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Meng Y, Huang J, Ding J, Zhou H, Li Y, Zhou W. Mn-phenolic networks as synergistic carrier for STING agonists in tumor immunotherapy. Mater Today Bio 2024; 26:101018. [PMID: 38516172 PMCID: PMC10952078 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The cGAS-STING pathway holds tremendous potential as a regulator of immune responses, offering a means to reshape the tumor microenvironment and enhance tumor immunotherapy. Despite the emergence of STING agonists, their clinical viability is hampered by stability and delivery challenges, as well as variations in STING expression within tumors. In this study, we present Mn-phenolic networks as a novel carrier for ADU-S100, a hydrophilic STING agonist, aimed at bolstering immunotherapy. These nanoparticles, termed TMA NMs, are synthesized through the coordination of tannic acid and manganese ions, with surface modification involving bovine serum albumin to enhance their colloidal stability. TMA NMs exhibit pH/GSH-responsive disintegration properties, enabling precise drug release. This effectively addresses drug stability issues and facilitates efficient intracellular drug delivery. Importantly, TMA NMs synergistically enhance the effects of ADU-S100 through the concurrent release of Mn2+, which serves as a sensitizer of the STING pathway, resulting in significant STING pathway activation. Upon systemic administration, these nanoparticles efficiently accumulate within tumors. The activation of STING pathways not only induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells but also orchestrates systemic remodeling of the immunosuppressive microenvironment. This includes the promotion of cytokine release, dendritic cell maturation, and T cell infiltration, leading to pronounced suppression of tumor growth. Combining with the excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, this Mn-based nanocarrier represents a promising strategy for enhancing tumor immunotherapy through the cGAS-STING pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingcai Meng
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Jiaxin Huang
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jinsong Ding
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Haiyan Zhou
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, China
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410004, Hunan, China
| | - Wenhu Zhou
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
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Zhang J, Yu S, Peng Q, Wang P, Fang L. Emerging mechanisms and implications of cGAS-STING signaling in cancer immunotherapy strategies. Cancer Biol Med 2024; 21:j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0440. [PMID: 38172538 PMCID: PMC10875285 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricate interplay between the human immune system and cancer development underscores the central role of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. Within this landscape, the innate immune system, a critical sentinel protecting against tumor incursion, is a key player. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway has been found to be a linchpin of innate immunity: activation of this signaling pathway orchestrates the production of type I interferon (IFN-α/β), thus fostering the maturation, differentiation, and mobilization of immune effectors in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, STING activation facilitates the release and presentation of tumor antigens, and therefore is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Current strategies to activate the STING pathway, including use of pharmacological agonists, have made substantial advancements, particularly when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. These approaches have shown promise in preclinical and clinical settings, by enhancing patient survival rates. This review describes the evolving understanding of the cGAS-STING pathway's involvement in tumor biology and therapy. Moreover, this review explores classical and non-classical STING agonists, providing insights into their mechanisms of action and potential for optimizing immunotherapy strategies. Despite challenges and complexities, the cGAS-STING pathway, a promising avenue for enhancing cancer treatment efficacy, has the potential to revolutionize patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Zhang
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Sihui Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qiao Peng
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Lan Fang
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
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Korneenko TV, Pestov NB, Nevzorov IA, Daks AA, Trachuk KN, Solopova ON, Barlev NA. At the Crossroads of the cGAS-cGAMP-STING Pathway and the DNA Damage Response: Implications for Cancer Progression and Treatment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1675. [PMID: 38139802 PMCID: PMC10747911 DOI: 10.3390/ph16121675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary conserved DNA-sensing cGAS-STING innate immunity pathway represents one of the most important cytosolic DNA-sensing systems that is activated in response to viral invasion and/or damage to the integrity of the nuclear envelope. The key outcome of this pathway is the production of interferon, which subsequently stimulates the transcription of hundreds of genes. In oncology, the situation is complex because this pathway may serve either anti- or pro-oncogenic roles, depending on context. The prevailing understanding is that when the innate immune response is activated by sensing cytosolic DNA, such as DNA released from ruptured micronuclei, it results in the production of interferon, which attracts cytotoxic cells to destroy tumors. However, in tumor cells that have adjusted to significant chromosomal instability, particularly in relapsed, treatment-resistant cancers, the cGAS-STING pathway often supports cancer progression, fostering the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we review this intricate pathway in terms of its association with cancer progression, giving special attention to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and gliomas. As the development of new cGAS-STING-modulating small molecules and immunotherapies such as oncolytic viruses involves serious challenges, we highlight several recent fundamental discoveries, such as the proton-channeling function of STING. These discoveries may serve as guiding lights for potential pharmacological advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana V. Korneenko
- Group of Cross-Linking Enzymes, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Nikolay B. Pestov
- Group of Cross-Linking Enzymes, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow 117997, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow 119121, Russia
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products, Moscow 108819, Russia
| | - Ivan A. Nevzorov
- Institute of Cytology, Tikhoretsky ave 4, St-Petersburg 194064, Russia
| | - Alexandra A. Daks
- Institute of Cytology, Tikhoretsky ave 4, St-Petersburg 194064, Russia
| | - Kirill N. Trachuk
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products, Moscow 108819, Russia
| | - Olga N. Solopova
- Research Institute of Experimental Diagnostics and Tumor Therapy, Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow 115478, Russia
| | - Nickolai A. Barlev
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow 119121, Russia
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products, Moscow 108819, Russia
- Institute of Cytology, Tikhoretsky ave 4, St-Petersburg 194064, Russia
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
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Hajiabadi S, Alidadi S, Montakhab Farahi Z, Ghahramani Seno MM, Farzin H, Haghparast A. Immunotherapy with STING and TLR9 agonists promotes synergistic therapeutic efficacy with suppressed cancer-associated fibroblasts in colon carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258691. [PMID: 37901237 PMCID: PMC10611477 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate immune sensing of nucleic acids using effective immunoadjuvants is critical for increasing protective immune responses against cancer. Stimulators of interferon genes (STING) and toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists are considered promising candidates in several preclinical tumor models with the potential to be used in clinical settings. However, the effects of such treatment on tumor stroma are currently unknown. In this study, we investigated the immunotherapeutic effects of ADU-S100 as a STING agonist and CpG ODN1826 as a TLR9 agonist in a preclinical model of colon carcinoma. Tumor-bearing mice were treated intratumorally on days 10 and 16 post-tumor inoculation with ADU-S100 and CpG ODN1826. Cytokine profiles in the tumor and spleen, tumor cell apoptosis, the infiltration of immune cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) were evaluated to identify the immunological mechanisms after treatment. The powerful antitumor activity of single and combination treatments, the upregulation of the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the tumor and spleen, and the recruitment and infiltration of the TME by immune cells revealed the synergism of immunoadjuvants in the eradication of the colon carcinoma model. Remarkably, the significant downregulation of CAFs in the TME indicated that suppression of tumorigenesis occurred after immunoadjuvant therapy. The results illustrate the potential of targeting the STING and TLR9 pathways as powerful immunoadjuvants in the treatment of preclinical colon carcinoma and the possibility of harnessing these pathways in future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sare Hajiabadi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Soodeh Alidadi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zohreh Montakhab Farahi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Hamidreza Farzin
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agriculture Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alireza Haghparast
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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