1
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Kaito Y, Imai Y. Evolution of natural killer cell-targeted therapy for acute myeloid leukemia. Int J Hematol 2024; 120:34-43. [PMID: 38693419 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-024-03778-0] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
In hematologic oncology, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presents a significant challenge due to its complex genetic landscape and resistance to conventional therapies. Despite advances in treatment, including intensive chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the prognosis for many patients with AML remains poor. Recently, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to improve outcomes by augmenting existing treatments. Natural killer (NK) cells, a subset of innate lymphoid cells, have garnered attention for their potent cytotoxic capabilities against AML cells. In this review, we discuss the role of NK cells in AML immunosurveillance, their dysregulation in patients with AML, and various therapeutic strategies leveraging NK cells in AML treatment. We explore the challenges and prospects associated with NK cell therapy, including approaches to enhance NK cell function, overcome immune evasion mechanisms, and optimize treatment efficacy. Finally, we emphasize the importance of further research to validate and refine patient-first NK cell-based immunotherapies for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Kaito
- Department of Hematology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan.
| | - Yoichi Imai
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
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2
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Perzolli A, Koedijk JB, Zwaan CM, Heidenreich O. Targeting the innate immune system in pediatric and adult AML. Leukemia 2024; 38:1191-1201. [PMID: 38459166 PMCID: PMC11147779 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02217-7] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
While the introduction of T cell-based immunotherapies has improved outcomes in many cancer types, the development of immunotherapies for both adult and pediatric AML has been relatively slow and limited. In addition to the need to identify suitable target antigens, a better understanding of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment is necessary for the design of novel immunotherapy approaches. To date, most immune characterization studies in AML have focused on T cells, while innate immune lineages such as monocytes, granulocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, received less attention. In solid cancers, studies have shown that innate immune cells, such as macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and neutrophils are highly plastic and may differentiate into immunosuppressive cells depending on signals received in their microenvironment, while NK cells appear to be functionally impaired. Hence, an in-depth characterization of the innate immune compartment in the TME is urgently needed to guide the development of immunotherapeutic interventions for AML. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the innate immune compartment in AML, and we discuss how targeting its components may enhance T cell-based- and other immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Perzolli
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC/Sophia Children's Hospital, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost B Koedijk
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC/Sophia Children's Hospital, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Michel Zwaan
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Erasmus MC/Sophia Children's Hospital, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Olaf Heidenreich
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.
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3
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Vuletić A, Mirjačić Martinović K, Spasić J. Role of Histone Deacetylase 6 and Histone Deacetylase 6 Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 16:54. [PMID: 38258065 PMCID: PMC10818982 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010054] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), by deacetylation of multiple substrates and association with interacting proteins, regulates many physiological processes that are involved in cancer development and invasiveness such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, motility, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and angiogenesis. Due to its ability to remove misfolded proteins, induce autophagy, and regulate unfolded protein response, HDAC6 plays a protective role in responses to stress and enables tumor cell survival. The scope of this review is to discuss the roles of HDCA6 and its implications for the therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC). As HDAC6 is overexpressed in CRC, correlates with poor disease prognosis, and is not essential for normal mammalian development, it represents a good therapeutic target. Selective inhibition of HDAC6 impairs growth and progression without inducing major adverse events in experimental animals. In CRC, HDAC6 inhibitors have shown the potential to reduce tumor progression and enhance the therapeutic effect of other drugs. As HDAC6 is involved in the regulation of immune responses, HDAC6 inhibitors have shown the potential to improve antitumor immunity by increasing the immunogenicity of tumor cells, augmenting immune cell activity, and alleviating immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, HDAC6 inhibitors may represent promising candidates to improve the effect of and overcome resistance to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Vuletić
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Katarina Mirjačić Martinović
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Jelena Spasić
- Clinic for Medical Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
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4
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Zhang H, Mi J, Xin Q, Cao W, Song C, Zhang N, Yuan C. Recent research and clinical progress of CTLA-4-based immunotherapy for breast cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1256360. [PMID: 37860188 PMCID: PMC10582933 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1256360] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is characterized by a high incidence rate and its treatment challenges, particularly in certain subtypes. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Immunotherapy utilizing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is currently gaining momentum for the treatment of breast cancer. Substantial progress has been made in clinical studies employing cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors for breast cancer, but the cure rates are relatively low. To improve the efficacy of CTLA-4-based therapy for breast cancer, further research is imperative to explore more effective immune-based treatment strategies. In addition to monotherapy, CTLA-4 inhibitors are also being investigated in combination with other ICIs or alternative medications. However, it should be noted that immune-based treatments may cause adverse events. This review focuses on the mechanisms of CTLA-4 inhibitor monotherapy or combination therapy in breast cancer. We systematically summarize the latest research and clinical advances in CTLA-4-based immunotherapy for breast cancer, providing new perspectives on the treatment of breast cancer. In addition, this review highlights the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with CTLA-4 inhibitors, providing insights into the development of appropriate clinical tumor immunotherapy regimens and intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongsheng Zhang
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jintao Mi
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi Xin
- College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Weiwei Cao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, China
| | - Chunjiao Song
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, China
| | - Naidan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, China
| | - Chengliang Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, People’s Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, China
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5
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D’Silva SZ, Singh M, Pinto AS. NK cell defects: implication in acute myeloid leukemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1112059. [PMID: 37228595 PMCID: PMC10203541 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1112059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a complex disease with rapid progression and poor/unsatisfactory outcomes. In the past few years, the focus has been on developing newer therapies for AML; however, relapse remains a significant problem. Natural Killer cells have strong anti-tumor potential against AML. This NK-mediated cytotoxicity is often restricted by cellular defects caused by disease-associated mechanisms, which can lead to disease progression. A stark feature of AML is the low/no expression of the cognate HLA ligands for the activating KIR receptors, due to which these tumor cells evade NK-mediated lysis. Recently, different Natural Killer cell therapies have been implicated in treating AML, such as the adoptive NK cell transfer, Chimeric antigen receptor-modified NK (CAR-NK) cell therapy, antibodies, cytokine, and drug treatment. However, the data available is scarce, and the outcomes vary between different transplant settings and different types of leukemia. Moreover, remission achieved by some of these therapies is only for a short time. In this mini-review, we will discuss the role of NK cell defects in AML progression, particularly the expression of different cell surface markers, the available NK cell therapies, and the results from various preclinical and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Z. D’Silva
- Transplant Immunology and Immunogenetics Lab, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Education and Research in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Meenakshi Singh
- Transplant Immunology and Immunogenetics Lab, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Education and Research in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Andrea S. Pinto
- Transplant Immunology and Immunogenetics Lab, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Education and Research in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
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Boulay A, Trabanelli S, Boireau S, Boyer-Clavel M, Nisole S, Romero P, Jandus C, Beignon AS, Arhel NJ. Assessing the Impact of Persistent HIV Infection on Innate Lymphoid Cells Using In Vitro Models. Immunohorizons 2023; 7:243-255. [PMID: 37000496 PMCID: PMC10563434 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens that persist in their host induce immune dysfunctions even in the absence of detectable replication. To better understand the phenotypic and functional changes that persistent infections induce in sentinel innate immune cells, we developed human PBMC-based HIV models of persistent infection. Autologous nonactivated PBMCs were cocultured with chronically infected, acutely infected, or uninfected cells and were then analyzed by unsupervised high-dimensional flow cytometry. Using this approach, we identified prevalent patterns of innate immune dysfunctions associated with persistent HIV infections that at least in part mirror immune dysfunctions observed in patients. In one or more models of chronic infection, bystander CD16+ NK cells expressing markers of activation, such as CD94, CD45RO, CD62L, CD69, CD25, and immune checkpoints PD1, Tim3, TIGIT, NKG2A and Lag3, were significantly reduced. Conversely, helper ILC subsets expressing PDL1/PDL2 were significantly enriched in chronic infection compared with either uninfected or acute infection, suggesting that chronic HIV-1 infection was associated with an inhibitory environment for bystander ILC and NK subsets. The cell-based models of persistent infection that we describe here provide versatile tools to explore the molecular mechanisms of these immune dysfunctions and unveil the contribution of innate immunity in sustaining pathogen persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Boulay
- Viral Trafficking, Restriction and Innate Signaling, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Sara Trabanelli
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie Boireau
- Montpellier Ressources Imagerie, Biocampus, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Myriam Boyer-Clavel
- Montpellier Ressources Imagerie, Biocampus, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Sébastien Nisole
- Viral Trafficking, Restriction and Innate Signaling, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Pedro Romero
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Épalinges, Switzerland
| | - Camilla Jandus
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anne-Sophie Beignon
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-Immune, Hematological and Bacterial Diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Nathalie J. Arhel
- Viral Trafficking, Restriction and Innate Signaling, Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
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Vatankhah F, Salimi N, Khalaji A, Baradaran B. Immune checkpoints and their promising prospect in cholangiocarcinoma treatment in combination with other therapeutic approaches. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 114:109526. [PMID: 36481527 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109526] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the malignant tumors that has shown rapid development in incidence and mortality in recent years. Like other types of cancer, patients with CCA experience alterations in the expression of immune checkpoints, indicating the importance of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating CCA. The results of TCGA analysis in this study revealed a marginal difference in the expression of important immune checkpoints, Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and their ligands in CCA samples compared to normal ones. This issue showed the importance of combination therapy in this cancer. This review considers CCA treatment and covers several therapeutic modalities or combined treatment strategies. We also cover the most recent developments in the field and outline the important areas of immune checkpoint molecules as prognostic variables and therapeutic targets in CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Vatankhah
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Neda Salimi
- School of Pharmacy, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Amirreza Khalaji
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Laba S, Mallett G, Amarnath S. The depths of PD-1 function within the tumor microenvironment beyond CD8 + T cells. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:1045-1055. [PMID: 34048897 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1; CD279) is a cell surface receptor that is expressed in both innate and adaptive immune cells. The role of PD-1 in adaptive immune cells, specifically in CD8+ T cells, has been thoroughly investigated but its significance in other immune cells is yet to be well established. This review will address the role of PD-1 based therapies in enhancing non-CD8+ T cell immune responses within cancer. Specifically, the expression and function of PD-1 in non-CD8+ immune cell compartments such as CD4+ T helper cell subsets, myeloid cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) will be discussed. By understanding the immune cell specific function of PD-1 within tissue resident innate and adaptive immune cells, it will be possible to stratify patients for PD-1 based therapies for both immunogeneic and non-immunogeneic neoplastic disorders. With this knowledge from fundamental and translational studies, PD-1 based therapies can be utilized to enhance T cell independent immune responses in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Laba
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom.
| | - Grace Mallett
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom
| | - Shoba Amarnath
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, United Kingdom.
