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Goel A, Rastogi A, Jain M, Niveriya K. RNA-based Therapeutics: Past, Present and Future Prospects, Challenges in Cancer Treatment. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2024; 25:2125-2137. [PMID: 38347795 DOI: 10.2174/0113892010291042240130171709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
It is becoming more and harder in today's climate to disregard the impact of cancer on social health. Even though a significant amount of money is spent annually on cancer research, it still ranks as the second leading cause of death worldwide. Additionally, only about half of the patients suffering from complex forms of cancer survive a year after receiving traditional cancer therapies. A method for silencing genes is called RNA interference (RNAi). Such a method is very effective in focusing on genes linked to cancer. Most gene products implicated in cancer have recently been used as RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic targets. According to the findings from this research, RNAi application is necessary for today's cancer treatment to target functioning carcinogenic molecules and tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. Proapoptotic and antiproliferative activity has been reported from previous research studies on cell culture systems, animal models, and clinical trials through the knockdown of gene products from RNAi technology. Numerous novel RNAi-based medications are now in the clinical trial stages thanks to the discovery of the RNAi mechanism and advancements in the area. In the future, genomic-based personalized medicines can be developed through this RNAi therapy. Hopefully, cancer sufferers will find this sort of therapy to be one of the most effective ones. Various kinds of RNA-based treatments, such as aptamers, small interfering RNAs, microRNAs, antisense oligonucleotides, and messenger RNA, are covered in broad terms in this study. We also present an overview of the RNA-based therapies that have received regulatory approval in the past or are now undergoing clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana Goel
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, India
| | - Amisha Rastogi
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, India
| | - Mansi Jain
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, India
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2
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Chakraborty S, Ye J, Wang H, Sun M, Zhang Y, Sang X, Zhuang Z. Application of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their agonists in cancer vaccines and immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1227833. [PMID: 37936697 PMCID: PMC10626551 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1227833] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) expressed in various immune cell types and perform multiple purposes and duties involved in the induction of innate and adaptive immunity. Their capability to propagate immunity makes them attractive targets for the expansion of numerous immunotherapeutic approaches targeting cancer. These immunotherapeutic strategies include using TLR ligands/agonists as monotherapy or combined therapeutic strategies. Several TLR agonists have demonstrated significant efficacy in advanced clinical trials. In recent years, multiple reports established the applicability of TLR agonists as adjuvants to chemotherapeutic drugs, radiation, and immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines. Cancer vaccines are a relatively novel approach in the field of cancer immunotherapy and are currently under extensive evaluation for treating different cancers. In the present review, we tried to deliver an inclusive discussion of the significant TLR agonists and discussed their application and challenges to their incorporation into cancer immunotherapy approaches, particularly highlighting the usage of TLR agonists as functional adjuvants to cancer vaccines. Finally, we present the translational potential of rWTC-MBTA vaccination [irradiated whole tumor cells (rWTC) pulsed with phagocytic agonists Mannan-BAM, TLR ligands, and anti-CD40 agonisticAntibody], an autologous cancer vaccine leveraging membrane-bound Mannan-BAM, and the immune-inducing prowess of TLR agonists as a probable immunotherapy in multiple cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samik Chakraborty
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- NE1 Inc., New York, NY, United States
| | - Juan Ye
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Herui Wang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mitchell Sun
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yaping Zhang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Xueyu Sang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Zhengping Zhuang
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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3
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Chakravarti AR, Groer CE, Gong H, Yudistyra V, Forrest ML, Berkland CJ. Design of a Tumor Binding GMCSF as Intratumoral Immunotherapy of Solid Tumors. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:1975-1989. [PMID: 36825806 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Next-generation cancer immunotherapies may utilize immunostimulants to selectively activate the host immune system against tumor cells. Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) like anti-PD1/PDL-1 that inhibit immunosuppression have shown unprecedented success but are only effective in the 20-30% of patients that possess an already "hot" (immunogenic) tumor. In this regard, intratumoral (IT) injection of immunostimulants is a promising approach since they can work synergistically with CPIs to overcome the resistance to immunotherapies by inducing immune stimulation in the tumor. One such immunostimulant is granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF) that functions by recruiting and activating antigen-presenting cells (dendritic cells) in the tumor, thereby initiating anti-tumor immune responses. However, key problems with GMCSF are lack of efficacy and the risk of systemic toxicity caused by the leakage of GMCSF from the tumor tissue. We have designed tumor-retentive versions of GMCSF that are safe yet potent immunostimulants for the local treatment of solid tumors. The engineered GMCSFs (eGMCSF) were synthesized by recombinantly fusing tumor-ECM (extracellular matrix) binding peptides to GMCSF. The eGMCSFs exhibited enhanced tumor binding and potent immunological activity in vitro and in vivo. Upon IT administration, the tumor-retentive eGMCSFs persisted in the tumor, thereby alleviating systemic toxicity, and elicited localized immune activation to effectively turn an unresponsive immunologically "cold" tumor "hot".
