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Li X, González-Maroto C, Tavassoli M. Crosstalk between CAFs and tumour cells in head and neck cancer. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:303. [PMID: 38926351 PMCID: PMC11208506 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02053-9] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are amongst the most aggressive, complex, and heterogeneous malignancies. The standard of care treatments for HNC patients include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or their combination. However, around 50% do not benefit while suffering severe toxic side effects, costing the individuals and society. Decades have been spent to improve HNSCC treatment outcomes with only limited success. Much of the research in HNSCC treatment has focused on understanding the genetics of the HNSCC malignant cells, but it has become clear that tumour microenvironment (TME) plays an important role in the progression as well as treatment response in HNSCC. Understanding the crosstalk between cancer cells and TME is crucial for inhibiting progression and treatment resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the predominant component of stroma in HNSCC, serve as the primary source of extra-cellular matrix (ECM) and various pro-tumoral composites in TME. The activation of CAFs in HNSCC is primarily driven by cancer cell-secreted molecules, which in turn induce phenotypic changes, elevated secretive status, and altered ECM production profile. Concurrently, CAFs play a pivotal role in modulating the cell cycle, stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and resistance to targeted and chemoradiotherapy in HNSCC cells. This modulation occurs through interactions with secreted molecules or direct contact with the ECM or CAF. Co-culture and 3D models of tumour cells and other TME cell types allows to mimic the HNSCC tumour milieu and enable modulating tumour hypoxia and reprograming cancer stem cells (CSC). This review aims to provide an update on the development of HNSCC tumour models comprising CAFs to obtain better understanding of the interaction between CAFs and tumour cells, and for providing preclinical testing platforms of current and combination with emerging therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- Head and Neck Oncology Group, Centre for Host Microbiome Interaction, King's College London, Hodgkin Building, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Celia González-Maroto
- Head and Neck Oncology Group, Centre for Host Microbiome Interaction, King's College London, Hodgkin Building, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Mahvash Tavassoli
- Head and Neck Oncology Group, Centre for Host Microbiome Interaction, King's College London, Hodgkin Building, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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Chen Y, Ding X, Bai X, Zhou Z, Liu Y, Zhang X, Yu J, Hu M. The current advances and future directions of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the era of immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 120:110329. [PMID: 37207445 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have previously demonstrated their efficacy and safety in various solid tumors, and with the growing interest in the application of ICIs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), various data have been reported. Mechanistically, HNSCC cells express programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which binds to its receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1). Immune escape plays a key role in disease initiation and progression. Studying the abnormal activation of related pathways of PD-1/PD-L1 will help to understand the way of immunotherapy and find the advantageous population of immunotherapy. How to reduce HNSCC-related mortality and morbidity in this process has promoted the search for new therapeutic strategies, especially in the era of immunotherapy. PD-1 inhibitors have demonstrated significant prolongation of survival in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) HNSCC with a favorable safety profile. It also holds great promise in locally advanced (LA) HNSCC, where numerous studies are underway. Although immunotherapy has made great progress in HNSCC research, there are still many challenges. Therefore, in the review, we conducted an in-depth study on the expression of PD-L1 and the regulatory, immunosuppressive mechanisms caused by PD-L1, especially in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, which is different from other tumors. And further summarize the situation, challenges and development trends of PD-1 and PD-L1 blockade in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunhao Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong University Cancer Center, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China
| | - Xingchen Ding
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China
| | - Xinbin Bai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tumor Hospital of Jining, Jining, Shandong 272007, China
| | - Zihan Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Xianbin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery and Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518060, China
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong University Cancer Center, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China; Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China; Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China.
| | - Man Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China.
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Jiang S, Li X, Huang L, Xu Z, Lin J. Prognostic value of PD-1, PD-L1 and PD-L2 deserves attention in head and neck cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:988416. [PMID: 36119046 PMCID: PMC9478105 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.988416] [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: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer has high heterogeneity with poor prognosis, and emerging researches have been focusing on the prognostic markers of head and neck cancer. PD-L1 expression is an important basis for strategies of immunosuppressive treatment, but whether it has prognostic value is still controversial. Although meta-analysis on PD-L1 expression versus head and neck cancer prognosis has been performed, the conclusions are controversial. Since PD-L1 and PD-L2 are two receptors for PD-1, here we summarize and analyze the different prognostic values of PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2 in head and neck cancer in the context of different cell types, tissue localization and protein forms. We propose that for head and neck cancer, the risk warning value of PD-1/PD-L1 expression in precancerous lesions is worthy of attention, and the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression at different subcellular levels as well as the judgment convenience of prognostic value of PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2 should be fully considered. The PD-L1 evaluation systems established based on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are not fully suitable for the evaluation of PD-L1 prognosis in head and neck cancer. It is necessary to establish a new PD-L1 evaluation system based on the prognosis for further explorations. The prognostic value of PD-L1, PD-L2 expression in head and neck cancer may be different for early-stage and late-stage samples, and further stratification is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqing Jiang
- Department of Comprehensive Chemotherapy/Head and Neck Cancer, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Pain Management and Anesthesiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lihua Huang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhensheng Xu
- Department of Oncologic Chemotheraphy, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhensheng Xu, ; Jinguan Lin,
| | - Jinguan Lin
- Department of Comprehensive Chemotherapy/Head and Neck Cancer, Hunan Cancer Hospital, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Zhensheng Xu, ; Jinguan Lin,
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Despite a dearth of activating driver mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), aberrant activation of the oncogenes, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and c-Met is near-universal in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative disease. Although EGFR activation drove the successful development of the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab in HNSCC, no c-Met-targeting therapy has gained regulatory approval. Inhibition of the c-Met pathway may subvert oncogenesis within the tumor-intrinsic compartment, blocking tumoral proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis, or the tumor-extrinsic compartment, modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This review discusses the rationale and current drug development strategies for targeting c-Met or its exclusive ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in HNSCC.
