Chemokine-Directed Tumor Microenvironment Modulation in Cancer Immunotherapy

Integrating UPLC-MS/MS Bioinformatics and In Vivo Experiments Validation to Elucidate the Mechanism of Wenzi Jiedu Decoction in Suppressing Colorectal Cancer

OBJECTIVES

We used ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), bioinformatics, and in vivo experiments to study the anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) effects of Wenzi Jiedu Decoction (WJD).

METHODS

Detected the main components of WJD by UPLC-MS/MS. Obtained WJD targets and CRC targets through the open source database. Analyzed the WJD-CRC targets from a macro perspective by PPI, GO, and KEGG analyses. Validated bioinformatics findings by molecular docking and animal experiments.

RESULTS

This study obtained 91 active compounds and 240 targets of WJD. Intersection with CRC genes (GSE32323 388 DEGs, GSE 215510 1253 DEGs), 36 WJD-CRC common targets were obtained. PPI and enrichment analyses indicated WJD exerted anti-CRC effects mainly through the chemokine signaling pathway and apoptosis. Quercetin, Luteolin, Kaempferol, Formononetin, Stigmasterol, and Hederagenin were the main compounds of WJD. CXCL8, BCL-2, BAX, BCL2L1, CASP3, AKT1, and TP53 were the core targets of WJD-CRC. Bulk molecular docking showed that core WJD compounds had good docking activity with WJD-CRC targets. Animal experiments had shown the tumor inhibition rate of the WJD group was 36.53%. WJD could regulate the ratio of CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+, reduce the expression of CXCL8, and BCL-2, and increase the expression of BAX.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that the potential mechanism of WJD in the prevention and treatment of CRC had the characteristics of the multi-target, multi-path, and multi-system mechanisms, which were mainly related to the regulation of chemokines and the promotion of apoptosis.

CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR-positive breast cancer immunotherapy

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignant tumour among women. Approximately 70 % of patients are hormone receptor (HR)-positive and undergo endocrine therapy as the main form of treatment; however, the efficacy of this type of therapy is limited by some factors, such as drug resistance and complex tumour microenvironments. Using network pharmacology and molecular docking, this study examined how CDK4/6 inhibitors enhance the effects of immunotherapy for HR-positive breast cancer, focusing on their effects on the tumour microenvironment (TME) and immune cell activity. CDK4/6 inhibitor influence crucial signalling pathways, including TP53 and EGFR, underscoring their importance in modulating immune responses and combating drug resistance. Our analysis revealed that the combination of CDK4/6 inhibitors with other immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, might play an important role in improving the effectiveness of treatment in patients with cancer. This study provides new perspectives on treatment options for HR-positive breast cancers, promoting ongoing research and improvements in therapeutic approaches.

E3 ubiquitin ligase HECW2: a promising target for tumour therapy

Ubiquitination is a prevalent post-translational modification that plays a crucial role in a wide range of pathophysiological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, immune response, and DNA damage repair. Among the enzymes involved in ubiquitination, E3 ubiquitin ligases are particularly significant, serving as key regulators of numerous diseases, including tumours. This review focuses on HECW2 (HECT, C2, and WW domain-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2, also known as NEDL2), providing a comprehensive overview of its interactors and its pathological roles in tumorous cancer and other diseases. The insights gained from this review may contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies for various diseases, particularly tumours.

Niraparib plays synergistic antitumor effects with NRT in a mouse ovarian cancer model with HRP

OBJECTIVE

PARPi offers less clinical benefit for HRP patients compared to HRD patients. PARPi has an immunomodulatory function. NRT therapy targets tumor neoantigens without off-target immune toxicity. We explored the synergy between Niraparib and NRT in enhancing antitumor activity in an HRP ovarian cancer mouse model.

METHODS

In the C57BL/6 mouse ID8 ovarian cancer model, the effect of Niraparib on reshaping TIME was evaluated by immune cell infiltration analysis of transcriptomic data. The antitumor effects of Niraparib, NRT, and their combined use were systematically evaluated. To corroborate alterations in TILs, TAMs, and chemokine profiles within the TIME, we employed immunofluorescence imaging and transcriptome sequencing analysis.

RESULTS

Niraparib increased the M1-TAMs and activated CD8+ T cells in tumor tissues of C57BL/6 mice with ID8 ovarian cancer. GSEA showed that gene set associated with immature DC and INFα, cytokines and chemokines were significantly enriched in immune feature, KEGG and GO gene sets, meanwhile CCL5, CXCL9 and CXCL10 play dominant roles together. In the animal trials, combined group had a tumor growth delay compared with Niraparib group (P < 0.01) and control group (P < 0.001), and longer survival compared with the single agent group (P<0.01) .

CONCLUSIONS

Niraparib could exert immune-reshaping effects, then acts synergistic antitumor effects with NRT in HRP ovarian cancer model. Our findings provide new ideas and rationale for combined immunotherapy in HRP ovarian cancer.

The co-expression of Crohn's disease and colon cancer network was analyzed by bioinformatics-CXCL1 tumour microenvironment and prognosis-related gene CXCL1

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the molecular links and mechanisms between Crohn's disease (CD) and colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

This study used the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CD (GSE112366) and CRC (GSE110224), analyzed by 'edgeR' and 'limma'. The Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes explored DEG functions, and the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) informed the protein-protein interaction network construction visualized in Cytoscape (version 3.7.2). Cyto-Hubba identified key genes, whose biomarker potential for CD and CRC was evaluated.

RESULTS

The study discovered 61 DEGs, with 44 up- and 17 down-regulated, linked to immune responses and signaling pathways. CXCL1, highly expressed in colon cancer, correlated with better prognosis and lower staging. It also showed associations with immune infiltration and checkpoint molecules, suggesting a role in cancer progression and retreat.

CONCLUSION

CXCL1 may play a role in the development of colorectal cancer from inflammatory bowel disease.

USP18 Is Associated with PD-L1 Antitumor Immunity and Improved Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Compared with conventional chemotherapy and targeted therapy, immunotherapy has improved the treatment outlook for a variety of solid tumors, including lung cancer, colorectal cancer (CRC), and melanoma. However, it is effective only in certain patients, necessitating the search for alternative strategies to targeted immunotherapy. The deubiquitinating enzyme USP18 is known to play an important role in various aspects of the immune response, but its role in tumor immunity in CRC remains unclear.

METHODS

In this study, multiple online datasets were used to systematically analyze the expression, prognosis, and immunomodulatory role of USP18 in CRC. The effect of USP18 on CRC was assessed via shRNA-mediated knockdown of USP18 expression in combination with CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Finally, molecular docking analysis of USP18/ISG15 and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) was performed via HDOCK, and an ELISA was used to verify the potential of USP18 to regulate PD-L1.

RESULTS

Our study revealed that USP18 expression was significantly elevated in CRC patients and closely related to clinicopathological characteristics. The experimental data indicated that silencing USP18 significantly promoted the proliferation and population-dependent growth of CRC cells. In addition, high USP18 expression was positively correlated with the CRC survival rate and closely associated with tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Interestingly, USP18 was correlated with the expression of various chemokines and immune checkpoint genes. The results of molecular docking simulations suggest that USP18 may act as a novel regulator of PD-L1 and that its deficiency may potentiate the antitumor immune response to PD-L1 blockade immunotherapy in CRC.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, USP18 shows great promise for research and clinical application as a potential target for CRC immunotherapy.

Involvement of ICAM5 in Carcinostasis Effects on LUAD Based on the ROS1-Related Prognostic Model

Background

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world. In lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), studies on receptor tyrosine kinase ROS proto-oncogene 1 (ROS1) have mainly focused on the oncogenic effects of its fusion mutations, whereas ROS1 has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in a variety of cancers and can extensively regulate the growth, survival, and proliferation of tumor cells through multiple signaling pathways. The comprehensive analysis of ROS1 expression has not been fully investigated regarding its predictive value for LUAD patients.

Methods

Gene expression profiles collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were used to build and validate prognostic risk models. The association of ROS1 with overall survival and the immune landscape was obtained from the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database. The following analyses were performed using the R package to determine the model's validity: pathway dysregulation analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, Gene Oncology analysis, immune invasion analysis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy sensitivity analysis. Finally, we conducted a pan-cancer analysis and performed in vitro experiments to explore the regulatory role of intercellular adhesion molecule 5 (ICAM5) in the progression of LUAD.