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9
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas are rising in incidence worldwide, and despite the advent of improved surgical and radiation techniques, a substantial proportion of patients have disease recurrence, where systemic therapies are the mainstay of management. Recent advances in systemic therapy include the development of epidermal growth factor receptor- and programmed death 1-targeting drugs, which have produced incremental improvements in disease outcomes. However, for most patients, responses to treatment remain elusive because of primary or acquired resistance. Novel drugs and rational drug combinations need to be tested based on biomarker identification and preclinical science that will ultimately advance outcomes for our patients. This review focuses on efforts untaken for epidermal growth factor receptor targeting in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to date.
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Focaccetti C, Benvenuto M, Pighi C, Vitelli A, Napolitano F, Cotugno N, Fruci D, Palma P, Rossi P, Bei R, Cifaldi L. DNAM-1-chimeric receptor-engineered NK cells, combined with Nutlin-3a, more effectively fight neuroblastoma cells in vitro: a proof-of-concept study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886319. [PMID: 35967339 PMCID: PMC9367496 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of engineered NK cells, one of clinical approaches to fight cancer, is gaining great interest in the last decade. However, the development of new strategies is needed to improve clinical efficacy and safety of NK cell-based immunotherapy. NK cell-mediated recognition and lysis of tumor cells are strictly dependent on the expression of ligands for NK cell-activating receptors NKG2D and DNAM-1 on tumor cells. Of note, the PVR/CD155 and Nectin-2/CD112 ligands for DNAM-1 are expressed primarily on solid tumor cells and poorly expressed in normal tissue cells. Here, we generated human NK cells expressing either the full length DNAM-1 receptor or three different DNAM-1-based chimeric receptor that provide the expression of DNAM-1 fused to a costimulatory molecule such as 2B4 and CD3ζ chain. Upon transfection into primary human NK cells isolated from healthy donors, we evaluated the surface expression of DNAM-1 and, as a functional readout, we assessed the extent of degranulation, cytotoxicity and the production of IFNγ and TNFα in response to human leukemic K562 cell line. In addition, we explored the effect of Nutlin-3a, a MDM2-targeting drug able of restoring p53 functions and known to have an immunomodulatory effect, on the degranulation of DNAM-1-engineered NK cells in response to human neuroblastoma (NB) LA-N-5 and SMS-KCNR cell lines. By comparing NK cells transfected with four different plasmid vectors and through blocking experiments, DNAM-1-CD3ζ-engineered NK cells showed the strongest response. Furthermore, both LA-N-5 and SMS-KCNR cells pretreated with Nutlin-3a were significantly more susceptible to DNAM-1-engineered NK cells than NK cells transfected with the empty vector. Our results provide a proof-of-concept suggesting that the combined use of DNAM-1-chimeric receptor-engineered NK cells and Nutlin-3a may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of solid tumors, such as NB, carrying dysfunctional p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Focaccetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Benvenuto
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Pighi
- Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Dipartimento Pediatrico Universitario Ospedaliero (DPUO), Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Nicola Cotugno
- Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Dipartimento Pediatrico Universitario Ospedaliero (DPUO), Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
- Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Palma
- Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Dipartimento Pediatrico Universitario Ospedaliero (DPUO), Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
- Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Rossi
- Chair of Pediatrics, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Cifaldi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Loredana Cifaldi,
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11
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Pesini C, Hidalgo S, Arias MA, Santiago L, Calvo C, Ocariz-Díez M, Isla D, Lanuza PM, Agustín MJ, Galvez EM, Ramírez-Labrada A, Pardo J. PD-1 is expressed in cytotoxic granules of NK cells and rapidly mobilized to the cell membrane following recognition of tumor cells. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2096359. [PMID: 35813574 PMCID: PMC9262365 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2096359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of the T cell-related inhibitory checkpoint PD-1 to the regulation of NK cell activity is still not clear with contradictory results concerning its expression and role in the modulation of NK cell cytotoxicity. We provide novel key findings on the mechanism involved in the regulation of PD-1 expression on NK cell membrane and its functional consequences for the elimination of cancer cells. In contrast to freshly isolated NK cells from cancer patients, those from healthy donors did not express PD-1 on the cell membrane. However, when healthy NK cells were incubated with tumor target cells, membrane PD-1 expression increased, concurrent with the CD107a surface mobilization. This finding suggested that PD-1 was translocated to the cell membrane during NK cell degranulation after contact with target cells. Indeed, cytosolic PD-1 was expressed in freshly-isolated-NK cells and partly co-localized with CD107a and GzmB, confirming that membrane PD-1 corresponded to a pool of preformed PD-1. Moreover, NK cells that had mobilized PD-1 to the cell membrane presented a significantly reduced anti-tumor activity on PD-L1-expressing-tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, which was partly reversed by using anti-PD-1 blocking antibodies. Our results indicate that NK cells from healthy individuals express cytotoxic granule-associated PD-1, which is rapidly mobilized to the cell membrane after interaction with tumor target cells. This novel finding helps to understand how PD-1 expression is regulated on NK cell membrane and the functional consequences of this expression during the elimination of tumor cells, which will help to design more efficient NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Pesini
- Immunotherapy, Inflammation and Cancer, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sandra Hidalgo
- Immunotherapy, Inflammation and Cancer, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatrics and Public Health, ARAID Foundation/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maykel A. Arias
- Immunotherapy, Inflammation and Cancer, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatrics and Public Health, ARAID Foundation/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Llipsy Santiago
- Immunotherapy, Inflammation and Cancer, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatrics and Public Health, ARAID Foundation/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlota Calvo
- Immunotherapy, Inflammation and Cancer, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Medical Oncopediatry Department, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maitane Ocariz-Díez
- Medical Oncology Department, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Hospital Clinico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Dolores Isla
- Medical Oncology Department, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Hospital Clinico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar M. Lanuza
- Immunotherapy, Inflammation and Cancer, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - M José Agustín
- Pharmacy Department, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Eva M Galvez
- CSIC, Instituto de Carboquimica (ICB), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ariel Ramírez-Labrada
- Immunotherapy, Inflammation and Cancer, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Unidad de Nanotoxicología e Inmunotoxicología (UNATI), Biomedical Research Center of Aragón (CIBA), Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julián Pardo
- Immunotherapy, Inflammation and Cancer, Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragón (CIBA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Radiology, Pediatrics and Public Health, ARAID Foundation/University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
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del Rio ML, Perez-Simon JA, Rodriguez-Barbosa JI. Differential Engraftment of Parental A20 PD-L1 WT and PD-L1 KO Leukemia Cells in Semiallogeneic Recipients in the Context of PD-L1/PD-1 Interaction and NK Cell-Mediated Hybrid Resistance. Front Immunol 2022; 13:887348. [PMID: 35795681 PMCID: PMC9251058 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.887348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of natural killer (NK) cells to tumor rejection in the context of programmed death-ligand 1/programmed death 1 (PD-L1/PD-1) blockade is a matter of intense debate. To elucidate the role of PD-L1 expression on tumor cells and the functional consequences of engaging PD-1 receptor on cytotoxic cells, PD-L1 expression was genetically inactivated and WT or PD-L1-deficient parental tumor cells were adoptively transferred intravenously into F1 recipients. The engraftment of PD-L1-deficient A20 tumor cells in the spleen and liver of F1 recipients was impaired compared with A20 PD-L1 WT tumor counterparts. To elucidate the mechanism responsible for this differential tumor engraftment and determine the relevance of the role of the PD-L1/PD-1 pathway in the interplay of tumor cells/NK cells, a short-term competitive tumor implantation assay in the peritoneal cavity of semiallogeneic F1 recipients was designed. The results presented herein showed that NK cells killed target tumor cells with similar efficiency regardless of PD-L1 expression, whereas PD-L1 expression on A20 tumor cells conferred significant tumor protection against rejection by CD8 T cells confirming the role of the co-inhibitory receptor PD-1 in the modulation of their cytotoxic activity. In summary, PD-L1 expression on A20 leukemia tumor cells modulates CD8 T-cell-mediated responses to tumor-specific antigens but does not contribute to inhibit NK cell-mediated hybrid resistance, which correlates with the inability to detect PD-1 expression on NK cells neither under steady-state conditions nor under inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Luisa del Rio
- Transplantation Immunobiology and Immunotherapy Section, Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Leon, Leon, Spain
- CIBERONC Consortium, Accion Estrategica en Salud, Spain
- *Correspondence: Jose-Ignacio Rodriguez-Barbosa, ; Maria-Luisa del Rio,
| | - Jose-Antonio Perez-Simon
- CIBERONC Consortium, Accion Estrategica en Salud, Spain
- Department of Hematology, University Hospital Virgen del Rocio/Institute of Biomedicine [Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)/Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC)], Seville, Spain
| | - Jose-Ignacio Rodriguez-Barbosa
- Transplantation Immunobiology and Immunotherapy Section, Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Leon, Leon, Spain
- CIBERONC Consortium, Accion Estrategica en Salud, Spain
- *Correspondence: Jose-Ignacio Rodriguez-Barbosa, ; Maria-Luisa del Rio,
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13
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Mechanisms underlying immune-related adverse events during checkpoint immunotherapy. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022; 136:771-785. [PMID: 35621125 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210042] [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: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint (IC) proteins are some of the most important factors that tumor cells hijack to escape immune surveillance, and inhibiting ICs to enhance or relieve antitumor immunity has been proven efficient in tumor treatment. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) agents such as antibodies blocking programmed death (PD) 1, PD-1 ligand (PD-L) 1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA)-4 have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat several types of cancers. Although ICB agents have shown outstanding clinical success, and their application has continued to expand to additional tumor types in the past decade, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been observed in a wide range of patients who receive ICB treatment. Numerous studies have focused on the clinical manifestations and pathology of ICB-related irAEs, but the detailed mechanisms underlying irAEs remain largely unknown. Owing to the wide expression of IC molecules on distinct immune cell subpopulations and the fact that ICB agents generally affect IC-expressing cells, the influences of ICB agents on immune cells in irAEs need to be determined. Here, we discuss the expression and functions of IC proteins on distinct immune cells and the potential mechanism(s) related to ICB-targeted immune cell subsets in irAEs.
