1
|
Kondoh N, Mizuno-Kamiya M. The Role of Immune Modulatory Cytokines in the Tumor Microenvironments of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122884. [PMID: 35740551 PMCID: PMC9221278 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Malignant phenotypes of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are regulated by the pro- and anti-tumoral activities of immune modulatory cytokines associated with tumor microenvironments (TMEs). We first present the immune modulatory effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, pro- and anti- (pro-/anti-) inflammatory cytokines, and anti-inflammatory cytokines upon HNSCC phenotypes. We then report our evaluation of the functions of cytokines and chemokines that mediate the crosstalk between tumors and stromal cells, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In HNSCCs, the status of lymph node metastasis is an important hallmark of a worse prognosis. Several chemokines mediate lymph node metastases in HNSCC patients. There are therapeutic approaches, using antitumoral cytokines or immunotherapies, that target cytokines, chemokines, or signal molecules essential for the immune evasion of HNSCCs. Finally, modulation by human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in HNSCC phenotypes and the prognostic significance of serum cytokine levels in HNSCC patients are discussed. Abstract HNSCCs are the major progressive malignancy of the upper digestive and respiratory organs. Malignant phenotypes of HNSCCs are regulated by the pro- and anti-tumoral activities of the immune modulatory cytokines associated with TMEs, i.e., a representative pro-inflammatory cytokine, interferon (IFN)-γ, plays a role as an anti-tumor regulator against HNSCCs; however, IFN-γ also drives programmed death-ligand (PD-L) 1 expression to promote cancer stem cells. Interleukin (IL)-2 promotes the cytotoxic activity of T cells and natural killer cells; however, endogenous IL-2 can promote regulatory T cells (Tregs), resulting in the protection of HNSCCs. In this report, we first classified and mentioned the immune modulatory aspects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines, and anti-inflammatory cytokines upon HNSCC phenotypes. In the TME of HNSCCs, pro-tumoral immune modulation is mediated by stromal cells, including CAFs, MDSCs, pDCs, and TAMs. Therefore, we evaluated the functions of cytokines and chemokines that mediate the crosstalk between tumor cells and stromal cells. In HNSCCs, the status of lymph node metastasis is an important hallmark of a worse prognosis. We therefore evaluated the possibility of chemokines mediating lymph node metastases in HNSCC patients. We also mention therapeutic approaches using anti-tumoral cytokines or immunotherapies that target cytokines, chemokines, or signal molecules essential for the immune evasion of HNSCCs. We finally discuss modulation by HPV infection upon HNSCC phenotypes, as well as the prognostic significance of serum cytokine levels in HNSCC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nobuo Kondoh
- Department of Oral Biochemistry, Asahi University School of Dentistry, Mizuho 501-0296, Gifu, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-58-329-1416; Fax: +81-58-329-1417
| | - Masako Mizuno-Kamiya
- Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Business Administration, Asahi University School of Business Administration, Mizuho 501-0296, Gifu, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gualtieri T, Bonomo P, Sottili M, Mangoni M, Lavarone A, Russo ML, Desideri I, Livi L, Deganello A. Biomarkers in wound drainage fluids of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving neck dissection: A pilot study. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2020; 23:60-64. [PMID: 32435703 PMCID: PMC7231969 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2020.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular prognostication lags behind for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Analysis of wound drainage fluids after neck dissection has prognostic potential. Expression of CXCL-12 may predict minimal residual disease after radical surgery.
