PAAD prognosis and immunotherapy. Based on bioinformatics analysis, we comprehensively explored the therapeutic and prognostic potential of HRD in PAAD. One novel HRD-related gene signature consisting of CKS1B, HJURP, and TPX2 were identified through the combination of WGCNA, LASSO analysis and a random forest algorithm. A novel HRD-related risk model that can predict clinical prognosis and immunotherapeutic response in PAAD patients was constructed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Liu
- Department of General surgery, The People’s Hospital of Chizhou, Chizhou, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jingyun Fang
- Department of Nursing, The People’s Hospital of Chizhou, Chizhou, Anhui Province, China
| | - Weibiao Kang
- Department of General surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of General surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Changjun Yu
- Department of General surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yongwei Zhang
- Department of general surgery, Anqing First People’s Hospital, Anqing, Anhui Province, China
| | - Huan Ouyang
- Department of General surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
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5
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Bruni S, Mercogliano MF, Mauro FL, Cordo Russo RI, Schillaci R. Cancer immune exclusion: breaking the barricade for a successful immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1135456. [PMID: 37284199 PMCID: PMC10239871 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1135456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has changed the course of cancer treatment. The initial steps were made through tumor-specific antibodies that guided the setup of an antitumor immune response. A new and successful generation of antibodies are designed to target immune checkpoint molecules aimed to reinvigorate the antitumor immune response. The cellular counterpart is the adoptive cell therapy, where specific immune cells are expanded or engineered to target cancer cells. In all cases, the key for achieving positive clinical resolutions rests upon the access of immune cells to the tumor. In this review, we focus on how the tumor microenvironment architecture, including stromal cells, immunosuppressive cells and extracellular matrix, protects tumor cells from an immune attack leading to immunotherapy resistance, and on the available strategies to tackle immune evasion.
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Binda C, Gibiino G, Sbrancia M, Coluccio C, Cazzato M, Carloni L, Cucchetti A, Ercolani G, Sambri V, Fabbri C. Microbiota in the Natural History of Pancreatic Cancer: From Predisposition to Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010001. [PMID: 36611999 PMCID: PMC9817971 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Early microbiome insights came from gut microbes and their role among intestinal and extraintestinal disease. The latest evidence suggests that the microbiota is a true organ, capable of several interactions throughout the digestive system, attracting specific interest in the biliopancreatic district. Despite advances in diagnostics over the last few decades and improvements in the management of this disease, pancreatic cancer is still a common cause of cancer death. Microbiota can influence the development of precancerous disease predisposing to pancreatic cancer (PC). At the same time, neoplastic tissue shows specific characteristics in terms of diversity and phenotype, determining the short- and long-term prognosis. Considering the above information, a role for microbiota has also been hypothesized in the different phases of the PC approach, providing future revolutionary therapeutic insights. Microbiota-modulating therapies could open new issues in the therapeutic landscape. The aim of this narrative review is to assess the most updated evidence on microbiome in all the steps regarding pancreatic adenocarcinoma, from early development to response to antineoplastic therapy and long-term prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Binda
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Forlì-Cesena Hospitals, Ausl Romagna, 47121 Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Giulia Gibiino
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Forlì-Cesena Hospitals, Ausl Romagna, 47121 Forlì-Cesena, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3488609557
| | - Monica Sbrancia
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Forlì-Cesena Hospitals, Ausl Romagna, 47121 Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Chiara Coluccio
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Forlì-Cesena Hospitals, Ausl Romagna, 47121 Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Maria Cazzato
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Forlì-Cesena Hospitals, Ausl Romagna, 47121 Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Carloni
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Forlì-Cesena Hospitals, Ausl Romagna, 47121 Forlì-Cesena, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cucchetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- General and Oncologic Surgery, Morgagni—Pierantoni Hospital, AUSL Romagna, 47121 Forlì, Italy
| | - Giorgio Ercolani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- General and Oncologic Surgery, Morgagni—Pierantoni Hospital, AUSL Romagna, 47121 Forlì, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Microbiology Unit, Hub Laboratory, AUSL della Romagna, 47121 Cesena, Italy
| | - Carlo Fabbri
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Forlì-Cesena Hospitals, Ausl Romagna, 47121 Forlì-Cesena, Italy
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Baldari S, Di Modugno F, Nisticò P, Toietta G. Strategies for Efficient Targeting of Tumor Collagen for Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194706. [PMID: 36230627 PMCID: PMC9563908 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The tumor microenvironment encompasses the cellular and extracellular matrix components that support and shape the three-dimensional framework in which solid tumors develop and grow. The extracellular matrix of the tumor is characterized by increased deposition and aberrant architecture of collagen fibers. Therefore, as a key mechanical component of the tumor microenvironment, collagen plays a critical role in cancer progression, metastasis, and therapeutic response. To boost the efficacy of current anticancer therapies, including immunotherapy, innovative approaches should take into account strategies directed against the dysregulated non-cancer cell stromal components. In the current review, we provide an overview of the principal approaches to target tumor collagen to provide therapeutic benefits. Abstract The tumor stroma, which comprises stromal cells and non-cellular elements, is a critical component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The dynamic interactions between the tumor cells and the stroma may promote tumor progression and metastasis and dictate resistance to established cancer therapies. Therefore, novel antitumor approaches should combine anticancer and anti-stroma strategies targeting dysregulated tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM remodeling is a hallmark of solid tumors, leading to extensive biochemical and biomechanical changes, affecting cell signaling and tumor tissue three-dimensional architecture. Increased deposition of fibrillar collagen is the most distinctive alteration of the tumor ECM. Consequently, several anticancer therapeutic strategies have been developed to reduce excessive tumor collagen deposition. Herein, we provide an overview of the current advances and challenges of the main approaches aiming at tumor collagen normalization, which include targeted anticancer drug delivery, promotion of degradation, modulation of structure and biosynthesis of collagen, and targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts, which are the major extracellular matrix producers.