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chad E Groer
- HylaPharm, LLC, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
| | - Huan Gong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
| | - Vivian Yudistyra
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
| | - Marcus Laird Forrest
- HylaPharm, LLC, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
| | - Cory J Berkland
- Bioengineering Program, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States.,Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, United States
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4
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Jing F, Liu X, Chen X, Wu F, Gao Q. Tailoring biomaterials and applications targeting tumor-associated macrophages in cancers. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1049164. [PMID: 36439188 PMCID: PMC9691967 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1049164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a critical role in supporting tumor growth and metastasis, taming host immunosurveillance, and augmenting therapeutic resistance. As the current treatment paradigms for cancers are generally insufficient to exterminate cancer cells, anti-cancer therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs have been developed. Since TAMs are highly heterogeneous and the pro-tumoral functions are mediated by phenotypes with canonical surface markers, TAM-associated materials exert anti-tumor functions by either inhibiting polarization to the pro-tumoral phenotype or decreasing the abundance of TAMs. Furthermore, TAMs in association with the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor immunity have been extensively exploited in mounting evidence, and could act as carriers or accessory cells of anti-tumor biomaterials. Recently, a variety of TAM-based materials with the capacity to target and eliminate cancer cells have been increasingly developed for basic research and clinical practice. As various TAM-based biomaterials, including antibodies, nanoparticles, RNAs, etc., have been shown to have potential anti-tumor effects reversing the TME, in this review, we systematically summarize the current studies to fully interpret the specific properties and various effects of TAM-related biomaterials, highlighting the potential clinical applications of targeting the crosstalk among TAMs, tumor cells, and immune cells in anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangqi Jing
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Chen
- Department of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fanglong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Frontier Innovation Center for Dental Medicine Plus, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinghong Gao
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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5
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Yao Y, Li J, Qu K, Wang Y, Wang Z, Lu W, Yu Y, Wang L. Immunotherapy for lung cancer combining the oligodeoxynucleotides of TLR9 agonist and TGF-β2 inhibitor. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 72:1103-1120. [PMID: 36326892 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03315-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapies have shown promising antitumor effects, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, only 12.46% of the patients benefit from the ICIs, the rest of them shows limited effects on ICIs or even accelerates the tumor progression due to the lack of the immune cell infiltration and activation in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, we administrated a combination of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist CpG ODN and Transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) antisense oligodeoxynucleotide TIO3 to mice intraperitoneally once every other day for a total of four injections, and the first injection was 24 h after LLC cell inoculation. We found that the combination induced the formation of TME toward the enrichment and activation of CD8+ T cells and NK cells, accompanied with a marked decrease of TGF-β2. The combined therapy also effectively inhibited the tumor growth and prolonged the survival of the mice, even protected the tumor-free mice from the tumor re-challenge. Both of CpG ODN and TIO3 are indispensable, because replacing CpG ODN with TLR9 inhibitor CCT ODN showed no antitumor effect, CpG ODN or TIO3 alone did not lead to ideal antitumor results. This effect was possibly initiated by the activation of dendritic cells at the tumor site. This systemic antitumor immunotherapy with a combination of the two oligonucleotides (an immune stimulant and an immunosuppressive cytokine inhibitor) before the tumor formation may provide a novel strategy for clinical prevention of the postoperative tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunpeng Yao
- Department of Molecular Biology in College of Basic Medical Sciences and Institute of Pediatrics in The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Department of Molecular Biology in College of Basic Medical Sciences and Institute of Pediatrics in The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Kuo Qu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangeng Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology in College of Basic Medical Sciences and Institute of Pediatrics in The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenting Lu
- Department of Molecular Biology in College of Basic Medical Sciences and Institute of Pediatrics in The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongli Yu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Liying Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology in College of Basic Medical Sciences and Institute of Pediatrics in The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Wang Y, Johnson KCC, Gatti-Mays ME, Li Z. Emerging strategies in targeting tumor-resident myeloid cells for cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:118. [PMID: 36031601 PMCID: PMC9420297 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01335-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death protein 1, programmed death-ligand 1, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 provide deep and durable treatment responses which have revolutionized oncology. However, despite over 40% of cancer patients being eligible to receive immunotherapy, only 12% of patients gain benefit. A key to understanding what differentiates treatment response from non-response is better defining the role of the innate immune system in anti-tumor immunity and immune tolerance. Teleologically, myeloid cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, monocytes, and neutrophils, initiate a response to invading pathogens and tissue repair after pathogen clearance is successfully accomplished. However, in the tumor microenvironment (TME), these innate cells are hijacked by the tumor cells and are imprinted to furthering tumor propagation and dissemination. Major advancements have been made in the field, especially related to the heterogeneity of myeloid cells and their function in the TME at the single cell level, a topic that has been highlighted by several recent international meetings including the 2021 China Cancer Immunotherapy workshop in Beijing. Here, we provide an up-to-date summary of the mechanisms by which major myeloid cells in the TME facilitate immunosuppression, enable tumor growth, foster tumor plasticity, and confer therapeutic resistance. We discuss ongoing strategies targeting the myeloid compartment in the preclinical and clinical settings which include: (1) altering myeloid cell composition within the TME; (2) functional blockade of immune-suppressive myeloid cells; (3) reprogramming myeloid cells to acquire pro-inflammatory properties; (4) modulating myeloid cells via cytokines; (5) myeloid cell therapies; and (6) emerging targets such as Siglec-15, TREM2, MARCO, LILRB2, and CLEVER-1. There is a significant promise that myeloid cell-based immunotherapy will help advance immuno-oncology in years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Division of Medical Oncology, Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Margaret E Gatti-Mays