Results

We constructed a 17-gene model that categorized patients into two risk groups. The model had predictive accuracy for tumor prognosis and was specific for patients with high ROS1 expression. Comprehensive analysis showed that patients in the high-risk group were characterized by marked dysregulation of multiple pathways (eg, unfolded protein response), immune suppression of the tumor microenvironment, and poor benefit from immunotherapy and radiotherapy compared with patients in the low-risk group. PLX4720 may be a suitable treatment for the high-risk patient population. The ICAM5 gene has been demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation, cell cycle, invasion, and migration of LUAD cells.

Conclusion

We constructed a 17-gene prognostic risk model and found differences in immune-related cells, biological processes, and prognosis among patients in different risk groups based on the correlation between ROS1 and immunity. Personalized therapy may play an essential role in treatment. We further investigated the role of ICAM5 in inhibiting the malignant bioactivity of LUAD cells.

Engineered Carrier-Free Nanosystem-Induced In Situ Therapeutic Vaccines for Potent Cancer Immunotherapy

In situ vaccines that can stimulate tumor immune response have emerged as a breakthrough in antitumor therapy. However, the immunosuppressed tumor microenvironment and insufficient infiltration of immune cells lead to ineffective antitumor immunity. Hence, a biomimetic carrier-free nanosystem (BCC) to induce synergistic phototherapy/chemotherapy-driven in situ vaccines was designed. A carrier-free nanosystem was developed using phototherapeutic reagents CyI and celastrol as raw materials. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that under NIR light irradiation, BCC-mediated photo/chemotherapy not only accelerates the release of drugs to deeper parts of tumors, achieving timing and light-controlled drug delivery to result in cell apoptosis, but also effectively stimulates the antitumor response to induce in situ vaccine, which could invoke long-lasting antitumor immunity to inhibit tumor metastasis and eliminate distant tumor. This therapeutic strategy holds promise for priming robust innate and adaptive immune responses, arresting cancer progression, and inducing tumor dormancy.

Association of CTACK, IL-2, and IL-13 with increased risk of lung cancer: A Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

In recent years, relevant studies have reported that inflammatory cytokines are related to the occurrence of cancer. However, the correlation with lung cancer is not clear. This study used the Mendelian random grouping method to investigate the correlation between inflammatory factors and lung cancer in different populations.

METHODS

We obtained the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of inflammatory cytokines through the open database and the SNPs of lung cancer (European and East Asian) through the IEU OpenGWAS project. Inverse variance-weighted (IVW) MR analyses were used to determine the causalities of exposures and outcomes. Supplementary analyses were also performed using weighted median and MR-Egger regressions. Afterward, sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness. Search the ChEMBL database for target drugs and indications for CTACK, IL-2, and IL-13.

RESULTS

By IVW method, we found that CTACK, IL-2, and IL-13 were associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in the European population (CTACK, OR = 1.098, 95 % CI 1.001-1.204, P = 0.047; IL-2, OR = 1.112, 95 % CI 1.009-1.225, P = 0.032; IL-13, OR = 1.068, 95 % CI 1.007-1.132, P = 0.029), while only IL-13 was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in the East Asian population (IL-13, OR = 1.110, 95 % CI 1.010-1.220, P = 0.030). The weighted median and MR-Egger regression methods were in the same direction as the IVW effect sizes. Furthermore, no evidence of multidirectionality was detected using the MR-Egger intercept as a sensitivity analysis. Currently, there are no approved or phase III studied indications for CTACK, IL-2, and IL-13 targets in lung cancer.

CONCLUSION

The study outcomes supported that the inflammatory cytokines CTACK, IL-2, and IL-13 increase the risk of lung cancer. There is a lack of indications for drugs in these three targets. We explored the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and lung cancer, providing a basis for future cancer prediction models and targets for anti-tumor therapy.

Proteomic analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from OSCC patients reveals potential immune checkpoints to enable personalized treatment

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, with high mortality and prevalence rates. OSCC is defined as an immunogenic tumor with the potential to be recognized and targeted by the immune system. It is characterized by the extensive infiltration of immune cells and plays a vital role in tumorigenesis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are a functional subset of immune cells readily accessible through minimally invasive procedures. The molecular characterization of immune cells aids in understanding their functional roles in various pathophysiological conditions. Proteomic analysis of PBMCs from cancer patients provides insight into the mechanism of immunoregulation and the role of immune cells in impeding tumor development and progression. Therefore, the present study investigated the immune cell proteome of a cancer control cohort within OSCC, leveraging data-independent acquisition analysis by mass spectrometry (DIA-MS). Among the differentially abundant proteins in OSCC, we identified promising molecular targets, including LMNB1, CTSB, CD14, CD177, and SPI1. Further exploration of the signaling pathways related to the candidate molecules demonstrated their involvement in cancer immunomodulation. Therefore, this study can serve as a platform for identifying new candidate proteins to further investigate their potential as immunotherapeutic targets and prognostic markers.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation reveal the relationship between ALOX5AP and the prognosis and immune microenvironment in glioma

BACKGROUND

Treatment of gliomas, the most prevalent primary malignant neoplasm of the central nervous system, is challenging. Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (ALOX5AP) is crucial for converting arachidonic acid into leukotrienes and is associated with poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Nevertheless, its relationship with the prognosis and the immune microenvironment of gliomas remains incompletely understood.

METHODS

The differential expression of ALOX5AP was evaluated based on public Databases. Kaplan-Meier, multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic, and nomogram were used to estimate the prognostic value of ALOX5AP. The relationship between ALOX5AP and immune infiltration was calculated using ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms. Relationships between ALOX5AP and human leukocyte antigen molecules, immune checkpoints, tumor mutation burden, TIDE score, and immunophenoscore were calculated to evaluate glioma immunotherapy response. Single gene GSEA and co-expression network-based GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed to explore the potential function of ALOX5AP. ALOX5AP expression was verified using multiplex immunofluorescence staining and its prognostic effects were confirmed using a glioma tissue microarray.

RESULT

ALOX5AP was highly expressed in gliomas, and the expression level was related to World Health Organization (WHO) grade, age, sex, IDH mutation status, 1p19q co-deletion status, MGMTp methylation status, and poor prognosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed that ALOX5AP was expressed in macrophages, monocytes, and T cells but not in tumor cells. ALOX5AP expression positively correlated with M2 macrophage infiltration and poor immunotherapy response. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that ALOX5AP was upregulated in WHO higher-grade gliomas, localizing to M2 macrophages. Glioma tissue microarray confirmed the adverse effect of ALOX5AP in the prognosis of glioma.

CONCLUSION

ALOX5AP is highly expressed in M2 macrophages and may act as a potential biomarker for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in patients with glioma.

[Research Progresses on the Effects of CCL4 on Immune Escape in Tumor Microenvironment]

Immunotherapy has become the cornerstone of current malignant tumor treatment. However, the response of different patients to immunotherapy is highly heterogeneous, and not all patients can benefit from it. There is an urgent need to find biomarkers that can effectively predict the efficacy of immunotherapy. C-C chemokine ligand 4 (CCL4) is a cytokine, belonging to the inflammatory CCL subfamily. It is mainly secreted by immune cells and tumor cells and shows low or no expression in normal tissues but abnormally high expression in various malignant tumor tissues. After binding to CCL4 and its receptor C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5), it can recruit and mediate immune cell migration, destroy the stability of the tumor microenvironment (TME), participate in carcinogenesis and promote the development of tumors. In the tumor immune microenvironment, CCL4 can mediate and recruit the directed migration of key immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells, which makes it a potentially important element affecting the efficacy of immunotherapy and has specific value. This paper reviews the research progresses of CCL4's effects on immune escape in TME, in order to provide clues and references for basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Strategies to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-1 antibody, anti-PD-L1 antibody and anti-CTLA-4 antibody in cancer therapy

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 antibody, anti-PD-L1 antibody, and anti-CTLA-4 antibody) have displayed considerable success in the treatment of malignant tumors, the therapeutic effect is still unsatisfactory for a portion of patients. Therefore, it is imperative to develop strategies to enhance the effect of these ICIs. Increasing evidence strongly suggests that the key to this issue is to transform the tumor immune microenvironment from a state of no or low immune infiltration to a state of high immune infiltration and enhance the tumor cell-killing effect of T cells. Therefore, some combination strategies have been proposed and this review appraise a summary of 39 strategies aiming at enhancing the effectiveness of ICIs, which comprise combining 10 clinical approaches and 29 foundational research strategies. Moreover, this review improves the comprehensive understanding of combination therapy with ICIs and inspires novel ideas for tumor immunotherapy.