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14
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Checkpoints and Immunity in Cancers: Role of GNG12. Pharmacol Res 2022; 180:106242. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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15
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Chiang EY, Mellman I. TIGIT-CD226-PVR axis: advancing immune checkpoint blockade for cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004711. [PMID: 35379739 PMCID: PMC8981293 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in understanding the roles of immune checkpoints in allowing tumors to circumvent the immune system have led to successful therapeutic strategies that have fundamentally changed oncology practice. Thus far, immunotherapies against only two checkpoint targets have been approved, CTLA-4 and PD-L1/PD-1. Antibody blockade of these targets enhances the function of antitumor T cells at least in part by relieving inhibition of the T cell costimulatory receptor CD28. These successes have stimulated considerable interest in identifying other pathways that may bte targeted alone or together with existing immunotherapies. One such immune checkpoint axis is comprised of members of the PVR/nectin family that includes the inhibitory receptor T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory domains (TIGIT). Interestingly, TIGIT acts to regulate the activity of a second costimulatory receptor CD226 that works in parallel to CD28. There are currently over two dozen TIGIT-directed blocking antibodies in various phases of clinical development, testament to the promise of modulating this pathway to enhance antitumor immune responses. In this review, we discuss the role of TIGIT as a checkpoint inhibitor, its interplay with the activating counter-receptor CD226, and its status as the next advance in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Y Chiang
- Cancer Immunology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ira Mellman
- Cancer Immunology, Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, California, USA
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16
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Vuletić A, Mirjačić Martinović K, Tišma Miletić N, Zoidakis J, Castellvi-Bel S, Čavić M. Cross-Talk Between Tumor Cells Undergoing Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Natural Killer Cells in Tumor Microenvironment in Colorectal Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:750022. [PMID: 34858978 PMCID: PMC8631470 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.750022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells undergoing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) reciprocally influence each other. Immune cells, by supplying TME with bioactive molecules including cytokines, chemokines, enzymes, metabolites, and by physical interactions with tumor cells via their receptors, represent an important factor that affects EMT. Chronical inflammation in TME favorizes tumor growth and invasiveness and stimulates synthesis of EMT promoting transcription factors. Natural killer (NK) cells, owing to their unique ability to exert cytotoxic function independent of major histocompatibility (MHC)-mediated antigen presentation, play a significant role in the control of metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Although, the cross-talk between immune cells and tumor cells in general favors the induction of EMT and inhibition of antitumor immune responses, there are some changes in the immunogenicity of tumor cells during EMT of CRC cells that increase their susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxic lysis. However, suppressive TME downmodulates the expression of activating NK cell receptors, decreases the expression of activating and increases the expression of inhibitory NK cell ligands on tumor cells, and impairs NK cell metabolism that altogether negatively affects the overall NK cell function. Furthermore, process of EMT is often associated with increased expression of programmed cell death ligand (PD-L) and expression of immune checkpoint molecules PD-1, TIGIT, and TIM3 on functionally exhausted NK cells in TME in CRC. In this review we discuss modalities of cross-talk between tumor cells and NK cells, with regard of EMT-driven changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Vuletić
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Nevena Tišma Miletić
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jerome Zoidakis
- Department of Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sergi Castellvi-Bel
- Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Clínic, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Institut d'Investigacions Biomčdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Milena Čavić
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
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17
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Huo X, Shen G, Liu Z, Liang Y, Li J, Zhao F, Ren D, Zhao J. Addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 168:103530. [PMID: 34801695 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the front treatment regimens used for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) is treatment with programmed death-1 (PD-1) or programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) blockade combine with chemotherapy. However, the results of such studies have been controversial. METHODS A systematic searched of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and the proceedings of the last 5 years of several meetings until February 18, 2021. The primary endpoint was the progression-free survival (PFS) of PD-L1-positive patients treated with PD1/PD-L1 blockade plus chemotherapy compare with chemotherapy. RESULTS Overall, 4 studies that included a total of 3007 mTNBC patients were analyzed in this meta-analysis. PFS was significantly improved in the PD1/PD-L1 blockade plus chemotherapy group compared with the chemotherapy group in PD-L1-positive mTNBC patients (hazard ratios, (HR), 0.69; 95% CI, 0.59-0.80; P < .001), also in intention-to-treat (ITT) population (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74-0.90; P < .001). However, no significant benefit in overall survival (OS) was observed regardless of PD-L1 status or ITT population. The immunotherapy plus chemotherapy has higher adverse events (AEs) compared with chemotherapy (all AEs, Odds ratios (ORs), 2.33; 95% CI, 1.50-3.62; P < .001; grade 3-5 AEs, OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04-1.55; P = .019). CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis showed that the addition of PD1/PD-L1 blockade to chemotherapy improved PFS in PD-L1 positive mTNBC patients, also in the ITT population. However, no significant benefit in OS was observed in patients of PD-L1 positive or in the ITT population after adding PD1/PD-L1 blockade. We found a higher rate of AEs with the addition of PD1/PD-L1 blockers to chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingfa Huo
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining 810000, China.
| | - Guoshuang Shen
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining 810000, China.
| | - Zhen Liu
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining 810000, China.
| | - Yuhua Liang
- Graduate School of Qinghai University & Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining 810000, China.
| | - Jinming Li
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining 810000, China.
| | - Fuxing Zhao
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining 810000, China.
| | - Dengfeng Ren
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining 810000, China.
| | - Jiuda Zhao
- Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Qinghai University, Xining 810000, China.
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18
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Velichinskii RA, Streltsova MA, Kust SA, Sapozhnikov AM, Kovalenko EI. The Biological Role and Therapeutic Potential of NK Cells in Hematological and Solid Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111385. [PMID: 34768814 PMCID: PMC8584101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy due to their potent antitumor activity. The main advantage of using NK cells as cytotoxic effectors over T cells is a reduced risk of graft versus host disease. At present, several variants of NK-cell-based therapies are undergoing clinical trials and show considerable effectiveness for hematological tumors. In these types of cancers, the immune cells themselves often undergo malignant transformation, which determines the features of the disease. In contrast, the current use of NK cells as therapeutic agents for the treatment of solid tumors is much less promising. Most studies are at the stage of preclinical investigation, but few progress to clinical trials. Low efficiency of NK cell migration and functional activity in the tumor environment are currently considered the major barriers to NK cell anti-tumor therapies. Various therapeutic combinations, genetic engineering methods, alternative sources for obtaining NK cells, and other techniques are aiming at the development of promising NK cell anticancer therapies, regardless of tumorigenesis. In this review, we compare the role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of hematological and solid tumors and discuss current prospects of NK-cell-based therapy for hematological and solid tumors.
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19
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Market M, Tennakoon G, Auer RC. Postoperative Natural Killer Cell Dysfunction: The Prime Suspect in the Case of Metastasis Following Curative Cancer Surgery. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111378. [PMID: 34768810 PMCID: PMC8583911 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Surgical resection is the foundation for the curative treatment of solid tumors. However, metastatic recurrence due to the difficulty in eradicating micrometastases remain a feared outcome. Paradoxically, despite the beneficial effects of surgical removal of the primary tumor, the physiological stress resulting from surgical trauma serves to promote cancer recurrence and metastasis. The postoperative environment suppresses critical anti-tumor immune effector cells, including Natural Killer (NK) cells. The literature suggests that NK cells are critical mediators in the formation of metastases immediately following surgery. The following review will highlight the mechanisms that promote the formation of micrometastases by directly or indirectly inducing NK cell suppression following surgery. These include tissue hypoxia, neuroendocrine activation, hypercoagulation, the pro-inflammatory phase, and the anti-inflammatory phase. Perioperative therapeutic strategies designed to prevent or reverse NK cell dysfunction will also be examined for their potential to improve cancer outcomes by preventing surgery-induced metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Market
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 8M5, Canada; (M.M.); (G.T.)
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1G 4E3, Canada
| | - Gayashan Tennakoon
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 8M5, Canada; (M.M.); (G.T.)
| | - Rebecca C. Auer
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1G 4E3, Canada
- Department of General Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-613-722-7000
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20
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Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Engineered Natural Killer (CAR NK) Cells in Cancer Treatment; Recent Advances and Future Prospects. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:2081-2106. [PMID: 34472037 PMCID: PMC8410173 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10246-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Natural Killer (NK) cells are critical members of the innate immunity lymphocytes and have a critical role in host defense against malignant cells. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) redirects the specificity of the immune cell against a target-specific antigen. ACT has recently created an outstanding opportunity for cancer treatment. Unlike CAR-armored T cells which hadnsome shortcomings as the CAR-receiving construct, Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independency, shorter lifespan, the potential to produce an off-the-shelf immune product, and potent anti-tumor properties of the NK cells has introduced NK cells as a potent alternative target for expression of CAR. Here, we aim to provide an updated overview on the current improvements in CAR NK design and immunobiology and describe the potential of CAR-modified NK cells as an alternative “off-the-shelf” carrier of CAR. We also provide lists for the sources of NK cells in the process of CAR NK cell production, different methods for transduction of the CAR genetic sequence to NK cells, the differences between CAR T and CAR NK, and CAR NK-targeted tumor antigens in current studies. Additionally, we provide data on recently published preclinical and clinical studies of CAR NK therapy and a list of finished and ongoing clinical trials. For achieving CAR NK products with higher efficacy and safety, we discuss current challenges in transduction and expansion of CAR NK cells, CAR NK therapy side effects, and challenges that limit the optimal efficacy of CAR NK cells and recommend possible solutions to enhance the persistence, function, safety, and efficacy of CAR NK cells with a special focus on solid tumors.
