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Crucitta S, Cucchiara F, Marconcini R, Bulleri A, Manacorda S, Capuano A, Cioni D, Nuzzo A, de Jonge E, Mathjissen RHJ, Neri E, van Schaik RHN, Fogli S, Danesi R, Del Re M. TGF-β mRNA levels in circulating extracellular vesicles are associated with response to anti-PD1 treatment in metastatic melanoma. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1288677. [PMID: 38633217 PMCID: PMC11021649 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1288677] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent the standard therapy for metastatic melanoma. However, a few patients do not respond to ICIs and reliable predictive biomarkers are needed. Methods: This pilot study investigates the association between mRNA levels of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) ligand 1 (PD-L1), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) and survival in 30 patients with metastatic melanoma treated with first line anti-PD-1 antibodies. Blood samples were collected at baseline and RNA extracted from EVs; the RNA levels of PD-L1, IFN-γ, and TGF-β were analysed by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). A biomarker-radiomic correlation analysis was performed in a subset of patients. Results: Patients with high TGF-β expression (cut-off fractional abundance [FA] >0.19) at baseline had longer median progression-free survival (8.4 vs. 1.8 months; p = 0.006) and overall survival (17.9 vs. 2.63 months; p = 0.0009). Moreover, radiomic analysis demonstrated that patients with high TGF-β expression at baseline had smaller lesions (2.41 ± 3.27 mL vs. 42.79 ± 101.08 mL, p < 0.001) and higher dissimilarity (12.01 ± 28.23 vs. 5.65 ± 8.4; p = 0.018). Discussion: These results provide evidence that high TGF-β expression in EVs is associated with a better response to immunotherapy. Further investigation on a larger patient population is needed to validate the predictive power of this potential biomarker of response to ICIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Crucitta
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Cucchiara
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Riccardo Marconcini
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Department of Medicine and Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bulleri
- Unit of Radiodiagnostics 1, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Manacorda
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Department of Medicine and Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Capuano
- Campania Regional Centre for Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology, Section of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Napoli, Italy
| | - Dania Cioni
- Unit of Radiodiagnostics 1, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Amedeo Nuzzo
- Unit of Medical Oncology 2, Department of Medicine and Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Evert de Jonge
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ron H. J. Mathjissen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Emanuele Neri
- Unit of Radiodiagnostics 1, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ron H. N. van Schaik
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Stefano Fogli
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Romano Danesi
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Marzia Del Re
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Bao Y, Zhang D, Guo H, Ma W. Beyond blood: Advancing the frontiers of liquid biopsy in oncology and personalized medicine. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:1060-1072. [PMID: 38308498 PMCID: PMC11007055 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsy is emerging as a pivotal tool in precision oncology, offering a noninvasive and comprehensive approach to cancer diagnostics and management. By harnessing biofluids such as blood, urine, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, and pleural effusions, this technique profiles key biomarkers including circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, microRNAs, and extracellular vesicles. This review discusses the extended scope of liquid biopsy, highlighting its indispensable role in enhancing patient outcomes through early detection, continuous monitoring, and tailored therapy. While the advantages are notable, we also address the challenges, emphasizing the necessity for precision, cost-effectiveness, and standardized methodologies in its broader application. The future trajectory of liquid biopsy is set to expand its reach in personalized medicine, fueled by technological advancements and collaborative research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Bao
- Key Laboratory for Translational MedicineThe First Hospital Affiliated with Huzhou UniversityHuzhouChina
| | - Dejing Zhang
- Department of General SurgeryPuyang Oilfield General HospitalPuyangChina
| | - Huihui Guo
- Key Laboratory for Translational MedicineThe First Hospital Affiliated with Huzhou UniversityHuzhouChina
| | - Wenxue Ma
- Department of Medicine, Moores Cancer Center, and Sanford Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
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