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Affolter A, Kern J, Bieback K, Scherl C, Rotter N, Lammert A. Biomarkers and 3D models predicting response to immune checkpoint blockade in head and neck cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2022; 61:88. [PMID: 35642667 PMCID: PMC9183766 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has evolved into a powerful tool in the fight against a number of types of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Although checkpoint inhibition (CPI) has definitely enriched the treatment options for advanced stage HNSCC during the past decade, the percentage of patients responding to treatment is widely varying between 14-32% in second-line setting in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC with a sporadic durability. Clinical response and, consecutively, treatment success remain unpredictable in most of the cases. One potential factor is the expression of target molecules of the tumor allowing cancer cells to acquire therapy resistance mechanisms. Accordingly, analyzing and modeling the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is key to i) stratify subgroups of patients most likely to respond to CPI and ii) to define new combinatorial treatment regimens. Particularly in a heterogeneous disease such as HNSCC, thoroughly studying the interactions and crosstalking between tumor and TME cells is one of the biggest challenges. Sophisticated 3D models are therefore urgently needed to be able to validate such basic science hypotheses and to test novel immuno-oncologic treatment regimens in consideration of the individual biology of each tumor. The present review will first summarize recent findings on immunotherapy, predictive biomarkers, the role of the TME and signaling cascades eliciting during CPI. Second, it will highlight the significance of current promising approaches to establish HNSCC 3D models for new immunotherapies. The results are encouraging and indicate that data obtained from patient-specific tumors in a dish might be finally translated into personalized immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Affolter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Johann Kern
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Karen Bieback
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden‑Württemberg‑Hessen, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudia Scherl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nicole Rotter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anne Lammert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, D‑68167 Mannheim, Germany
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Lailler C, Lamuraglia M, Racine F, Louandre C, Godin C, Chauffert B, Galmiche A, Saidak Z. DNA damage response- and JAK-dependent regulation of PD-L1 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells exposed to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101110. [PMID: 33951601 PMCID: PMC8111315 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101110] [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: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
PD-L1 is an important immune checkpoint molecule expressed by HNSCC. 5-FU induces PD-L1 expression in HNSCC cells. PD-L1 upregulation is DNA damage Response- and JAK-dependent. 5-FU potentiates the effect of the inflammatory cytokine Ifn-γ. Targeting EGFR with cetuximab blunts PD-L1 expression induced by 5-FU.
Objectives The immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1 (CD274) is a crucial regulator of the tumor immune response. Its expression has been reported in the therapeutic context in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), but it remains unclear how therapeutically approved molecules regulate PD-L1 expression in HNSCC cells. Materials and methods Three HNSCC cell lines (BICR6, PE/CA-PJ34 and PE/CA-PJ41) were used to analyze PD-L1 expression by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence and QPCR. Freely-available single cell RNAseq data from HNSCC were also used. Results 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) increased the expression of PD-L1 with high efficacy in HNSCC cells. Single cell RNAseq data suggested the specificity of the regulation of PD-L1 in this context. The effect of 5-FU on PD-L1 expression was related to its genotoxic effect and was prevented by extracellular application of thymidine or using a chemical inhibitor of the DNA damage Response kinases ATM/ATR. We found that the effect of 5-FU was additive or synergistic with IFN-γ, the canonical inducer of PD-L1 in epithelial cells. QPCR analysis confirmed this finding and identified JAK-dependent transcriptional activation of PD-L1/CD274 as the underlying mechanism. The induction of PD-L1 by 5-FU was partially prevented by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibition with cetuximab. Conclusion Our study highlights the specific DNA Damage Response- and JAK- dependent induction of PD-L1 by 5-FU in HNSCC cells. This induction is regulated by the cytokine context and is potentially therapeutically actionable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Lailler
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Centre de Biologie Humaine (CBH), CHU Sud, Amiens, France; UR7516 "CHIMERE", Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Michele Lamuraglia
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale (LIB), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Oncologie Médicale, CHU Sud, Amiens, France
| | - Floriane Racine
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Centre de Biologie Humaine (CBH), CHU Sud, Amiens, France; UR7516 "CHIMERE", Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Christophe Louandre
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Centre de Biologie Humaine (CBH), CHU Sud, Amiens, France; UR7516 "CHIMERE", Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Corinne Godin
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Centre de Biologie Humaine (CBH), CHU Sud, Amiens, France; UR7516 "CHIMERE", Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Bruno Chauffert
- UR7516 "CHIMERE", Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France; Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale (LIB), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, INSERM, Oncologie Médicale, CHU Sud, Amiens, France
| | - Antoine Galmiche
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Centre de Biologie Humaine (CBH), CHU Sud, Amiens, France; UR7516 "CHIMERE", Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - Zuzana Saidak
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Centre de Biologie Humaine (CBH), CHU Sud, Amiens, France; UR7516 "CHIMERE", Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France.
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