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Zhang S, Xiao X, Yi Y, Wang X, Zhu L, Shen Y, Lin D, Wu C. Tumor initiation and early tumorigenesis: molecular mechanisms and interventional targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:149. [PMID: 38890350 PMCID: PMC11189549 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01848-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is a multistep process, with oncogenic mutations in a normal cell conferring clonal advantage as the initial event. However, despite pervasive somatic mutations and clonal expansion in normal tissues, their transformation into cancer remains a rare event, indicating the presence of additional driver events for progression to an irreversible, highly heterogeneous, and invasive lesion. Recently, researchers are emphasizing the mechanisms of environmental tumor risk factors and epigenetic alterations that are profoundly influencing early clonal expansion and malignant evolution, independently of inducing mutations. Additionally, clonal evolution in tumorigenesis reflects a multifaceted interplay between cell-intrinsic identities and various cell-extrinsic factors that exert selective pressures to either restrain uncontrolled proliferation or allow specific clones to progress into tumors. However, the mechanisms by which driver events induce both intrinsic cellular competency and remodel environmental stress to facilitate malignant transformation are not fully understood. In this review, we summarize the genetic, epigenetic, and external driver events, and their effects on the co-evolution of the transformed cells and their ecosystem during tumor initiation and early malignant evolution. A deeper understanding of the earliest molecular events holds promise for translational applications, predicting individuals at high-risk of tumor and developing strategies to intercept malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaosen Zhang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Xiao
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
| | - Yonglin Yi
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
| | - Lingxuan Zhu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
- Changping Laboratory, 100021, Beijing, China
| | - Yanrong Shen
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China
| | - Dongxin Lin
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China.
- Changping Laboratory, 100021, Beijing, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Chen Wu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Genomic Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 100021, Beijing, China.
- Changping Laboratory, 100021, Beijing, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- CAMS Oxford Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100006, Beijing, China.
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2
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Vonka V, Hirsch I. Prophylactic vaccines against cancers of non-infectious origin: a dream or a real possibility? Cent Eur J Public Health 2022; 29:247-258. [PMID: 35026062 DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a7219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The dramatic progress in tumour biology and immunology in the past several years has opened new avenues for the treatment and prevention of cancer. One of the great contributions of the immunotherapeutic approaches is an increasing understanding of the immunology of cancer, which is, gradually creating conditions for the development of prophylactic anti-cancer vaccines. Efficient vaccines have been developed and employed for the prophylaxis of two frequent cancers of viral origin, namely cervical cancer and liver cancer. The new knowledge on the interactions between the immune system and the malignant tumors seems to provide means for the development of prophylactic vaccines against cancers developing due to the mutations in the proto-oncogenes converting their products into oncoproteins. According to the present estimates, these cancers form a great majority of human malignancies. Recent evidence has indicated that the immune system recognizes such mutated proteins, and that the development of cancer is due to the failure of the immune system to eliminate neoplastic cells. Followingly, it can be expected that inducing immunity against the mutated epitopes will increase the capacity of the body to deal with the initiated precancerous cells. In the present paper this hypothesis is primarily discussed in the relationship with colorectal cancer (CRC), which seems to be a well-fitting candidate for prophylactic vaccination. CRC is the third most frequent malignancy and the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality. Mutations of two proto-oncogenes, namely RAS and RAF, are involved in the majority of CRC cases and, in addition, they are shared with other human malignancies. Therefore, the strategy to be used for prophylaxis of CRC is discussed together with several other frequent human cancers, namely lung cancer, pancreatic duct cancer and melanoma. The prophylactic vaccines proposed are aimed at the reduction of the incidence of these and, to a lesser extent, some other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimír Vonka
- Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Emeritus, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Hirsch
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
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3