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21
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Davis-Marcisak EF, Fitzgerald AA, Kessler MD, Danilova L, Jaffee EM, Zaidi N, Weiner LM, Fertig EJ. Transfer learning between preclinical models and human tumors identifies a conserved NK cell activation signature in anti-CTLA-4 responsive tumors. Genome Med 2021; 13:129. [PMID: 34376232 PMCID: PMC8356429 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-021-00944-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor response to therapy is affected by both the cell types and the cell states present in the tumor microenvironment. This is true for many cancer treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). While it is well-established that ICIs promote T cell activation, their broader impact on other intratumoral immune cells is unclear; this information is needed to identify new mechanisms of action and improve ICI efficacy. Many preclinical studies have begun using single-cell analysis to delineate therapeutic responses in individual immune cell types within tumors. One major limitation to this approach is that therapeutic mechanisms identified in preclinical models have failed to fully translate to human disease, restraining efforts to improve ICI efficacy in translational research. METHOD We previously developed a computational transfer learning approach called projectR to identify shared biology between independent high-throughput single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets. In the present study, we test this algorithm's ability to identify conserved and clinically relevant transcriptional changes in complex tumor scRNA-seq data and expand its application to the comparison of scRNA-seq datasets with additional data types such as bulk RNA-seq and mass cytometry. RESULTS We found a conserved signature of NK cell activation in anti-CTLA-4 responsive mouse and human tumors. In human metastatic melanoma, we found that the NK cell activation signature associates with longer overall survival and is predictive of anti-CTLA-4 (ipilimumab) response. Additional molecular approaches to confirm the computational findings demonstrated that human NK cells express CTLA-4 and bind anti-CTLA-4 antibodies independent of the antibody binding receptor (FcR) and that similar to T cells, CTLA-4 expression by NK cells is modified by cytokine-mediated and target cell-mediated NK cell activation. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate a novel application of our transfer learning approach, which was able to identify cell state transitions conserved in preclinical models and human tumors. This approach can be adapted to explore many questions in cancer therapeutics, enhance translational research, and enable better understanding and treatment of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F Davis-Marcisak
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of the Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Allison A Fitzgerald
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Michael D Kessler
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ludmila Danilova
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Jaffee
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Neeha Zaidi
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Louis M Weiner
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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22
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Bornschlegl S, Gustafson MP, Delivanis DA, Ryder M, Liu MC, Vasmatzis G, Hallemeier CL, Park SS, Roberts LR, Parney IF, Jelinek DF, Dietz AB. Categorisation of patients based on immune profiles: a new approach to identifying candidates for response to checkpoint inhibitors. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1267. [PMID: 33968403 PMCID: PMC8082708 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Inhibitors to the checkpoint proteins cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) are becoming widely used in cancer treatment. However, a lack of understanding of the patient response to treatment limits accurate identification of potential responders to immunotherapy. Methods In this study, we assessed the expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 on 19 leucocyte populations in the peripheral blood of 74 cancer patients. A reference data set for PD-1 and CTLA-4 was established for 40 healthy volunteers to determine the normal expression patterns for these checkpoint proteins. Results Unsupervised hierarchical clustering found four immune profiles shared across the solid tumor types, while chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients had an immune profile largely unique to them. Furthermore, we measured these leucocyte populations on an additional cohort of 16 cancer patients receiving the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab in order to identify differences between responders and non-responders, as well as compared to healthy volunteers (n = 20). We observed that cancer patients had pre-treatment PD-1 and CTLA-4 expression on their leucocyte populations at different levels compared to healthy volunteers and identified two leucocyte populations positive for CTLA-4 that had not been previously described. We found higher levels of PD-1+ CD3+ CD4- CD8- cells in patients with progressive disease and have identified it as a potential biomarker of response, as well as identifying other significant differences in phenotypes between responders and non-responders. Conclusion These results are suggestive that categorisation of patients based on immune profiles may differentiate responders from non-responders to immunotherapy for solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Bornschlegl
- Immune Progenitor and Cell Therapy (IMPACT) Division of Experimental Pathology Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA
| | - Michael P Gustafson
- Immune Progenitor and Cell Therapy (IMPACT) Division of Experimental Pathology Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA.,Division of Laboratory Medicine Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Mayo Clinic Arizona Phoenix AZ USA
| | - Danae A Delivanis
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA
| | - Mabel Ryder
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA.,Division of Medical Oncology Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA
| | - Minetta C Liu
- Division of Medical Oncology Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA
| | | | | | - Sean S Park
- Department of Radiation Oncology Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA
| | - Lewis R Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA
| | - Ian F Parney
- Department of Neurosurgery Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA
| | | | - Allan B Dietz
- Immune Progenitor and Cell Therapy (IMPACT) Division of Experimental Pathology Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA.,Division of Transfusion Medicine Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA
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23
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Olwenyi OA, Asingura B, Naluyima P, Anywar GU, Nalunga J, Nakabuye M, Semwogerere M, Bagaya B, Cham F, Tindikahwa A, Kiweewa F, Lichter EZ, Podany AT, Fletcher CV, Byrareddy SN, Kibuuka H. In-vitro Immunomodulatory activity of Azadirachta indica A.Juss. Ethanol: water mixture against HIV associated chronic CD4 + T-cell activation/ exhaustion. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:114. [PMID: 33836748 PMCID: PMC8034071 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Sub-Saharan Africa, herbal therapy continues to be utilized for HIV-1 disease management. However, the therapeutic benefits of these substances remain ambiguous. To date, little is known about the effects of these plant extracts on chronic CD4 + T-cell activation and exhaustion which is partly driven by HIV-1 associated microbial translocation. METHODS Effects of Azadirachta indica, Momordica foetida and Moringa oleifera ethanol: water mixtures on cell viability were evaluated using the Guava PCA system. Then, an in-vitro cell culture model was developed to mimic CD4+ T cell exposures to antigens following HIV-1 microbial translocation. In this, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from HIV negative (n = 13), viral load < 1000 copies per mL (n = 10) and viral load > 1000 copies per mL (n = 6) study participants from rural Uganda were treated with Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB). Then, the candidate plant extract (A. indica) was added to test the potential to inhibit corresponding CD4+ T cell activation. Following BD Facs Canto II event acquisition, variations in %CD38, %CD69, Human Leukocyte Antigen -DR (HLA-DR), Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (Tim-3), interferon gamma (IFN γ) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) CD4 + T cell expression were evaluated. RESULTS Following exposure to SEB, only A. indica demonstrated a concentration-dependent ability to downregulate the levels of CD4 + T cell activation. At the final concentration of 0.500 μg/mL of A. indica, a significant downregulation of CD4 + CD38 + HLA-DR+ expression was observed in HIV negative (p < 0.0001) and both HIV infected groups (P = 0.0313). This plant extract also significantly lowered SEB induced % CD4+ T cell HLADR, PD-1 and Tim-3 levels. PD-1 and CD69 markers were only significantly downmodulated in only the HIV negative ((p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0078 respectively) and viral load< 1000 copies per ml (p = 0.0078) groups. CONCLUSION A. indica exhibited the in-vitro immunomodulatory potential to inhibit the continuum of SEB induced CD4+ T-cell activation/ exhaustion without impacting general T-cell specific functions such as cytokine secretion. Additional studies are needed to confirm A. indica as a source of natural products for targeting persistent immune activation and inflammation during ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omalla A Olwenyi
- Makerere University, Walter Reed Project, P.O Box 16524, Kampala, Uganda.
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Bannet Asingura
- Makerere University, Walter Reed Project, P.O Box 16524, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Prossy Naluyima
- Makerere University, Walter Reed Project, P.O Box 16524, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Godwin Upoki Anywar
- Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology & Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Justine Nalunga
- Makerere University, Walter Reed Project, P.O Box 16524, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mariam Nakabuye
- Makerere University, Walter Reed Project, P.O Box 16524, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Bernard Bagaya
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fatim Cham
- Makerere University, Walter Reed Project, P.O Box 16524, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Allan Tindikahwa
- Makerere University, Walter Reed Project, P.O Box 16524, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Francis Kiweewa
- Makerere University, Walter Reed Project, P.O Box 16524, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eliezer Z Lichter
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Anthony T Podany
- Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Center for Drug Discovery, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Courtney V Fletcher
- Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Center for Drug Discovery, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Siddappa N Byrareddy
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Hannah Kibuuka
- Makerere University, Walter Reed Project, P.O Box 16524, Kampala, Uganda
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Hsu FT, Liu YC, Tsai CL, Yueh PF, Chang CH, Lan KL. Preclinical Evaluation of Recombinant Human IL15 Protein Fused with Albumin Binding Domain on Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy Efficiency and Anti-Tumor Immunity in Colon Cancer and Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081789. [PMID: 33918641 PMCID: PMC8070266 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this manuscript, we reported that a newly developed recombinant human IL15 fused with albumin binding domain (hIL15-ABD) showed superior biological half-life, pharmacokinetic and anti-tumor immunity than wild-type (WT) hIL15. Our hIL-15-ABD can effectively enhance anti-tumor efficacy of anti-PD-L1 on colon cancer and melanoma animal models. The anti-tumor potential of hIL-15-ABD was associated with tumor microenvironment (TME) regulation, including the activation of NK cells and CD8+ T cells, the reduction of immunosuppressive cells (MDSCs and Tregs) and the suppression of immunosuppressive factors (IDO, FOXP3 and VEGF). In conclusion, our new hIL15-ABD combined with anti-PD-L1 antibody increased the activity of anti-tumor effector cells involved in both innate and adaptive immunities, decreased the TME’s immunosuppressive cells, and showed greater anti-tumor effect than that of either monotherapy. We suggested hIL15-ABD as the potential complementary agent may effectively augment the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-L1 antibody in colon cancer and melanoma model. Abstract Anti-PD-L1 antibody monotherapy shows limited efficacy in a significant proportion of the patients. A common explanation for the inefficacy is a lack of anti-tumor effector cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recombinant human interleukin-15 (hIL15), a potent immune stimulant, has been investigated in clinical trial with encouraging results. However, hIL15 is constrained by the short half-life of hIL15 and a relatively unfavorable pharmacokinetics profile. We developed a recombinant fusion IL15 protein composed of human IL15 (hIL15) and albumin binding domain (hIL15-ABD) and explored the therapeutic efficacy and immune regulation of hIL-15, hIL15-ABD and/or combination with anti-PD-L1 on CT26 murine colon cancer (CC) and B16-F10 murine melanoma models. We demonstrated that hIL15-ABD has significant inhibitory effect on the CT26 and B16-F10 tumor growths as compared to hIL-15. hIL-15-ABD not only showed superior half-life and pharmacokinetics data than hIL-15, but also enhance anti-tumor efficacy of antibody against PD-L1 via suppressive effect on accumulation of Tregs and MDSCs and activation of NK and CD8+T cells. Immune suppressive factors including VEGF and IDO were also decreased by combination treatment. hIL15-ABD combined with anti-PD-L1 antibody increased the activity of anti-tumor effector cells involved in both innate and adaptive immunities, decreased the TME’s immunosuppressive cells, and showed greater anti-tumor effect than that of either monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Ting Hsu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 406, Taiwan; (F.-T.H.); (P.-F.Y.)
| | - Yu-Chang Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Lukang, Changhua 505, Taiwan;
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung 406, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Liang Tsai
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-L.T.); (C.-H.C.)
| | - Po-Fu Yueh
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 406, Taiwan; (F.-T.H.); (P.-F.Y.)
