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Bruckner HW, De Jager R, Knopf E, Bassali F, Book A, Gurell D, Nghiem V, Schwartz M, Hirschfeld A. Cholangiocarcinoma, sequential chemotherapy, and prognostic tests. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1361420. [PMID: 38978735 PMCID: PMC11228241 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1361420] [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: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Routine blood tests are prognostic tests for patients with cholangiocarcinoma. New drug regimens may produce a median overall survival of 2 years or more. Methods This single practice, IRB-approved, phase II trial examines prognostic tests, Kaplan-Meier survival, and univariate Cox regression analyses. Eligibility requires: intent-to-treat; signed consent; advanced measurable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, with or without resistance to the test drugs; any adult age; performance status 0-2; and expected survival of ≥ 6 weeks. Biweekly treatment, with 1/3 of standard dosages in mg/M2, includes: Gemcitabine 500; 5-Fluorouracil 1200 over 24 hours; Leucovorin 180; Irinotecan 80; and on day 2, Oxaliplatin 40. On progression, drugs are added on day 2: first, Docetaxel 25 precedes Oxaliplatin, with or without Mitomycin C 6 after Oxaliplatin. The next sequential additions are day 1, Cetuximab 400 total mg, then 200 mg weekly, and then Bevacizumab 10 mg/kg is substituted for Cetuximab (FDA IND# 119005). Results For 35 patients, 19 with 1-2 lines of prior therapy, resistant tumors, and 16 no prior therapy, survival at 24-months is ≥ 72 and ≥ 58%, respectively. For 14 patients aged ≥ 70 years, ≥ 63% survive 24 months, P = 0.28. Validated tests that predict ≤ 6-month survivals find median survival times of 17-months through > 2-years when compared to patients with favorable tests: Neutrophils lymphocyte ratio > 3.0, HR = 6.54, P < 6.4x10-3; absolute neutrophil count > 8000/μl, HR = 4.95, P < 6.5x10-3; serum albumin < 3.5 g/dl, HR = 4.10, P < 0.03; and lymphocyte monocyte ratio< 2.1, HR = 1.6, P = 0.50. Overall, the 76 (60-90)% of patients with 0-2 out of 4 high risk tests survive ≥ 24 months, (P = 7.1x10-3). Treatments produce neither hospitalization, neutropenic fever, severe enteritis, nor severe neuropathies. Conclusion Two-year survival is replicable and predictable. Findings warrant phase III validation tests of sequential regimens, re-challenge with recombination, low dosages, and blood tests that are associated with lethal mechanisms that impair response and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard W Bruckner
- Department of Oncology, MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States
| | - Robert De Jager
- Department of Oncology, MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States
| | - Elisheva Knopf
- Department of Oncology, MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States
| | - Fred Bassali
- Department of Oncology, MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States
| | - Abe Book
- Department of Oncology, MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States
| | - Daniel Gurell
- Department of Radiology, University Diagnostic Imaging, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Van Nghiem
- Department of Oncology, MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States
| | - Myron Schwartz
- Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Azriel Hirschfeld
- Department of Oncology, MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States
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Le Y, Gao H, Zhu A, Felt K, Rodig S, Bleday R, Zhu Z. NF-κB-regulated VentX expression mediates tumoricidal effects of chemotherapeutics at noncytotoxic concentrations. iScience 2022; 25:105426. [DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Bruckner HW, Bassali F, Dusowitz E, Gurell D, Book A, De Jager R. Actionable tests and treatments for patients with gastrointestinal cancers and historically short median survival times. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276492. [PMID: 36322580 PMCID: PMC9629612 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients have difficult unmet needs when standard chemotherapy produces a median survival of less than 1 year or many patients will experience severe toxicities. Blood tests can predict their survival. METHODS Analyses evaluate predictive blood tests to identify patients who often survive 1 and 2 years. A four-test model includes: albumin, absolute neutrophil count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio. Individual tests include: alkaline phosphatase, lymphocytes, white blood count, platelet count, and hemoglobin. Eligible patients have advanced: resistant 3rd line colorectal, and both resistant and new pancreatic and intrahepatic bile duct cancers. Eligibility characteristics include: biopsy-proven, measurable metastatic disease, NCI grade 0-2 blood tests, Karnofsky Score 100-50, and any adult age. Drugs are given at 1/4-1/3 of their standard dosages biweekly: gemcitabine, irinotecan, fluorouracil, leucovorin, and day 2 oxaliplatin every 2 weeks. In case of progression, Docetaxel is added (except colon cancer), with or without Mitomycin C, and next cetuximab (except pancreatic and KRAS BRAF mutation cancers). Bevacizumab is substituted for cetuximab in case of another progression or ineligibility. Consent was written and conforms with Helsinki, IRB, and FDA criteria (FDA #119005). RESULTS Median survival is 14.5 months. Of 205 patients, 60% survive 12, and 37% survive 24 months (95% CI ± 8%). Survival is > 24, 13, and 3.8 months for patients with 0, 1-2, and 3-4 unfavorable tests, respectively. Individual "favorable and unfavorable" tests predict long and short survival. Neither age nor prior therapy discernibly affects survival. Net rates of clinically significant toxicities are less than 5%. CONCLUSION Treatments reproduce predictable, greater than 12 and 24-month chances of survival for the aged and for patients with drug-resistant tumors. Evaluation of blood tests may change practice, expand eligibility, and personalize treatments. Findings support investigation of drug combinations and novel dosages to reverse resistance and improve safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard W. Bruckner
- MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Fred Bassali
- MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Elisheva Dusowitz
- MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Daniel Gurell
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Diagnostic Imaging, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Abe Book
- MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Robert De Jager
- MZB Foundation for Cancer Research, New York, NY, United States of America
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Johnson RL, Cummings M, Thangavelu A, Theophilou G, de Jong D, Orsi NM. Barriers to Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: Metabolic, Genomic, and Immune Perturbations in the Tumour Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6231. [PMID: 34944851 PMCID: PMC8699358 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A lack of explicit early clinical signs and effective screening measures mean that ovarian cancer (OC) often presents as advanced, incurable disease. While conventional treatment combines maximal cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, patients frequently develop chemoresistance and disease recurrence. The clinical application of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) aims to restore anti-cancer T-cell function in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Disappointingly, even though tumour infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with superior survival in OC, ICB has offered limited therapeutic benefits. Herein, we discuss specific TME features that prevent ICB from reaching its full potential, focussing in particular on the challenges created by immune, genomic and metabolic alterations. We explore both recent and current therapeutic strategies aiming to overcome these hurdles, including the synergistic effect of combination treatments with immune-based strategies and review the status quo of current clinical trials aiming to maximise the success of immunotherapy in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Racheal Louise Johnson
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Michele Cummings
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (M.C.); (N.M.O.)
