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Farhangnia P, Khorramdelazad H, Nickho H, Delbandi AA. Current and future immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:40. [PMID: 38835055 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01561-6] [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: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death, but despondently, the outlook and prognosis for this resistant type of tumor have remained grim for a long time. Currently, it is extremely challenging to prevent or detect it early enough for effective treatment because patients rarely exhibit symptoms and there are no reliable indicators for detection. Most patients have advanced or spreading cancer that is difficult to treat, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only slightly prolong their life by a few months. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of pancreatic cancer, yet its effectiveness is limited by the tumor's immunosuppressive and hard-to-reach microenvironment. First, this article explains the immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and highlights a wide range of immunotherapy options, including therapies involving oncolytic viruses, modified T cells (T-cell receptor [TCR]-engineered and chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy), CAR natural killer cell therapy, cytokine-induced killer cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators, cancer vaccines, and strategies targeting myeloid cells in the context of contemporary knowledge and future trends. Lastly, it discusses the main challenges ahead of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Nickho
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Martínez-Puente DH, Pérez-Trujillo JJ, Zavala-Flores LM, García-García A, Villanueva-Olivo A, Rodríguez-Rocha H, Valdés J, Saucedo-Cárdenas O, Montes de Oca-Luna R, Loera-Arias MDJ. Plasmid DNA for Therapeutic Applications in Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091861. [PMID: 36145609 PMCID: PMC9503848 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the interest in using nucleic acids for therapeutic applications has been increasing. DNA molecules can be manipulated to express a gene of interest for gene therapy applications or vaccine development. Plasmid DNA can be developed to treat different diseases, such as infections and cancer. In most cancers, the immune system is limited or suppressed, allowing cancer cells to grow. DNA vaccination has demonstrated its capacity to stimulate the immune system to fight against cancer cells. Furthermore, plasmids for cancer gene therapy can direct the expression of proteins with different functions, such as enzymes, toxins, and cytotoxic or proapoptotic proteins, to directly kill cancer cells. The progress and promising results reported in animal models in recent years have led to interesting clinical results. These DNA strategies are expected to be approved for cancer treatment in the near future. This review discusses the main strategies, challenges, and future perspectives of using plasmid DNA for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José Juan Pérez-Trujillo
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Laura Mireya Zavala-Flores
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Northeast Biomedical Research Center (CIBIN) of IMSS, Nuevo Leon Delegation, Monterrey 64720, Mexico
| | - Aracely García-García
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Arnulfo Villanueva-Olivo
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Humberto Rodríguez-Rocha
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Jesús Valdés
- Departamento de Bioquímica, CINVESTAV-México, Av. IPN 2508, Colonia San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
| | - Odila Saucedo-Cárdenas
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
| | - Roberto Montes de Oca-Luna
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.M.d.O.-L.); (M.d.J.L.-A.); Tel.: +52-81-8329-4195 (R.M.d.O.-L. & M.d.J.L.-A.)
| | - María de Jesús Loera-Arias
- Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL), Monterrey 64460, Mexico
- Correspondence: (R.M.d.O.-L.); (M.d.J.L.-A.); Tel.: +52-81-8329-4195 (R.M.d.O.-L. & M.d.J.L.-A.)