- Division of Medical Oncology, Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Zihai Li
- Division of Medical Oncology, Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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7
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Rostamizadeh L, Molavi O, Rashid M, Ramazani F, Baradaran B, Lavasanaifar A, Lai R. Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy: Modulation of tumor microenvironment by Toll-like receptor ligands. BIOIMPACTS : BI 2022; 12:261-290. [PMID: 35677663 PMCID: PMC9124882 DOI: 10.34172/bi.2022.23896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
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Immunotherapy is considered a promising approach for cancer treatment. An important strategy for cancer immunotherapy is the use of cancer vaccines, which have been widely used for cancer treatment. Despite the great potential of cancer vaccines for cancer treatment, their therapeutic effects in clinical settings have been limited. The main reason behind the lack of significant therapeutic outcomes for cancer vaccines is believed to be the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME counteracts the therapeutic effects of immunotherapy and provides a favorable environment for tumor growth and progression. Therefore, overcoming the immunosuppressive TME can potentially augment the therapeutic effects of cancer immunotherapy in general and therapeutic cancer vaccines in particular. Among the strategies developed for overcoming immunosuppression in TME, the use of toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists has been suggested as a promising approach to reverse immunosuppression. In this paper, we will review the application of the four most widely studied TLR agonists including agonists of TLR3, 4, 7, and 9 in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Rostamizadeh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ommoleila Molavi
- Biotechnology Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rashid
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ramazani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Lavasanaifar
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Raymond Lai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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8
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Zhang Z, Kuo JCT, Yao S, Zhang C, Khan H, Lee RJ. CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides for Anticancer Monotherapy from Preclinical Stages to Clinical Trials. Pharmaceutics 2021; 14:pharmaceutics14010073. [PMID: 35056969 PMCID: PMC8780291 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs), the artificial versions of unmethylated CpG motifs that were originally discovered in bacterial DNA, are demonstrated not only as potent immunoadjuvants but also as anticancer agents by triggering toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) activation in immune cells. TLR9 activation triggered by CpG ODN has been shown to activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), enhancing T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. However, the extent of antitumor immunity carried by TLR agonists has not been optimized individually or in combinations with cancer vaccines, resulting in a decreased preference for TLR agonists as adjuvants in clinical trials. Although various combination therapies involving CpG ODNs have been applied in clinical trials, none of the CpG ODN-based drugs have been approved by the FDA, owing to the short half-life of CpG ODNs in serum that leads to low activation of natural killer cells (NK cells) and CTLs, along with increases of pro-inflammatory cytokine productions. This review summarized the current innovation on CpG ODNs that are under clinical investigation and explored the future direction for CpG ODN-based nanomedicine as an anticancer monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongkun Zhang
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, 500 W 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (Z.Z.); (J.C.-T.K.); (C.Z.); (H.K.)
| | - Jimmy Chun-Tien Kuo
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, 500 W 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (Z.Z.); (J.C.-T.K.); (C.Z.); (H.K.)
| | - Siyu Yao
- Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, 110 Parker Food Science and Technology Building, 2015 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Chi Zhang
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, 500 W 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (Z.Z.); (J.C.-T.K.); (C.Z.); (H.K.)
| | - Hira Khan
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, 500 W 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (Z.Z.); (J.C.-T.K.); (C.Z.); (H.K.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Havelian, Abbottabad 22500, Pakistan
| | - Robert J. Lee
- Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, 500 W 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (Z.Z.); (J.C.-T.K.); (C.Z.); (H.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-614-292-4172
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9
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Carbone C, Piro G, Agostini A, Delfino P, De Sanctis F, Nasca V, Spallotta F, Sette C, Martini M, Ugel S, Corbo V, Cappello P, Bria E, Scarpa A, Tortora G. Intratumoral injection of TLR9 agonist promotes an immunopermissive microenvironment transition and causes cooperative antitumor activity in combination with anti-PD1 in pancreatic cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002876. [PMID: 34479922 PMCID: PMC8420705 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Complex tumor and immune microenvironment render pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, a strategy to convert the immune hostile into an immunopermissive tumor is required. Recent studies showed that intratumoral injection of Toll-like receptor 9 agonist IMO-2125 primes the adaptive immune response. Phase I and II trials with intratumoral IMO-2125 demonstrated its safety and antitumoral activity. Methods We generated an array of preclinical models by orthotopically engrafting PDAC-derived cell lines in syngeneic mice and categorized them as high, low and no immunogenic potential, based on the ability of tumor to evoke T lymphocyte or NK cell response. To test the antitumor efficacy of IMO-2125 on locally treated and distant sites, we engrafted cancer cells on both flanks of syngeneic mice and treated them with intratumoral IMO-2125 or vehicle, alone or in combination with anti-PD1 ICI. Tumor tissues and systemic immunity were analyzed by transcriptomic, cytofluorimetric and immunohistochemistry analysis. Results We demonstrated that intratumoral IMO-2125 as single agent triggers immune system response to kill local and distant tumors in a selected high immunogenic subtype affecting tumor growth and mice survival. Remarkably, intratumoral IMO-2125 in combination with systemic anti-PD1 causes a potent antitumor effect on primary injected and distant sites also in pancreatic cancer models with low immunogenic potential, preceded by a transition toward an immunopermissive microenvironment, with increase in tumor-infiltrating dendritic and T cells in tumor and lymph nodes. Conclusion We demonstrated a potent antitumor activity of IMO-2125 and anti-PD1 combination in immunotherapy-resistant PDAC models through the modulation of immune microenvironment, providing the rationale to translate this strategy into a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Carbone
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Geny Piro
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Antonio Agostini