Deciphering Regulatory T-Cell Dynamics in Cancer Immunotherapy: Mechanisms, Implications, and Therapeutic Innovations

This Review explores how tumor-associated regulatory cells (Tregs) affect cancer immunotherapy. It shows how Tregs play a role in keeping the immune system in check, how cancers grow, and how well immunotherapy work. Tregs use many ways to suppress the immune system, and these ways are affected by the tumor microenvironment (TME). New approaches to cancer therapy are showing promise, such as targeting Treg checkpoint receptors precisely and using Fc-engineered antibodies. It is important to tailor treatments to each patient's TME in order to provide personalized care. Understanding Treg biology is essential for creating effective cancer treatments and improving the long-term outcomes of immunotherapy.

Prognostic role of chemokine-related genes in acute myeloid leukemia

Background

Chemotactic cytokines play a crucial role in the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Thus, investigating the mechanisms of chemotactic cytokine-related genes (CCRGs) in AML is of paramount importance.

Methods

Using the TCGA-AML, GSE114868, and GSE12417 datasets, differential expression analysis identified differentially expressed CCRGs (DE-CCRGs). These genes were screened by overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between AML and control groups with CCRGs. Subsequently, functional enrichment analysis and the construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were conducted to explore the functions of the DE-CCRGs. Univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox regression analyses identified relevant prognostic genes and developed a prognostic model. Survival analysis of the prognostic gene was performed, followed by functional similarity analysis, immune analysis, enrichment analysis, and drug prediction analysis.

Results

Differential expression analysis revealed 6,743 DEGs, of which 29 DE-CCRGs were selected for this study. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that DE-CCRGs were primarily involved in chemotactic cytokine-related functions and pathways. Six prognostic genes (CXCR3, CXCR2, CXCR6, CCL20, CCL4, and CCR2) were identified and incorporated into the risk model. The model's performance was validated using the GSE12417 dataset. Survival analysis showed significant differences in AML overall survival (OS) between prognostic gene high and low expression groups, indicating that prognostic gene might be significantly associated with patient survival. Additionally, nine different immune cells were identified between the two risk groups. Correlation analysis revealed that CCR2 had the most significant positive correlation with monocytes and the most significant negative correlation with resting mast cells. The tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score was lower in the high-risk group.

Conclusion

CXCR3, CXCR2, CXCR6, CCL20, CCL4, and CCR2 were identified as prognostic genes correlated to AML and the tumor immune microenvironment. These findings offerred novel insights into the prevention and treatment of AML.

Cancer Nanovaccines: Nanomaterials and Clinical Perspectives

Cancer nanovaccines represent a promising frontier in cancer immunotherapy, utilizing nanotechnology to augment traditional vaccine efficacy. This review comprehensively examines the current state-of-the-art in cancer nanovaccine development, elucidating innovative strategies and technologies employed in their design. It explores both preclinical and clinical advancements, emphasizing key studies demonstrating their potential to elicit robust anti-tumor immune responses. The study encompasses various facets, including integrating biomaterial-based nanocarriers for antigen delivery, adjuvant selection, and the impact of nanoscale properties on vaccine performance. Detailed insights into the complex interplay between the tumor microenvironment and nanovaccine responses are provided, highlighting challenges and opportunities in optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Additionally, the study presents a thorough analysis of ongoing clinical trials, presenting a snapshot of the current clinical landscape. By curating the latest scientific findings and clinical developments, this study aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for researchers and clinicians engaged in advancing cancer immunotherapy. Integrating nanotechnology into vaccine design holds immense promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment paradigms, and this review provides a timely update on the evolving landscape of cancer nanovaccines.

Cancer metastasis through the lymphatic versus blood vessels

Whether cancer cells metastasize from the primary site to the distant sites via the lymphatic vessels or the blood vessels directly into the circulation is still under intense study. In this review article, we follow the journey of cancer cells metastasizing to the sentinel lymph nodes and beyond to the distant sites. We emphasize cancer heterogeneity and microenvironment as major determinants of cancer metastasis. Multiple molecules have been found to be associated with the complicated process of metastasis. Based on the large sentinel lymph node data, it is reasonable to conclude that cancer cells may metastasize through the blood vessels in some cases but in most cases, they use the sentinel lymph nodes as the major gateway to enter the circulation to distant sites.

The chemokine CCL14 is a potential biomarker associated with immune cell infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Chemokine ligand 14, which has a C-C motif (CCL14), mediates the immunological milieu around tumors. However, its role in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is still unknown. Our objectives were to study the association between CCL14 and tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) as well as the predictive significance of CCL14 in LUAD.

METHODS

The expression of CCL14 in LUAD was examined by using the Oncomine, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), The University of Alabama at Birmingham CANcer data analysis Portal (UALCAN), and Human Protein Atlas databases. To determine the prognostic significance of CCL14 in LUAD, researchers used the Kaplan‒Meier plotter and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA, version 2). We utilized TIMER and GEPIA2 to investigate the connection between CCL14 and TIICs. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to test for functional enrichment of genes. We used RT‒qPCR to measure CCL14 expression and Cell Counting Kit-8, Transwell, and wound healing assays to investigate the biological role of CCL14.

RESULTS

The prognosis of patients with LUAD was worse when CCL14 expression was low. Statistical analysis revealed that CCL14 mRNA expression was significantly greater in lung epithelial cells than in LUAD cell lines in vitro. Enhancing CCL14 expression reduced cell migration, invasion, and proliferation. The results of the immune infiltration research showed that CCL14 and TIICs were positively correlated. Different immune infiltration patterns associated with CCL14 were also shown by TIIC markers. According to GSEA, histone deacetylases, G2/M checkpoints, and Notch signaling pathways were associated with low CCL14 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

CCL14 is anticipated to emerge as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for LUAD due to its role in regulating TIICs, suggesting that it may be an antioncogene.

Spatial transcriptomics of gastric cancer brain metastasis reveals atypical vasculature strategies with supportive immune profiles

Background

Gastric cancer brain metastasis (GCBM) represents a rare but highly aggressive malignancy. Metastatic cancer cells are highly heterogeneous and differentially remodels brain vasculature and immune microenvironments, which affects the treatment effectiveness and patient outcome. This study aimed to investigate the spatial interactions among different cell components, especially the vasculature system and the brain microenvironment of GCBM patients.

Methods

We used digital spatial profiling to examine 140 regions composing tumor, immune, and brain tissues from three GCBM patients. Transcriptomic data with spatial information were analyzed for tissue areas related to different blood recruitment strategies. For validation, independent analysis of patient bulk transcriptomic data and in vivo single-cell transcriptomic data were performed.

Results

Angiogenesis and blood vessel co-option co-existed within the same GCBM lesion. Tumors with high epithelial-mesenchymal transition and an enhanced transcriptomic gene signature composed of CTNNB1, SPARC, VIM, SMAD3, SMAD4, TGFB1, TGFB2, and TGFB3 were more prone to adopt blood vessel co-option than angiogenesis. Enriched macrophage infiltration, angiogenic chemokines, and NAMPT were found in angiogenic areas, while increased T cells, T cell activating cytokines, and reduced NAMPT were found in vessel co-option regions. Spatially, angiogenesis was enriched at the tumor edge, which showed higher DMBT1 expression than the tumor center.

Conclusions

This study mapped the orchestrated spatial characteristics of tumor and immunological compositions that support the conventional and atypical vascularization strategies in GCBM. Our data provided molecular insights for more effective combinations of anti-vascular and immune therapies.

Chemokines in the tumor microenvironment: implications for lung cancer and immunotherapy

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex interconnected network of immune cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels, and extracellular matrix surrounding the tumor. Because of its immunosuppressive nature, the TME can pose a challenge for cancer immunotherapies targeting solid tumors. Chemokines have emerged as a crucial element in enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, playing a direct role in immune cell signaling within the TME and facilitating immune cell migration towards cancer cells. However, chemokine ligands and their receptors exhibit context-dependent diversity, necessitating evaluation of their tumor-promoting or inhibitory effects based on tumor type and immune cell characteristics. This review explores the role of chemokines in tumor immunity and metastasis in the context of the TME. We also discuss current chemokine-related advances in cancer immunotherapy research, with a particular focus on lung cancer, a common cancer with a low survival rate and limited immunotherapy options.