| | - Amudha Thangavelu
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Georgios Theophilou
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Diederick de Jong
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Nicolas Michel Orsi
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (M.C.); (N.M.O.)
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He R, Lao Y, Yu W, Zhang X, Jiang M, Zhu C. Progress in the Application of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Based Immunotherapy for Targeting Different Types of Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:764618. [PMID: 34888243 PMCID: PMC8648667 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.764618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), a common malignant disease, has the second highest mortality rate among all cancer types. Due to the diversity and heterogeneity of CRC, few effective treatment strategies have been developed in recent years, except for surgical resection. As immunotherapy has become a revolutionary treatment after surgery, along with chemoradiotherapy and targeted therapy, numerous basic research studies and clinical trials have been conducted on CRC. Therefore, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has become the main anti-CRC immunotherapy method used at present. With the rapid development of biotechnology and cell research, an increasing number of monotherapy or combination therapy strategies using ICIs for CRC have been designed in recent years. Methods to classify and review ICI strategies for different types of CRC to better guide treatment are continuously investigated. However, the identification of why the ICIs would be more effective in targeting particular subtypes of CRC such as high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) is more important because of the different immune backgrounds in patients. This review intends to classify different subtypes of CRC and summarizes the basic and clinical studies on ICIs for each subtype of CRC currently available. In addition, we also attempt to briefly discuss the progress in immunotherapy methods other than ICI therapy, such as chemoimmunotherapy strategy, chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cells, or immunotherapy based on oncolytic viruses. Finally, we provide a perspective on the development of immunotherapy in the treatment of CRC and attempt to propose a new systematic classification of CRC based on immunological strategies, which may improve guidance for the selection of immunotherapy strategies for different subtypes of CRC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui He
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yefang Lao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wenyan Yu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai International Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Min Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chunrong Zhu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Franzese O, Torino F, Giannetti E, Cioccoloni G, Aquino A, Faraoni I, Fuggetta MP, De Vecchis L, Giuliani A, Kaina B, Bonmassar E. Abscopal Effect and Drug-Induced Xenogenization: A Strategic Alliance in Cancer Treatment? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910672. [PMID: 34639014 PMCID: PMC8509363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The current state of cancer treatment is still far from being satisfactory considering the strong impairment of patients' quality of life and the high lethality of malignant diseases. Therefore, it is critical for innovative approaches to be tested in the near future. In view of the crucial role that is played by tumor immunity, the present review provides essential information on the immune-mediated effects potentially generated by the interplay between ionizing radiation and cytotoxic antitumor agents when interacting with target malignant cells. Therefore, the radiation-dependent abscopal effect (i.e., a biological effect of ionizing radiation that occurs outside the irradiated field), the influence of cancer chemotherapy on the antigenic pattern of target neoplastic cells, and the immunogenic cell death (ICD) caused by anticancer agents are the main topics of this presentation. It is widely accepted that tumor immunity plays a fundamental role in generating an abscopal effect and that anticancer drugs can profoundly influence not only the host immune responses, but also the immunogenic pattern of malignant cells. Remarkably, several anticancer drugs impact both the abscopal effect and ICD. In addition, certain classes of anticancer agents are able to amplify already expressed tumor-associated antigens (TAA). More importantly, other drugs, especially triazenes, induce the appearance of new tumor neoantigens (TNA), a phenomenon that we termed drug-induced xenogenization (DIX). The adoption of the abscopal effect is proposed as a potential therapeutic modality when properly applied concomitantly with drug-induced increase in tumor cell immunogenicity and ICD. Although little to no preclinical or clinical studies are presently available on this subject, we discuss this issue in terms of potential mechanisms and therapeutic benefits. Upcoming investigations are aimed at evaluating how chemical anticancer drugs, radiation, and immunotherapies are interacting and cooperate in evoking the abscopal effect, tumor xenogenization and ICD, paving the way for new and possibly successful approaches in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornella Franzese
- School of Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (O.F.); (G.C.); (A.A.); (I.F.); (L.D.V.)
| | - Francesco Torino
- Department of Systems Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.T.); (E.G.)
| | - Elisa Giannetti
- Department of Systems Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.T.); (E.G.)
| | - Giorgia Cioccoloni
- School of Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (O.F.); (G.C.); (A.A.); (I.F.); (L.D.V.)
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK
| | - Angelo Aquino
- School of Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (O.F.); (G.C.); (A.A.); (I.F.); (L.D.V.)
| | - Isabella Faraoni
- School of Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (O.F.); (G.C.); (A.A.); (I.F.); (L.D.V.)
| | - Maria Pia Fuggetta
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.P.F.); (A.G.)
| | - Liana De Vecchis
- School of Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (O.F.); (G.C.); (A.A.); (I.F.); (L.D.V.)
| | - Anna Giuliani
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.P.F.); (A.G.)
| | - Bernd Kaina
- Institute of Toxicology, University Medical Center, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
- Correspondence: (B.K.); (E.B.)
| | - Enzo Bonmassar
- School of Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (O.F.); (G.C.); (A.A.); (I.F.); (L.D.V.)