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Pietro Delfino
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy.,ARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nasca
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco Spallotta
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "A. Ruberti", National Research Council (IASI - CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milano, Italy
| | - Maurizio Martini
- Division of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, Section of Immunology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy.,ARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Cappello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Emilio Bria
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.,Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy.,ARC-Net Research Centre, University and Hospital Trust of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Tortora
- Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy .,Medical Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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10
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Zhou Z, Lin L, An Y, Zhan M, Chen Y, Cai M, Zhu X, Lu L, Zhu K. The Combination Immunotherapy of TLR9 Agonist and OX40 Agonist via Intratumoural Injection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2021; 8:529-543. [PMID: 34136421 PMCID: PMC8197594 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s301375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The response rate of immunotherapy via immune checkpoint blockade in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is limited due to multiple immune evasion mechanisms. OX40 is a T cell co-stimulating molecule which suppresses the cancer immune evasion by activating effector T cells (Teffs) and counteracting regulatory T cells (Tregs). TLR9 belongs to the toll-like receptor superfamily which promotes tumour antigen presentation by stimulating the maturation of dendritic cells. Though the combination immunotherapy of TLR9 agonist (CpG) and OX40 agonist (anti-OX40 antibody) has shown encouraging efficacy in various tumours, its effect on HCC remains unknown. Materials and Methods Orthotopic and ectopic HCC models were constructed by implanting Hepa1-6 cells at different body sites of the mice. Immune agents were administrated via three ways, including intratumoural injection into one site of the tumour, intraperitoneal injection, and subcutaneous injection. The anti-tumour immune response was evaluated by the regression of both the local treated tumour and distant untreated tumour. The ratio and function of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, Tregs and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results CpG via intratumoural injection remarkably upregulated the weakly expressed OX40 of intratumoural T cells. The combination immunotherapy of CpG and anti-OX40 antibody via intratumoural injection significantly inhibited the growth of local and distant tumours, and also effectively prevented their recurrence. Excitingly, drug administration via intratumoural injection, rather than via intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injections, induced potent anti-tumour immune response. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the combination immunotherapy promoted CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, and inhibited Tregs and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, contributing to the effective inhibition on HCC. Noteworthily, the combination immunotherapy also induced an immune memory response. Conclusion The intratumoural administration of combined CpG and anti-OX40 antibody serves as a promising immunotherapy against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimei Zhou
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Liteng Lin
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongcheng An
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Meixiao Zhan
- Zhuhai Interventional Medical Center, Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, 519000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Chen
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingyue Cai
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojing Zhu
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Ligong Lu
- Zhuhai Interventional Medical Center, Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, 519000, People's Republic of China
| | - Kangshun Zhu
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology and Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
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11
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Agrawal S. The Evolution of Antisense Oligonucleotide Chemistry-A Personal Journey. Biomedicines 2021; 9:503. [PMID: 34063675 PMCID: PMC8147625 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last four decades, tremendous progress has been made in use of synthetic oligonucleotides as therapeutics. This has been possible largely by introducing chemical modifications to provide drug like properties to oligonucleotides. In this article I have summarized twists and turns on use of chemical modifications and their road to success and highlight areas of future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir Agrawal
- ARNAY Sciences LLC, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, USA; or
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 N Lake Ave, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
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12
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Villani A, Scalvenzi M, Fabbrocini G, Ocampo-Candiani J, Ocampo-Garza SS. Looking into a Better Future: Novel Therapies for Metastatic Melanoma. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2021; 11:751-767. [PMID: 33866515 PMCID: PMC8163929 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-021-00525-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though melanoma represents a small percentage of all cutaneous cancers, it is responsible for most deaths from skin neoplasms. In early stages it can be successfully treated with surgery, but as the disease expands the survival rate drops significantly. For many years the mainstay of treatment for metastatic melanoma was chemotherapeutic agents, even though they failed to prove survival prolongation. After the advent of ipilimumab, a survival benefit and better overall response rate could be offered to the patients. Other new therapies, such as immunotherapies, targeted therapies, vaccines, and small molecules, are currently being studied. Also, combination regimens have demonstrated superiority to some monotherapies. Nowadays, ipilimumab should no longer be considered the first-line therapy given its severe toxicity and lower efficacy, while nivolumab remains efficacious and has a good safety profile. T-VEC as monotherapy has been shown to be an elegant alternative even for the elderly or cases of head and neck melanomas. If the BRAF mutation status is positive, the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib could be an option to consider. Despite the success of the novel treatments, their effectiveness is still limited. New studies have opened up new avenues for future research in melanoma treatment, which is expected to lead to better therapeutic outcomes for our patients. The objective of this review is to discuss the novel therapies for metastatic melanoma that have been tested in humans during the last 3 years to obtain a sharper perspective of the available treatment options for specific patient characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Villani
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Scalvenzi
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Fabbrocini
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Jorge Ocampo-Candiani
- Dermatology Department, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, University Hospital "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Sonia Sofía Ocampo-Garza