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsien Chang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-L.T.); (C.-H.C.)
- Isotope Application Division, Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan 325, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Li Lan
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +886-2-2826-7000 (ext. 7121)
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Immune checkpoint molecules B7-H6 and PD-L1 co-pattern the tumor inflammatory microenvironment in human breast cancer. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7550. [PMID: 33824367 PMCID: PMC8024320 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87216-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
B7-H6 and PD-L1 belong to the B7 family co-stimulatory molecules fine-tuning the immune response. The present work investigates the clinical effect of B7-H6 protein expression with PD-L1 status and the infiltration of natural killer cells as potential biomarkers in breast tumor inflammatory microenvironment. The expression levels of B7-H6 protein by cancer cells and immune infiltrating cells in human breast cancer tissues and evaluate their associations with PD-L1 expression, NK cell status, clinical pathological features and prognosis were explored. The immunohistochemistry labeling method was used to assess B7-H6 and PD-L1 proteins expression by cancer and immune cells. The associations between immune checkpoint, major clinical pathological variables and survival rates were analyzed. B7-H6 protein was depicted in both breast and immune cells. Results showed that Tumor B7-H6 expression is highly associated with Her-2 over expression. B7-H6 + immune cells are highly related to the Scarff–Bloom–Richardson grade and associated with PD-L1 expression and NK cells status. Survival analysis revealed a better prognosis in patients with low expression of B7-H6 by cancer cells. Conversely, B7-H6 + immune cells were significantly associated with longer survival. Findings strongly suggest an interaction between B7 molecules that contributes to a particular design of the inflammatory microenvironment. This may influence the efficiency of therapies based on antibodies blocking the PD-L1/PD1 pathway and can explain the detection of clinical benefits only in a fraction of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Iafolla MAJ, Yang C, Chandran V, Pintilie M, Li Q, Bedard PL, Hansen A, Lheureux S, Spreafico A, Razak AA, Hakgor S, Giesler A, Pugh TJ, Siu LL. Predicting Toxicity and Response to Pembrolizumab Through Germline Genomic HLA Class 1 Analysis. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2021; 5:pkaa115. [PMID: 33554038 PMCID: PMC7853183 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkaa115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human leukocyte antigen class 1 (HLA-1)–dependent immune activity is linked to autoimmune diseases. HLA-1–dependent CD8+ T cells are required for immune checkpoint blockade antitumor activity. It is unknown if HLA-1 genotype is predictive of toxicity to immune checkpoint blockade. Methods Patients with advanced solid tumors stratified into 5 cohorts received single agent pembrolizumab (anti-programmed cell death-1) 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks in an investigator-initiated phase II trial (Investigator-Initiated Phase II Study of Pembrolizumab Immunological Response Evaluation study, NCT02644369). Germline whole-exome sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed using the Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. HLA-1 haplotypes were predicted from whole-exome sequencing using HLAminer and HLAVBSeq. Heterozygosity of HLA-A, -B, and -C, individual HLA-1 alleles, and HLA haplotype dimorphism at positions −21 M and −21 T of the HLA-A and -B leader sequence were analyzed as predictors of toxicity defined as grade 2 or greater immune-related adverse events and clinical benefit defined as complete or partial response, or stable disease for 6 or more cycles of pembrolizumab. Statistical significance tests were 2-sided. Results In the overall cohort of 101 patients, the frequency of toxicity and clinical benefit from pembrolizumab was 22.8% and 25.7%, respectively. There was no association between any of the HLA-1 loci or alleles with toxicity. HLA-C heterozygosity had an association with decreased clinical benefit relative to HLA-C homozygosity when controlling for cohort (odds ratio = 0.28, 95% confidence interval = 0.09 to 0.91, P = .04). HLA-A and -B haplotype −21 M/T dimorphism and heterozygosity of HLA-A, -B, and -C were not predictive of outcomes. Conclusions HLA-C heterozygosity may predict decreased response to pembrolizumab. Prospective validation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A J Iafolla
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cindy Yang
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Melania Pintilie
- Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Quan Li
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Philippe L Bedard
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aaron Hansen
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephanie Lheureux
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna Spreafico
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Albiruni A Razak
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sevan Hakgor
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda Giesler
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor J Pugh
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lillian L Siu
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Arianfar E, Shahgordi S, Memarian A. Natural Killer Cell Defects in Breast Cancer: A Key Pathway for Tumor Evasion. Int Rev Immunol 2020; 40:197-216. [PMID: 33258393 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2020.1845670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
As the most important innate immune component cancers invader, natural killer (NK) cells have a magnificent role in antitumor immunity without any prior sensitization. Different subsets of NK cells have distinct responses during tumor cell exposure, according to their phenotypes and environments. Their function is induced mainly by the activity of both inhibitory and activating receptors against cancerous cells. Since the immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment of breast cancer patients has directly deteriorated the phenotype and disturbed the function of NK cells, recruiting compensatory mechanisms indicate promising outcomes for immunotherapeutic approaches. These evidences accentuate the importance of NK cell distinct features in protection against breast tumors. In this review, we discuss the several mechanisms involved in NK cells suppression which consequently promote tumor progression and disease recurrence in patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaheh Arianfar
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Sanaz Shahgordi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ali Memarian
- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.,Immunology department, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
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Domagala J, Lachota M, Klopotowska M, Graczyk-Jarzynka A, Domagala A, Zhylko A, Soroczynska K, Winiarska M. The Tumor Microenvironment-A Metabolic Obstacle to NK Cells' Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123542. [PMID: 33260925 PMCID: PMC7761432 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
NK cells have unique capabilities of recognition and destruction of tumor cells, without the requirement for prior immunization of the host. Maintaining tolerance to healthy cells makes them an attractive therapeutic tool for almost all types of cancer. Unfortunately, metabolic changes associated with malignant transformation and tumor progression lead to immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment, which in turn limits the efficacy of various immunotherapies. In this review, we provide a brief description of the metabolic changes characteristic for the tumor microenvironment. Both tumor and tumor-associated cells produce and secrete factors that directly or indirectly prevent NK cell cytotoxicity. Here, we depict the molecular mechanisms responsible for the inhibition of immune effector cells by metabolic factors. Finally, we summarize the strategies to enhance NK cell function for the treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Domagala
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mieszko Lachota
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (M.K.)
| | - Marta Klopotowska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-006 Warsaw, Poland; (M.L.); (M.K.)
| | - Agnieszka Graczyk-Jarzynka
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
| | - Antoni Domagala
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, 25-317 Kielce, Poland;
- Department of Urology, Holy Cross Cancer Center, 25-734 Kielce, Poland
| | - Andriy Zhylko
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
| | - Karolina Soroczynska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Winiarska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (J.D.); (A.G.-J.); (A.Z.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-225-992-199
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29
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NK Cell Adoptive Immunotherapy of Cancer: Evaluating Recognition Strategies and Overcoming Limitations. Transplant Cell Ther 2020; 27:21-35. [PMID: 33007496 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2020.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, the primary effector cells of the innate immune system, utilize multiple strategies to recognize tumor cells by (1) detecting the presence of activating receptor ligands, which are often upregulated in cancer; (2) targeting cells that have a loss of major histocompatibility complex (MHC); and (3) binding to antibodies that bind to tumor-specific antigens on the tumor cell surface. All these strategies have been successfully harnessed in adoptive NK cell immunotherapies targeting cancer. In this review, we review the applications of NK cell therapies across different tumor types. Similar to other forms of immunotherapy, tumor-induced immune escape and immune suppression can limit NK cell therapies' efficacy. Therefore, we also discuss how these limitations can be overcome by conferring NK cells with the ability to redirect their tumor-targeting capabilities and survive the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, we also discuss how future iterations can benefit from combination therapies with other immunotherapeutic agents.
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30
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Putting into Perspective the Future of Cancer Vaccines: Targeted Immunotherapy. EUROPEAN MEDICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.33590/emj/19-00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-clinical models and human clinical trials have confirmed the ability of cancer vaccines to induce immune responses that are tumour-specific and, in some cases, associated with clinical response. However, cancer vaccines as a targeted immunotherapy strategy have not yet come of age. So, why the discordance after so much research has been invested in cancer vaccines? There are several reasons for this that include: limited tumour immunogenicity (limited targeted antigen expression, antigen tolerance); antigenic heterogeneity in tumours; heterogeneity of individual immune responses; multiple mechanisms associated with suppressed functional activity of immune effector cells, the underlying rationale for the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors; and immune system exhaustion. The success of checkpoint therapy has refocussed investigations into defining relationships between tumours and host immune systems, appreciating the mechanisms by which tumour cells escape immune surveillance and reinforcing recognition of the potential of vaccines in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Recent developments in cancer immunotherapies, together with associated technologies, for instance, the unparalleled achievements by immune checkpoint inhibitors and neo-antigen identification tools, may foster potential improvements in cancer vaccines for the treatment of malignancies.
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Wu M, Zhou C, Li M, Yu H, Zhao D, Xue W, Qin L, Peng A. Depletion of NK cells attenuates paraquat-induced acute lung injury by manipulating macrophage polarization. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 86:106698. [PMID: 32559567 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acute lung injury is the main causative factor in paraquat dichloride (PQ)-induced mortality. The innate immune system-triggered detrimental inflammatory cascade plays a vital role in PQ-induced acute lung injury. However, the role of natural killer (NK) cells, which are essential for innate response, in PQ-induced acute lung injury remains largely unknown. Here, we found that in an acute PQ poisoning model, depletion of NK cells attenuated PQ-induced lung injury by inhibiting macrophage polarization towards the M1 type. Specifically, the percentages of NK cells were reduced in the lung, spleen, and peripheral blood in a murine model of acute PQ poisoning. NK cells were aberrantly activated, evidenced by upregulation of the activating markers CD69, CD107a, and NKG2D and downregulation of the inhibitive marker KLRG1. Further, NK-specific depletion in mice greatly prolonged the survival time and ameliorated reactive oxygen species-induced damage following PQ treatment compared with the control group. Importantly, NK cell depletion alleviated macrophage and neutrophil infiltration in the lung and reversed PQ induced-macrophage polarization towards the pro-inflammatory M1 type. Our study demonstrates a crucial role of NK cells and NK cell-to-macrophage interaction in PQ-induced acute lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Wu
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyu Zhou
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Dake Zhao
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Xue
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Qin
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China.
| | - Ai Peng
- Center for Nephrology & Metabolomics, Division of Nephrology & Rheumatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200072 Shanghai, China.