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.P.F.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: (B.K.); (E.B.)
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7
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Correale P, Saladino RE, Giannarelli D, Sergi A, Mazzei MA, Bianco G, Giannicola R, Iuliano E, Forte IM, Calandruccio ND, Falzea AC, Strangio A, Nardone V, Pastina P, Tini P, Luce A, Caraglia M, Caracciolo D, Mutti L, Tassone P, Pirtoli L, Giordano A, Tagliaferri P. HLA Expression Correlates to the Risk of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Pneumonitis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9091964. [PMID: 32854442 PMCID: PMC7564884 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating T cell rescue by programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand-1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint blockade is a recommended treatment for malignant diseases, including metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (mNSCLC), malignant melanoma (MM), head and neck, kidney, and urothelial cancer. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against either PD-1 or PD-L1 are active agents for these patients; however, their use may be complicated by unpredictable immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including immune-related pneumonitis (IRP). We carried out a retrospective multi-institutional statistical analysis to investigate clinical and biological parameters correlated with IRP rate on a cohort of 256 patients who received real-world treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 blocking mAbs. An independent radiological review board detected IRP in 29 patients. We did not find statistical IRP rate correlation with gender, tumor type, specific PD-1 or PD-L1 blocking mAbs, radiation therapy, inflammatory profile, or different irAEs. A higher IRP risk was detected only in mNSCLC patients who received metronomic chemotherapy +/− bevacizumab compared with other treatments prior PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Moreover, we detected a strong correlation among the IRP rate and germinal expression of HLA-B*35 and DRB1*11, alleles associated to autoimmune diseases. Our findings may have relevant implications in predicting the IRP rate in mNSCLC patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 blockade and need to be validated on a larger patient series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Correale
- Medical Oncology Unit, Grand Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy (OU-RC); (P.C.); (G.B.); (R.G.), (E.I.); (N.D.C.); (A.C.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Rita Emilena Saladino
- Tissue Typing Unit, Grand Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy (OU-RC);
| | - Diana Giannarelli
- Biostatistical Unit, National Cancer Institute “Regina Elena”, IRCCS, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Andrea Sergi
- Radiology Unit, Grand Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy (OU-RC);
| | - Maria Antonietta Mazzei
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neuro-Sciences, Diagnostic Imaging, University of Siena, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy (RU-SI);
| | - Giovanna Bianco
- Medical Oncology Unit, Grand Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy (OU-RC); (P.C.); (G.B.); (R.G.), (E.I.); (N.D.C.); (A.C.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Rocco Giannicola
- Medical Oncology Unit, Grand Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy (OU-RC); (P.C.); (G.B.); (R.G.), (E.I.); (N.D.C.); (A.C.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Eleonora Iuliano
- Medical Oncology Unit, Grand Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy (OU-RC); (P.C.); (G.B.); (R.G.), (E.I.); (N.D.C.); (A.C.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Iris Maria Forte
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Natale Daniele Calandruccio
- Medical Oncology Unit, Grand Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy (OU-RC); (P.C.); (G.B.); (R.G.), (E.I.); (N.D.C.); (A.C.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Antonia Consuelo Falzea
- Medical Oncology Unit, Grand Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy (OU-RC); (P.C.); (G.B.); (R.G.), (E.I.); (N.D.C.); (A.C.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Alessandra Strangio
- Medical Oncology Unit, Grand Metropolitan Hospital “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy (OU-RC); (P.C.); (G.B.); (R.G.), (E.I.); (N.D.C.); (A.C.F.); (A.S.)
| | - Valerio Nardone
- Radiotherapy Unit, “Ospedale del Mare”, ASL Napoli 1, 80147 Naples, Italy;
| | - Pierpaolo Pastina
- Section of Radiation Oncology, Medical School, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy (ROU-SI); (P.P.); (P.T.)
| | - Paolo Tini
- Section of Radiation Oncology, Medical School, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy (ROU-SI); (P.P.); (P.T.)
| | - Amalia Luce
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
- Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Laboratory of Precision and Molecular Oncology, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Avellino, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-5665874; Fax: +39-081-5665863
| | - Daniele Caracciolo
- Medical and Translational Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy (MOU-CZ); (D.C.); (P.T.); (P.T.)
| | - Luciano Mutti
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center of Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (L.M.); (L.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Medical and Translational Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy (MOU-CZ); (D.C.); (P.T.); (P.T.)
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center of Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (L.M.); (L.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Luigi Pirtoli
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center of Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (L.M.); (L.P.); (A.G.)
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center of Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (L.M.); (L.P.); (A.G.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Medical and Translational Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy (MOU-CZ); (D.C.); (P.T.); (P.T.)