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Smith C, Zheng W, Dong J, Wang Y, Lai J, Liu X, Yin F. Tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Implications in immunotherapy. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:3297-3313. [PMID: 36158269 PMCID: PMC9346457 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i27.3297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers. Surgical resection is the only curable treatment option, but it is available for only a small fraction of patients at the time of diagnosis. With current therapeutic regimens, the average 5-year survival rate is less than 10% in pancreatic cancer patients. Immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most promising treatment options for multiple solid tumors of advanced stage. However, its clinical efficacy is suboptimal in most clinical trials on pancreatic cancer. Current studies have suggested that the tumor microenvironment is likely the underlying barrier affecting immunotherapy drug efficacy in pancreatic cancer. In this review, we discuss the role of the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer and the latest advances in immunotherapy on pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Smith
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO 65212, United States
| | - Wei Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Jixin Dong
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Yaohong Wang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Jinping Lai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95825, United States
| | - Xiuli Liu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States
| | - Feng Yin
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, United States
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Gao T, Cen Q, Lei H. A review on development of MUC1-based cancer vaccine. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 132:110888. [PMID: 33113416 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a transmembrane mucin glycoprotein expressed on the surface of almost all epithelial cells. Aberrantly glycosylated MUC1 is associated with cellular transformation from a normal to malignant phenotype in human cancers. Therefore, MUC1 is the major target for the design and development of cancer vaccines. MUC1-based cancer vaccines are a promising strategy for preventing cancer progression and metastasis. This review summarizes the most significant milestones achieved to date in the development of different MUC-1-based vaccine approaches in clinical trials. Further, it provides perspectives for future research that may promote clinical advances in infection-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Gao
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Qianhong Cen
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Han Lei
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
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Tu J, Zhang H, Yu J, Liufu C, Chen Z. Ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction: a new method in cancer immunotherapy. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:5763-5775. [PMID: 30254469 PMCID: PMC6140758 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s171019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy provides a new treatment option for cancer. However, it may be therapeutically insufficient if only using the self-immune system alone to attack the tumor without any aiding methods. To overcome this drawback and improve the efficiency of therapy, new treatment methods are emerging. In recent years, ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction (UMMD) has shown great potential in cancer immunotherapy. Using the combination of ultrasound and targeted microbubbles, molecules such as antigens or genes encoding antigens can be efficiently and specifically delivered into the tumor tissue. This review focuses on the recent progress in the application of UMMD in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Tu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, People's Republic of China,
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, People's Republic of China,
| | - Jinsui Yu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, People's Republic of China,
| | - Chun Liufu
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, People's Republic of China,
| | - Zhiyi Chen
- Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, People's Republic of China,
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Guo M, You C, Dou J. Role of transmembrane glycoprotein mucin 1 (MUC1) in various types of colorectal cancer and therapies: Current research status and updates. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 107:1318-1325. [PMID: 30257347 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.08.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumor in the world. In recent years, the morbidity and mortality of CRC have increased in the world due to increasingly ageing population, modern dietary habits, environmental change, genetic disorders and chronic intestinal inflammation. Despite recent advances in earlier detection and improvements in chemotherapy, the 5-year survival rate of patients with metastatic CRC remains low. Therefore, novel effective treatment strategies for primary or metastatic CRC have emerged to enhance cure rate as well as elongation of patient's survival. Immunotherapy has been proposed for a potentially effective therapeutic approach to the treatment of CRC. Tumor vaccination in preclinical and clinical studies has supported the antitumor activity induced by immunization with CRC cell vaccines. Epithelial cell molecule Mucin 1 (MUC1), a transmembrane glycoprotein aberrantly overexpressed in various cancers including CRC, has been used as a candidate target antigen in the peptide, dendritic cell, and whole tumor vaccines. Several clinical trials in progress reveal the immunogenicity and suitability of MUC1 that acted as immunotherapeutic vaccines for CRC/colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSC). The present review summarizes the potential roles of MUC1 on CRC/CCSC vaccines according to the latest data. Moreover, this review also discusses the novel strategies for targeting CCSC via inducing an immune response against MUC1 to achieve the best prevention and treatment effects in animal models and clinical trails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Guo
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Chengzhong You
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jun Dou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Lin HJ, Lin J. Seed-in-Soil: Pancreatic Cancer Influenced by Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:cancers9070093. [PMID: 28753978 PMCID: PMC5532629 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9070093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a fatal malignancy with a five-year survival rate lower than 7%, and most patients dying within six months of diagnosis. The factors that contribute to the aggressiveness of the disease include, but are not limited to: late diagnosis, prompt metastasis to adjacent vital organs, poor response, and resistance to anticancer treatments. This malignancy is uniquely associated with desmoplastic stroma that accounts for 80% of tumor mass. Understanding the biology of stroma can aid the discovery of innovative strategies for eradicating this lethal cancer in the future. This review highlights the critical components in the stroma and how they interact with the cancer cells to convey the devastating tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huey-Jen Lin
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Delaware, Room 305, Willard Hall Education Building, 16 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| | - Jiayuh Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, 108 N. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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