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Spiliopoulou P, Kaur P, Hammett T, Di Conza G, Lahn M. Targeting T regulatory (T reg) cells in immunotherapy-resistant cancers. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2024; 7:2. [PMID: 38318526 PMCID: PMC10838381 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Primary or secondary (i.e., acquired) resistance is a common occurrence in cancer patients and is often associated with high numbers of T regulatory (Treg) cells (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+). The approval of ipilimumab and the development of similar pharmacological agents targeting cell surface proteins on Treg cells demonstrates that such intervention may overcome resistance in cancer patients. Hence, the clinical development and subsequent approval of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen-4 (CTLA-4) targeting agents can serve as a prototype for similar agents. Such new agents aspire to be highly specific and have a reduced toxicity profile while increasing effector T cell function or effector T/T regulatory (Teff/Treg) ratio. While clinical development with large molecules has shown the greatest advancement, small molecule inhibitors that target immunomodulation are increasingly entering early clinical investigation. These new small molecule inhibitors often target specific intracellular signaling pathways [e.g., phosphoinositide-3-kinase delta (PI3K-δ)] that play an important role in regulating the function of Treg cells. This review will summarize the lessons currently applied to develop novel clinical agents that target Treg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavlina Spiliopoulou
- Department of Drug Development Program, Phase I Unit, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Center, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Paramjit Kaur
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Tracey Hammett
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Giusy Di Conza
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
| | - Michael Lahn
- Department of Oncology Clinical Development, iOnctura SA, Geneva 1202, Switzerland
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Zhang C, Wang M, Wu Y. Features of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in endometrial cancer based on molecular subtype. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1278863. [PMID: 37927462 PMCID: PMC10622971 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1278863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the three most prevalent gynecological tumors affecting women and is the most prevalent gynecological malignancy in the developed world. Its incidence is rapidly increasing worldwide, mostly affecting postmenopausal women, whereas recently its prevalence has increased in younger people. EC is an immune gene disease and many studies have shown that the tumor-immunosuppressive microenvironment plays an important role in cancer progression. In recent years, findings regarding the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITME) of EC have included immune evasion mechanisms and immunotherapy, which are mostly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for EC. Recently studies on the ITME of different molecular types of EC have found that different molecular types may have different ITME. With the research on the immune microenvironment of EC, a new immunophenotype classification based on the immune microenvironment has been carried out in recent years. However, the impact of the ITME on EC remains unclear, and the immunophenotype of EC remains limited to the research stage. Our review describes recent findings regarding the ITME features of different EC molecular types. The advent of immunotherapy has brought hope for improved efficacy and prognosis in patients with advanced or recurrent EC. The efficacy and safety of ICIs combination therapy remains the focus of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Zhang
- Departments of Obstetrics, Beijing You’an Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yumei Wu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
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Zhang C, Sheng Y, Sun X, Wang Y. New insights for gynecological cancer therapies: from molecular mechanisms and clinical evidence to future directions. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:891-925. [PMID: 37368179 PMCID: PMC10584725 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10113-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Advanced and recurrent gynecological cancers lack effective treatment and have poor prognosis. Besides, there is urgent need for conservative treatment for fertility protection of young patients. Therefore, continued efforts are needed to further define underlying therapeutic targets and explore novel targeted strategies. Considerable advancements have been made with new insights into molecular mechanisms on cancer progression and breakthroughs in novel treatment strategies. Herein, we review the research that holds unique novelty and potential translational power to alter the current landscape of gynecological cancers and improve effective treatments. We outline the advent of promising therapies with their targeted biomolecules, including hormone receptor-targeted agents, inhibitors targeting epigenetic regulators, antiangiogenic agents, inhibitors of abnormal signaling pathways, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, agents targeting immune-suppressive regulators, and repurposed existing drugs. We particularly highlight clinical evidence and trace the ongoing clinical trials to investigate the translational value. Taken together, we conduct a thorough review on emerging agents for gynecological cancer treatment and further discuss their potential challenges and future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Zhang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaru Sheng