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Bald T, Krummel MF, Smyth MJ, Barry KC. The NK cell-cancer cycle: advances and new challenges in NK cell-based immunotherapies. Nat Immunol 2020; 21:835-847. [PMID: 32690952 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-020-0728-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells belong to the innate immune system and contribute to protecting the host through killing of infected, foreign, stressed or transformed cells. Additionally, via cellular cross-talk, NK cells orchestrate antitumor immune responses. Hence, significant efforts have been undertaken to exploit the therapeutic properties of NK cells in cancer. Current strategies in preclinical and clinical development include adoptive transfer therapies, direct stimulation, recruitment of NK cells into the tumor microenvironment (TME), blockade of inhibitory receptors that limit NK cell functions, and therapeutic modulation of the TME to enhance antitumor NK cell function. In this Review, we introduce the NK cell-cancer cycle to highlight recent advances in NK cell biology and to discuss the progress and problems of NK cell-based cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Bald
- Oncology and Cellular Immunology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Matthew F Krummel
- Department of Pathology, ImmunoX Initiative, and Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark J Smyth
- Immunology of Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Kevin C Barry
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Chauhan SKS, Koehl U, Kloess S. Harnessing NK Cell Checkpoint-Modulating Immunotherapies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1807. [PMID: 32640575 PMCID: PMC7408278 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During the host immune response, the precise balance of the immune system, regulated by immune checkpoint, is required to avoid infection and cancer. These immune checkpoints are the mainstream regulator of the immune response and are crucial for self-tolerance. During the last decade, various new immune checkpoint molecules have been studied, providing an attractive path to evaluate their potential role as targets for effective therapeutic interventions. Checkpoint inhibitors have mainly been explored in T cells until now, but natural killer (NK) cells are a newly emerging target for the determination of checkpoint molecules. Simultaneously, an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions have been explored, including modulatory and inhibitory checkpoint molecules, either causing dysfunction or promoting effector functions. Furthermore, the combination of the immune checkpoint with other NK cell-based therapeutic strategies could also strengthen its efficacy as an antitumor therapy. In this review, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of the literature to date regarding underlying mechanisms of modulatory and inhibitory checkpoint molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Institute of cellular therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (U.K.); (S.K.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Kloess
- Institute of cellular therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (U.K.); (S.K.)
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Augello G, Emma MR, Cusimano A, Azzolina A, Montalto G, McCubrey JA, Cervello M. The Role of GSK-3 in Cancer Immunotherapy: GSK-3 Inhibitors as a New Frontier in Cancer Treatment. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061427. [PMID: 32526891 PMCID: PMC7348946 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) was initially identified because of its key role in the regulation of glycogen synthesis. However, it is now well-established that GSK-3 performs critical functions in many cellular processes, such as apoptosis, tumor growth, cell invasion, and metastasis. Aberrant GSK-3 activity has been associated with many human diseases, including cancer, highlighting its potential therapeutic relevance as a target for anticancer therapy. Recently, newly emerging data have demonstrated the pivotal role of GSK-3 in the anticancer immune response. In the last few years, many GSK-3 inhibitors have been developed, and some are currently being tested in clinical trials. This review will discuss preclinical and initial clinical results with GSK-3β inhibitors, highlighting the potential importance of this target in cancer immunotherapy. As described in this review, GSK-3 inhibitors have been shown to have antitumor activity in a wide range of human cancer cells, and they may also contribute to promoting a more efficacious immune response against tumor target cells, thus showing a double therapeutic advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppa Augello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 90144 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.R.E.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Maria R. Emma
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 90144 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.R.E.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Antonella Cusimano
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 90144 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.R.E.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Antonina Azzolina
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 90144 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.R.E.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Giuseppe Montalto
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 90144 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.R.E.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (G.M.)
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - James A. McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
| | - Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (CNR), 90144 Palermo, Italy; (G.A.); (M.R.E.); (A.C.); (A.A.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-091-6809-534
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Lee HW, Chung W, Lee HO, Jeong DE, Jo A, Lim JE, Hong JH, Nam DH, Jeong BC, Park SH, Joo KM, Park WY. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the tumor microenvironment and facilitates strategic choices to circumvent treatment failure in a chemorefractory bladder cancer patient. Genome Med 2020; 12:47. [PMID: 32460812 PMCID: PMC7251908 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00741-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor cell-intrinsic mechanisms and complex interactions with the tumor microenvironment contribute to therapeutic failure via tumor evolution. It may be possible to overcome treatment resistance by developing a personalized approach against relapsing cancers based on a comprehensive analysis of cell type-specific transcriptomic changes over the clinical course of the disease using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). METHODS Here, we used scRNA-seq to depict the tumor landscape of a single case of chemo-resistant metastatic, muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer (MIUBC) addicted to an activating Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (HRAS) mutation. In order to analyze tumor evolution and microenvironmental changes upon treatment, we also applied scRNA-seq to the corresponding patient-derived xenograft (PDX) before and after treatment with tipifarnib, a HRAS-targeting agent under clinical evaluation. RESULTS In the parallel analysis of the human MIUBC and the PDX, diverse stromal and immune cell populations recapitulated the cellular composition in the human and mouse tumor microenvironment. Treatment with tipifarnib showed dramatic anticancer effects but was unable to achieve a complete response. Importantly, the comparative scRNA-seq analysis between pre- and post-tipifarnib-treated PDX revealed the nature of tipifarnib-refractory tumor cells and the tumor-supporting microenvironment. Based on the upregulation of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in surviving tumor cells, and the accumulation of multiple immune-suppressive subsets from post-tipifarnib-treated PDX, a PD-L1 inhibitor, atezolizumab, was clinically applied; this resulted in a favorable response from the patient with acquired resistance to tipifarnib. CONCLUSION We presented a single case report demonstrating the power of scRNA-seq for visualizing the tumor microenvironment and identifying molecular and cellular therapeutic targets in a treatment-refractory cancer patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Won Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- Single Cell Network Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Hospital Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Woosung Chung
- Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
- DCGen Co., Ltd, Seoul, 03170, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Ock Lee
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Da Eun Jeong
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
- Single Cell Network Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Areum Jo
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Joung Eun Lim
- Department of Urology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hee Hong
- Department of Urology, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Hyun Nam
- Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Byong Chang Jeong
- Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Urology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
| | - Se Hoon Park
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kyeung-Min Joo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
- Single Cell Network Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
- Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
| | - Woong-Yang Park
- Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
- Samsung Genome Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, 06351, Republic of Korea.
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McNerney KO, Karageorgos SA, Hogarty MD, Bassiri H. Enhancing Neuroblastoma Immunotherapies by Engaging iNKT and NK Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:873. [PMID: 32457760 PMCID: PMC7225357 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and, in the high-risk group, has a 5-year mortality rate of ~50%. The high mortality rate and significant treatment-related morbidities associated with current standard of care therapies belie the critical need for more tolerable and effective treatments for this disease. While the monoclonal antibody dinutuximab has demonstrated the potential for immunotherapy to improve overall NB outcomes, the 5-year overall survival of high-risk patients has not yet substantially changed. The frequency and type of invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) and natural killer cells (NKs) has been associated with improved outcomes in several solid and liquid malignancies, including NB. Indeed, iNKTs and NKs inhibit tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), kill cancer stem cells (CSCs) and neuroblasts, and robustly secrete cytokines to recruit additional immune effectors. These capabilities, and promising pre-clinical and early clinical data suggest that iNKT- and NK-based therapies may hold promise as both stand-alone and combination treatments for NB. In this review we will summarize the biologic features of iNKTs and NKs that confer advantages for NB immunotherapy, discuss the barriers imposed by the NB tumor microenvironment, and examine the current state of such therapies in pre-clinical models and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin O McNerney
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Spyridon A Karageorgos
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hamid Bassiri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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37
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Pirozyan MR, McGuire HM, Emran AA, Tseng HY, Tiffen JC, Lee JH, Carlino MS, Menzies AM, Long GV, Scolyer RA, Fazekas de St Groth B, Hersey P. Pretreatment Innate Cell Populations and CD4 T Cells in Blood Are Associated With Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Melanoma Patients. Front Immunol 2020; 11:372. [PMID: 32210968 PMCID: PMC7076153 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of changes in T cells, referred to as T cell exhaustion, has been suggested as a cause of primary or acquired resistance to immunotherapy by immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). A limited number of studies, largely performed on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), has provided evidence in support of this hypothesis, but whether similar changes occur in circulating blood lymphocytes has received little attention. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis of peripheral blood leukocytes from 42 patients taken over the course of treatment with anti-PD-1 was undertaken. The patients included those grouped as responders (who did not progress), primary non-responders (primary resistance) and those with acquired resistance (who initially responded then subsequently progressed). Analysis included surface markers of exhaustion, production of cytokines following in vitro stimulation, and assessment of transcription factor levels associated with T cell exhaustion. There were differences in innate cell populations between responders and non-responders at baseline and maintained throughout therapy. Frequencies of total and classical CD14+CD16- monocytes were higher and the major subset of NK cells (CD16hiCD56+) was significantly smaller in the primary resistance group compared with responders. However, differences in peripheral blood expression of exhaustion markers were not evident between the treatment groups. T cell exhaustion markers were expressed in practically all patients and the major observation was an increase in CD39 on CD4 T cells during treatment. The results confirm the association of Eomes transcription factor with T cell exhaustion but levels of expression and the ratio with T-bet over Eomes did not differ between the patient groups. Thus, peripheral blood expression of T cell exhaustion markers does not distinguish between responders and non-responders to anti-PD-1 therapy. CD4 T cell expression of IFNγ also differed in pre-treatment samples, indicating that predictors of response unrelated to exhaustion may be present in peripheral blood. The association of response with innate cell populations and CD4 T cell responses requires further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi R Pirozyan
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Helen M McGuire
- Ramaciotti Facility for Human Systems Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Discipline of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Abdullah Al Emran
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hsin-Yi Tseng
