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Russo AE, Memon A, Ahmed S. Bladder Cancer and the Urinary Microbiome-New Insights and Future Directions: A Review. Clin Genitourin Cancer 2024; 22:434-444. [PMID: 38220540 DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2023.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The presence of a microbiome in the urinary system has been established through recent advancements in technology and investigation of microbial communities in the human body. The study of the taxonomic and genomic ecology of microbial communities has been greatly improved by the use of metagenomics. The research in this area has expanded our understanding of microbial ecosystems and shows that the urinary tract contains over 100 species from over 50 genera, with Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, and Streptococcus being the most common. Previous studies have suggested that the microbiota in the urinary tract may play a role in carcinogenesis by causing chronic inflammation and genotoxicity, but more research is needed to reach a definite conclusion. This is a narrative review. We conducted a search for relevant publications by using the databases Medline/PubMed and Google Scholar. The search was based on keywords such as "urinary microbiome," "bladder cancer," "carcinogenesis," "urothelial carcinoma," and "next-generation sequencing." The retrieved publications were then reviewed to study the contribution of the urinary microbiome in the development of bladder cancer. The results have been categorized into four sections to enhance understanding of the urinary microbiome and to highlight its role in the emergence of bladder cancer through alterations in the immune response that involve T-cells and antibodies. The immune system and microbiome play crucial roles in maintaining health and preventing disease. Manipulating the immune system is a key aspect of various cancer treatments, and certain gut bacteria have been linked to positive responses to immunotherapies. However, the impact of these treatments on the urinary microbiome, and how diet and lifestyle affect it, are not well understood. Research in this area could have significant implications for improving bladder cancer treatment and patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela E Russo
- Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
| | - Areeba Memon
- Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Ahmed
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
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Dey S, Devender M, Rani S, Pandey RK. Recent advances in CAR T-cell engineering using synthetic biology: Paving the way for next-generation cancer treatment. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2024; 140:91-156. [PMID: 38762281 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
This book chapter highlights a comprehensive exploration of the transformative innovations in the field of cancer immunotherapy. CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cell therapy represents a groundbreaking approach to treat cancer by reprogramming a patient immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This chapter underscores the critical role of synthetic biology in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapies. It begins by emphasizing the growing importance of personalized medicine in cancer treatment, emphasizing the shift from one-size-fits-all approaches to patient-specific solutions. Synthetic biology, a multidisciplinary field, has been instrumental in customizing CAR T-cell therapies, allowing for fine-tuned precision and minimizing unwanted side effects. The chapter highlights recent advances in gene editing, synthetic gene circuits, and molecular engineering, showcasing how these technologies are optimizing CAR T-cell function. In summary, this book chapter sheds light on the remarkable progress made in the development of CAR T-cell therapies using synthetic biology, providing hope for cancer patients and hinting at a future where highly personalized and effective cancer treatments are the norm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangita Dey
- CSO Department, Cellworks Research India Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Moodu Devender
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Swati Rani
- ICAR, National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Rajan Kumar Pandey
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden.