Aim In a pilot prospective study, we aimed to test the feasibility and report on the preliminary results on the expression of molecular biomarkers in wound drainage fluids (WDFs) of operated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Material and methods Nineteen patients undergoing primary tumor resection with en-block neck dissection were enrolled. In postoperative days 1–3, the expression of several biomarkers in WDFs was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and correlated with clinical and histopathologic features. Results The expression of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (CXCL-12) was significantly increased in WDFs in presence of lymph node metastases, extranodal extension (ENE), and in case of close resection margins. In addition, Osteopontin expression was significantly increased in presence of ENE, whereas transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) detection was significantly reduced. At multivariate analysis, CXCL-2 levels in both day 1 and 3 post-surgery were the only factor which retained significance in the prediction of close surgical margins (p = 0.028 and 0.025 for day 1 and day 3, respectively). Both CXCL-2 and Ostepontin assays were significantly correlated with ENE (p = 0.018 and 0.035 for day 1; 0.052 and 0.025 for day 3, respectively) whereas TGF- β expression was significant at day 1 only (p = 0.038) Conclusions Our pilot study showed that WDFs could qualify as a potential source of relevant postoperative information. Further studies are needed to confirm the prognostic impact of CXCL-12, Osteopontin and TGF-β expressed in WDFs on the personalized management of HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Gualtieri
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Bonomo
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mariangela Sottili
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Monica Mangoni
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Lavarone
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Monica Lo Russo
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Isacco Desideri
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Livi
- Radiation Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alberto Deganello
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brøndum L, Eriksen JG, Singers Sørensen B, Mortensen LS, Toustrup K, Overgaard J, Alsner J. Plasma proteins as prognostic biomarkers in radiotherapy treated head and neck cancer patients. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2017; 2:46-52. [PMID: 29658000 PMCID: PMC5893530 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Blood-based protein biomarkers can be a useful tool as pre-treatment prognostic markers, as they can reflect both variations in the tumor microenvironment and the host immune response. We investigated the influence of a panel of plasma proteins for the development of any failure defined as recurrent disease in the T-, N-, or M-site in HNSCC. Methods We used a multiplex bead-based approach to analyze 19 proteins in 86 HNSCC patients and 15 healthy controls. We evaluated the associations between the biomarkers, loco-regional failure, failure in the T-, N-, or M-site, overall survival (OS), p16 status, and hypoxia. Results In 41 p16 positive oropharynx cancer patients we identified a profile of biomarkers consisting of upregulation of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, eotaxin, GRO-a, and VEGF and downregulation of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 with a significantly reduced risk of failure (p < 0.01). None of the individual proteins were associated with outcome. Conclusion The identified plasma profile potentially reflects an activated immune response in a subgroup of the p16 positive patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Line Brøndum
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Brita Singers Sørensen
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Kasper Toustrup
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens Overgaard
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Alsner
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Brøndum L, Sørensen BS, Eriksen JG, Mortensen LS, Lønbro S, Overgaard J, Alsner J. An evaluation of multiplex bead-based analysis of cytokines and soluble proteins in archived lithium heparin plasma, EDTA plasma and serum samples. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 2016; 76:601-611. [PMID: 27666533 DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2016.1230882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the usability of archived plasma and serum by multiplex (Luminex) analysis of circulating proteins (analytes) by evaluating the day to day variation, the effect of several freeze-thaw cycles, and the influence of the media and choice of anticoagulant. METHODS Nineteen analytes in plasma and serum from 86 head and neck cancer patients and 33 controls were evaluated: EGFR, leptin, OPN, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, IL-2, IL-13, PDGF-bb, TNF, PAI-1, SDF-1a, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, eotaxin, G-CSF, VEGF, GRO-a, and HGF. RESULTS The correlation between measurements of the same samples analyzed on different dates was reasonable. However, samples run on different dates could exhibit different absolute values. The 75th percentile of the fold differences for samples run on different dates was 2.2. No significant difference was found between one and four freeze-thaw cycles (except for HGF), and the correlation was high. We found significant differences in mean concentrations of the majority of analytes in different media and with different anticoagulants. Only the following analytes did not show difference in mean concentrations: EDTA plasma vs. serum: leptin and VEGFR-2, LH plasma vs. serum: IL-2, IL-13, and VEGF, LH plasma levels vs. EDTA plasma: IL-2 and IL-4. CONCLUSION Stored serum, LH plasma, and EDTA plasma from clinical trials can be used for analysis of circulating cytokines and proteins. Variations in measurements occur, but are within reasonable ranges. The optimal type of media depends on the analytes, as different analytes have low number of measurements below the lower limit of quantification and higher dynamic ranges in different media.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Line Brøndum
- a Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - Brita Singers Sørensen
- a Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark
| | | | | | - Simon Lønbro
- d Department of Public Health, Section for Sport Science , Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - Jens Overgaard
- a Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - Jan Alsner
- a Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology , Aarhus University Hospital , Aarhus , Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ramchandani D, Weber GF. Interactions between osteopontin and vascular endothelial growth factor: Implications for cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2015; 1855:202-22. [PMID: 25732057 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
For this comprehensive review, 257 publications with the keywords "osteopontin" or "OPN" and "vascular endothelial growth factor" or "VEGF" in PubMed were screened (time frame from year 1996 to year 2014). 37 articles were excluded because they were not focused on the interactions between these molecules, and papers relevant for transformation-related phenomena were selected. Osteopontin (OPN) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are characterized by a convergence in function for regulating cell motility and angiogenesis, the response to hypoxia, and apoptosis. Often, they are co-expressed or one molecule induces the other, however, in some settings OPN-associated pathways and VEGF-associated pathways are distinct. Their relationships affect the pathogenesis in cancer, where they contribute to progression and angiogenesis and serve as markers for poor prognosis. The inhibition of OPN may reduce VEGF levels and suppress tumor progression. In vascular pathologies, these two cytokines mediate remodeling, but may also perpetuate inflammation and narrowing of the arteries. OPN and VEGF are elevated and contribute to vascularization in inflammatory diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Georg F Weber
- James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, USA.
| |
Collapse
|