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Dermatology Department, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, University Hospital "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Monterrey, NL, Mexico
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13
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Tian Z, Liang G, Cui K, Liang Y, Wang Q, Lv S, Cheng X, Zhang L. Insight Into the Prospects for RNAi Therapy of Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:644718. [PMID: 33796026 PMCID: PMC8007863 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.644718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi), also known as gene silencing, is a biological process that prevents gene expression in certain diseases such as cancer. It can be used to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and stability of treatments, particularly genetic therapies. However, challenges such as delivery of oligonucleotide drug to less accessible parts of the body and the high incidence of toxic side effects are encountered. It is therefore imperative to improve their delivery to target sites and reduce their harmful effects on noncancerous cells to harness their full potential. In this study, the role of RNAi in the treatment of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus disease plaguing many countries, has been discussed. This review aims to ascertain the mechanism and application of RNAi and explore the current challenges of RNAi therapy by identifying some of the cancer delivery systems and providing drug information for their improvement. It is worth mentioning that delivery systems such as lipid-based delivery systems and exosomes have revolutionized RNAi therapy by reducing their immunogenicity and improving their cellular affinity. A deeper understanding of the mechanism and challenges associated with RNAi in cancer therapy can provide new insights into RNAi drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhili Tian
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Guohui Liang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Kunli Cui
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yayu Liang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,School of Stomatology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Qun Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Shuangyu Lv
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xiaoxia Cheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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14
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Lan H, Zhang W, Jin K, Liu Y, Wang Z. Modulating barriers of tumor microenvironment through nanocarrier systems for improved cancer immunotherapy: a review of current status and future perspective. Drug Deliv 2020; 27:1248-1262. [PMID: 32865029 PMCID: PMC7470050 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2020.1809559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy suppresses and destroys tumors by re-activating and sustaining the tumor-immune process, and thus improving the immune response of the body to the tumor. Immunotherapeutic strategies are showing promising results in pre-clinical and clinical trials, however, tumor microenvironment (TME) is extremely immunosuppressive. Thus, their translation from labs to clinics still faces issues. Recently, nanomaterial-based strategies have been developed to modulate the TME for robust immunotherapeutic responses. The combination of nanotechnology with immunotherapy potentiates the effectiveness of immunotherapy by increasing delivery and retention, and by reducing immunomodulation toxicity. This review aims to highlight the barriers offered by TME for hindering the efficiency of immunotherapy for cancer treatment. Next, we highlight various nano-carriers based strategies for modulating those barriers for achieving better therapeutic efficacy of cancer immunotherapy with higher safety. This review will add to the body of scientific knowledge and will be a good reference material for academia and industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanrong Lan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ketao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yuyao Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
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15
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Targeted In Vivo Delivery of NF-κB Decoy Inhibitor Augments Sensitivity of B Cell Lymphoma to Therapy. Mol Ther 2020; 29:1214-1225. [PMID: 33248246 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances, non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma patients often relapse or remain refractory to therapy. Therapeutic resistance is often associated with survival signaling via nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) transcription factor, an attractive but undruggable molecular target. In this study, we describe a bipartite inhibitor comprising a NF-κB-specific decoy DNA tethered to a CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) targeting Toll-like receptor-9-expressing B cell lymphoma cells. The Bc-NFκBdODN showed efficient uptake by human diffuse large B cell (U2932, OCI-Ly3), Burkitt (RaJi), and mantle cell (Jeko1) lymphomas, respectively. We confirmed that Bc-NFκBdODN inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation and DNA binding, resulting in CCND2 and MYC downregulation. Bc-NFκBdODN enhanced radiosensitivity of lymphoma cells in vitro. In xenotransplanted human lymphoma, local injections of Bc-NFκBdODN reduced NF-κB activity in whole tumors. When combined with a local 3-Gy dose of radiation, Bc-NFκBdODN effectively arrested OCI-Ly3 lymphoma progression. In immunocompetent mice, intratumoral injections of Bc-NFκBdODN suppressed growth of directly treated and distant A20 lymphomas, as a result of systemic CD8 T cell-dependent immune responses. Finally, systemic administration of Bc-NFκBdODN to mice bearing disseminated A20 lymphoma induced complete regression and extended survival of most of the treated mice. Our results underscore clinical relevance of this strategy as monotherapy and in support of radiation therapy to benefit patients with resistant or relapsed B cell lymphoma.
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16
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Chen M, Hu S, Li Y, Jiang TT, Jin H, Feng L. Targeting nuclear acid-mediated immunity in cancer immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:270. [PMID: 33214545 PMCID: PMC7677403 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00347-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy especially immune checkpoint inhibition has achieved unprecedented successes in cancer treatment. However, there are many patients who failed to benefit from these therapies, highlighting the need for new combinations to increase the clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we summarized the latest discoveries on the combination of nucleic acid-sensing immunity and immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy. Given the critical role of nuclear acid-mediated immunity in maintaining the activation of T cell function, it seems that harnessing the nuclear acid-mediated immunity opens up new strategies to enhance the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors for tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoqin Chen
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Shiman Hu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Yiling Li
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Ting Ting Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Hongchuan Jin
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Lifeng Feng
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Key lab of Biotherapy in Zhejiang Province, Cancer Institute of Zhejiang University, Sir Run Run Shaw hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China.
