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Grigolo S, Filgueira L. Immunotherapy of Clear-Cell Renal-Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2092. [PMID: 38893211 PMCID: PMC11171115 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112092] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Clear-cell Renal-Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type of renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). In many cases, RCC patients manifest the first symptoms during the advanced stage of the disease. For this reason, immunotherapy appears to be one of the dominant treatments to achieve a resolution. In this review, we focus on the presentation of the main immune checkpoint proteins that act as negative regulators of immune responses, such as PD-1, CTLA-4, LAG-3, TIGIT, and TIM-3, and their respective inhibitors. Interleukin-2, another potential component of the treatment of ccRCC patients, has also been covered. The synergy between several immunotherapies is one of the main aspects that unites the conclusions of research in recent years. To date, the combination of several immunotherapies enhances the efficacy of a monotherapy, which often manifests important limitations. Immunotherapy aimed at restoring the anti-cancer immune response in ccRCC, involved in the recognition and elimination of cancer cells, may also be a valid solution for many other types of immunogenic tumors that are diagnosed in the final stages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luis Filgueira
- Anatomy, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland;
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Zhang M, Liu C, Li Y, Li H, Zhang W, Liu J, Wang L, Sun C. Galectin-9 in cancer therapy: from immune checkpoint ligand to promising therapeutic target. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 11:1332205. [PMID: 38264357 PMCID: PMC10803597 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1332205] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is a vital member of the galectin family, functioning as a multi-subtype galactose lectin with diverse biological roles. Recent research has revealed that Gal-9's interaction with tumors is an independent factor that influences tumor progression. Furthermore, Gal-9 in the immune microenvironment cross-talks with tumor-associated immune cells, informing the clarification of Gal-9's identity as an immune checkpoint. A thorough investigation into Gal-9's role in various cancer types and its interaction with the immune microenvironment could yield novel strategies for subsequent targeted immunotherapy. This review focuses on the latest advances in understanding the direct and indirect cross-talk between Gal-9 and hematologic malignancies, in addition to solid tumors. In addition, we discuss the prospects of Gal-9 in tumor immunotherapy, including its cross-talk with the ligand TIM-3 and its potential in immune-combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minpu Zhang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Ye Li
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Huayao Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Wenfeng Zhang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Jingyang Liu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Liquan Wang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
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Leusmann S, Ménová P, Shanin E, Titz A, Rademacher C. Glycomimetics for the inhibition and modulation of lectins. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:3663-3740. [PMID: 37232696 PMCID: PMC10243309 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00954d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Carbohydrates are essential mediators of many processes in health and disease. They regulate self-/non-self- discrimination, are key elements of cellular communication, cancer, infection and inflammation, and determine protein folding, function and life-times. Moreover, they are integral to the cellular envelope for microorganisms and participate in biofilm formation. These diverse functions of carbohydrates are mediated by carbohydrate-binding proteins, lectins, and the more the knowledge about the biology of these proteins is advancing, the more interfering with carbohydrate recognition becomes a viable option for the development of novel therapeutics. In this respect, small molecules mimicking this recognition process become more and more available either as tools for fostering our basic understanding of glycobiology or as therapeutics. In this review, we outline the general design principles of glycomimetic inhibitors (Section 2). This section is then followed by highlighting three approaches to interfere with lectin function, i.e. with carbohydrate-derived glycomimetics (Section 3.1), novel glycomimetic scaffolds (Section 3.2) and allosteric modulators (Section 3.3). We summarize recent advances in design and application of glycomimetics for various classes of lectins of mammalian, viral and bacterial origin. Besides highlighting design principles in general, we showcase defined cases in which glycomimetics have been advanced to clinical trials or marketed. Additionally, emerging applications of glycomimetics for targeted protein degradation and targeted delivery purposes are reviewed in Section 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Leusmann
- Chemical Biology of Carbohydrates (CBCH), Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Petra Ménová
- University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Elena Shanin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Titz
- Chemical Biology of Carbohydrates (CBCH), Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Department of Chemistry, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Christoph Rademacher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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Vergoten G, Bailly C. N-glycosylation reinforces interaction of immune checkpoint TIM-3 with a small molecule ligand. Comput Biol Chem 2023; 104:107852. [PMID: 36965447 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2023.107852] [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: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
N-glycosylation of eukaryotic proteins plays roles in protein folding, trafficking, and signal transduction. The biological influence of the process is well understood, whereas the pharmacological impact of protein N-glycosylation is not well under discerned. The role of N-glycosylation on drug binding to protein has been rarely studied. We have modeled the influence of a bi-antennary N-glycan introduced at position N78 on the immune checkpoint TIM-3 (T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing molecule 3) on the interaction with a selective drug antagonist. The bulky N-glycan introduced at the consensus sequence Asn-Val-Thr has no influence on drug binding when the glycan adopts an extended conformation. But in a folded conformation, the glycan can interact directly with the triazoloquinazolinone derivative so as to further stabilize the drug-TIM-3 complex. The non-fucosylated glycan at position N78 markedly consolidates the drug interaction, via an additional H-bond interaction with the α3-mannose residue. It provides a gain of empirical potential energy of interaction (ΔE) of about 30 %. The presence of a more rigid fucosylated N-glycan is a little less favorable, with a gain of ΔE of about 20 %. The folded N-glycan appears to protect the ligand bound to the protein cavity, with the tricyclic core of the heterocyclic molecule sandwiched between two indole rings of tryptophan residues. Similar results were obtained when using a biantennary disialyl N-glycan with a bisecting GlcNAc residue and a tetra-antennary N-glycan. The molecular models illustrate the drug-stabilizing capacity of a bulky N-glycan positioned at a validated glycosylation site (N78 corresponding to N100 for the full-length protein). The modeling approach is useful to delineate further the role of the N-glycan of the immune checkpoint TIM-3 in interaction with small molecule ligands, and to guide the design of more potent compounds. The approach is transposable to other proteins to better comprehend the influence of N-glycans on drug-receptor interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gérard Vergoten
- University of Lille, Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique Albert Lespagnol (ICPAL), Faculté de Pharmacie, 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse, F-59006 Lille, France
| | - Christian Bailly
- University of Lille, Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique Albert Lespagnol (ICPAL), Faculté de Pharmacie, 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse, F-59006 Lille, France; University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020 - UMR1277 - Canther - Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, 59000 Lille, France; OncoWitan, Lille (Wasquehal), 59290, France.