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessamy C Tiffen
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jenny H Lee
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matteo S Carlino
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander M Menzies
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Barbara Fazekas de St Groth
- Ramaciotti Facility for Human Systems Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Discipline of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Hersey
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Melaiu O, Lucarini V, Cifaldi L, Fruci D. Influence of the Tumor Microenvironment on NK Cell Function in Solid Tumors. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3038. [PMID: 32038612 PMCID: PMC6985149 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a population of innate lymphoid cells playing a pivotal role in host immune responses against infection and tumor growth. These cells have a powerful cytotoxic activity orchestrated by an intricate network of inhibitory and activating signals. The importance of NK cells in controlling tumor growth and in mediating a robust anti-metastatic effect has been demonstrated in different experimental mouse cancer models. Consistently, high density of tumor-infiltrating NK cells has been linked with a good prognosis in multiple human solid tumors. However, there are also tumors that appear to be refractory to NK cell-mediated killing for the presence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment affecting NK cell function. Immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at restoring and increasing the cytotoxic activity of NK cells in solid tumors, including the adoptive transfer of NK and CAR-NK cells, are currently employed in preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we outline recent advances supporting the direct role of NK cells in controlling expansion of solid tumors and their prognostic value in human cancers. We summarize the mechanisms adopted by cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment to affect NK cell function, and finally we evaluate current strategies to augment the antitumor function of NK cells for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ombretta Melaiu
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Lucarini
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Cifaldi
- Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
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39
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Tsur N, Kogan Y, Rehm M, Agur Z. Response of patients with melanoma to immune checkpoint blockade – insights gleaned from analysis of a new mathematical mechanistic model. J Theor Biol 2020; 485:110033. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.110033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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40
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Slattery K, Gardiner CM. NK Cell Metabolism and TGFβ - Implications for Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2915. [PMID: 31921174 PMCID: PMC6927492 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are innate lymphocytes which play an essential role in protection against cancer and viral infection. Their functions are dictated by many factors including the receptors they express, cytokines they respond to and changes in the external environment. These cell processes are regulated within NK cells at many levels including genetic, epigenetic and expression (RNA and protein) levels. The last decade has revealed cellular metabolism as another level of immune regulation. Specific immune cells adopt metabolic configurations that support their functions, and this is a dynamic process with cells undergoing metabolic reprogramming during the course of an immune response. Upon activation with pro-inflammatory cytokines, NK cells upregulate both glycolysis and oxphos metabolic pathways and this supports their anti-cancer functions. Perturbation of these pathways inhibits NK cell effector functions. Anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TGFβ can inhibit metabolic changes and reduce functional outputs. Although a lot remains to be learned, our knowledge of potential molecular mechanisms involved is growing quickly. This review will discuss our current knowledge on the role of TGFβ in regulating NK cell metabolism and will draw on a wider knowledge base regarding TGFβ regulation of cellular metabolic pathways, in order to highlight potential ways in which TGFβ might be targeted to contribute to the exciting progress that is being made in terms of adoptive NK cell therapies for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Slattery
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clair M Gardiner
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
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41
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Pérez-García A, Arroyo-Valerio AG, Bustos-Esquivel MA, Quispe-Siccha RM, Zaldívar-Fujigaki JL, Pacheco-Yepez J, Kershenobich D, López-Alvarenga JC, Hernández-Ruiz J. Young adult binge drinkers have immunophenotypical disarrangements in peripheral natural killer cells. Alcohol 2019; 81:70-78. [PMID: 31265902 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol consumption is an issue of worldwide relevance and a problem of national scale in Mexico. The consumption pattern of large amounts of alcohol on the weekends is rapidly increasing in young adults between 18 and 29 years. Despite various studies that have focused on the noxious effect of alcohol in immunity, the changes in the immunoprofiles of peripheral blood cells have not been completely described. Natural killer cells (NKCs) are lymphoid-origin cells of the immune system that are responsible for defense against tumors, among other functions. In homeostatic conditions, they are found to be in a state of "dynamic balance" between activation and inhibition stimuli, which, if broken, may lead to immunosuppression or activation of cytotoxic mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated the immunoprofile of peripheral NKCs of 54 young adults, 29 of whom were binge drinkers and 25 of whom were low risk (LR), as classified by validated tools. Drinking habits were assessed. Blood samples were collected to perform hematic biometry and liver enzyme tests. Peripheral NKCs were identified by FACS, and stained for CCR2, CCR4, CCR5, CXCR4, CD69, CD127, CD137, TLR4, and Granzyme B. The data were analyzed using the t test and Mann-Whitney's U test for contrasts, and the effect size was obtained in order to evaluate the impact of each immunoprofile. The binge group showed increased expression of CCR5 and PD-1 in NKCs, respective to the LR group, and decreased expression of TLR4, along with fewer CCR4+ cells. Moreover, the increase found in CCR5 and PD-1 expression was correlated with the number of drinks in the last drinking session. Our findings show that young binge drinkers have different immunoprofiles that could suggest an early status of immunosuppression and trafficking of NKCs to the liver, which could be related to the onset of early liver damage, early in a subject's lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo Pérez-García
- Experimental Surgery Service, Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Dr. Balmis 148 Colonia Doctores, Delegación, Cuauhtémoc, 06726 CDMX, Mexico
| | - América Guadalupe Arroyo-Valerio
- Research Department, Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Dr. Balmis 148 Colonia Doctores, Delegación Cuauhtémoc, 06726 CDMX, Mexico
| | - Mayra A Bustos-Esquivel
- Research & Technological Development Unit (UIDT) UNAM-HGM, Dr. Balmis 148 Colonia, Doctores, Delegación Cuauhtémoc, 06726 CDMX, Mexico
| | - Rosa M Quispe-Siccha
- Research Department, Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Dr. Balmis 148 Colonia Doctores, Delegación Cuauhtémoc, 06726 CDMX, Mexico; Research & Technological Development Unit (UIDT) UNAM-HGM, Dr. Balmis 148 Colonia, Doctores, Delegación Cuauhtémoc, 06726 CDMX, Mexico
| | - José Luis Zaldívar-Fujigaki
- Clinical Research, Centro Médico Nacional "20 de Noviembre", ISSSTE, Félix Cuevas 540, Col del Valle Sur, Delegación Benito Juárez, 03100 CDMX, Mexico
| | - Judith Pacheco-Yepez
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Calle Salvador Díaz Mirón S/N, Santo Tomás, Alcaldia Miguel Hidalgo, 11340 CDMX, Mexico
| | - David Kershenobich
- National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, "Salvador Zubirán,", Avenida Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Colonia Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Delegación Tlalpan, CDMX 14080, Mexico
| | - J C López-Alvarenga
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Texas, United States; Research Division Mexican-American University of the North (UMAN), Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico
| | - Joselín Hernández-Ruiz
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga", Dr. Balmis 148 Colonia Doctores, Alcaldia Cuauhtémoc, 06726 CDMX, Mexico.
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42
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Saba NF, Chen ZG, Haigentz M, Bossi P, Rinaldo A, Rodrigo JP, Mäkitie AA, Takes RP, Strojan P, Vermorken JB, Ferlito A. Targeting the EGFR and Immune Pathways in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN): Forging a New Alliance. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:1909-1915. [PMID: 31676542 PMCID: PMC6830522 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite the recent approval of immune-modulatory agents, EGFR inhibition continues to be a cornerstone in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) namely in combination with radiotherapy in the treatment of locoregionally advanced disease as well as in platinum-sensitive recurrent or metastatic disease in the first-line setting. Importantly, recent evidence has emerged supporting also an immune-modulatory effect of EGFR inhibition, and interest has now focused on utilizing these effects in the current treatment approaches for SCCHN. In this report, we review the rationale and evidence supporting the forging of this new alliance in optimizing the treatment of SCCHN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Zhuo Gerogia Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Paolo Bossi
- Medical Oncology Department, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Antti A Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Robert P Takes
- Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Alfio Ferlito
- Coordinator of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy
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43
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Kitamura T, Kato Y, Brownlie D, Soong DYH, Sugano G, Kippen N, Li J, Doughty-Shenton D, Carragher N, Pollard JW. Mammary Tumor Cells with High Metastatic Potential Are Hypersensitive to Macrophage-Derived HGF. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:2052-2064. [PMID: 31615815 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis-associated macrophages (MAM) promote persistent growth of breast cancer cells at the metastatic site and are, thus, an attractive therapeutic target to treat breast cancer metastasis, a leading cause of cancer-related death in women. However, the precise mechanisms behind MAM-mediated metastatic tumor outgrowth have not been fully elucidated. Using mouse models of metastatic breast cancer, we showed that MAMs uniquely expressed hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in metastatic tumors. We also demonstrated that a selected population of cancer cells with high metastatic potential (cancer cells that can establish metastatic tumors in mice with higher number and incidence than parental cells) had higher expression of HGF receptor, MNNG HOS transforming gene (MET), and were more responsive to HGF released from macrophages compared with the parental cells. Blockade of MET signaling in cancer cells suppressed metastatic tumor expansion, in part, through activation of natural killer cells. Results from this study suggest an approach to prevent life-threatening metastatic tumor formation using blockade of MAM-induced MET signal activation in metastatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Kitamura
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. .,MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Kato
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Demi Brownlie
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Y H Soong
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gaël Sugano
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolle Kippen
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jiufeng Li
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Dahlia Doughty-Shenton
- Edinburgh Phenotypic Assay Centre, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Carragher
- Edinburgh Phenotypic Assay Centre, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey W Pollard
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. .,Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
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44
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NK Cells as Potential Targets for Immunotherapy in Endometriosis. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8091468. [PMID: 31540116 PMCID: PMC6780982 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8091468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease defined by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, most frequently on the pelvic viscera and ovaries, which is associated with pelvic pains and infertility. It is an inflammatory disorder with some features of autoimmunity. It is accepted that ectopic endometriotic tissue originates from endometrial cells exfoliated during menstruation and disseminating into the peritoneum by retrograde menstrual blood flow. It is assumed that the survival of endometriotic cells in the peritoneal cavity may be partially due to their abrogated elimination by natural killer (NK) cells. The decrease of NK cell cytotoxic activity in endometriosis is associated with an increased expression of some inhibitory NK cell receptors. It may be also related to the expression of human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), a ligand for inhibitory leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor subfamily B member 1 (LILRB1) receptors. The downregulated cytotoxic activity of NK cells may be due to inhibitory cytokines present in the peritoneal milieu of patients with endometriosis. The role of NK cell receptors and their ligands in endometriosis is also confirmed by genetic association studies. Thus, endometriosis may be a subject of immunotherapy by blocking NK cell negative control checkpoints including inhibitory NK cell receptors. Immunotherapies with genetically modified NK cells also cannot be excluded.