Correlation analysis of human papillomavirus E6/E7 mRNA detection with diagnosis, prognosis and recurrence risk in patients with cervical epithelioma

BACKGROUND

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is an important precursor of cervical cancer. Early detection and treatment can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.

AIM

To investigate the detection rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) E6/E7 mRNA in cervical tissue of patients with different types of epithelial cell neoplasia (CIN) and its relationship with CIN progression and diagnosis.

METHODS

One hundred women with HPV infection detected by cervical exfoliation cytology between January 2022 and January 2023 were retrospectively selected. These patients were graded CIN based on colposcopy and cervical pathology. The positive expression rates of HPV E6/E7 mRNA and HPV [polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-reverse dot crossing] were compared among all groups. Patients with HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression in the grade 1 CIN group were followed up for 1 yr. The relationship between atypical squamous epithelium and high malignant epithelial neoplasia was investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and sensitivity of PCR-reverse point hybridization technology for secondary CIN were 70.41%, 70.66%, and 0.714, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for secondary CIN were 752% and 7853%, respectively, the area under the curve value was 0.789. Logistic Multifactorial model analysis revealed that the HPV positive rates and the HPV E6/E7 mRNA positive rates were independent risk factors of CIN grade I (P < 0.05). In CIN grade I patients with positive for HPV E6/E7 mRNA, in its orientation to grade CIN patients, in its orientation to grade CIN patients, at 69.2%, compared with patients negative for HPV E6/E7 mRNA (30.8%), significant difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

HPV E6/E7 mRNA and HPV (PCR-reverse dot hybrid) positive expression have a close relationship with CIN-grade disease progression and is an independent risk factor for high-grade CIN lesions.

The short peptide encoded by long non-coding RNA RNF217-AS1 inhibits stomach cancer tumorigenesis, macrophage recruitment, and pro-inflammatory responses

Certain long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have potential peptide-coding abilities. Here, the role and molecular basis of the RNF217-AS1-encoded peptide in stomach cancer (SC) tumorigenesis were explored. Here, lncRNAs associated with SC pathogenesis and macrophage infiltration and lncRNAs with peptide-coding potential were searched by bioinformatics analysis. The gene mRNA and protein levels were examined by RT-qPCR and western blot assays, respectively. Cell viability, migratory, and invasive abilities were measured by CCK-8, Transwell migration, and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. The potential biological processes related to lncRNA RNF217-AS1 were identified by single-gene GSEA analysis. The effect of RNF217-AS1-encoded peptide on SC tumorigenesis was examined by mouse xenograft experiments. The results showed that lncRNA NR2F1-AS1 and RNF217-AS1 were differentially expressed and associated with macrophage infiltration in SC, and they had the ability to translate into short peptides. The RNF217-AS1 ORF-encoded peptide could reduce SC cell viability, inhibit cell migration and invasion, as well as hinder the development of SC xenograft tumors. The RNF217-AS1 ORF-encoded peptide in human SC AGS cells suppressed THP-1 cell migration, triggered the differential expression of CXCL1/CXCL2/CXCL8/CXCL12, and inactivated the TLR4/NF-κB/STAT1 signaling pathways. As a conclusion, the RNF217-AS1 ORF-encoded peptide hindered SC progression in vitro and in vivo and suppressed macrophage recruitment and pro-inflammatory responses in SC.

Non-Coding RNA in Tumor Cells and Tumor-Associated Myeloid Cells-Function and Therapeutic Potential

The RNA world is wide, and besides mRNA, there is a variety of other RNA types, such as non-coding (nc)RNAs, which harbor various intracellular regulatory functions. This review focuses on small interfering (si)RNA and micro (mi)RNA, which form a complex network regulating mRNA translation and, consequently, gene expression. In fact, these RNAs are critically involved in the function and phenotype of all cells in the human body, including malignant cells. In cancer, the two main targets for therapy are dysregulated cancer cells and dysfunctional immune cells. To exploit the potential of mi- or siRNA therapeutics in cancer therapy, a profound understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of RNAs and following targeted intervention is needed to re-program cancer cells and immune cell functions in vivo. The first part focuses on the function of less well-known RNAs, including siRNA and miRNA, and presents RNA-based technologies. In the second part, the therapeutic potential of these technologies in treating cancer is discussed, with particular attention on manipulating tumor-associated immune cells, especially tumor-associated myeloid cells.

The adhesion-GPCR ADGRF5 fuels breast cancer progression by suppressing the MMP8-mediated antitumorigenic effects

ADGRF5 (GPR116) has been identified as a facilitator of breast cancer cell migration and metastasis, yet the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Our current study reveals that the absence of ADGRF5 in breast cancer cells impairs extracellular matrix (ECM)-associated cell motility and impedes in vivo tumor growth. This correlates with heightened expression of matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP8), a well-characterized antitumorigenic MMP, and a shift in the polarization of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) towards the antitumor N1 phenotype in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Mechanistically, ADGRF5 inhibits ERK1/2 activity by enhancing RhoA activation, leading to decreased phosphorylation of C/EBPβ at Thr235, hindering its nuclear translocation and subsequent activation. Crucially, two C/EBPβ binding motifs essential for MMP8 transcription are identified within its promoter region. Consequently, ADGRF5 silencing fosters MMP8 expression and CXCL8 secretion, attracting increased infiltration of TANs; simultaneously, MMP8 plays a role in decorin cleavage, which leads to trapped-inactivation of TGF-β in the TME, thereby polarizing TANs towards the antitumor N1 neutrophil phenotype and mitigating TGF-β-enhanced cell motility in breast cancer. Our findings reveal a novel connection between ADGRF5, an adhesion G protein-coupled receptor, and the orchestration of the TME, which dictates malignancy progression. Overall, the data underscore ADGRF5 as a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer intervention.

Deciphering the tumor immune microenvironment from a multidimensional omics perspective: insight into next-generation CAR-T cell immunotherapy and beyond

Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) consists of intra-tumor immunological components and plays a significant role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and response to therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy has revolutionized the cancer treatment paradigm. Although CAR-T cell immunotherapy has emerged as a successful treatment for hematologic malignancies, it remains a conundrum for solid tumors. The heterogeneity of TIME is responsible for poor outcomes in CAR-T cell immunotherapy against solid tumors. The advancement of highly sophisticated technology enhances our exploration in TIME from a multi-omics perspective. In the era of machine learning, multi-omics studies could reveal the characteristics of TIME and its immune resistance mechanism. Therefore, the clinical efficacy of CAR-T cell immunotherapy in solid tumors could be further improved with strategies that target unfavorable conditions in TIME. Herein, this review seeks to investigate the factors influencing TIME formation and propose strategies for improving the effectiveness of CAR-T cell immunotherapy through a multi-omics perspective, with the ultimate goal of developing personalized therapeutic approaches.

A microphysiological system reveals neutrophil contact-dependent attenuation of pancreatic tumor progression by CXCR2 inhibition-based immunotherapy

Cancer cells recruit neutrophils from the bloodstream into the tumor tissue, where these immune cells promote the progression of numerous solid tumors. Studies in mice suggest that blocking neutrophil recruitment to tumors by inhibition of neutrophil chemokine receptor CXCR2 could be a potential immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. Yet, the mechanisms by which neutrophils promote tumor progression in humans, as well as how CXCR2 inhibition could potentially serve as a cancer therapy, remain elusive. In this study, we developed a human cell-based microphysiological system to quantify neutrophil-tumor spheroid interactions in both "separated" and "contact" scenarios. We found that neutrophils promote the invasion of tumor spheroids through the secretion of soluble factors and direct contact with cancer cells. However, they promote the proliferation of tumor spheroids solely through direct contact. Interestingly, treatment with AZD-5069, a CXCR2 inhibitor, attenuates invasion and proliferation of tumor spheroids by blocking direct contact with neutrophils. Our findings also show that CXCR2 inhibition reduces neutrophil migration toward tumor spheroids. These results shed new light on the tumor-promoting mechanisms of human neutrophils and the tumor-suppressive mechanisms of CXCR2 inhibition in pancreatic cancer and may aid in the design and optimization of novel immunotherapeutic strategies based on neutrophils.