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17
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Karapetyan L, Luke JJ, Davar D. Toll-Like Receptor 9 Agonists in Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:10039-10060. [PMID: 33116588 PMCID: PMC7553670 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s247050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is a pattern recognition receptor that is predominantly located intracellularly in immune cells, including dendritic cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, and other antigen-presenting cells (APC). The primary ligands for TLR9 receptors are unmethylated cytidine phosphate guanosine (CpG) oligodinucleotides (ODN). TLR9 agonists induce inflammatory processes that result in the enhanced uptake and killing of microorganisms and cancer cells as well as the generation of adaptive immune responses. Preclinical studies of TLR9 agonists suggested efficacy both as monotherapy and in combination with several agents, which led to clinical trials in patients with advanced cancer. In these studies, intravenous, intratumoral, and subcutaneous routes of administration have been tested; with anti-tumor responses in both treated and untreated metastatic sites. TLR9 agonist monotherapy is safe, although efficacy is minimal in advanced cancer patients; conversely, combinations appear to be more promising. Several ongoing phase I and II clinical trials are evaluating TLR9 agonists in combination with a variety of agents including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy agents. In this review article, we describe the distribution, structure and signaling of TLR9; discuss the results of preclinical studies of TLR9 agonists; and review ongoing clinical trials of TLR9 agonists singly and in combination in patients with advanced solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilit Karapetyan
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center (HCC), Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jason J Luke
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center (HCC), Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Diwakar Davar
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center (HCC), Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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18
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Zhou B, Li C, Yang Y, Wang Z. RIG-I Promotes Cell Death in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Inducing M1 Polarization of Perineal Macrophages Through the RIG-I/MAVS/NF-κB Pathway. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:8783-8794. [PMID: 32982277 PMCID: PMC7493023 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s258450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development and metastasis of cancer cells are regulated by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) present in the surrounding tumor microenvironment. RIG-I is a key pathogen recognition receptor against RNA viruses that regulates innate immunity in cancer progression. Till now, the mechanism of RIG-I regulation of the polarization of TAMs in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been understood. Materials and Methods Levels of RIG-I and the key proteins in the NF-κB pathway in HCC and paired paracancerous tissues were detected by Western blotting. The transfection efficiency of RIG-I was observed by fluorescence microscopy. The M1 and M2 markers were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and FACS assays. Apoptosis of RIG-I lentivirus-infected HCC cells was detected by flow cytometry assay. Death of Hepa1-6 and H22 cells was analyzed by lactate dehydrogenase releasing assay. Results The level of RIG-I was decreased in HCC tissues as compared to that in the paired paracancerous tissues. Overexpression of RIG-I in mouse peritoneal macrophages increased the expression of the biomarkers CD16/32 and CD11c associated with M1 macrophages. The relative levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS were significantly increased in RIG-I lentivirus-infected macrophages, whereas the levels of Arg-1 and IL-10 were not significantly different in RIG-I-overexpressed peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, overexpression of RIG-I in peritoneal macrophages promoted apoptosis of Hepa1-6 and H22 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of RIG-I increased the levels of phosphorylated p65 and p-IκB and decreased the level of IκB in peritoneal macrophages. Importantly, the expression of MAVS and TRAF2 was significantly increased in RIG-I lentivirus-infected macrophages. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that overexpression of RIG-I promoted apoptosis and death of HCC cells. Moreover, RIG-I promoted the polarization of M1 through the RIG-I/MAVS/TRAF2/NF-κB pathway in mice peritoneal macrophages, suggesting that RIG-I may be a novel target in the immunotherapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuiping Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, People's Republic of China
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19
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Middleton MR, Hoeller C, Michielin O, Robert C, Caramella C, Öhrling K, Hauschild A. Intratumoural immunotherapies for unresectable and metastatic melanoma: current status and future perspectives. Br J Cancer 2020; 123:885-897. [PMID: 32713938 PMCID: PMC7492252 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0994-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of human intratumoural immunotherapy (HIT-IT) is a major step forward in the management of unresectable melanoma. The direct injection of treatments into melanoma lesions can cause cell lysis and induce a local immune response, and might be associated with a systemic immune response. Directly injecting immunotherapies into tumours achieves a high local concentration of immunostimulatory agent while minimising systemic exposure and, as such, HIT-IT agents are associated with lower toxicity than systemic immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs), enabling their potential use in combination with other therapies. Consequently, multiple HIT-IT agents, including oncolytic viruses, pattern-recognition receptor agonists, injected CPIs, cytokines and immune glycolipids, are under investigation. This review considers the current clinical development status of HIT-IT agents as monotherapy and in combination with systemic CPIs, and the practical aspects of administering and assessing the response to these agents. The future of HIT-IT probably lies in its use in combination with systemic CPIs; data from Phase 2 trials indicate a synergy between HIT-IT and CPIs. Data also suggest that the addition of HIT-IT to a CPI might generate responses in CPI-refractory tumours, thereby overcoming resistance and addressing a current unmet need in unresectable and metastatic melanoma for treatment options following progression after CPI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Middleton
- University of Oxford Department of Oncology, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, UK.
| | - Christoph Hoeller
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivier Michielin
- Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Robert
- Department of Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, and Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Caroline Caramella
- Department of Radiology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Axel Hauschild
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
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20
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Espinosa-Sánchez A, Suárez-Martínez E, Sánchez-Díaz L, Carnero A. Therapeutic Targeting of Signaling Pathways Related to Cancer Stemness. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1533. [PMID: 32984007 PMCID: PMC7479251 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The theory of cancer stem cells (CSCs) proposes that the different cells within a tumor, as well as metastasis deriving from it, are originated from a single subpopulation of cells with self-renewal and differentiation capacities. These cancer stem cells are supposed to be critical for tumor expansion and metastasis, tumor relapse and resistance to conventional therapies, such as chemo- and radiotherapy. The acquisition of these abilities has been attributed to the activation of alternative pathways, for instance, WNT, NOTCH, SHH, PI3K, Hippo, or NF-κB pathways, that regulate detoxification mechanisms; increase the metabolic rate; induce resistance to apoptotic, autophagic, and senescence pathways; promote the overexpression of drug transporter proteins; and activate specific stem cell transcription factors. The elimination of CSCs is an important goal in cancer therapeutic approaches because it could decrease relapses and metastatic dissemination, which are main causes of mortality in oncology patients. In this work, we discuss the role of these signaling pathways in CSCs along with their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asunción Espinosa-Sánchez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Suárez-Martínez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez-Díaz