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Wei D, Liu Y, Yuan Y, Li Y, Zhao F, Qin X. Molecular map of cGAS-STING pathway-related genes in bladder cancer: the perspective toward immune microenvironment and prognosis. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:1516-1535. [PMID: 38240703 PMCID: PMC10866408 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cGAS-STING pathway emerges as a pivotal innate immune pathway with the potential to profoundly influence all facets of tumor initiation and progression. The prognostic significance and immunological role of cGAS-STING pathway-related genes (CRGs) in individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer (BLCA) have not yet been fully elucidated. METHODS Performed unsupervised cluster analysis to identify distinct clusters. Utilizing LASSO and multivariate Cox regression analysis to construct a prognostic risk model. The IMvigor210, GSE13507 and GSE78220 cohorts were utilized to explore the potential value of risk score in immune therapy response and survival prediction. RESULTS A risk model was developed utilizing four CRGs in order to forecast the overall survival (OS) of BLCA patients. The risk score to be a standalone risk factor, which was further corroborated by the external validation set obtained from the GEO database (GSE13507). We established an integrated nomogram that combined risk scoring and clinical information, exhibiting commendable clinical practicality in predicting the overall survival period of BLCA patients. It is noteworthy that risk score could differentiate tumor microenvironments among different risk groups and individuals who were more responsive to immunotherapy in IMvigor210 and GSE13507 cohorts. In vitro experiments, we noted an up-regulation of IRF3 and IKBKB upon the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. Conversely, the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway resulted in a down-regulation of POLR3G and CTNNB1. CONCLUSIONS CRG risk model shows promise as a potential stratification approach for bladder cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wei
- Department of Urology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xingtai Third Hospital, Xingtai 054000, China
| | - Ying Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Xingtai Third Hospital, Xingtai 054000, China
| | - Yishuai Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hebei Chest Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Fangchao Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Xuebo Qin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hebei Chest Hospital, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
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Dagar G, Gupta A, Masoodi T, Nisar S, Merhi M, Hashem S, Chauhan R, Dagar M, Mirza S, Bagga P, Kumar R, Akil ASAS, Macha MA, Haris M, Uddin S, Singh M, Bhat AA. Harnessing the potential of CAR-T cell therapy: progress, challenges, and future directions in hematological and solid tumor treatments. J Transl Med 2023; 21:449. [PMID: 37420216 PMCID: PMC10327392 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04292-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional cancer treatments use nonspecific drugs and monoclonal antibodies to target tumor cells. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, however, leverages the immune system's T-cells to recognize and attack tumor cells. T-cells are isolated from patients and modified to target tumor-associated antigens. CAR-T therapy has achieved FDA approval for treating blood cancers like B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, large B-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma by targeting CD-19 and B-cell maturation antigens. Bi-specific chimeric antigen receptors may contribute to mitigating tumor antigen escape, but their efficacy could be limited in cases where certain tumor cells do not express the targeted antigens. Despite success in blood cancers, CAR-T technology faces challenges in solid tumors, including lack of reliable tumor-associated antigens, hypoxic cores, immunosuppressive tumor environments, enhanced reactive oxygen species, and decreased T-cell infiltration. To overcome these challenges, current research aims to identify reliable tumor-associated antigens and develop cost-effective, tumor microenvironment-specific CAR-T cells. This review covers the evolution of CAR-T therapy against various tumors, including hematological and solid tumors, highlights challenges faced by CAR-T cell therapy, and suggests strategies to overcome these obstacles, such as utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing and artificial intelligence to optimize clinical-grade CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Dagar
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ashna Gupta
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Tariq Masoodi
- Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sabah Nisar
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, 3050, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sheema Hashem
- Department of Human Genetics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ravi Chauhan
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Manisha Dagar
- Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sameer Mirza
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Puneet Bagga
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, 182320, India
| | - Ammira S Al-Shabeeb Akil
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar
| | - Muzafar A Macha
- Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Mayank Singh
- Department of Medical Oncology (Lab.), Dr. BRAIRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Ajaz A Bhat
- Department of Human Genetics-Precision Medicine in Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Doha, Qatar.