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Bailly C. Contribution of the TIM-3/Gal-9 immune checkpoint to tropical parasitic diseases. Acta Trop 2023; 238:106792. [PMID: 36509129 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neglected tropical parasitic diseases (NTD) are prevalent in many countries and cost-effective treatments remain urgently needed. Novel approaches have been proposed to address these diseases through an action on immune co-inhibitory checkpoints which are exploited by parasites to evade the immune system. Among these checkpoints, TIM-3 has been shown to play a key role in antiparasitic immunity via a repression and functional attenuation of CD4+ and/or CD8+ T-cells. The present review discusses the role of the TIM-3/galectin-9 checkpoint in seven major NTD: Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and malaria (3 trypanosomatid infections), schistosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, echinococcosis and filariasis (4 helminth infections). In each case, the role of the checkpoint has been analyzed and the use of anti-TIM-3 antibodies evaluated as a potential therapeutic approach. In general, the parasitic infection is coupled with an upregulation of TIM-3 expressed on T cells, but not necessarily with an exhaustion of those T cells. In several cases, the use of anti-TIM-3 antibodies represent a possible strategy to reinforce the clearance and to reduce the parasite load. Promising data have been reported in cases of leishmaniasis, malaria and schistosomiasis, whereas a similar approach proved much less efficient (if not deleterious) in cases of echinococcosis and the Chagas disease. Nevertheless, the TIM-3 checkpoint warrants further consideration as a potential immune target to combat these pathologies, using antibodies or drugs capable of reducing directly or indirectly the expression and function of the checkpoint, to restore an immune control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bailly
- OncoWitan, Scientific Consulting Office, Lille (Wasquehal), 59290, France; University of Lille, Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique Albert Lespagnol (ICPAL), Faculté de Pharmacie, 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse, BP-83, F-59006, Lille, France.
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Laderach DJ, Compagno D. Inhibition of galectins in cancer: Biological challenges for their clinical application. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1104625. [PMID: 36703969 PMCID: PMC9872792 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1104625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Galectins play relevant roles in tumor development, progression and metastasis. Accordingly, galectins are certainly enticing targets for medical intervention in cancer. To date, however, clinical trials based on galectin inhibitors reported inconclusive results. This review summarizes the galectin inhibitors currently being evaluated and discusses some of the biological challenges that need to be addressed to improve these strategies for the benefit of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego José Laderach
- Molecular and Functional Glyco-Oncology Laboratory, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facutad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina,Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina,Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Luján, Argentina,*Correspondence: Diego José Laderach,
| | - Daniel Compagno
- Molecular and Functional Glyco-Oncology Laboratory, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facutad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina,Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Glycobiology of cellular expiry: Decrypting the role of glycan-lectin regulatory complex and therapeutic strategies focusing on cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 207:115367. [PMID: 36481348 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115367] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Often the outer leaflets of living cells bear a coat of glycosylated proteins, which primarily regulates cellular processes. Glycosylation of such proteins occurs as part of their post-translational modification. Within the endoplasmic reticulum, glycosylation enables the attachment of specific oligosaccharide moieties such as, 'glycan' to the transmembrane receptor proteins which confers precise biological information for governing the cell fate. The nature and degree of glycosylation of cell surface receptors are regulated by a bunch of glycosyl transferases and glycosidases which fine-tune attachment or detachment of glycan moieties. In classical death receptors, upregulation of glycosylation by glycosyl transferases is capable of inducing cell death in T cells, tumor cells, etc. Thus, any deregulated alternation at surface glycosylation of these death receptors can result in life-threatening disorder like cancer. In addition, transmembrane glycoproteins and lectin receptors can transduce intracellular signals for cell death execution. Exogenous interaction of lectins with glycan containing death receptors signals for cell death initiation by modulating downstream signalings. Subsequently, endogenous glycan-lectin interplay aids in the customization and implementation of the cell death program. Lastly, the glycan-lectin recognition system dictates the removal of apoptotic cells by sending accurate signals to the extracellular milieu. Since glycosylation has proven to be a biomarker of cellular death and disease progression; glycans serve as specific therapeutic targets of cancers. In this context, we are reviewing the molecular mechanisms of the glycan-lectin regulatory network as an integral part of cell death machinery in cancer to target them for successful therapeutic and clinical approaches.
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