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Caraglia M, Correale P, Giannicola R, Staropoli N, Botta C, Pastina P, Nesci A, Caporlingua N, Francini E, Ridolfi L, Mini E, Roviello G, Ciliberto D, Agostino RM, Strangio A, Azzarello D, Nardone V, Falzea A, Cappabianca S, Bocchetti M, D'Arrigo G, Tripepi G, Tassone P, Addeo R, Giordano A, Pirtoli L, Francini G, Tagliaferri P. GOLFIG Chemo-Immunotherapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients. A Critical Review on a Long-Lasting Follow-Up. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1102. [PMID: 31781481 PMCID: PMC6857002 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: GOLFIG is a chemo-immunotherapy regimen established in preclinical models that combines gemcitabine + FOLFOX (fluoropyrimidine backbone coupled to oxaliplatin) poly-chemotherapy with low-dose s. c. recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Promising antitumor effects in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients were obtained in previous phase II and III trials. Here we report the results of 15 years of follow-up. Methods: This is a multi-institutional retrospective analysis including 179 mCRC patients receiving GOLFIG regimen between June 2002 and June 2018. Sixty-two of them received the treatment as frontline (enrolled in the GOLFIG-2 phase III trial) and 117 as second/third line (49 enrolled in the GOLFIG-1 phase II trial and 68 as compassionate use). One hundred twelve patients showed a primary left side and 67 a primary right side; K/N-ras mutational status was available in 74 cases, and an activating mutation was detected in 33. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were carried out to relate PFS and OS with different parameters. Results: Overall, we recorded a mean PFS and OS of 15.28 (95% CI: 10.36-20.20) and 24.6 (95% CI: 19.07-30.14) months, respectively, with 14 patients surviving free of progression for 10 years. This regimen, in our updated survey of the GOLFIG-2 trial, confirmed superiority over FOLFOX in terms of PFS (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.58, p = 0.006) with a trend to a longer OS (HR = 0.69, P = 0.06) in the first line. Our analysis also confirmed significant antitumor activity in pre-treated patients, reporting a mean PFS and OS of 12.55 (95% CI: 7.19-17.9) and 20.28 (95% CI: 14.4-26.13) months, respectively. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were recorded in 24% of the cases and were related to a longer survival (HR = 0.36; P = 0.0001). Finally, patients' outcome was not correlated to sex, sidedness, and MT-K/N-ras. Conclusions: The GOLFIG regimen is a reliable underestimated therapeutic option in pre-treated mCRC patients and offers a strong rationale to design further trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Caraglia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Laboratory of Precision and Molecular Oncology, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Correale
- Medical Oncology Unit, "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Grand Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Rocco Giannicola
- Medical Oncology Unit, "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Grand Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Staropoli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Cirino Botta
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Antonello Nesci
- Unit of Pharmacy, Section of Anti-blastic Drugs, "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Grand Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Nadia Caporlingua
- Unit of Pharmacy, Section of Anti-blastic Drugs, "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Grand Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | | | - Laura Ridolfi
- Immunotherapy, Cell Therapy and Biobank, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori IRCCS, Meldola, Italy
| | - Enrico Mini
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine/Translational Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giandomenico Roviello
- Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine/Translational Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Domenico Ciliberto
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Maria Agostino
- Medical Oncology Unit, "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Grand Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Alessandra Strangio
- Medical Oncology Unit, "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Grand Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Domenico Azzarello
- Medical Oncology Unit, "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Grand Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Valerio Nardone
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonella Falzea
- Medical Oncology Unit, "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Grand Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cappabianca
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Laboratory of Precision and Molecular Oncology, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Marco Bocchetti
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.,Biogem Scarl, Institute of Genetic Research, Laboratory of Precision and Molecular Oncology, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Graziella D'Arrigo
- Statistical Unit, IFC-CNR (CNR), Grand Metropolitan Hospital-IFC, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tripepi
- Statistical Unit, IFC-CNR (CNR), Grand Metropolitan Hospital-IFC, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Raffaele Addeo
- Oncology Unit, Day Hospital, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, ASL Napoles 2 Nord, Frattamaggiore, Italy
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center of Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luigi Pirtoli
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center of Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Guido Francini
- Medical Oncology Unit, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
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9
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Gutting T, Burgermeister E, Härtel N, Ebert MP. Checkpoints and beyond - Immunotherapy in colorectal cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 55:78-89. [PMID: 29716829 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is the latest revolution in cancer therapy. It continues to show impressive results in malignancies like melanoma and others. At least so far, effects are modest in colorectal cancer (CRC) and only a subset of patients benefits from already approved checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we discuss major hurdles of immunotherapy like the immunosuppressive niche and low immunogenicity of CRC next to current achievements of checkpoint inhibitors, interleukin treatment and adoptive cell transfer (dendritic cells/cytokine induced killer cells, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, chimeric antigen receptor cells, T cell receptor transfer) in pre-clinical models and clinical trials. We intensively examine approaches to overcome low immunogenicity by combination of different therapies and address future strategies of therapy as well as the need of predictive factors in this emerging field of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Gutting
- Department of Medicine II, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Elke Burgermeister
- Department of Medicine II, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nicolai Härtel
- Department of Medicine II, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany; Heilig-Geist Hospital Bensheim, Rodensteinstraße 94, 64625 Bensheim, Germany
| | - Matthias P Ebert
- Department of Medicine II, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
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10
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Correale P, Botta C, Staropoli N, Nardone V, Pastina P, Ulivieri C, Gandolfo C, Baldari TC, Lazzi S, Ciliberto D, Giannicola R, Fioravanti A, Giordano A, Zappavigna S, Caraglia M, Tassone P, Pirtoli L, Cusi MG, Tagliaferri P. Systemic inflammatory status predict the outcome of k-RAS WT metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving the thymidylate synthase poly-epitope-peptide anticancer vaccine. Oncotarget 2018; 9:20539-20554. [PMID: 29755670 PMCID: PMC5945541 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