Identification of a Macrophage marker gene signature to evaluate immune infiltration and therapeutic response in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Only a minority of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients can benefit from systemic regimens. Macrophages, which abundantly infiltrate in HCC, could mediate tumour microenvironment remodelling and immune escape, proving to be powerful weapons in combating HCC. Thus, a deeper understanding of macrophages is necessary for improving existing antitumour treatments.

Methods

With a series of bioinformatic approaches, we comprehensively explored the role of macrophage-related genes in human HCCs from multiple single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing datasets. Unsupervised clustering was performed to cluster the macrophage marker genes (MMGs). GSVA and functional enrichment analysis were used to elucidate the functional differences among the MMG-associated clusters. Subsequently, a component analysis algorithm was used to construct a Macrosig score, and the prognosis, biological characteristics, mutation profile, TME cell infiltration status and drug response of patients with different Macrosig scores were further analysed.

Results

We identified 13 MMGs in 574 HCC samples, based on which three MMG-associated clusters were defined. Overall survival time, clinicopathological features and immune infiltration scores differed among the different clusters. On this basis, 12 hub genes were identified among these clusters; subsequently, a scoring system was constructed to determine the Macrosig score. Importantly, patients with low-Macrosig scores, characterized by increased immune infiltration, increased mutation frequency and increased immune checkpoint expression, including CTLA-4, LAG3, PDCD1 and TIGIT, exhibited enhanced efficacy of immunotherapy when validated in an external database. Moreover, a low-Macrosig score indicates increased sensitivity to AZD.2281, A.443654, ABT.263, ABT.888, AG.014699 and ATRA, while a high Macrosig score indicates increased sensitivity to AZD6482, AKT inhibitor VIII, AS601245, AZ628, AZD.0530 and AZD6244.

Conclusions

A novel scoring system was constructed to guide more effective prognostic evaluation and tailoring therapeutic regimens for HCC patients.

Metalloproteins structural and functional insights into immunological patterns

Metalloproteins play a crucial role in regulating different aspects of the immune system in humans. They have various functions in immunity, including recognizing and presenting antigens, aiding in the movement and effectiveness of immune cells, and facilitating interactions between the host and pathogens. Understanding how these proteins work can help us develop new methods to control the immune response in different diseases. Metalloproteins contain metal ions in their structure, which allows them to perform these diverse functions. They encompass a wide range of enzymes, signaling molecules, and structural proteins that utilize metal ions as cofactors for their activities. Examples of metalloproteins include superoxide dismutase, catalase, and metalloproteases, which regulate oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue remodelling processes associated with immune activation. By studying their functions and the effects of their dysfunction, researchers can develop strategies to improve immune function and combat various diseases. This review explores the diverse functions of metalloproteins in immune processes, highlighting their significance in both health and disease.

Analyzing the Functional Roles and Immunological Features of Chemokines in COAD

Chemokines are key proteins that regulate cell migration and immune responses and are essential for modulating the tumor microenvironment. Despite their close association with colon cancer, the expression patterns, prognosis, immunity, and specific roles of chemokines in colon cancer are still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the mutational features, differential expression, and immunological characteristics of chemokines in colon cancer (COAD) by analyzing the Tumor Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We clarified the biological functions of these chemokines using Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. By univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses, we developed chemokine-based prognostic risk models. In addition, using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Set Variant Analysis (GSVA), we analyzed the differences in immune responses and signaling pathways among different risk groups. The results showed that the mutation rate of chemokines was low in COAD, but 25 chemokines were significantly differentially expressed. These chemokines function in several immune-related biological processes and play key roles in signaling pathways including cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, NF-kappa B, and IL-17. Prognostic risk models based on CCL22, CXCL1, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL11 performed well. GSEA and GSVA analyses showed significant differences in immune responses and signaling pathways across risk groups. In conclusion, this study reveals the potential molecular mechanisms of chemokines in COAD and proposes a new prognostic risk model based on these insights.

IL-2RG as a possible immunotherapeutic target in CRC predicting poor prognosis and regulated by miR-7-5p and miR-26b-5p

Despite advances in treatment strategies, colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality, with mounting evidence a close link between immune system dysfunctions issued. Interleukin-2 receptor gamma (IL-2RG) plays a pivotal role as a common subunit receptor in the IL-2 family cytokines and activates the JAK-STAT pathway. This study delves into the role of Interleukin-2 receptor gamma (IL-2RG) within the tumor microenvironment and investigates potential microRNAs (miRNAs) that directly inhibit IL-2RG, aiming to discern their impact on CRC clinical outcomes. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a significant upregulation of IL-2RG mRNA in TCGA-COAD samples and showed strong correlations with the infiltration of various lymphocytes. Single-cell analysis corroborated these findings, highlighting IL-2RG expression in critical immune cell subsets. To explore miRNA involvement in IL-2RG dysregulation, mRNA was isolated from the tumor tissues and lymphocytes of 258 CRC patients and 30 healthy controls, and IL-2RG was cloned into the pcDNA3.1/CT-GFP-TOPO vector. Human embryonic kidney cell lines (HEK-293T) were transfected with this construct. Our research involved a comprehensive analysis of miRPathDB, miRWalk, and Targetscan databases to identify the miRNAs associated with the 3' UTR of human IL-2RG. The human microRNA (miRNA) molecules, hsa-miR-7-5p and hsa-miR-26b-5p, have been identified as potent suppressors of IL-2RG expression in CRC patients. Specifically, the downregulation of hsa-miR-7-5p and hsa-miR-26b-5p has been shown to result in the upregulation of IL-2RG mRNA expression in these patients. Prognostic evaluation of IL-2RG, hsa-miR-7-5p, and hsa-miR-26b-5p, using TCGA-COAD data and patient samples, established that higher IL-2RG expression and lower expression of both miRNAs were associated with poorer outcomes. Additionally, this study identified several long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), such as ZFAS1, SOX21-AS1, SNHG11, SNHG16, SNHG1, DLX6-AS1, GAS5, SNHG6, and MALAT1, which may act as competing endogenous RNA molecules for IL2RG by sequestering shared hsa-miR-7-5p and hsa-miR-26b-5p. In summary, this investigation underscores the potential utility of IL-2RG, hsa-miR-7-5p, and hsa-miR-26b-5p as serum and tissue biomarkers for predicting CRC patient prognosis while also offering promise as targets for immunotherapy in CRC management.

The potential and promise for clinical application of adoptive T cell therapy in cancer

Adoptive cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, especially for hematologic malignancies. T cells are the most extensively utilized cells in adoptive cell therapy. Currently, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, T cell receptor-transgenic T cells and chimeric antigen receptor T cells are the three main adoptive T cell therapies. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes kill tumors by reinfusing enlarged lymphocytes that naturally target tumor-specific antigens into the patient. T cell receptor-transgenic T cells have the ability to specifically destroy tumor cells via the precise recognition of exogenous T cell receptors with major histocompatibility complex. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells transfer genes with specific antigen recognition structural domains and T cell activation signals into T cells, allowing T cells to attack tumors without the assistance of major histocompatibility complex. Many barriers have been demonstrated to affect the clinical efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy, such as tumor heterogeneity and antigen loss, hard trafficking and infiltration, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and T cell exhaustion. Several strategies to improve the efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy have been explored, including multispecific chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, combination with immune checkpoint blockade, targeting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, etc. In this review, we will summarize the current status and clinical application, followed by major bottlenecks in adoptive T cell therapy. In addition, we will discuss the promising strategies to improve adoptive T cell therapy. Adoptive T cell therapy will result in even more incredible advancements in solid tumors if the aforementioned problems can be handled.