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Corchado-Cobos R, García-Sancha N, Mendiburu-Eliçabe M, Gómez-Vecino A, Jiménez-Navas A, Pérez-Baena MJ, Holgado-Madruga M, Mao JH, Cañueto J, Castillo-Lluva S, Pérez-Losada J. Pathophysiological Integration of Metabolic Reprogramming in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020322. [PMID: 35053485 PMCID: PMC8773662 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumors exhibit metabolic changes that differentiate them from the normal tissues from which they derive. These metabolic changes favor tumor growth, are primarily induced by cancer cells, and produce metabolic and functional changes in the surrounding stromal cells. There is a close functional connection between the metabolic changes in tumor cells and those that appear in the surrounding stroma. A better understanding of intratumoral metabolic interactions may help identify new vulnerabilities that will facilitate new, more individualized treatment strategies against cancer. We review the metabolic changes described in tumor and stromal cells and their functional changes and then consider, in depth, the metabolic interactions between the cells of the two compartments. Although these changes are generic, we illustrate them mainly with reference to examples in breast cancer. Abstract Metabolic changes that facilitate tumor growth are one of the hallmarks of cancer. The triggers of these metabolic changes are located in the tumor parenchymal cells, where oncogenic mutations induce an imperative need to proliferate and cause tumor initiation and progression. Cancer cells undergo significant metabolic reorganization during disease progression that is tailored to their energy demands and fluctuating environmental conditions. Oxidative stress plays an essential role as a trigger under such conditions. These metabolic changes are the consequence of the interaction between tumor cells and stromal myofibroblasts. The metabolic changes in tumor cells include protein anabolism and the synthesis of cell membranes and nucleic acids, which all facilitate cell proliferation. They are linked to catabolism and autophagy in stromal myofibroblasts, causing the release of nutrients for the cells of the tumor parenchyma. Metabolic changes lead to an interstitium deficient in nutrients, such as glucose and amino acids, and acidification by lactic acid. Together with hypoxia, they produce functional changes in other cells of the tumor stroma, such as many immune subpopulations and endothelial cells, which lead to tumor growth. Thus, immune cells favor tissue growth through changes in immunosuppression. This review considers some of the metabolic changes described in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Corchado-Cobos
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Natalia García-Sancha
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Marina Mendiburu-Eliçabe
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Aurora Gómez-Vecino
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Alejandro Jiménez-Navas
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Manuel Jesús Pérez-Baena
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Marina Holgado-Madruga
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCyL), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Biological Systems and Engineering Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;
- Berkeley Biomedical Data Science Center, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Javier Cañueto
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Departamento de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sonia Castillo-Lluva
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.C.-L.); (J.P-L.)
| | - Jesús Pérez-Losada
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer (IBMCC-CIC), Universidad de Salamanca/CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (R.C.-C.); (N.G.-S.); (M.M.-E.); (A.G.-V.); (A.J.-N.); (M.J.P.-B.); (J.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
- Correspondence: (S.C.-L.); (J.P-L.)
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4
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Unver N, Mohindroo C. Targets and Strategies for Cancer Immunoprevention. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2435:7-17. [PMID: 34993936 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2014-4_2] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The immune system plays a key role in cancer prevention, initiation, and progression. Antitumoral immune responses can be boosted by harnessing antitumorigenic immune activators and/or blocking tumorigenic proinflammatory factors. Here we define these targets as well as the strategies that could be developed for effective cancer immunoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nese Unver
- Department of Stem Cell Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Center for Stem Cell Research and Development, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Chirayu Mohindroo
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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5
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Vaccination against Cancer or Infectious Agents during Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9121396. [PMID: 34960142 PMCID: PMC8706349 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9121396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has substantially increased the overall survival of cancer patients and has revolutionized the therapeutic situation in oncology. However, not all patients and cancer types respond to ICI, or become resistant over time. Combining ICIs with therapeutic cancer vaccines is a promising option as vaccination may help to overcome resistance to immunotherapies while immunotherapies may increase immune responses to the particular cancer vaccine by reinvigorating exhausted T cells. Thus, it would be possible to reprogram a response with appropriate vaccines, using a particular cancer antigen and a corresponding ICI. Target populations include currently untreatable cancer patients or those who receive treatment regimens with high risk of serious side effects. In addition, with the increased use of ICI in clinical practice, questions arise regarding safety and efficacy of administration of conventional vaccines, such as influenza or COVID-19 vaccines, during active ICI treatment. This review discusses the main principles of prophylactic and therapeutic cancer vaccines, the potential impact on combining therapeutic cancer vaccines with ICI, and briefly summarizes the current knowledge of safety and effectiveness of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines in ICI-treated patients.