TSPP is an anticancer poly-epitope peptide vaccine to thymidylate synthase, recently investigated in the multi-arm phase Ib TSPP/VAC1 trial. TSPP vaccination induced immune-biological effects and showed antitumor activity in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients and other malignancies. Progression-free and overall survival of 41 mCRC patients enrolled in the study correlated with baseline levels of CEA, immune-inflammatory markers (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, CRP, ESR, LDH, ENA), IL-4 and with post-treatment change in p-ANCA and CD56dimCD16brightNKs (p < 0.04). A subset of 19 patients with activating k-ras mutations showed a different immune-inflammatory response to TSPP as compared to patients with k-ras/wt and a worse outcome in term of PFS (p = 0.048). In patients with k-ras/mut, inflammatory markers lost their predictive value and their survival directly correlated with the baseline levels of IL17/A over the median value (p = 0.01). These results provide strong hints for the design of further clinical trials aimed to test TSPP vaccination in mCRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Correale
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Grand Metropolitan Hospital Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, Reggio-Calabria, Italy
| | - Cirino Botta
- Medical Oncology Unit, AUO Mater Domini, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Staropoli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University , Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valerio Nardone
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Surgery, Medicine and Neurological Science, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Pastina
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Surgery, Medicine and Neurological Science, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Gandolfo
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Lazzi
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Surgery, Medicine and Neurological Science, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Domenico Ciliberto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University , Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rocco Giannicola
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Grand Metropolitan Hospital Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, Reggio-Calabria, Italy
| | - Antonella Fioravanti
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunologic Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Department of Biotechnology, Temple University, Sbarro Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Silvia Zappavigna
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Biotechnology, Temple University, Sbarro Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Medical Oncology Unit, AUO Mater Domini, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University , Catanzaro, Italy.,Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Pirtoli
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Surgery, Medicine and Neurological Science, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cusi
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University , Catanzaro, Italy
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11
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Vo MC, Nguyen-Pham TN, Lee HJ, Jaya Lakshmi T, Yang S, Jung SH, Kim HJ, Lee JJ. Combination therapy with dendritic cells and lenalidomide is an effective approach to enhance antitumor immunity in a mouse colon cancer model. Oncotarget 2018; 8:27252-27262. [PMID: 28460478 PMCID: PMC5432332 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15917] [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] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated efficacy of lenalidomide in combination with tumor antigen-loaded dendritic cells (DCs) in murine colon cancer model. MC-38 cell lines were injected subcutaneously to establish colon cancer-bearing mice. After tumor growth, lenalidomide (50 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally on 3 consecutive days in combination with tumor antigen-loaded DC vaccination on days 8, 12, 16, and 20. The tumor antigen-loaded DCs plus lenalidomide combination treatment exhibited a significant inhibition of tumor growth compared with the other groups. These effects were associated with a reduction in immune suppressor cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells, with the induction of immune effector cells, such as natural killer cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in spleen, and with the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells. This study suggests that a combination of tumor antigen-loaded DC vaccination and lenalidomide synergistically enhanced antitumor immune response in the murine colon cancer model, by inhibiting the generation of immune suppressive cells and recovery of effector cells, and demonstrated superior polarization of Th1/Th2 balance in favor of Th1 immune response. This combination approach with DCs and lenalidomide may provide a new therapeutic option to improve the treatment of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manh-Cuong Vo
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Thanh-Nhan Nguyen-Pham
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Ju Lee
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Thangaraj Jaya Lakshmi
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoyun Yang
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hoon Jung
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeoung-Joon Kim
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Jung Lee
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Republic of Korea
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12
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Correale P, Botta C, Ciliberto D, Pastina P, Ingargiola R, Zappavigna S, Tassone P, Pirtoli L, Caraglia M, Tagliaferri P. Immunotherapy of colorectal cancer: new perspectives after a long path. Immunotherapy 2017; 8:1281-1292. [PMID: 27993089 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2016-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although significant therapeutic improvement has been achieved in the last 10 years, the survival of metastatic colorectal cancer patients remains in a range of 28 to 30 months. Presently, systemic treatment includes combination chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and/or irinotecan together with a backbone of 5-fluorouracil/levofolinate, alone or in combination with monoclonal antibodies to VEGFA (bevacizumab) or EGF receptor (cetuximab and panitumumab). The recent rise of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the therapeutic scenario has renewed scientific interest in the investigation of immunotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. According to our experience and view, here, we review the immunological strategies investigated for the treatment of this disease, including the use of tumor target-specific cancer vaccines, chemo-immunotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Correale
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medicine, Surgery & Neuroscience, Siena University School of Medicine, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cirino Botta
- Medical Oncology Unit & Medical Oncology Unit, AUO 'Materdomini', Magna Grecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Domenico Ciliberto
- Medical Oncology Unit & Medical Oncology Unit, AUO 'Materdomini', Magna Grecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Pastina
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medicine, Surgery & Neuroscience, Siena University School of Medicine, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Rossana Ingargiola
- Medical Oncology Unit & Medical Oncology Unit, AUO 'Materdomini', Magna Grecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Silvia Zappavigna
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & General Pathology, Second Naples University, Naples, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Medical Oncology Unit & Medical Oncology Unit, AUO 'Materdomini', Magna Grecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luigi Pirtoli
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medicine, Surgery & Neuroscience, Siena University School of Medicine, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & General Pathology, Second Naples University, Naples, Italy
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Medical Oncology Unit & Medical Oncology Unit, AUO 'Materdomini', Magna Grecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