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Amancio Carnero
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Universidad de Sevilla, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville, Spain
- CIBER de Cancer, Madrid, Spain
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21
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Luo B, Chen C, Wu X, Yan D, Chen F, Yu X, Yuan J. Cytochrome P450 2U1 Is a Novel Independent Prognostic Biomarker in Breast Cancer Patients. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1379. [PMID: 32850442 PMCID: PMC7419690 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The susceptibility of breast cancer is largely affected by the metabolic capacity of breast tissue. This ability depends in part on the expression profile of cytochrome P450 (CYPs). CYPs are a superfamily of enzymes with related catalysis to endogenous and exogenous bioactive substances, including xenobiotic metabolism, drugs, and some endogenous substances metabolism which activate cells and stimulate cell signaling pathways, such as arachidonic acid metabolism, steroid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism. Interestingly, CYP was electively expressed in different tumors, and mediated the metabolic activation of multiple carcinogens and participated in the activation and deactivation of tumor therapeutic drugs. However, the biological action of cytochrome P450 2U1 (CYP2U1) in breast carcinoma is little understood so far. Methods: To investigate the biological value of CYP2U1 in breast carcinoma, we performed immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and survival analysis based on clinico-pathological data of breast cancer. Results: IHC analysis showed that the abundance of CYP2U1 protein was inversely proportional to the state of estrogen receptor(ER) (P < 0.05), and the lower the degree of tumor differentiation, the higher the protein abundance (P < 0.001). Additionally, compared with luminal tumors, the CYP2U1 protein content was more abundant in triple negative breast cancer (P < 0.05). Importantly, survival analysis showed that higher CYP2U1 protein levels predicted poor 5-year overall survival rate (P < 0.01), 5-year disease-free survival rate (P < 0.05), and 5-year metastatic-free survival rate (P < 0.01) for the entire enrolled breast cancer patients. Conclusions: CYP2U1 is generally closely related to the clinicopathological characteristics and is also an adverse prognostic factor for breast carcinoma patients, indicating that CYP2U1 is engaged in the malignant progression of breast carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Luo
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuang Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dandan Yan
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fangfang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingping Yuan
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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22
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Gardner A, de Mingo Pulido Á, Ruffell B. Dendritic Cells and Their Role in Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:924. [PMID: 32508825 PMCID: PMC7253577 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advances in the field of cancer immunotherapy, the majority of patients still do not benefit from treatment and must rely on traditional therapies. Dendritic cells have long been a focus of cancer immunotherapy due to their role in inducing protective adaptive immunity, but cancer vaccines have shown limited efficacy in the past. With the advent of immune checkpoint blockade and the ability to identify patient-specific neoantigens, new vaccines, and combinatorial therapies are being evaluated in the clinic. Dendritic cells are also emerging as critical regulators of the immune response within tumors. Understanding how to augment the function of these intratumoral dendritic cells could offer new approaches to enhance immunotherapy, in addition to improving the cytotoxic and targeted therapies that are partially dependent upon a robust immune response for their efficacy. Here we will discuss the role of specific dendritic cell subsets in regulating the anti-tumor immune response, as well as the current status of dendritic cell-based immunotherapies, in order to provide an overview for future lines of research and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alycia Gardner
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.,Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Álvaro de Mingo Pulido
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Brian Ruffell
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States.,Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
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23
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Qian J, Meng H, Lv B, Wang J, Lu Y, Su L, Zhao S, Li W. High expression levels of TLR9 and PD-L1 indicates a poor prognosis in patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma: a retrospective study of 88 cases in a single center. J Cancer 2020; 11:57-68. [PMID: 31892973 PMCID: PMC6930404 DOI: 10.7150/jca.37033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The role of TLR9 expressed by tumor cells in evading immune surveillance was confirmed. PD-L1 expression in tumor cells plays a key role in tumor immune escape, which is associated with poor prognosis. However, the clinical relevance of TLR9 and PD-L1 expression in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) has not been evaluated. Materials and methods: In this study, we identified differentially expressed genes in AITL samples by bioinformatic analysis, and we first examined TLR9 and PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemical staining in patients with AITL and compared these data with clinical features and survival time. Results: It was found that the expression of PD-L1 and multiple TLRs was higher in AITL than normal T-cell samples, and TLR9 and PD-L1 expression displayed complex interactions by bioinformatic analysis. The rates of TLR9 and PD-L1 high expression were 69% and 50%, respectively. High expression of either TLR9 or PD-L1 indicated a poor survival rate for patients with AITL. Multivariate analysis further confirmed that high expression levels of TLR9 and PD-L1 were unfavorable prognostic factors for AITL. We further found inferior overall survival in AITL with clinical features of ECOG status ≥ 2, advanced-stage, elevated serum LDH levels, elevated serum β2-MG levels, and high IPI score. Conclusion: TLR9 and PD-L1 expression may be a novel predictor of prognosis for patients with AITL and may serve as potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrong Qian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Hongxue Meng
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Bowen Lv
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Yingying Lu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Liju Su
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Hospital of Harbin, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150010, P. R. China
| | - Shu Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Wenhui Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
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24
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Type I interferon signaling, regulation and gene stimulation in chronic virus infection. Semin Immunol 2019; 43:101277. [PMID: 31155227 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Type I Interferons (IFN-I) mediate numerous immune interactions during viral infections, from the establishment of an antiviral state to invoking and regulating innate and adaptive immune cells that eliminate infection. While continuous IFN-I signaling plays critical roles in limiting virus replication during both acute and chronic infections, sustained IFN-I signaling also leads to chronic immune activation, inflammation and, consequently, immune exhaustion and dysfunction. Thus, an understanding of the balance between the desirable and deleterious effects of chronic IFN-I signaling will inform our quest for IFN-based therapies for chronic viral infections as well as other chronic diseases, including cancer. As such the factors involved in induction, propagation and regulation of IFN-I signaling, from the initial sensing of viral nucleotides within the cell to regulatory downstream signaling factors and resulting IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) have received significant research attention. This review summarizes recent work on IFN-I signaling in chronic infections, and provides an update on therapeutic approaches being considered to counter such infections.