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45
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Del Prete A, Sozio F, Schioppa T, Ponzetta A, Vermi W, Calza S, Bugatti M, Salvi V, Bernardini G, Benvenuti F, Vecchi A, Bottazzi B, Mantovani A, Sozzani S. The Atypical Receptor CCRL2 Is Essential for Lung Cancer Immune Surveillance. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:1775-1788. [PMID: 31484658 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CCRL2 is a nonsignaling seven-transmembrane domain receptor. CCRL2 binds chemerin, a protein that promotes chemotaxis of leukocytes, including macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells. In addition, CCRL2 controls the inflammatory response in different pathologic settings, such as hypersensitivity, inflammatory arthritis, and experimental autoimmune encephalitis. Here, we investigated the role of CCRL2 in the regulation of lung cancer-related inflammation. The genetic deletion of Ccrl2 promoted tumor progression in urethane-induced and in Kras G12D/+/p53 LoxP lung tumor mouse models. Similarly, a Kras-mutant lung tumor displayed enhanced growth in Ccrl2-deficient mice. This phenotype was associated with a reduced inflammatory infiltrate characterized by the impaired recruitment of several leukocyte populations including NK cells. Bone marrow chimeras showed that CCRL2 expression by the nonhematopoietic cell compartment was responsible for the increased tumor formation observed in Kras-mutant Ccrl2-deficient mice. In human and mouse lungs, CCRL2 was expressed by a fraction of CD31+ endothelial cells, where it could control NK infiltration. Elevated CCRL2 expression in biopsies from human lung adenocarcinoma positively correlated with clinical outcome. These results provide evidence for a crucial role of CCRL2 in shaping an anti-lung tumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Del Prete
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Francesca Sozio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Tiziana Schioppa
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Andrea Ponzetta
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - William Vermi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Calza
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Salvi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Institute Pasteur-Italia, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Federica Benvenuti
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Alberto Mantovani
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy.,Humanitas University, Rozzano-Milano, Italy.,The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvano Sozzani
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
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DNAM-1 and the TIGIT/PVRIG/TACTILE Axis: Novel Immune Checkpoints for Natural Killer Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060877. [PMID: 31234588 PMCID: PMC6628015 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune response characterized by their role in the destruction of tumor cells. Activation of NK cells depend on a fine balance between activating and inhibitory signals mediated by different receptors. In recent years, a family of paired receptors that interact with ligands of the Nectin/Nectin-like (Necl) family has attracted great interest. Two of these ligands, Necl-5 (usually termed CD155 or PVR) and Nectin-2 (CD112), frequently expressed on different types of tumor cells, are recognized by a group of receptors expressed on T and NK cells that exert opposite functions after interacting with their ligands. These receptors include DNAM-1 (CD226), TIGIT, TACTILE (CD96) and the recently described PVRIG. Whereas activation through DNAM-1 after recognition of CD155 or CD112 enhances NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against a wide range of tumor cells, TIGIT recognition of these ligands exerts an inhibitory effect on NK cells by diminishing IFN-γ production, as well as NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. PVRIG has also been identified as an inhibitory receptor that recognizes CD112 but not CD155. However, little is known about the role of TACTILE as modulator of immune responses in humans. TACTILE control of tumor growth and metastases has been reported in murine models, and it has been suggested that it negatively regulates the anti-tumor functions mediated by DNAM-1. In NK cells from patients with solid cancer and leukemia, it has been observed a decreased expression of DNAM-1 that may shift the balance in favor to the inhibitory receptors TIGIT or PVRIG, further contributing to the diminished NK cell-mediated cytotoxic capacity observed in these patients. Analysis of DNAM-1, TIGIT, TACTILE and PVRIG on human NK cells from solid cancer or leukemia patients will clarify the role of these receptors in cancer surveillance. Overall, it can be speculated that in cancer patients the TIGIT/PVRIG pathways are upregulated and represent novel targets for checkpoint blockade immunotherapy.
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47
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Natural Killer Immunotherapy for Minimal Residual Disease Eradication Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20092057. [PMID: 31027331 PMCID: PMC6539946 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common cause of death in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is AML relapse. Therefore, additive therapies post allo-HSCT have significant potential to prevent relapse. Natural killer (NK)-cell-based immunotherapies can be incorporated into the therapeutic armamentarium for the eradication of AML cells post allo-HSCT. In recent studies, NK cell-based immunotherapies, the use of adoptive NK cells, NK cells in combination with cytokines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific and trispecific killer cell engagers, and chimeric antigen receptor-engineered NK cells have all shown antitumor activity in AML patients. In this review, we will discuss the current strategies with these NK cell-based immunotherapies as possible therapies to cure AML patients post allo-HSCT. Additionally, we will discuss various means of immune escape in order to further understand the mechanism of NK cell-based immunotherapies against AML.
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Yoneda T, Kunimura N, Kitagawa K, Fukui Y, Saito H, Narikiyo K, Ishiko M, Otsuki N, Nibu KI, Fujisawa M, Serada S, Naka T, Shirakawa T. Overexpression of SOCS3 mediated by adenovirus vector in mouse and human castration-resistant prostate cancer cells increases the sensitivity to NK cells in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Gene Ther 2019; 26:388-399. [PMID: 30607005 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-018-0075-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. The overactivation of IL-6/JAK/STAT3 signaling and silencing of SOCS3 are frequently observed in prostate cancer. In the present study we undertook to develop Ad-SOCS3 gene therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer and also investigated whether Ad-SOCS3 increased sensitivity to NK cells. We demonstrated that Ad-SOCS3 could significantly inhibit growth of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cell lines expressing pSTAT3, DU-145 (at 10, 20, and 40 MOI), and TRAMP-C2 (at 40 MOI), but not the PC-3 CRPC cell line with the STAT3 gene deleted. Ad-SOCS3 (40 MOI) could suppress IL-6 production in DU-145 cells and PD-L1 expression induced by IFN-γ in TRAMP-C2 cells, and increased the NK cell sensitivity of both TRAMP-C2 and DU-145 cells. In the DU-145 mouse xenograft tumor model, intratumoral injections (twice/week for 3 weeks) of 1 × 108 pfu of Ad-SOCS3 significantly inhibited tumor growth and combining the Ad-SOCS3 treatment with intratumoral injections (once/week for 2 weeks) of 1 × 107 human NK cells showed the highest tumor growth inhibitory effect. These results suggested that a combination of Ad-SOCS3 gene therapy and NK cell immunotherapy could be a powerful treatment option for advanced CRPC overexpressing pSTAT3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomomi Yoneda
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Naoto Kunimura
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Koichi Kitagawa
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yuka Fukui
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hiroki Saito
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Keita Narikiyo
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Motoki Ishiko
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe, Japan
| | - Naoki Otsuki
- Division of Otolaryngology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Nibu
- Division of Otolaryngology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masato Fujisawa
- Division of Urology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Satoshi Serada
- Center for Intractable Immune Disease, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Naka
- Center for Intractable Immune Disease, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - Toshiro Shirakawa
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe, Japan. .,Division of Urology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
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Wang X, Wu M, Cao Y, Zhang Z, Guo F, Li X, Zhang Y. Exploring the role of programmed cell death protein 1 and its ligand 1 in eye diseases. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2019; 56:18-32. [PMID: 30602320 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2018.1522292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and its ligand, PD-L1, as negative co-stimulatory molecules, are indispensable for regulating both physiological and pathological immune responses. The PD-1/PD-L1-mediated signaling pathway has been studied extensively in cancer research and has become a hotspot for biopharmaceuticals and immunotherapy. Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies to PD-1 have just been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat certain types of malignancies. Recent research has unveiled a close association between the PD-1/PD-L1 system and eye diseases. This review describes the expression and physiological functions of PD-1 and its ligand in ocular tissues and summarizes the pathogenic, regulatory, and therapeutic roles of PD-1/PD-L1 system in eye diseases, including uveal melanoma, autoimmune uveitis, autoimmune dry eye, sympathetic ophthalmia, Graves' ophthalmopathy, diabetic retinopathy, herpes simplex keratitis, and trachoma, with the intent of highlighting the potential of PD-1/PD-L1 as novel therapeutic targets or biomarkers for these ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Wang
- a Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital , Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
| | - Mianmian Wu
- a Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital , Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
| | - Yunshan Cao
- b Department of Cardiology , Gansu Provincial Hospital , Lanzhou , China.,c Department of Heart Failure, Shanghai East Hospital , Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.,d Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital , Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- a Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital , Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
| | - Fang Guo
- a Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital , Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
| | - Xiaorong Li
- a Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital , Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
| | - Yan Zhang
- a Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital , Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China
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50
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Lepe-Zuniga JL, Jeronimo-Lopez FJ, Hernandez-Orantes JG, Mendez-Cigarroa AO. Non-EBV-Related Aggressive NK-Cell Leukemia: An Oncohematological Great Imitator. J Hematol 2018; 7:163-166. [PMID: 32300433 PMCID: PMC7155853 DOI: 10.14740/jh462] [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: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggressive natural killer (NK)-cell leukemia (ANKL) is a very rare oncohematological disease among youngsters in Latin America. Its clinical picture imitates a variety of syndromes and diseases due to its pathophysiology. Its diagnosis is relatively simple due to the prominence of NK malignant cells in peripheral blood and its clinical aggressiveness. In certain circumstances though, the presence of blast NK cells and the natural course of the disease can be so modified by the treatment of one of the imitated diseases, especially when using steroids, that it becomes very difficult to diagnose early in its course. We present a case of a 16-year-old Mexican male who initiated symptoms imitating dengue to severe dengue for which he received steroids, apparently inducing a partial remission; he was then diagnosed as having community acquired pneumonia, then sepsis, septic shock w/disseminated intravascular coagulation, primary hemophagocytic syndrome, severe hepatitis, lupus and finally hyper IgE. It was not until 1 day before dying of hemorrhagic shock, a month after initiating symptoms, when the (re)emergence of blast NK cells in peripheral blood allowed the correct diagnosis to be made. Knowledge of ANKL pathophysiology may raise awareness of this multifaceted malignancy and may open up possibilities for its therapy. Gained knowledge can also be used for guiding NK cell evident aggressiveness against other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L Lepe-Zuniga
- Hospital de Especialidades Pediatricas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico.,Research Department, Hospital de Especialidades Pediatricas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Francisco Javier Jeronimo-Lopez
- Hospital de Especialidades Pediatricas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico.,Hematology Lab, Hospital de Especialidades Pediatricas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Jorge Gregorio Hernandez-Orantes
- Hospital de Especialidades Pediatricas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico.,Cytometry Lab, Hospital de Especialidades Pediatricas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
| | - Adriana Osiris Mendez-Cigarroa
- Hospital de Especialidades Pediatricas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico.,General Lab, Hospital de Especialidades Pediatricas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
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