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13
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Kunk PR, Bauer TW, Slingluff CL, Rahma OE. From bench to bedside a comprehensive review of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2016; 4:14. [PMID: 26981244 PMCID: PMC4791889 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-016-0119-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of pancreatic cancer has been increasing while its 5-year survival rate has not changed in decades. In the era of personalized medicine, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment modality in a variety of malignancies, including pancreatic cancer. This review will discuss the unique pancreatic tumor microenvironment, including the cells and receptors that transform the pancreas from its normal architecture into a complex mix of suppressor immune cells and dense extracellular matrix that allows for the unrestricted growth of cancer cells. Next, we will highlight the recently completed immunotherapy clinical trials in pancreatic cancer. Finally, we will explore the on-going immunotherapy clinical trials and future directions of this engaging and changing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Kunk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Virginia Health System, UVA Box 800716, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Todd W Bauer
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA USA
| | - Craig L Slingluff
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA USA
| | - Osama E Rahma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Virginia Health System, UVA Box 800716, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
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14
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Correale P, Botta C, Martino EC, Ulivieri C, Battaglia G, Carfagno T, Rossetti MG, Fioravanti A, Guidelli GM, Cheleschi S, Gandolfo C, Carbone F, Baldari TC, Tassone P, Tagliaferri P, Pirtoli L, Cusi MG. Phase Ib study of poly-epitope peptide vaccination to thymidylate synthase (TSPP) and GOLFIG chemo-immunotherapy for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Oncoimmunology 2015; 5:e1101205. [PMID: 27141384 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1101205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a tumor-associated enzyme critical for DNA replication and main 5'-fluorouracil (5'-FU) target. TSPP/VAC1 is a multi-arm trial phase-Ib trial program aimed to investigate the toxicity and biomodulatory activity of a poly-epitope-peptide vaccine to TS (TSPP) in cancer patients (pts). Here, we present the results of the TSPP/VAC1/arm C trial aimed to evaluate TSPP in combination with chemo-immunotherapy in pretreated metastatic colo-rectal cancer (mCRC) pts. Twenty-nine pts, 14 males and 15 females, received poly-chemotherapy with gemcitabine [GEM; 1,000 mg/sqm, day-1], oxaliplatin [OX; 80 mg/sqm, day-2], levofolinate [100 mg/sqm, days 1-2], bolus/infusional 5'-FU [400 mg/800 mg/sqm, days 1-2], sargramostim [50 μg, days 3-7/q30], and interleukin-2 [sc. 0.5 MIU twice a day, days 8-14/18-30] [GOLFIG-regimen]. Seventeen pts received sc. TSPP injections at escalating dosage [3 pts, 100 µg (DL-1); 3 pts, 200 µg (DL-2) and 11pts, 300 µg (DL-3)] one week after each chemotherapy cycle (concomitant module), while 10 out 12 pts received TSPP (300 µg) after 12 GOLFIG courses [dose level (DL)-0] (sequential module). TSPP MTD was not achieved. Adverse events consisted in swelling/erythema at injection sites (17 cases), G1-2 haematological (16 cases) and gastro-enteric events (12), fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and poly-arthralgia and rise in auto-antibodies [ANA, ENA, c-ANCA, p-ANCA in the DL1-3 pts]. Both treatment-modules showed immunomodulating and antitumor activity (disease-control-rate, DL1-3 and DL0 were 70.6% and 83.3%, respectively) with a better survival recorded in the second group [median OS DL1-3 vs. DL0 = 8 vs. 16 mo, p = 0.049]. The promising long-term survival produced by the sequential treatment module deserves further phase II evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Correale
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, University of Siena , Italy
| | - Cirino Botta
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro , Italy
| | | | | | - Giuseppe Battaglia
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, University of Siena , Italy
| | - Tommaso Carfagno
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, University of Siena , Italy
| | | | - Antonella Fioravanti
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunologic Sciences, University of Siena , Italy
| | - Giacomo Maria Guidelli
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunologic Sciences, University of Siena , Italy
| | - Sara Cheleschi
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunologic Sciences, University of Siena , Italy
| | - Claudia Gandolfo
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena , Italy
| | - Francesco Carbone
- Unit of Radiology, Department of Oncology, University of Siena , Italy
| | | | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro , Italy
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro , Italy
| | - Luigi Pirtoli
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Oncology, University of Siena , Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cusi
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Department of Medical Biotechnology, University of Siena , Italy
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15
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Brunet LR, Hagemann T, Andrew G, Mudan S, Marabelle A. Have lessons from past failures brought us closer to the success of immunotherapy in metastatic pancreatic cancer? Oncoimmunology 2015; 5:e1112942. [PMID: 27141395 PMCID: PMC4839322 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1112942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is extremely resistant to chemo- and radiation-therapies due to its inherent genetic instability, the local immunosuppressive microenvironment and the remarkable desmoplastic stromal changes which characterize this cancer. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improvement on standard current therapeutic options. Immunotherapies aimed at harnessing endogenous antitumor immunity have shown promise in multiple tumor types. In this review, we give an overview of new immune-related therapeutic strategies currently being tested in clinical trials in pancreatic cancer. We propose that immunotherapeutic strategies in combination with current therapies may offer new hopes in this most deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gayab Andrew
- Deparment of Clinical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust , London, UK
| | | | - Aurelien Marabelle
- INSERM, U1015, Villejuif, France; Center of Clinical Investigations in Biotherapies of Cancer (CICBT) 507, Villejuif, France; Drug Development Department, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
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16
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Cusi MG, Botta C, Pastina P, Rossetti MG, Dreassi E, Guidelli GM, Fioravanti A, Martino EC, Gandolfo C, Pagliuchi M, Basile A, Carbone SF, Ricci V, Micheli L, Tassone P, Tagliaferri P, Pirtoli L, Correale P. Phase I trial of thymidylate synthase poly-epitope peptide (TSPP) vaccine in advanced cancer patients. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:1159-73. [PMID: 26031574 PMCID: PMC11029252 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1711-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Thymidylate synthase (TS) poly-epitope peptide (TSPP) is a 27-mer peptide vaccine containing the amino acidic sequences of three epitopes with HLA-A2.1-binding motifs of TS, an enzyme overexpressed in cancer cells, which plays a crucial role in DNA repair and replication. Based on the results of preclinical studies, we designed a phase Ib trial (TSPP/VAC1) to investigate, in a dose escalation setting, the safety and the biological activity of TSPP vaccination alone (arm A) or in combination with GM-CSF and IL-2 (arm B) in cancer patients. Twenty-one pretreated metastatic cancer patients, with a good performance status (ECOG ≤ 1) and no severe organ failure or immunological disease, were enrolled in the study (12 in arm A, nine in arm B) between April 2011 and January 2012, with a median follow-up of 28 months. TSPP resulted safe, and its maximal tolerated dose was not achieved. No grade 4 toxicity was observed. The most common adverse events were grade 2 dermatological reactions to the vaccine injection, cough, rhinitis, fever, poly-arthralgia, gastro-enteric symptoms and, to a lesser extent, moderate hypertension and hypothyroidism. We detected a significant rise in auto-antibodies and TS-epitope-specific CTL precursors. Furthermore, TSPP showed antitumor activity in this group of pretreated patients; indeed, we recorded one partial response and seven disease stabilizations (SD) in arm A, and three SD in arm B. Taken together, our findings provide the framework for the evaluation of the TSPP anti-tumor activity in further disease-oriented clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Cusi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | - Cirino Botta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Catanzaro “Magna Graecia” University and Medical Oncology Unit, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Pastina