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6
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Nakamura-Shinya Y, Iguchi-Manaka A, Murata R, Sato K, Van Vo A, Kanemaru K, Shibuya A, Shibuya K. DNAM-1 promotes inflammation-driven tumor development via enhancing IFN-γ production. Int Immunol 2021; 34:149-157. [PMID: 34672321 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxab099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNAM-1 is an activating immunoreceptor on T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Expression levels of its ligands, CD155 and CD112, are upregulated on tumor cells. The interaction of DNAM-1 on CD8 + T cells and NK cells with the ligands on tumor cells plays an important role in tumor immunity. We previously reported that mice deficient in DNAM-1 showed accelerated growth of tumors induced by the chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Contrary to those results, we show here that tumor development induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) together with DMBA was suppressed in DNAM-1-deficient mice. In this model, DNAM-1 enhanced IFN-γ secretion from conventional CD4 + T cells to promote inflammation-related tumor development. These findings suggest that, under inflammatory conditions, DNAM-1 contributes to tumor development via conventional CD4 + T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuho Nakamura-Shinya
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.,Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Akiko Iguchi-Manaka
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.,Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Rikito Murata
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.,Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sato
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.,Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.,R&D Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Anh Van Vo
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Kanemaru
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.,R&D Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Akira Shibuya
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.,Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.,R&D Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Kazuko Shibuya
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.,R&D Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
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7
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Abstract
The immunoprevention of cancer and cancer recurrence is an important area of concern for the scientific community and society as a whole. Researchers have been working for decades to develop vaccines with the potential to alleviate these health care and economic burdens. So far, vaccines have made more progress in preventing cancer than in eliminating already established cancer. In particular, vaccines targeting oncogenic viruses, such as the human papillomavirus and the hepatitis B virus, are exceptional examples of successful prevention of virus-associated cancers, such as cervical cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer-preventive vaccines targeting nonviral antigens, such as tumor-associated antigens and neoantigens, are also being extensively tested. Here, we review the currently approved preventive cancer vaccines; discuss the challenges in this field by covering ongoing preclinical and clinical human trials in various cancers; and address various issues related to maximizing cancer vaccine benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Enokida
- Department of Medicine, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alvaro Moreira
- Department of Medicine, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Department of Medicine, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Extramural member of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA
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8
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Amôr NG, Santos PSDS, Campanelli AP. The Tumor Microenvironment in SCC: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:636544. [PMID: 33634137 PMCID: PMC7900131 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.636544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common skin cancer worldwide and, despite the relatively easy visualization of the tumor in the clinic, a sizeable number of SCC patients are diagnosed at advanced stages with local invasion and distant metastatic lesions. In the last decade, immunotherapy has emerged as the fourth pillar in cancer therapy via the targeting of immune checkpoint molecules such as programmed cell-death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). FDA-approved monoclonal antibodies directed against these immune targets have provide survival benefit in a growing list of cancer types. Currently, there are two immunotherapy drugs available for cutaneous SCC: cemiplimab and pembrolizumab; both monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that block PD-1 thereby promoting T-cell activation and/or function. However, the success rate of these checkpoint inhibitors currently remains around 50%, which means that half of the patients with advanced SCC experience no benefit from this treatment. This review will highlight the mechanisms by which the immune checkpoint molecules regulate the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as the ongoing clinical trials that are employing single or combinatory therapeutic approaches for SCC immunotherapy. We also discuss the regulation of additional pathways that might promote superior therapeutic efficacy, and consequently provide increased survival for those patients that do not benefit from the current checkpoint inhibitor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nádia Ghinelli Amôr
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio da Silva Santos
- Department of Surgery, Stomatology, Pathology, and Radiology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Campanelli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil
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9
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Method to Study Skin Cancer: Two-Stage Chemically Induced Carcinogenesis in Mouse Skin. Methods Mol Biol 2020. [PMID: 32314221 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0648-3_19] [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: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Two-stage chemical carcinogenesis method is widely used to elucidate genetic and molecular changes that lead to skin cancer development, as well as to test chemotherapeutic properties of novel drugs. This protocol allows researchers to reliably induce benign papilloma development and their conversion to squamous cell carcinoma in the skin of susceptible mouse strains in response to a single dose of carcinogen 2,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (DMBA) and repetitive applications of tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA).