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25
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MERLANO M, ABBONA A, DENARO N, GARRONE O. Knowing the tumour microenvironment to optimise immunotherapy. ACTA OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICA ITALICA : ORGANO UFFICIALE DELLA SOCIETA ITALIANA DI OTORINOLARINGOLOGIA E CHIRURGIA CERVICO-FACCIALE 2019; 39:2-8. [PMID: 30936573 PMCID: PMC6444165 DOI: 10.14639/0392-100x-2481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Effective immunotherapy requires thorough knowledge of the tumour microenvironment. Indeed, the interplay among the immune system, the tumour and treatment is conditioned by the composition of the tumour microenvironment. In addition, it must be taken into account that homeostasis of the tumour microenvironment is highly dynamic and changes rapidly in function of many factors, such as inflammation, hypoxia, tumour volume, all of which change over time, and the effect of treatments. All these elements interact with each other and with conditions related to the tumour (i.e. mutational load, rate of clonal and subclonal mutations) and to host (life style, diet, obesity, age). All these factors as well as their interplay, affect the response to immunotherapy. The target of this short review is to summarise some of the major aspects that impact the homeostasis of the tumour microenvironment and how its structure can drive treatment choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.C. MERLANO
- Medical Oncology Dept, S. Croce & Carle Teaching Hospital, Cuneo, Itally
- ARCO Foundation, Cuneo, Italy
| | | | - N. DENARO
- Medical Oncology Dept, S. Croce & Carle Teaching Hospital, Cuneo, Itally
| | - O. GARRONE
- Medical Oncology Dept, S. Croce & Carle Teaching Hospital, Cuneo, Itally
- Breast Unit, Medical Oncology, S. Croce & Carle Teaching Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
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26
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Xu H, Jiao Y, Yi M, Zhao W, Wu K. EYA2 Correlates With Clinico-Pathological Features of Breast Cancer, Promotes Tumor Proliferation, and Predicts Poor Survival. Front Oncol 2019; 9:26. [PMID: 30761270 PMCID: PMC6361843 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Eyes absent homolog 2 (EYA2), a transcriptional activator, is pivotal for organ development, but aberrant regulation of EYA2 has been reported in multiple human tumors. However, the role of EYA2 in breast cancer is still lack of full understanding. To explore the biological significance of EYA2 in breast cancer, we conducted data analysis on public breast cancer datasets, and performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis, colony-forming unit assays, EdU assay, western blotting, and immunofluorescence (IF). Meta-analysis showed that EYA2 mRNA expression was correlated with tumor grade, the status of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). IHC analysis displayed that EYA2 protein abundance was inversely associated with the status of ER and PR, and enriched in triple-negative breast cancer in comparison with luminal-type tumors. Additionally, correlation analysis reflected that EYA2 mRNA was negatively correlated with luminal markers, and positively associated with markers of basal cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells. Clone-forming assay and EdU experiment showed that EYA2 overexpression enhanced proliferation of breast cancer cells. Results from western blotting and IF displayed that overexpression of EYA2 up-regulated the protein abundance of proliferation markers. Importantly, survival analysis indicated that higher EYA2 mRNA level predicted worse overall survival, relapse-free survival and metastasis-free survival among whole enrolled breast cancer patients. Collectively, EYA2 was closely correlated with clinico-pathological characteristics, and served as a proliferation stimulator for breast cancer cells and an unfavorable prognostic element for breast cancer patients, suggesting that EYA2 is involved in the progression of breast carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxiao Xu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Jiao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weiheng Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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27
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Chiang CLL, Kandalaft LE. In vivo cancer vaccination: Which dendritic cells to target and how? Cancer Treat Rev 2018; 71:88-101. [PMID: 30390423 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The field of cancer immunotherapy has been revolutionized with the use of immune checkpoint blockade antibodies such as anti-programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1) and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Significant clinical benefits are observed in different cancer types with these treatments. While considerable efforts are made in augmenting tumor-specific T cell responses with these therapies, other immunotherapies that actively stimulate endogenous anti-tumor T cells and generating long-term memory have received less attention. Given the high cost of cancer immunotherapies especially with chimeric antigen receptor T cells, not many patients will have access to such treatments. The next-generation of cancer immunotherapy could entail in vivo cancer vaccination to activate both the innate and adaptive anti-tumor responses. This could potentially be achieved via in vivo targeting of dendritic cells which are an indispensable link between the innate and adaptive immunities. Dendritic cells highly expressed toll-like receptors for recognizing and eliminating pathogens. Synthetic toll-like receptors agonists could be synthesized at a low cost and have shown promise in preclinical and clinical trials. As different subsets of human dendritic cells exist in the immune system, activation with different toll-like receptor agonists could exert profound effects on the quality and magnitude of anti-tumor T cell responses. Here, we reviewed the different subsets of human dendritic cells. Using published preclinical and clinical cancers studies available on PubMed, we discussed the use of clinically approved and emerging toll-like receptor agonists to activate dendritic cells in vivo for cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we searched www.clinicaltrials.gov and summarized the active cancer trials evaluating toll-like receptor agonists as an adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Lai-Lai Chiang
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, and Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne CH-1066, Switzerland
| | - Lana E Kandalaft
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, and Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne CH-1066, Switzerland; Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Smilow Translational Research Center 8th Floor, 186B, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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