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, Siena University, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Elena Dreassi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Elodia Claudia Martino
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, Siena University, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Gandolfo
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Assunta Basile
- Unit of Psychology, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Veronica Ricci
- Unit of Radiology, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Micheli
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences, Neurosciences Siena University, Siena, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Catanzaro “Magna Graecia” University and Medical Oncology Unit, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Catanzaro “Magna Graecia” University and Medical Oncology Unit, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luigi Pirtoli
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, Siena University, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Correale
- Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Neurosciences, Siena University, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy
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17
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Yang M, Xu Z, Wang Q, Zhang AQ, Min J. A hyposensitive anticancer drug induces higher surface expression and release of heat shock proteins in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:2879-85. [PMID: 25955691 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) respond to multiple stresses and have been implicated as essential immune chaperones that regulate innate and adaptive immunity. The exposure of HSPs containing tumour peptide complex to immune surveillance elements may elicit a specific anti-tumour response. The present study examined the potential of anticancer drugs to induce apoptosis of HepG2 cells and elicit the expression of HSP proteins, including HSP70 and gp96, on the membrane or their release to the extracellular environment, leading to HSP exposure. In the present study, etoposide and carboplatin were classified by an adenosine triphosphate assay as representatives of hypersensitive and hyposensitive anticancer drugs, respectively. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, ELIZA and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction were all used to detect changes in the HSPs. The results demonstrated that etoposide and carboplatin induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells. In addition, following treatment with etoposide or carboplatin, HSP70/gp96 expression increased, demonstrating a 'transfer expression' pattern: The cytosol expression decreased while the surface expression increased. These alterations progressed steadily with notable alterations following treatment with etoposide for 24 h or carboplatin for 72 h. Additionally, at the end of treatment, release of HSP70/gp96 to the extracellular environment increased. Notably, following treatment with the hyposensitive anticancer drug carboplatin for 72 h, the surface expression of gp96 in HepG2 cells was significantly increased. These results suggest that when combined with cancer cell apoptosis, anticancer drugs induce the membrane expression and release of HSP70/gp96 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, which may represent a crucial event in the immune anti-tumour response. Notably, treatment with the hyposensitive anticancer drug for a longer time period resulted in greater surface expression and release of gp96, which suggests a potential use for hyposensitive anticancer drugs in HSP-based dendritic cell vaccine preparation and chemoimmunotherapy for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yang
- Breast Disease Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Zhe Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of PLA, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Qi Wang
- Breast Disease Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - An-Qin Zhang
- Breast Disease Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510010, P.R. China
| | - Jun Min
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat‑Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
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18
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Nguyen ST, Nguyen HL, Pham VQ, Nguyen GT, Tran CDT, Phan NK, Pham PV. Targeting specificity of dendritic cells on breast cancer stem cells: in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Onco Targets Ther 2015; 8:323-34. [PMID: 25674007 PMCID: PMC4321654 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s77554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women, and almost all complications are due to chemotherapy resistance. Drug-resistant cells with stem cell phenotypes are thought to cause failure in breast cancer chemotherapy. Dendritic cell (DC) therapy is a potential approach to eradicate these cells. This study evaluates the specificity of DCs for breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) in vitro and in vivo. BCSCs were enriched by a verapamil-resistant screening method, and reconfirmed by ALDH expression analysis and mammosphere assay. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from allogeneic murine bone marrow. DCs were induced from bone marrow-derived monocytes with 20 ng/mL GC-MSF and 20 ng/mL IL-4. Immature DCs were primed with BCSC- or MSC-derived antigens to make two kinds of mature DCs: BCSC-DCs and MSC-DCs, respectively. In vitro ability of BCSC-DCs and MSC-DCs with cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to inhibit BCSCs was tested using the xCELLigence technique. In vivo, BCSC-DCs and MSC-DCs were transfused into the peripheral blood of BCSC tumor-bearing mice. The results show that in vitro BCSC-DCs significantly inhibited BCSC proliferation at a DC:CTL ratio of 1:40, while MSC-DCs nonsignificantly decreased BCSC proliferation. In vivo, tumor sizes decreased from 18.8% to 23% in groups treated with BCSC-DCs; in contrast, tumors increased 14% in the control group (RPMI 1640) and 47% in groups treated with MSC-DCs. The results showed that DC therapy could target and be specific to BCSCs. DCs primed with MSCs could trigger tumor growth. These results also indicate that DCs may be a promising therapy for treating drug-resistant cancer cells as well as cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinh Truong Nguyen
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Huyen Lam Nguyen
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Viet Quoc Pham
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Giang Thuy Nguyen
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Cuong Do-Thanh Tran
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Kim Phan
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ; Faculty of Biology, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Phuc Van Pham