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10
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Pan J, Zhang Q, Palen K, Wang L, Qiao L, Johnson B, Sei S, Shoemaker RH, Lubet RA, Wang Y, You M. Potentiation of Kras peptide cancer vaccine by avasimibe, a cholesterol modulator. EBioMedicine 2019; 49:72-81. [PMID: 31680003 PMCID: PMC6945201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.10.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background No effective approaches to target mutant Kras have yet been developed. Immunoprevention using KRAS-specific antigenic peptides to trigger T cells capable of targeting tumor cells relies heavily on lipid metabolism. To facilitate better TCR/peptide/MHC interactions that result in better cancer preventive efficacy, we combined KVax with avasimibe, a specific ACAT1 inhibitor, tested their anti-cancer efficacy in mouse lung cancer models, where Kras mutation was induced before vaccination. Methods Control of tumor growth utilizing a multi-peptide Kras vaccine was tested in combination with avasimibe in a syngeneic lung cancer mouse model and a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM). Activation of immune responses after administration of Kras vaccine and avasimibe was also assessed by flow cytometry, ELISpot and IHC. Findings We found that Kras vaccine combined with avasimibe significantly decreased the presence of regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment and facilitated CD8+ T cell infiltration in tumor sites. Avasimibe also enhanced the efficacy of Kras vaccines target mutant Kras. Whereas the Kras vaccine significantly increased antigen-specific intracellular IFN-γ and granzyme B levels in CD8+ T cells, avasimibe significantly increased the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Additionally, modulation of cholesterol metabolism was found to specifically impact in T cells, and not in cancer cells. Interpretation Avasimibe complements the efficacy of a multi-peptide Kras vaccine in controlling lung cancer development and growth. This treatment regimen represents a novel immunoprevention approach to prevent lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Pan
- Center for Disease Prevention Research and Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Center for Disease Prevention Research and Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Katie Palen
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lifen Qiao
- Center for Disease Prevention Research and Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Bryon Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Shizuko Sei
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robert H Shoemaker
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ronald A Lubet
- Chemopreventive Agent Development Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yian Wang
- Center for Disease Prevention Research and Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Ming You
- Center for Disease Prevention Research and Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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11
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Sedlacek AL, Younker TP, Zhou YJ, Borghesi L, Shcheglova T, Mandoiu II, Binder RJ. CD91 on dendritic cells governs immunosurveillance of nascent, emerging tumors. JCI Insight 2019; 4:127239. [PMID: 30944251 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.127239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system detects aberrant, premalignant cells and eliminates them before the development of cancer. Immune cells, including T cells, have been shown to be critical components in eradicating these aberrant cells, and when absent in the host, incidence of cancer increases. Here, we show that CD91, a receptor expressed on antigen-presenting cells, is required for priming immune responses to nascent, emerging tumors. In the absence of CD91, effector immune responses are subdued, and tumor incidence and progression are amplified. We also show that, consequently, tumors that arise in the absence of CD91 express neo-epitopes with indices that are indicative of greater immunogenicity. Polymorphisms in human CD91 that are expected to affect ligand binding are shown to influence antitumor immune responses in cancer patients. This study presents a molecular mechanism for priming immune responses to nascent, emerging tumors that becomes a predictor of cancer susceptibility and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail L Sedlacek
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Theodore P Younker
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yu Jerry Zhou
- Targeted Therapeutics Discovery Unit, Pfizer, Pearl River, New York, USA
| | - Lisa Borghesi
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tatiana Shcheglova
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ion I Mandoiu
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Robert J Binder
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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12