The role of CXCL2-mediated crosstalk between tumor cells and macrophages in Fusobacterium nucleatum-promoted oral squamous cell carcinoma progression

Dysbiosis of the oral microbiota is related to chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis. Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), a significant component of the oral microbiota, can perturb the immune system and form an inflammatory microenvironment for promoting the occurrence and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we investigated the impacts of Fn on OSCC cells and the crosstalk between OSCC cells and macrophages. 16 s rDNA sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization verified that Fn was notably enriched in clinical OSCC tissues compared to paracancerous tissues. The conditioned medium co-culture model validated that Fn and macrophages exhibited tumor-promoting properties by facilitating OSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Besides, Fn and OSCC cells can recruit macrophages and facilitate their M2 polarization. This crosstalk between OSCC cells and macrophages was further enhanced by Fn, thereby amplifying this positive feedback loop between them. The production of CXCL2 in response to Fn stimulation was a significant mediator. Suppression of CXCL2 in OSCC cells weakened Fn's promoting effects on OSCC cell proliferation, migration, macrophage recruitment, and M2 polarization. Conversely, knocking down CXCL2 in macrophages reversed the Fn-induced feedback effect of macrophages on the highly invasive phenotype of OSCC cells. Mechanistically, Fn activated the NF-κB pathway in both OSCC cells and macrophages, leading to the upregulation of CXCL2 expression. In addition, the SCC7 subcutaneous tumor-bearing model in C3H mice also substantiated Fn's ability to enhance tumor progression by facilitating cell proliferation, activating NF-κB signaling, up-regulating CXCL2 expression, and inducing M2 macrophage infiltration. However, these effects were reversed by the CXCL2-CXCR2 inhibitor SB225002. In summary, this study suggests that Fn contributes to OSCC progression by promoting tumor cell proliferation, macrophage recruitment, and M2 polarization. Simultaneously, the enhanced CXCL2-mediated crosstalk between OSCC cells and macrophages plays a vital role in the pro-cancer effect of Fn.

Exercise accelerates recruitment of CD8+ T cell to promotes anti-tumor immunity in lung cancer via epinephrine

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In recent years, there has been extensive research on the role of exercise as an adjunctive therapy for cancer. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor therapy of exercise in lung cancer remain to be fully elucidated. As such, our study aims to confirm whether exercise-induced elevation of epinephrine can accelerate CD8+ T cell recruitment through modulation of chemokines and thus ultimately inhibit tumor progression.

METHOD

C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously inoculated with Lewis lung cancer cells (LLCs) to establish a subcutaneous tumor model. The tumor mice were randomly divided into different groups to performed a moderate-intensity exercise program on a treadmill for 5 consecutive days a week, 45 min a day. The blood samples and tumor tissues were collected after exercise for IHC, RT-qPCR, ELISA and Western blot. In addition, another group of mice received daily epinephrine treatment for two weeks (0.05 mg/mL, 200 µL i.p.) (EPI, n = 8) to replicate the effects of exercise on tumors in vivo. Lewis lung cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of epinephrine (0, 5, 10, 20 µM) to detect the effect of epinephrine on chemokine levels via ELISA and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

This study reveals that both pre- and post-cancer exercise effectively impede the tumor progression. Exercise led to an increase in EPI levels and the infiltration of CD8+ T cell into the lung tumor. Exercise-induced elevation of EPI is involved in the regulation of Ccl5 and Cxcl10 levels further leading to enhanced CD8+ T cell infiltration and ultimately inhibiting tumor progression.

CONCLUSION

Exercise training enhance the anti-tumor immunity of lung cancer individuals. These findings will provide valuable insights for the future application of exercise therapy in clinical practice.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals recruitment of the M2-like CCL8high macrophages in Lewis lung carcinoma-bearing mice following hypofractionated radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a pivotal role in reshaping the tumor microenvironment following radiotherapy. The mechanisms underlying this reprogramming process remain to be elucidated.

METHODS

Subcutaneous Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) murine model was treated with hypofrationated radiotherapy (8 Gy × 3F). Single-cell RNA sequencing was utilized to identify subclusters and functions of TAMs. Multiplex assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were employed to measure serum chemokine levels. Bindarit was used to inhibit CCL8, CCL7, and CCL2. The infiltration of TAMs after combination treatment with hypofractionated radiotherapy and Bindarit was quantified with flow cytometry, while the influx of CD206 and CCL8 was assessed by immunostaining.

RESULTS

Transcriptome analysis identified a distinct subset of M2-like macrophages characterized by elevated Ccl8 expression level following hypofractionated radiotherapy in LLC-bearing mice. Remarkbly, hypofractionated radiotherapy not only promoted CCL8high macrophages infiltration but also reprogrammed them by upregulating immunosuppressive genes, thereby fostering an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Additioinally, hypofractionated radiotherapy enhanced the CCL signaling pathway, augmenting the pro-tumorigenic functions of CCL8high macrophages and boosting TAMs recruitment. The adjunctive treatment combining hypofractionated radiotherapy with Bindarit effectively reduced M2 macrophages infiltration and prolonged the duration of local tumor control.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypofractionated radiotherapy enhances the infiltration of CCL8high macrophages and amplifies their roles in macrophage recruitment through the CCL signaling pathway, leading to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. These findings highlight the potential of targeting TAMs and introduces a novel combination to improve the efficacy of hypofractionated radiotherapy.

WTAP regulates the production of reactive oxygen species, promotes malignant progression, and is closely related to the tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma

RNA modifications have been substantiated to regulate the majority of physiological activities in the organism, including the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which plays an important role in cells. As for the effect of RNA modification genes on ROS metabolism in glioblastoma (GBM), it has not been studied yet. Therefore, this study aims to screen the RNA modification genes that are most related to ROS metabolism and explore their effects on the biological behavior of GBM in vitro. Here, an association between WTAP and ROS metabolism was identified by bioinformatics analysis, and WTAP was highly expressed in GBM tissue compared with normal brain tissue, which was confirmed by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. When using a ROS inducer to stimulate GBM cells in the WTAP overexpression group, the ROS level increased more significantly and the expression levels of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and catalase (CAT) also increased. Next, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay were performed to investigate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GBM cells. The results showed that WTAP, as an oncogene, promoted the malignant progression of GBM cells. Functional enrichment analysis predicted that WTAP was involved in the regulation of tumor/immune-related functional pathways. Western blotting was used to identify that WTAP had a regulatory effect on the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt signaling. Finally, based on functional enrichment analysis, we further performed immune-related analysis on WTAP. In conclusion, this study analyzed WTAP from three aspects, which provided new ideas for the treatment of GBM.

Advance in the role of chemokines/chemokine receptors in carcinogenesis: Focus on pancreatic cancer

The chemokines/chemokine receptors pathway significantly influences cell migration, particularly in recruiting immune cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME), impacting tumor progression and treatment outcomes. Emerging research emphasizes the involvement of chemokines in drug resistance across various tumor therapies, including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. This review focuses on the role of chemokines/chemokine receptors in pancreatic cancer (PC) development, highlighting their impact on TME remodeling, immunotherapy, and relevant signaling pathways. The unique immunosuppressive microenvironment formed by the interaction of tumor cells, stromal cells and immune cells plays an important role in the tumor proliferation, invasion, migration and therapeutic resistance. Chemokines/chemokine receptors, such as chemokine ligand (CCL) 2, CCL3, CCL5, CCL20, CCL21, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1, CXCL2, CXCL3, CXCL4, CXCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, CXCL13, CXCL14, CXCL16, CXCL17, and C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand (CX3CL)1, derived mainly from leukocyte cells, cancer-related fibroblasts (CAFs), pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), contribute to PC progression and treatment resistance. Chemokines recruit myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and M2 macrophages, inhibiting the anti-tumor activity of immune cells. Simultaneously, they enhance pathways like epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), Akt serine/threonine kinase (AKT), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), etc., elevating the risk of PC metastasis and compromising the efficacy of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Notably, the CCLx-CCR2 and CXCLx-CXCR2/4 axis emerge as potential therapeutic targets in PC. This review integrates recent findings on chemokines and receptors in PC treatment, offering valuable insights for innovative therapeutic approaches.

Comprehensive analysis of the clinical and biological significances for chemokine CXCL3 in cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CHOL) is a race malignant cancer arising from bile duct epithelial cells in clinical practice. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CXCL3) is a member of chemokines family, which participates in the pathogenesis of various tumors. However, the association between CXCL3 and CHOL is unclear. This present study was to assess the role of CXCL3 expression in the progress of CHOL. TIMER, GEPIA, UALCAN, GSCA, LinkedOmics, Metascape and STRING databases were performed to evaluate the clinical and biological significances for CXCL3 with CHOL patients including expression, clinicopathological factors, immune cell infiltration, GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analyses, as well as PPI network analysis. The immunohistochemistry analysis of tissue microarray was conducted to detect the protein expression level, subcellular localization, clinicopathological factors and prognosis of CXCL3 in CHOL. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CXCL3 were markedly increased in CHOL tissues. The overexpression of CXCL3 was strongly associated with maximum tumor diameter of patients with CHOL. Additionally, there were negative correlations between the expression of CXCL3 and monocyte as well as Th17. Low infiltration of neutrophil indicated significantly shorter cumulative survival in CHOL patients. And CXCL3 was significantly associated with arm-level deletion of CD8+ T cell. Furthermore, functional network analysis suggested that CXCL3 and its associated genes were mainly enriched for chemotaxis, secretory granule membrane, cytokine activity and IL-17 signaling pathway. CXCL3 might potentially participate in the carcinogenesis of CHOL, which provided a direction for future research on the mechanism of CXCL3 in CHOL.