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Liu Y, Han YS, Wang JF, Pang ZQ, Wang JS, Zhang L, He JX, Shen LK, Ji B, Ding BC, Ren MH. A new immune-related gene signature predicts the prognosis and immune escape of bladder cancer. Cancer Biomark 2023; 38:567-581. [PMID: 38073378 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-230190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The biological roles of immune-related genes (IRGs) in bladder cancer (BC) need to be further elucidated. OBJECTIVE To elucidate the predictive value of IRGs for prognosis and immune escape in BC. METHODS We comprehensively analyzed the transcriptomic and clinical information of 430 cases, including 19 normal and 411 BC patients from the TCGA database, and verified 165 BC cases in the GSE13507 dataset. The risk model was constructed based on IRGs by applying LASSO Cox regression and exploring the relationship between the risk score and prognosis, gene mutations, and immune escape in BC patients. RESULTS We identified 4 survival-related genes (PSMC1, RAC3, ROBO2 and ITGB3) among 6,196 IRGs in both the TCGA and GES13507 datasets,, which were used to establish a gene risk model by applying LASSO Cox regression. The results showed that the high-risk (HR) group was closely associated with poor survival or advanced pathological stage of BC. Furthermore, the risk score was found to be an independent risk factor for prognosis of BC patients. In addition, high-risk individuals showed a greater prevalence of TP53 mutations lower CD8+ T-cell and NK cell infiltration, higher Treg cell infiltration, higher expression of PD-L1, and higher immune exclusion scores than those in the low-risk (LR) group. Finally, the experimental verification shows that the model construction gene, especially PMSC1, plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of bladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS These evidences revealed the vital role of IRGs in predicting prognosis, TP53 mutation and immune escape in BC patients.
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Xie R, Xie M, Zhu L, Chiu JWY, Lam W, Yap DYH. The Relationship of Pyroptosis-Related Genes, Patient Outcomes, and Tumor-Infiltrating Cells in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma (BLCA). Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:930951. [PMID: 35928267 PMCID: PMC9343957 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.930951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The role of pyroptosis and its effects on tumor-infiltrating cells (TICs) in the pathogenesis and treatment outcomes of patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a bioinformatics analysis on the pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) and TICs using data from public domains, and evaluated their impact on the pathogenesis and clinical outcomes of BLCA patients. A risk score based on PRGs and a prognostic risk model that incorporated patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were developed. Results: Twenty-three DEGs of 52 PRGs were identified in BLCA and normal samples from the TCGA database. Missense mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms in PRGs are the most common genetic abnormalities. Patients with high PRG risk scores showed an inferior survival compared to those with low risk scores. The prognostic risk model based on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and DEGs showed good predictive values for patient survival at 1, 3, and 5 years in BLCA patients. Caspase-8 (CASP8) was the only intersection gene of the prognostic genes, DEGs, and different genes expressed in tissue. Patients with a high CASP8 expression had improved survival, and an increased CASP8 expression level was observed in activated CD4 memory T cells, follicular T helper cells, resting NK cells, M0 macrophages, and activated dendritic cells. CASP8 expression also showed a positive correlation with the IL7R expression—a key cell marker of CD4 memory T cells. CASP8 expression also showed correlations with immune checkpoints (PDCD1, CD274, and CTLA4) and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Conclusion: Our data suggest that PRGs, especially CASP8, showed strong associations with patient outcomes and TICs in BLCA. If validated, these results could potentially aid in the prognostication and guide treatment in BLCA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyan Xie
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ming Xie
- Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Litong Zhu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joanne W. Y. Chiu
- Division of Haematology, Medical Oncology and Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wayne Lam
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Desmond Y. H. Yap
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Desmond Y. H. Yap,
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Abd El-Salam MA, Smith CEP, Pan CX. Insights on recent innovations in bladder cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Cytopathol 2022; 130:667-683. [PMID: 35653623 DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Bladder carcinoma is the most common genitourinary cancer, with a high prevalence and global incidence. In addition to early detection by cytology, the management of bladder cancer has recently advanced, not only by improvements in conventional treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy, but also through the introduction of immunotherapeutic strategies. The number of approved immunotherapeutic agents has dramatically increased, with various preclinical and clinical applications in cancer drug discovery. Some bladder cancer immunotherapies include immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy, cytokine-based therapy, bispecific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates. This review provides an overview of some of the innovative immunotherapeutic agents approved and in development that can potentially be used in the treatment of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Abd El-Salam
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) Barcelona, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology International Coastal Road, Gamasa, Egypt
| | - Claire E P Smith
- Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chong-Xian Pan
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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