Endostatin reverses immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment in lung carcinoma

Retrospective analysis of efficacy and safety of recombinant human Rh-endostatinstatin combined with concurrent radiotherapy for cervical cancer

Objective

Retrospective study and analysis of the safety and efficacy of Rh-Rh-endostatinstatin combined with simultaneous radiotherapy in the treatment of cervical cancer.

Methods

A retrospective study was used to enroll cervical cancer patients who received Rh-endostatin combined with simultaneous radiotherapy (observation group) or radiotherapy alone (control group) from January 2019 to December 2022 in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, and RECIST 1.1 criteria were used to evaluate the recent efficacy, and the WHO Adverse Reaction Scale for Anti-cancer Drugs to evaluate the toxic and side effects.

Results

The difference between PR, SD, PD, ORR and DCR of the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05), and the CR of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). The proportion of neutropenia, hypertension, arrhythmia, hemoglobin reduction in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the proportion of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in other adverse reactions(P>0.05). After intervention, the CD3+, CD3-CD19+, CD16+CD56+, CEA, CY211 of both groups were significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05). After treatment, CD3+, CD3-CD19+, CD16+CD56+ were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group, and WBC and PLT were significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05). The HPV conversion rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).

Conclusions

Our finding revealed that Rh-endostatinstatin combined with simultaneous radiotherapy showed better clinical outcomes and favorable toxic profile than that of radiotherapy alone in the treatment of cervical cancer.

Current status of and progress in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion of lung cancer

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common complication in the late stage of malignant tumors. The appearance of MPE indicates that the primary tumor has spread to the pleura or progressed to an advanced stage. The survival time of the patients will be significantly shortened, with a median survival of only a few months. There are a variety of traditional treatments, and their advantages and disadvantages are relatively clear. There are still many problems that cannot be solved by traditional methods in clinical work. The most common one is intrapleural perfusion therapy with chemotherapy drugs, but it has a large side effect of chemotherapy. At present, with the development of medical technology, there are a variety of treatment methods, and many innovative, significant and valuable treatment methods have emerged, which also bring hope for the treatment of refractory and recurrent MPE patients. Several clinical trials had confirmed that drug-carrying microparticles has less adverse reactions and obvious curative effect. However, there is still a long way to go to completely control and cure MPE, and the organic combination of clinical work and scientific research results is needed to bring dawn to refractory MPE patients.

The extracellular microenvironment in immune dysregulation and inflammation in retinal disorders

Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) as well as genetically complex retinal phenotypes represent a heterogenous group of ocular diseases, both on account of their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Therefore, overlaps in clinical features often complicate or even impede their correct clinical diagnosis. Deciphering the molecular basis of retinal diseases has not only aided in their disease classification but also helped in our understanding of how different molecular pathologies may share common pathomechanisms. In particular, these relate to dysregulation of two key processes that contribute to cellular integrity, namely extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis and inflammation. Pathological changes in the ECM of Bruch's membrane have been described in both monogenic IRDs, such as Sorsby fundus dystrophy (SFD) and Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (DHRD), as well as in the genetically complex age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy (DR). Additionally, complement system dysfunction and distorted immune regulation may also represent a common connection between some IRDs and complex retinal degenerations. Through highlighting such overlaps in molecular pathology, this review aims to illuminate how inflammatory processes and ECM homeostasis are linked in the healthy retina and how their interplay may be disturbed in aging as well as in disease.

Synergy of Polydopamine Nanovaccine and Endostar Alginate Hydrogel for Improving Antitumor Immune Responses Against Colon Tumor

BACKGROUND

Tumor immunotherapy, a novel type of therapeutic treatment, has a wide range of applications with potentially prolonged benefits. However, current immunotherapy has a low overall response rate in treating a variety of tumors. Combination of immunotherapy with other therapies can improve the therapeutic response rates. The purpose of this work was to explore the potential of anti-angiogenic treatment in combination with tumor cell lysate loaded polydopamine nanoparticle vaccine as a therapeutic strategy for colon tumor.