Design of a single-center, phase II trial to explore the efficacy and safety of 'R-ISV-RO' treatment in advanced tumors

Background: The authors' preclinical study has confirmed that RO adjuvant (composed of TLR 7 agonists [imiquimod/R837] and OX40 agonists) injected into local lesions induces the regression of both primary tumor and distant metastasis. The authors propose to realize local control and exert abscopal effect through an 'R-ISV-RO' in situ strategy plus anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in advanced tumors. Methods: This study is a single-center, exploratory, phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of R-ISV-RO plus anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in advanced tumors. 30 patients with one or more measurable extracerebral lesions that are accessible for radiation or injection will be enrolled. The primary endpoint is the objective response rate of target lesions. Discussion/Conclusion: The efficacy and safety of the novel strategy will be further validated through this clinical trial.Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR2100053870 (www.chictr.org.cn/).

Tunable PhenoCycler imaging of the murine pre-clinical tumour microenvironments

BACKGROUND

The tumour microenvironment (TME) consists of tumour-supportive immune cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. PhenoCycler, a high-plex single cell spatial biology imaging platform, is used to characterize the complexity of the TME. Researchers worldwide harvest and bank tissues from mouse models which are employed to model a plethora of human disease. With the explosion of interest in spatial biology, these panoplies of archival tissues provide a valuable resource to answer new questions. Here, we describe our protocols for developing tunable PhenoCycler multiplexed imaging panels and describe our open-source data analysis pipeline. Using these protocols, we used PhenoCycler to spatially resolve the TME of 8 routinely employed pre-clinical models of lymphoma, breast cancer, and melanoma preserved as FFPE.

RESULTS

Our data reveal distinct TMEs in the different cancer models that were imaged and show that cell-cell contacts differ depending on the tumour type examined. For instance, we found that the immune infiltration in a murine model of melanoma is altered in cellular organization in melanomas that become resistant to αPD-1 therapy, with depletions in a number of cell-cell interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

This work presents a valuable resource study seamlessly adaptable to any field of research involving murine models. The methodology described allows researchers to address newly formed hypotheses using archival materials, bypassing the new to perform new mouse studies.

The role of SLC39A4 in the prognosis, immune microenvironment, and contribution to malignant behavior in vivo and in vitro of cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) are becoming more common in younger women. Solute carrier family 39 member 4 (SLC39A4) produces a zinc ion transporter involved in metastasis and invasion of tumors.

METHODS

The Cancer Genome Atlas RNA-seq data was used to investigate the expression of SLC39A4 and its prognostic potential. The assessment of the effect of SLC39A4 on cell growth and migration in CESC was conducted using MTT, colony formation, and Transwell assays. SLC39A4 was studied in vivo using a xenograft mouse model, and its functional involvement in oncogenesis was investigated by identifying the associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We evaluated the relationships among SLC39A4 levels, chemosensitivity, radiosensitivity and immune infiltration.

RESULTS

SLC39A4 was upregulated in CESC samples, and individuals with greater SLC39A4 mRNA expression had shorter overall survival. SLC39A4 has been identified to be a regulator of tumor cell metastasis and proliferation in vivo and in vitro, with an area under the curve of 0.874 for diagnosing CESC. In total, 948 DEGs were discovered to be enriched in key CESC progression-related signaling pathways. Additionally, intratumoral immune checkpoint and infiltration activity were associated with SLC39A4 expression. High SLC39A4 expression exhibited poor chemosensitivity and radiosensitivity profiles.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, SLC39A4 is a key regulator of CESC development, prognosis, and the composition of the tumor immune microenvironment. SLC39A4 could be used as a prognostic or diagnostic screening tool and as a potential target for CESC treatment.

Characterizing ligand-receptor interactions and unveiling the pro-tumorigenic role of CCL16-CCR1 axis in the microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

The heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment significantly influences the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, with cell communication through ligand-receptor complexes playing a central role.

Methods

We conducted single-cell transcriptomic analysis on ten HCC tissues to identify ligand-receptor genes involved in malignant HCC cell communication using CellChat. Leveraging RNA-Seq data from the TCGA Liver Cancer (TCGA-LIHC) and Liver Cancer - RIKEN, JP (LIRI-JP) cohorts, we employed Cox regression analysis to screen for prognosis-related genes. Prognostic risk models were constructed through unsupervised clustering and differential gene expression analysis. Subsequently, a co-culture system involving tumor cells and macrophages was established. A series of experiments, including Transwell assays, immunofluorescence staining, immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry, were conducted to elucidate the mechanism through which HCC cells recruit macrophages via the CCL16-CCR1 axis.

Results

Single-cell analysis unveiled significant interactions between malignant HCC cells and macrophages, identifying 76 related ligand-receptor genes. Patients were classified into three subtypes based on the expression patterns of eight prognosis-related ligand-receptor genes. The subtype with the worst prognosis exhibited reduced infiltration of T cell-related immune cells, downregulation of immune checkpoint genes, and increased M2-like tumor-associated macrophage scores. In vitro experiments confirmed the pivotal role of the CCL16-CCR1 axis in the recruitment and M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages. Clinical samples demonstrated a significant association between CCL16 protein expression levels and advanced stage, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining further confirmed the correlation between CCL16 and CCR1, CD68, and CD206, as well as CD68+CCR1+ macrophage infiltration.

Conclusions

Our study identified molecular subtypes, a prognostic model, and immune microenvironment features based on ligand-receptor interactions in malignant HCC cell communication. Moreover, we revealed the pro-tumorigenic role of HCC cells in recruiting M2-like tumor-associated macrophages through the CCL16-CCR1 axis.

The tumor microenvironment: shaping cancer progression and treatment response

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in cancer progression and treatment response. It comprises a complex network of stromal cells, immune cells, extracellular matrix, and blood vessels, all of which interact with cancer cells and influence tumor behaviour. This review article provides an in-depth examination of the TME, focusing on stromal cells, blood vessels, signaling molecules, and ECM, along with commonly available therapeutic compounds that target these components. Moreover, we explore the TME as a novel strategy for discovering new anti-tumor drugs. The dynamic and adaptive nature of the TME offers opportunities for targeting specific cellular interactions and signaling pathways. We discuss emerging approaches, such as combination therapies that simultaneously target cancer cells and modulate the TME. Finally, we address the challenges and future prospects in targeting the TME. Overcoming drug resistance, improving drug delivery, and identifying new therapeutic targets within the TME are among the challenges discussed. We also highlight the potential of personalized medicine and the integration of emerging technologies, such as immunotherapy and nanotechnology, in TME-targeted therapies. This comprehensive review provides insights into the TME and its therapeutic implications. Understanding the TME's complexity and targeting its components offer promising avenues for the development of novel anti-tumor therapies and improved patient outcomes.

Prognostic Value and Therapeutic Significance of CCL Chemokines in Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, which has a significant negative impact on human health.

AIMS

CCL chemokines play important roles in a variety of tumor microenvironments; nevertheless, gastric cancer has surprisingly limited associations with CCL chemokines.

METHODS

In our study, we comprehensively utilized bioinformatics analysis tools and databases such as cBioPortal, UALCAN, GEPIA, GeneMANIA, STRING, and TRRUST to clarify the clinical significance and biology function of CCL chemokines in gastric cancer.

RESULTS

The mRNA expression levels of CCL1/3/4/5/7/8/14/15/18/20/21/22/26 were up-regulated, while the mRNA expression levels of CCL2/11/13/16/17/19/23/24/25/28 were down-regulated. The chemokine significantly associated with the pathological stage of gastric cancer is CCL2/11/19/21. In gastric cancer, the expression level of CCL chemokines was not associated with disease-free survival, but low expression of CCL14 was significantly associated with longer overall survival. Therein, associated with the regulation of CCL chemokines are only 10 transcription factors (RELA, NFKB1, STAT6, IRF3, REL, SPI1, STAT1, STAT3, JUN and SP1). The major biological process and functional enrichment of CCL chemokines are to induce cell-directed migration.

