Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Induce CCL18 Production by Mast Cells: A Possible Link to Angiogenesis

Unraveling the Connection: Extracellular Vesicles and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale lipid bilayer vesicles released during cell activation, cellular damage, or apoptosis. They carry nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids facilitating intercellular communication and activate signaling pathways in target cells. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), EVs may contribute to tumor growth and metastasis by modulating immune responses, facilitating epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and promoting angiogenesis, while potentially contributing to resistance to chemotherapy drugs. EVs in liquid biopsies serve as non-invasive biomarkers for early cancer detection and diagnosis. Due to their small size, inherent molecular transport properties, and excellent biocompatibility, EVs also act as natural drug delivery vehicles in NSCLC therapy.

Role of mast cells activation in the tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapy of cancers

The mast cell is an important cellular component that plays a crucial role in the crosstalk between innate and adaptive immune responses within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recently, numerous studies have indicated that mast cells related to tumors play a dual role in regulating cancers, with conflicting results seemingly determined by the degranulation medium. As such, mast cells are an ignored but very promising potential target for cancer immunotherapy based on their immunomodulatory function. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the roles and mechanisms of mast cells in diverse cancer types. Firstly, we evaluated the infiltration density and location of mast cells on tumor progression. Secondly, mast cells are activated by the TME and subsequently release a range of inflammatory mediators, cytokines, chemokines, and lipid products that modulate their pro-or anti-tumor functions. Thirdly, activated mast cells engage in intercellular communication with other immune or stromal cells to modulate the immune status or promote tumor development. Finally, we deliberated on the clinical significance of targeting mast cells as a therapeutic approach to restrict tumor initiation and progression. Overall, our review aims to provide insights for future research on the role of mast cells in tumors and their potential as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

The role of extracellular vesicles in non-small-cell lung cancer, the unknowns, and how new approach methodologies can support new knowledge generation in the field

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized particles released from most human cell types that contain a variety of cargos responsible for mediating cell-to-cell and organ-to-organ communications. Current knowledge demonstrates that EVs also play critical roles in many aspects of the progression of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Their roles range from increasing proliferative signalling to inhibiting apoptosis, promoting cancer metastasis, and modulating the tumour microenvironment to support cancer development. However, due to the limited availability of patient samples, intrinsic inter-species differences between human and animal EV biology, and the complex nature of EV interactions in vivo, where multiple cell types are present and several events occur simultaneously, the use of conventional preclinical and clinical models has significantly hindered reaching conclusive results. This review discusses the biological roles that EVs are currently known to play in NSCLC and identifies specific challenges in advancing today's knowledge. It also describes the NSCLC models that have been used to define currently-known EV functions, the limitations associated with their use in this field, and how New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), such as microfluidic platforms, organoids, and spheroids, can be used to overcome these limitations, effectively supporting future exciting discoveries in the NSCLC field and the potential clinical exploitation of EVs.

The relationship between tumor infiltrating immune cells and the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Background

To depict the immune infiltration characteristics of tumor cells in patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and evaluate the predictive value and significance of tumor immune cells on the prognosis of LUAD patients.

Methods

The clinical characteristics and transcriptome of LUAD patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the immune cell abundance in LUAD tissue was evaluated using the CIBERSORT algorithm. We created a simplified immune cell-based Cox regression model according to the survival status of patients and clarified the correlation between the survival status of patients and seven types of immune cells. An immune cell-based risk prediction model was created by Cox proportional hazards regression. Subsequently, the gene expression profile of LUAD patients was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to validate the tumor immune infiltration and patient prognosis prediction model attained using the CIBERSORT algorithm.

Results

The abundance of 22 tumor-infiltrating immune cells in these patients was detected using the CIBERSORT algorithm. According to Pearson correlation analysis, the immune cells appeared to be closely related to each other. The immune cell composition was remarkably different between the LUAD tumor tissue and paracancerous tissue. The simplified COX model showed that seven kinds of immune cells have predictive value for the prognosis and survival status of LUAD. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve confirmed that the prediction model performed well for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival status. The calibration curve suggested that the prediction model was consistent with the clinical results. Correlation analysis revealed that the clinical features were significantly related to immune cell infiltration. A total of 246 LUAD specimens were from the GEO database, and the risk score model suggested that high risk scores were indicative of a poor prognosis. Finally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 8 (IL-8), IL-6, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in tumor tissues were remarkably higher compared with those in adjacent tissues.

Conclusions

There is a close correlation between the tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the prognosis and clinical characteristics of LUAD patients. The risk score model based on TCGA and GEO designed in this study can be applied in clinical practice.

Emerging role of chemokines in small cell lung cancer: Road signs for metastasis, heterogeneity, and immune response

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a recalcitrant, relatively immune-cold, and deadly subtype of lung cancer. SCLC has been viewed as a single or homogenous disease that includes deletion or inactivation of the two major tumor suppressor genes (TP53 and RB1) as a key hallmark. However, recent sightings suggest the complexity of SCLC tumors that comprises highly dynamic multiple subtypes contributing to high intratumor heterogeneity. Furthermore, the absence of targeted therapies, the understudied tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), and subtype plasticity are also responsible for therapy resistance. Secretory chemokines play a crucial role in immunomodulation by trafficking immune cells to the tumors. Chemokines and cytokines modulate the anti-tumor immune response and wield a pro-/anti-tumorigenic effect on SCLC cells after binding to cognate receptors. In this review, we summarize and highlight recent findings that establish the role of chemokines in SCLC growth and metastasis, and sophisticated intratumor heterogeneity. We also discuss the chemokine networks that are putative targets or modulators for augmenting the anti-tumor immune responses in targeted or chemo-/immuno-therapeutic strategies, and how these combinations may be utilized to conquer SCLC.