METHODS

We grafted tumor cell lysate onto polydopamine nanoparticles as nano-vaccine (TCLN) and fabricated alginate hydrogel loaded with Endostar (EH), then detected characteristics of EH and TCLN. We also estimated the cytotoxicity of EH/TCLN in vitro. In the tumor-bearing mouse model, we evaluated the antitumor effect of EH/TCLN treatment, and developed the animal survival study. After performing the EH/TCLN treatment, we also analyzed T cells and DCs using flow cytometry, and determined T cell responses and tumor microenvironmental cytokines. At last, we assessed the effect of the EH/TCLN treatment on anti-angiogenesis further.

RESULTS

When applied in combination with TCLN in MC-38 tumor-bearing mice, EH/TCLN significantly suppressed tumor growth with more than half of the mice showing tumor regression. In addition, EH/TCLN treatment resulted in noticeable changes in the tumor microenvironment. As compared with the control group, EH/TCLN treatment led to significantly reduced tumor angiogenesis and expression of tumor microenvironment-related cytokines (TMCs), increased proportion of CD8⁺ T cells in the spleen, lymph node and tumor, elevated activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and tumor cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that the EH/TCLN treatment effectively created a favorable immune microenvironment for the induction of antitumor immunity and improved antitumor immune responses.

Coadministration with bendamustine restores the antitumor activity of obinutuzumab in obinutuzumab-resistant tumors

BACKGROUND

The glycoengineered, humanized anti-CD20 antibody obinutuzumab is indicated for previously untreated or relapsed/refractory CD20-positive follicular lymphoma (FL). However, the effectiveness of obinutuzumab retreatment in relapsed/refractory FL after prior obinutuzumab-containing therapy is unclear. To address this issue, we investigated the antitumor activity of obinutuzumab plus bendamustine in obinutuzumab-resistant tumors established from a human non-Hodgkin lymphoma xenograft model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Obinutuzumab-resistant tumors (SU-DHL-4-OR-18-8) were established from an SU-DHL-4 xenograft model by repeated administration of obinutuzumab. Antitumor activity was evaluated based on tumor volume after treatment with obinutuzumab on Day 1, 8, and 15 and/or bendamustine on Day 1 and 2. Intratumoral natural killer (NK) cells/macrophages were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In SU-DHL-4-OR-18-8 xenografted tumors, intratumoral NK cells/macrophages after obinutuzumab treatment were significantly decreased compared with parent tumors on Day 4. The endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor phospho-IRE1 was also decreased. In SU-DHL-4-OR-18-8 tumors, bendamustine treatment increased phospho-IRE1 on Day 4 and intratumor NK cells/macrophages on Day 10. Obinutuzumab combined with bendamustine significantly increased antitumor activity compared with each single agent on Day 29, with an increase in chemoattractant CCL6 expression on Day 10.

CONCLUSIONS

Coadministration of bendamustine in obinutuzumab retreatment may be effective against obinutuzumab-resistant tumors.

The Functional Role of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Cancer

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is highly dynamic as it is constantly deposited, remodeled and degraded to maintain tissue homeostasis. ECM is a major structural component of the tumor microenvironment, and cancer development and progression require its extensive reorganization. Cancerized ECM is biochemically different in its composition and is stiffer compared to normal ECM. The abnormal ECM affects cancer progression by directly promoting cell proliferation, survival, migration and differentiation. The restructured extracellular matrix and its degradation fragments (matrikines) also modulate the signaling cascades mediated by the interaction with cell-surface receptors, deregulate the stromal cell behavior and lead to emergence of an oncogenic microenvironment. Here, we summarize the current state of understanding how the composition and structure of ECM changes during cancer progression. We also describe the functional role of key proteins, especially tenascin C and fibronectin, and signaling molecules involved in the formation of the tumor microenvironment, as well as the signaling pathways that they activate in cancer cells.

Hold on or Cut? Integrin- and MMP-Mediated Cell-Matrix Interactions in the Tumor Microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment (TME) has become the focus of interest in cancer research and treatment. It includes the extracellular matrix (ECM) and ECM-modifying enzymes that are secreted by cancer and neighboring cells. The ECM serves both to anchor the tumor cells embedded in it and as a means of communication between the various cellular and non-cellular components of the TME. The cells of the TME modify their surrounding cancer-characteristic ECM. This in turn provides feedback to them via cellular receptors, thereby regulating, together with cytokines and exosomes, differentiation processes as well as tumor progression and spread. Matrix remodeling is accomplished by altering the repertoire of ECM components and by biophysical changes in stiffness and tension caused by ECM-crosslinking and ECM-degrading enzymes, in particular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). These can degrade ECM barriers or, by partial proteolysis, release soluble ECM fragments called matrikines, which influence cells inside and outside the TME. This review examines the changes in the ECM of the TME and the interaction between cells and the ECM, with a particular focus on MMPs.