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yudong Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
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Zang Y, Li H, Liu S, Zhao R, Zhang K, Zang Y, Wang Y, Xue F. The roles and clinical applications of interleukins in endometrial carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1001693. [PMID: 36531027 PMCID: PMC9748080 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1001693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As a common malignant tumor of the female reproductive system, endometrial carcinoma (EC) seriously endangers women's health with an increasing incidence. The oncogenesis and progression of cancer are closely linked with immune microenvironment, of which interleukins are the important components. In order to illustrate the roles and clinical applications of interleukins in EC, literature of interleukins and EC were reviewed. Based on the present studies, interleukins play crucial roles in the oncogenesis and development of EC via regulating the proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, apoptosis, pyroptosis and autophagy of EC as well as the immune function against EC. And some of the interleukins seems to have prospective clinical applications in EC, such as evaluating the risk of tumorigenesis, discriminating the malignancy from benign disorders or normal condition, indicating cancer aggressiveness, predicting the prognosis of patients and serving as the novel therapy. However, there is still a long way to go before the clinical applications of interleukins in EC come into reality. Nevertheless, it is certain that the exploration of interleukins will definitely be of great benefit to the screening, diagnosis and treatment of EC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Zang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Huanrong Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiqi Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruqian Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Kaiwen Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuqi Zang
- Hangzhou College of Preschool Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingmei Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Fengxia Xue
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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Development of Biomarker Signatures Associated with Anoikis to Predict Prognosis in Endometrial Carcinoma Patients. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2021:3375297. [PMID: 34992654 PMCID: PMC8727165 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3375297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose To generate a signature based on anoikis-related genes (ARGs) for endometrial carcinoma (EC) patients and elucidate the molecular mechanisms in EC. Methods On the basis of TCGA-UCEC dataset, we identified specific anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in EC. Cox-relative regression methods were used to generate an anoikis-related signature (ARS). The possible biological pathways of ARS-related genes were analyzed by GSEA. The clinical potency and immune status of ARS were analyzed by CIBERSORT method, ssGSEA algorithm, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) analysis. Moreover, the expression patterns of ARS genes were verified by HPA database. Results Seven anoikis genes (CDKN2A, E2F1, ENDOG, EZH2, HMGA1, PLK1, and SLC2A1) were determined to develop a prognostic ARS. Both genes of ARS were closely bound up with the prognosis of EC patients. The ARS could accurately classify EC cases with different clinical outcome and mirror the specific immune status of EC. We observed that ARS-high patients could not benefit from immunotherapy. Finally, all the hub genes of ARS were proved to be upregulated in EC tissues by immunohistology. Conclusion ARS can be used to stratify the risk and forecast the survival outcome of EC patients and provide prominent reference for individualized treatment in EC.
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De Bruyn C, Baert T, Van den Bosch T, Coosemans A. Circulating Transcripts and Biomarkers in Uterine Tumors: Is There a Predictive Role? Curr Oncol Rep 2020; 22:12. [PMID: 31997106 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-020-0864-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Uterine cancer comprises endometrial carcinoma and the uterine sarcoma. Endometrial carcinomas are the most frequent variant and have early symptoms and a solid diagnostic work up, resulting in a rather fair prognosis. However, in case of advanced stage disease and relapse, treatment options are limited and prognosis is impaired. Uterine sarcomas are rare, often lacking symptoms and no diagnostic tool for correct pre-operative diagnosis are available. Prognosis is poor. RECENT FINDINGS Circulating biomarkers as a liquid biopsy could be beneficial as a diagnostic tool in uterine sarcomas. For both carcinomas and sarcomas, circulating biomarkers could be of use in predicting early disease recurrence. This review in endometrial carcinoma and uterine sarcoma focus on circulating biomarkers; such as proteins; circulating tumor cells; circulating tumor DNA; microRNA; and immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine De Bruyn
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Thaïs Baert
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Kliniken Essen Mitte (KEM), Essen, Germany
| | - Thierry Van den Bosch
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Coosemans
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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