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Palladini A, Landuzzi L, Lollini PL, Nanni P. Cancer immunoprevention: from mice to early clinical trials. BMC Immunol 2018; 19:16. [PMID: 29902992 PMCID: PMC6003025 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-018-0253-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunoprevention is based on the fact that a functioning immune system controls tumor onset and development in humans and animals, thus leading to the idea that the enhancement of immune responses in healthy individuals could effectively reduce cancer risk later in life. Successful primary immunoprevention of tumors caused by hepatitis B and papilloma viruses is already implemented at the population level with specific vaccines. The immunoprevention of human tumors unrelated to infectious agents is an outstanding challenge. Proof-of-principle preclinical studies in genetically-modified or in carcinogen-exposed mice clearly demonstrated that vaccines and other immunological treatments induce host immune responses that effectively control tumor onset and progression, eventually resulting in cancer prevention. While a straightforward translation to healthy humans is currently unfeasible, a number of pioneering clinical trials showed that cancer immunoprevention can be effectively implemented in human cohorts affected by specific cancer risks, such as preneoplastic/early neoplastic lesions. Future developments will see the implementation of cancer immunoprevention in a wider range of conditions at risk of tumor development, such as the exposure to known carcinogens and genetic predispositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Palladini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorena Landuzzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Nanni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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13
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Binder RJ. Immunosurveillance of cancer and the heat shock protein-CD91 pathway. Cell Immunol 2018; 343:103814. [PMID: 29784128 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The intracellular functions of heat shock proteins (HSPs) as chaperones of macromolecules are well known. Current observations point to a role of these chaperones in initiating and modulating immune responses to tumors via receptor(s) on dendritic cells. In this article we provide an insight into, and a basis for, the importance of these HSP-mediated immune responses in rejecting nascent and emerging tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Binder
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States.
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14
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Lohmueller J, Finn OJ. Current modalities in cancer immunotherapy: Immunomodulatory antibodies, CARs and vaccines. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 178:31-47. [PMID: 28322974 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Successes of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in curing patients with otherwise lethal cancers have validated immunotherapy as a treatment for cancer and have inspired excitement for its broader potential. Most promising is the ability of each approach to eliminate bulky and advanced-stage cancers and to achieve durable cures. Despite this success, to date only a subset of cancer patients and a limited number of cancer types respond to these therapies. A major goal now is to expand the types of cancer and number of patients who can be successfully treated. To this end a multitude of immunotherapies are being tested clinically in new combinations, and many new immunomodulatory antibodies and CARs are in development. A third major immunotherapeutic approach with renewed interest is cancer vaccines. While over 20years of therapeutic cancer vaccine trials have met with limited success, these studies have laid the groundwork for the use of therapeutic vaccines in combination with other immunotherapies or alone as prophylactic cancer vaccines. Prophylactic vaccines are now poised to revolutionize cancer prevention as they have done for the prevention of infectious diseases. In this review we examine three major cancer immunotherapy modalities: immunomodulatory antibodies, CAR T cell therapy and vaccines. For each we describe the current state of the art and outline major challenges and research directions forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Lohmueller
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Olivera J Finn
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Immunology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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15