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Zamloot V, Ebelt ND, Soo C, Jinka S, Manuel ER. Targeted Depletion of Hyaluronic Acid Mitigates Murine Breast Cancer Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4614. [PMID: 36230537 PMCID: PMC9562634 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is highly elevated in breast cancers compared to normal breast tissue and is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis. HA interacts with cell-trafficking CD44 receptors to promote tumor cell migration and proliferation and regulates both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production through tumor-associated macrophages. The highly negative charge of HA enables its uptake of vast amounts of water that greatly increases the tumor interstitial fluidic pressure, which, combined with the presence of other extracellular matrix components such as collagen, results in tumor stroma with abnormal vasculature, hypoxia, and increased drug resistance. Thus, the degradation of HA in breast cancer may attenuate growth and improve permeability to anticancer agents. Previous methods to deplete tumor HA have resulted in significant off-tumor effects due to the systemic use of mammalian hyaluronidases. To overcome this, we developed a hyaluronidase-secreting Salmonella typhimurium (YS-HAse) that specifically and preferentially colonizes tumors to deplete HA. We show that the systemic administration of YS-HAse in immunocompetent murine models of breast cancer enhances tumor perfusion, controls tumor growth, and restructures the tumor immune contexture. These studies highlight the utility of YS-HAse as a novel microbial-based therapeutic that may also be combined with existing therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Edwin R. Manuel
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Zhang Z, Zhang H, Shi L, Wang D, Tang D. Heterogeneous cancer-associated fibroblasts: A new perspective for understanding immunosuppression in pancreatic cancer. Immunology 2022; 167:1-14. [PMID: 35569095 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown promising efficacy in the treatment of a wide range of cancers; however, it has had little effect on pancreatic cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the predominant mesenchymal cells present in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment, are powerful supporters of the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer. CAFs can modify the microenvironment, establish a refuge to aid cancer cells in immune escape by secreting large amounts of extracellular matrix, and produce soluble cytokines and exosomal vesicles. Hence, CAFs are important contributors to the failure of immunotherapy. Current in-depth studies of CAFs have shown that CAFs are a heterogeneous population of mesenchymal cells; therefore, the functional complexity of their populations needs in-depth explorations in future studies. This review summarizes how heterogeneous CAFs help cancer cells achieve immune escape and suggests potential directions for using CAFs as targets to address immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Daorong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dong Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, China
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10
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Amara S, Yang LV, Tiriveedhi V, Muzaffar M. Complex Role of Microbiome in Pancreatic Tumorigenesis: Potential Therapeutic Implications. Cells 2022; 11:1900. [PMID: 35741028 PMCID: PMC9221309 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality with limited diagnostic and therapeutic options. Although immunotherapy has shown promise in the treatment of several cancers, its role in pancreatic cancer is rather limited. Several studies have focused on determining the role of the tumor microenvironment with cancer-cell-intrinsic events and tumor-infiltrating immune cellular properties. However, in the past decade, there has been emerging research aimed at delineating the role of the host microbiome, including the metabolites from microbes and host responses, on pancreatic tumorigenesis. Importantly, there is emerging evidence suggesting the beneficial role of a gut microbiome transplant to improve immunotherapeutic outcomes in cancer patients. In this review, we summarize the recent understanding of the role of the microbiome in pancreatic cancer progression, along with its clinical diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneetha Amara
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (L.V.Y.); (M.M.)
| | - Li V. Yang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (L.V.Y.); (M.M.)
| | - Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Mahvish Muzaffar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (L.V.Y.); (M.M.)
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Zhang Z, Tang D. The huge clinical potential of microbiota in the treatment of pancreatic cancer: The next frontier. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188733. [PMID: 35483491 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Microbes and their metabolites are found in all body organs; their interaction with body organs can influence inflammation, immunity, and cancer development. Pancreatic cancer development is closely related to intestinal, intrapancreatic, and oral flora. The microbiota plays a regulatory role in pancreatic cancer's malignant progression and treatment resistance. Thus, the study of microbiota-host interactions has emerged as a new hot topic in pancreatic cancer treatment, with microbiota control demonstrating significant clinical potential. This review summarizes recent advances in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer, emphasizing the enormous potential for operating microbiota in pancreatic cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilin Zhang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Dong Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, China.
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Rømer AMA, Thorseth ML, Madsen DH. Immune Modulatory Properties of Collagen in Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:791453. [PMID: 34956223 PMCID: PMC8692250 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.791453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During tumor growth the extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes dramatic remodeling. The normal ECM is degraded and substituted with a tumor-specific ECM, which is often of higher collagen density and increased stiffness. The structure and collagen density of the tumor-specific ECM has been associated with poor prognosis in several types of cancer. However, the reason for this association is still largely unknown. Collagen can promote cancer cell growth and migration, but recent studies have shown that collagens can also affect the function and phenotype of various types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and T cells. This suggests that tumor-associated collagen could have important immune modulatory functions within the tumor microenvironment, affecting cancer progression as well as the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. The effects of tumor-associated collagen on immune cells could help explain why a high collagen density in tumors is often correlated with a poor prognosis. Knowledge about immune modulatory functions of collagen could potentially identify targets for improving current cancer therapies or for development of new treatments. In this review, the current knowledge about the ability of collagen to influence T cell activity will be summarized. This includes direct interactions with T cells as well as induction of immune suppressive activity in other immune cells such as macrophages. Additionally, the potential effects of collagen on the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mette Askehøj Rømer
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Marie-Louise Thorseth
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hargbøl Madsen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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