The Crosstalk Between Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) and Tumor Cells and the Corresponding Targeted Therapy

Tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of tumor cells and surrounding non-tumor stromal cells, mainly including tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), endothelial cells, and carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The TAMs are the major components of non-tumor stromal cells, and play an important role in promoting the occurrence and development of tumors. Macrophages originate from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells and embryonic yolk sacs. There is close crosstalk between TAMs and tumor cells. With the occurrence of tumors, tumor cells secrete various chemokines to recruit monocytes to infiltrate tumor tissues and further promote their M2-type polarization. Importantly, M2-like TAMs can in turn accelerate tumor growth, promote tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and inhibit immune killing to promote tumor progression. Therefore, targeting TAMs in tumor tissues has become one of the principal strategies in current tumor immunotherapy. Current treatment strategies focus on reducing macrophage infiltration in tumor tissues and reprogramming TAMs to M1-like to kill tumors. Although these treatments have had some success, their effects are still limited. This paper mainly summarized the recruitment and polarization of macrophages by tumors, the support of TAMs for the growth of tumors, and the research progress of TAMs targeting tumors, to provide new treatment strategies for tumor immunotherapy.

Mechanisms of immune suppression by myeloid-derived suppressor cells: the role of interleukin-10 as a key immunoregulatory cytokine

Chronic immune activation and inflammation are unwanted consequences of many pathological conditions, since they could lead to tissue damage and immune exhaustion, both of which can worsen the pathological condition status. In fact, the immune system is naturally equipped with immunoregulatory cells that can limit immune activation and inflammation. However, chronic activation of downregulatory immune responses is also associated with unwanted consequences that, in turn, could lead to disease progression as seen in the case of cancer and chronic infections. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are now considered to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of different inflammatory pathological conditions, including different types of cancer and chronic infections. As a potent immunosuppressor cell population, MDSCs can inhibit specific and non-specific immune responses via different mechanisms that, in turn, lead to disease persistence. One such mechanism by which MDSCs can activate their immunosuppressive effects is accomplished by secreting copious amounts of immunosuppressant molecules such as interleukin-10 (IL-10). In this article, we will focus on the pathological role of MDSC expansion in chronic inflammatory conditions including cancer, sepsis/infection, autoimmunity, asthma and ageing, as well as some of the mechanisms by which MDSCs/IL-10 contribute to the disease progression in such conditions.

The extracellular matrix in tumor progression and metastasis

The extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes the scaffold of tissues and organs. It is a complex network of extracellular proteins, proteoglycans and glycoproteins, which form supramolecular aggregates, such as fibrils and sheet-like networks. In addition to its biochemical composition, including the covalent intermolecular cross-linkages, the ECM is also characterized by its biophysical parameters, such as topography, molecular density, stiffness/rigidity and tension. Taking these biochemical and biophysical parameters into consideration, the ECM is very versatile and undergoes constant remodeling. This review focusses on this remodeling of the ECM under the influence of a primary solid tumor mass. Within this tumor stroma, not only the cancer cells but also the resident fibroblasts, which differentiate into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), modify the ECM. Growth factors and chemokines, which are tethered to and released from the ECM, as well as metabolic changes of the cells within the tumor bulk, add to the tumor-supporting tumor microenvironment. Metastasizing cancer cells from a primary tumor mass infiltrate into the ECM, which variably may facilitate cancer cell migration or act as barrier, which has to be proteolytically breached by the infiltrating tumor cell. The biochemical and biophysical properties therefore determine the rates and routes of metastatic dissemination. Moreover, primed by soluble factors of the primary tumor, the ECM of distant organs may be remodeled in a way to facilitate the engraftment of metastasizing cancer cells. Such premetastatic niches are responsible for the organotropic preference of certain cancer entities to colonize at certain sites in distant organs and to establish a metastasis. Translational application of our knowledge about the cancer-primed ECM is sparse with respect to therapeutic approaches, whereas tumor-induced ECM alterations such as increased tissue stiffness and desmoplasia, as well as breaching the basement membrane are hallmark of malignancy and diagnostically and histologically harnessed.