CONCLUSION

These results may indicate that CCL chemokines may be immunotherapeutic targets and promising prognostic biomarkers for gastric cancer.

Identification of ATM Mutation as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Therapy

BACKGROUND

Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), an apical DNA damage response gene, is a commonly mutated gene in tumors, and its mutation could strengthen tumor immunogenicity and alter the expression of PD-L1, which potentially contributes to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy.

METHODS

The characteristics of ATM mutation and its relationship with the ICIs-treated clinical prognosis have been analyzed comprehensively in this paper. The overall frequency of ATM mutations has been found to be 4% (554/10953) in the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) cohort.

RESULTS

Both the TMB and MSI levels in patients with ATM mutations were significantly higher than those in patients without mutations (P < 0.0001). The median TMB was positively correlated with the frequency of ATM mutations (r = 0.54, P = 0.003). In the TCGA cohort, patients with ATM mutations had better clinical benefits in terms of overall survival (OS, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.736, 95% CI = 0.623 - 0.869), progression-free survival (PFS, HR = 0.761, 95% CI = 0.652 - 0.889), and disease-free survival (DFS, HR = 0.686, 95% CI = 0.512 - 0.919)] than patients without ATM mutations. Subsequently, the verification results showed ATM mutations to be significantly correlated with longer OS in ICIs-treated patients (HR = 0.710, 95% CI = 0.544 - 0.928). Further exploration indicated ATM mutation to be significantly associated with regulated anti-tumor immunity (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the value of ATM mutation as a promising biomarker to predict ICIs therapy in multiple tumors.

Strategies for studying immune and non-immune human and canine mammary gland cancer tumour infiltrate

The tumour microenvironment (TME) is usually defined as a cell environment associated with tumours or cancerous stem cells where conditions are established affecting tumour development and progression through malignant cell interaction with non-malignant cells. The TME is made up of endothelial, immune and non-immune cells, extracellular matrix (ECM) components and signalling molecules acting specifically on tumour and non-tumour cells. Breast cancer (BC) is the commonest malignant neoplasm worldwide and the main cause of mortality in women globally; advances regarding BC study and understanding it are relevant for acquiring novel, personalised therapeutic tools. Studying canine mammary gland tumours (CMGT) is one of the most relevant options for understanding BC using animal models as they share common epidemiological, clinical, pathological, biological, environmental, genetic and molecular characteristics with human BC. In-depth, detailed investigation regarding knowledge of human BC-related TME and in its canine model is considered extremely relevant for understanding changes in TME composition during tumour development. This review addresses important aspects concerned with different methods used for studying BC- and CMGT-related TME that are important for developing new and more effective therapeutic strategies for attacking a tumour during specific evolutionary stages.

Research progress in nano-drug delivery systems based on the characteristics of the liver cancer microenvironment

The liver cancer has microenvironmental features such as low pH, M2 tumor-associated macrophage enrichment, low oxygen, rich blood supply and susceptibility to hematotropic metastasis, high chemokine expression, enzyme overexpression, high redox level, and strong immunosuppression, which not only promotes the progression of the disease, but also seriously affects the clinical effectiveness of traditional therapeutic approaches. However, nanotechnology, due to its unique advantages of size effect and functionalized modifiability, can be utilized to develop various responsive nano-drug delivery system (NDDS) by using these characteristic signals of the liver cancer microenvironment as a source of stimulation, which in turn can realize the intelligent release of the drug under the specific microenvironment, and significantly increase the concentration of the drug at the target site. Therefore, researchers have designed a series of stimuli-responsive NDDS based on the characteristics of the liver cancer microenvironment, such as hypoxia, weak acidity, and abnormal expression of proteases, and they have been widely investigated for improving anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy and reducing the related side effects. This paper provides a review of the current application and progress of NDDS developed based on the response and regulation of the microenvironment in the treatment of liver cancer, compares the effects of the microenvironment and the NDDS, and provides a reference for building more advanced NDDS.

CXC ligand 13 orchestrates an immunoactive microenvironment and enhances immunotherapy response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Objectives: This study aims to systematically explore the role of chemokine CXC ligand 13 (CXCL13) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases provided the RNA-seq data for cancer and normal tissues, respectively. Gene set enrichment analysis was applied to search the cancer hallmarks associated with CXCL13 expression. TIMER2.0 was the main platform used to investigate the immune cell infiltration related to CXCL13. Immunohistochemistry was applied to explore the relationship between CXCL13 and patients' prognosis and the relationship between CXCL13 and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs). Results: The expression of CXCL13 was upregulated in most tumors, including HNSCC. The higher expression of CXCL13 was closely related to the positive prognosis of HNSCC. CXCL13 was mainly expressed in B cells and CD8 + T cells, revealing the relationship between its expression and immune activation in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry and multiple fluorescence staining analysis of HNSCC samples showed a powerful correlation between CXCL13 expression, TLSs formation, and positive prognosis. Finally, CXCL13 significantly increased the response to cancer immunotherapy. Conclusions: CXCL13 may function as a potential biomarker for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response and associate with TLSs in HNSCC.

Tumor cell-intrinsic SETD2 inactivation sensitizes cancer cells to immune checkpoint blockade through the NR2F1-STAT1 pathway

BACKGROUND

Cancer immunotherapies can induce durable tumor regression, but most patients do not respond. SETD2 mutation has been linked to the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) immunotherapy. The functional importance of the SETD2 inactivation and how to modulate immunotherapy response remains unclear.

METHODS

To explore the function of SETD2 in immunotherapy, knockout and subsequent functional experiments were conducted. Bulk RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, Chip-seq and single-cell RNA-seq were performed to dissect the mechanism and explore the immune microenvironment of mouse tumor. Flow cytometry was used to assess cell surface antigen and intratumoral T cell levels.

RESULTS

We comprehensively determine the effect of SETD2 inactivation in ICIs therapy and elucidate the mechanistic impact on tumor immunity. Murine syngeneic tumors harboring Setd2 inactivation are sensitive to ICIs. By bulk and single-cell RNA-seq, we further reveal that SETD2 inactivation reprograms intratumoral immune cells and inflames the tumor microenvironment, which is characterized by high infiltration of T cells and enhanced antigen presentation to activate CD8+ T cell-mediated killing. Mechanistically, via an integrated multiomics analysis using ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq and RNA-seq, we demonstrate that SETD2 inactivation reduces NR2F1 transcription by impairing H3K36me3 deposition and chromatin accessibility, which activates the STAT1 signaling pathway to promote chemokines and programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) expression and enhance antigen presentation. All these regulatory mechanisms synergistically promote the effects of anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 immunotherapy in Setd2-knockout syngeneic mouse models. The SETD2-NR2F1-STAT1 regulatory axis is conserved in human and murine cancers. Finally, cancer patients harboring SETD2 mutations who received ICIs show increased durable clinical benefits and survival.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide novel insights into the biology of SETD2 inactivation regulation and reveal a new potential therapeutic biomarker for ICIs immunotherapy in various refractory cancers.

Engineering strategies to optimise adoptive cell therapy in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is amongst the ten most common cancer types in women, and it is one of the leading causes of death. Despite the promising results of targeted therapies, including anti-angiogenic agents and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), the majority of patients will relapse and develop treatment resistance, implying that novel therapeutic strategies are required. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) refers to the process by which autologous immune cells are used to eliminate cancer. Examples include tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), T cells genetically engineered with T cell receptors (TCR), or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. Recently, ACT has revealed promising results in the treatment of haematological malignancies, however, its application to solid tumours is still limited due to lack of functionality and persistence of T cells, prevalence of an exhausted phenotype and impaired trafficking towards the tumour microenvironment (TME). In this review we explore the potential of ACT for the treatment of ovarian cancer and strategies to overcome its principal limitations.

Chemokines and receptors in the development and progression of malignant tumors

Cancer cells, endothelial cells, inflammatory cells and various cytokines form a part of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Chemokines constitute the largest family of cytokines, and are mainly secreted by tumor cells and inflammatory cells in the TME. They play an important role in tumor development and progression by promoting tumor growth and metastasis, angiogenesis, and targeting the chemoattraction of inflammatory cells. Currently, some chemokine receptor antagonists are being used in clinical trials as targeted anti-tumor drugs. In this article, we review the roles of chemokines in the development and progression of malignant tumors based on recently published papers, taking into consideration of the new anti-tumor therapeutic strategies targeting chemokines and receptors.