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Nasti TH, Cochran JB, Vachhani RV, McKay K, Tsuruta Y, Athar M, Timares L, Elmets CA. IL-23 Inhibits Melanoma Development by Augmenting DNA Repair and Modulating T Cell Subpopulations. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 198:950-961. [PMID: 28003381 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In animal models, IL-12 and IL-23 participate in the development of malignant neoplasms of keratinocytes. However, the role of these cytokines in pigmented lesion development and their progression to melanoma has received little attention. IL-12p35, IL-23p19, and IL-12/IL-23p40 knockout mice on a C3H/HeN background, subjected to a melanomagenesis protocol, demonstrated profound differences in susceptibility to nevus initiation, transformation, tumorigenicity, and metastatic potential. IL-23 was found to be essential for melanocyte homeostasis, whereas IL-12 supported nevus development. A direct action of IL-23 on primary melanocytes, shown to be IL-23R+, demonstrated that DNA repair of damaged melanocytes requires IL-23. Furthermore, IL-23 modulated the cutaneous microenvironment by limiting regulatory T cells and IFN-γ and inhibiting IL-10 production. Neutralizing Ab to IFN-γ, but not IL-17, inhibited nevus development (p < 0.01).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahseen H Nasti
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294; and
| | - J Barry Cochran
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294; and
| | - Raj V Vachhani
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294; and
| | - Kristopher McKay
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294; and
| | - Yuko Tsuruta
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294; and
| | - Mohammad Athar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294; and
| | - Laura Timares
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294; and
| | - Craig A Elmets
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294; and .,Birmingham Veterans Administration Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35233
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16
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Khammanivong A, Anandharaj A, Qian X, Song JM, Upadhyaya P, Balbo S, Bandyopadhyay D, Dickerson EB, Hecht SS, Kassie F. Transcriptome profiling in oral cavity and esophagus tissues from (S)-N'-nitrosonornicotine-treated rats reveals candidate genes involved in human oral cavity and esophageal carcinogenesis. Mol Carcinog 2016; 55:2168-2182. [PMID: 26785143 PMCID: PMC5142294 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Recently, we have shown that (S)-N'-Nitrosonornicotine [(S)-NNN], the major form of NNN in tobacco products, is a potent oral cavity and esophageal carcinogen in rats. To determine the early molecular alterations induced by (S)-NNN in the oral and esophageal mucosa, we administered the carcinogen to rats in the drinking water for 10 wk and global gene expression alterations were analyzed by RNA sequencing. At a false discovery rate P-value < 0.05 and fold-change ≥2, we found alterations in the level of 39 genes in the oral cavity and 69 genes in the esophagus. Validation of RNA sequencing results by qRT-PCR assays revealed a high cross-platform concordance. The most significant impact of exposure to (S)-NNN was alteration of genes involved in immune regulation (Aire, Ctla4, and CD80), inflammation (Ephx2 and Inpp5d) and cancer (Cdkn2a, Dhh, Fetub B, Inpp5d, Ly6E, Nr1d1, and Wnt6). Consistent with the findings in rat tissues, most of the genes were deregulated, albeit to different degrees, in immortalized oral keratinocytes treated with (S)-NNN and in non-treated premalignant oral cells and malignant oral and head and neck squamous cells. Furthermore, interrogation of TCGA data sets showed that genes deregulated by (S)-NNN in rat tissues (Fetub, Ly6e, Nr1d1, Cacna1c, Cd80, and Dgkg) are also altered in esophageal and head and neck tumors. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into early molecular changes induced by (S)-NNN and, therefore, could contribute to the development of biomarkers for the early detection and prevention of (S)-NNN-associated oral and esophageal cancers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Khammanivong
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota
| | | | - Xuemin Qian
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jung Min Song
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Pramod Upadhyaya
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Silvia Balbo
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Environmental Health Sciences Division, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - Erin B. Dickerson
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota
| | - Stephen S Hecht
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Fekadu Kassie
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota
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17
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Kensler TW, Spira A, Garber JE, Szabo E, Lee JJ, Dong Z, Dannenberg AJ, Hait WN, Blackburn E, Davidson NE, Foti M, Lippman SM. Transforming Cancer Prevention through Precision Medicine and Immune-oncology. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2016; 9:2-10. [PMID: 26744449 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-15-0406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We have entered a transformative period in cancer prevention (including early detection). Remarkable progress in precision medicine and immune-oncology, driven by extraordinary recent advances in genome-wide sequencing, big-data analytics, blood-based technologies, and deep understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment (TME), has provided unprecedented possibilities to study the biology of premalignancy. The pace of research and discovery in precision medicine and immunoprevention has been astonishing and includes the following clinical firsts reported in 2015: driver mutations detected in circulating cell-free DNA in patients with premalignant lesions (lung); clonal hematopoiesis shown to be a premalignant state; molecular selection in chemoprevention randomized controlled trial (RCT; oral); striking efficacy in RCT of combination chemoprevention targeting signaling pathway alterations mechanistically linked to germline mutation (duodenum); molecular markers for early detection validated for lung cancer and showing promise for pancreatic, liver, and ovarian cancer. Identification of HPV as the essential cause of a major global cancer burden, including HPV16 as the single driver of an epidemic of oropharyngeal cancer in men, provides unique opportunities for the dissemination and implementation of public health interventions. Important to immunoprevention beyond viral vaccines, genetic drivers of premalignant progression were associated with increasing immunosuppressive TME; and Kras vaccine efficacy in pancreas genetically engineered mouse (GEM) model required an inhibitory adjuvant (Treg depletion). In addition to developing new (e.g., epigenetic) TME regulators, recent mechanistic studies of repurposed drugs (aspirin, metformin, and tamoxifen) have identified potent immune activity. Just as precision medicine and immune-oncology are revolutionizing cancer therapy, these approaches are transforming cancer prevention. Here, we set out a brief agenda for the immediate future of cancer prevention research (including a "Pre-Cancer Genome Atlas" or "PCGA"), which will involve the inter-related fields of precision medicine and immunoprevention - pivotal elements of a broader domain of personalized public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Kensler
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Eva Szabo
- Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - J Jack Lee
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zigang Dong
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - William N Hait
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Raritan, New Jersey
| | | | - Nancy E Davidson
- University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Margaret Foti
- American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Scott M Lippman
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
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18
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Finn OJ, Beatty PL. Cancer immunoprevention. Curr Opin Immunol 2016; 39:52-8. [PMID: 26799207 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is now a reality. The results are phenomenal but the cost is outrageous. Even if the cost eventually comes down and immunotherapy becomes more broadly available, using the knowledge derived from immunotherapy to apply to immunoprevention would be a good strategy. The most likely approach to cancer immunoprevention is cancer vaccines. To date, cancer vaccines have been tested mostly in the setting of advanced disease. Numerous immunosuppressive mechanisms have been identified in the tumor microenvironment as well as systemically that compromise the ability of cancer patients to respond to the vaccines. Multiple approaches are being tested to improve therapeutic cancer vaccine efficacy, including combinations with other immunotherapies. An alternative approach is to administer the vaccines to individuals without cancer but at high risk for cancer. Data in support of this approach and immunoprevention in general is accumulating and clinical testing has started.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivera J Finn
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Pamela L Beatty
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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19
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Abstract
The search for specificity in cancers has been a holy grail in cancer immunology. Cancer geneticists have long known that cancers harbor transforming and other mutations. Immunologists have long known that inbred mice can be immunized against syngeneic cancers, indicating the existence of cancer-specific antigens. With the technological advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing and bioinformatics, the genetic and immunologic lines of inquiry are now converging to provide definitive evidence that human cancers are vastly different from normal tissues at the genetic level, and that some of these differences are recognized by the immune system. The very vastness of genetic changes in cancers now raises different question. Which of the many cancer-specific genetic (genomic) changes are actually recognized by the immune system, and why? New observations are now beginning to probe these vital issues with unprecedented resolution and are informing a new generation of studies in human cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramod K Srivastava
- Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut.
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