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ; Faculty of Biology, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Di Caro G, Castino GF, Bergomas F, Cortese N, Chiriva-Internati M, Grizzi F, Marchesi F. Immune-based therapies in pancreatic and colorectal cancers and biomarkers of responsiveness. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2014; 14:1219-28. [PMID: 25222571 DOI: 10.1586/14737140.2014.947277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Immune-based strategies are the most promising treatments to improve cancer disease control. Early clinical trials are ongoing to test the safety and feasibility of immune-based therapies for gastrointestinal cancers. However, to date, immunotherapy has been only an experimental option for these diseases and a better understanding of their molecular, cellular, structural and clinical dissimilarities is crucial in the generation of tailored immunotherapeutic treatments. In this review, we will summarize the key mechanisms that regulate the action of immune system in cancer and the different immune-based approaches aimed at improving disease control in patients with advanced disease. We will then move on to discussing the current immunotherapeutic approaches in two types of gastrointestinal (colo-rectal and pancreatic) cancers, whose immune microenvironment has been lately object of intense analyses and has emerged as an important determinant of clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Caro
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano 20089, Italy
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20
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Higashi K, Hazama S, Araki A, Yoshimura K, Iizuka N, Yoshino S, Noma T, Oka M. A novel cancer vaccine strategy with combined IL-18 and HSV-TK gene therapy driven by the hTERT promoter in a murine colorectal cancer model. Int J Oncol 2014; 45:1412-20. [PMID: 25051201 PMCID: PMC4151806 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
A therapeutic vaccine against minimal residual cancer cells is needed for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer. Several gene therapy studies have revealed that the combination of a suicide gene and cytokine gene might induce effective antitumor immunity. In this study, we constructed an interleukin (IL)-18 and herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) expression vector driven by the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) promoter to study the efficacy of combination gene therapy with IL-18 and the HSV-TK suicide gene. Low immunogenic colon 26 cells were used for transfection and inoculation into syngeneic BALB/c mice. Large established tumors of colon 26 transfectants expressing IL-18 and HSV-TK driven by the hTERT promoter were completely eradicated after GCV administration in syngeneic BALB/c mice. Immunohistochemical analysis at the tumor rejection sites revealed enormous infiltrations of CD8+ T lymphocytes as well as CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD11b+ monocytes. Moreover, established distant tumors were completely eradicated by vaccination with the IL-18 and HSV-TK transfectants in combination with GCV. These data suggest that the IL-18 and suicide gene therapy can elicit antitumor specific immunity. In conclusion, gene therapy with IL-18 and HSV-TK plasmid vector driven by the hTERT promoter may be useful for cancer vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Higashi
- Department of Digestive Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Shoichi Hazama
- Department of Digestive Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Atsuhiro Araki
- Department of Digestive Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Yoshimura
- Department of Digestive Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Norio Iizuka
- Department of Digestive Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Shigefumi Yoshino
- Department of Digestive Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Takafumi Noma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Masaaki Oka
- Department of Digestive Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
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21
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Di Caro G, Marchesi F, Laghi L, Grizzi F. Immune cells: plastic players along colorectal cancer progression. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 17:1088-95. [PMID: 24151976 PMCID: PMC4118167 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory cells are involved in tumour initiation and progression. In parallel, the adaptive immune response plays a key role in fighting tumour growth and dissemination. The double-edged role of the immune system in solid tumours is well represented in colorectal cancer (CRC). The development and progression of CRC are affected by the interactions between the tumour and the host's response, occurring in a milieu named tumour microenvironment. The role of immune cells in human CRC is being unravelled and there is a strong interest in understanding their dynamics as to tumour promotion, immunosurveillance and immunoevasion. A better definition of immune infiltration would be important not only with respect to the ‘natural history’ of CRC, but in a clinically relevant perspective in the 21st century, with respect to its post-surgical management, including chemotherapy responsiveness. While it is becoming established that the amount of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes influences the post-surgical progression of early-stage CRC, the relevance of this immune parameter as to chemotherapy responsiveness remains to be clarified. Despite recent experimental work supporting the notion that infiltrating immune cells may influence chemotherapy-mediated tumour cell death, tumour-infiltrating cells are not employed to identify patients who are more likely to benefit from adjuvant treatment. This review focuses on studies addressing the role of innate and adaptive immune cells along the occurrence and the progression of potentially curable CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Caro
- Laboratory of Molecular Gastroenterology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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22
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De Re V, Caggiari L, De Zorzi M, Talamini R, Racanelli V, Andrea MD, Buonadonna A, Zagonel V, Cecchin E, Innocenti F, Toffoli G. Genetic diversity of the KIR/HLA system and outcome of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with chemotherapy. PLoS One 2014; 9:e84940. [PMID: 24497922 PMCID: PMC3908861 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore genes of the killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and of the HLA ligand and their relationship with the outcome of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with first-line 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI). METHODS A total of 224 mCRC patients were screened for KIR/HLA typing. The determination of the KIR/HLA combinations was based upon the gene content and variants. Genetic associations with complete response (CR), time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated by calculating odds and hazard ratios. Multivariate modeling with prognostic covariates was also performed. RESULTS For CR, the presence of KIR2DL5A, 2DS5, 2DS1, 3DS1, and KIR3DS1/HLA-Bw4-I80 was associated with increased CR rates, with median ORs ranging from 2.1 to 4.3, while the absence of KIR2DS4 and 3DL1 was associated with increased CR rates (OR 3.1). After univariate analysis, patients that underwent resective surgery of tumor, absence of KIR2DS5, and presence of KIR3DL1/HLA-Bw4-I80 showed a significant better OS (HR 1.5 to 2.8). Multivariate analysis identified as parameters independently related to OS the type of treatment (surgery; HR 2.0) and KIR3DL1/HLA-Bw4-I80 genotype (HR for T-I80 2.7 and for no functional KIR/HLA interaction 1.8). For TTP, no association with KIR/HLA genes was observed. CONCLUSION This study, for the first time, evidences that the genotyping for KIR-HLA pairs are found predictive markers associated with complete response and improves overall survival prediction of FOLFIRI treatment response in metastatic colorectal cancer. These results suggest a role of the KIR/HLA system in patient outcome, and guide new research on the immunogenetics of mCRC through mechanistic studies and clinical validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valli De Re
- Translational Research, CRO National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Laura Caggiari
- Translational Research, CRO National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Mariangela De Zorzi
- Translational Research, CRO National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Renato Talamini
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CRO National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Vito Racanelli
- Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Mario D’ Andrea
- Medical Oncology Unit, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Buonadonna
- Medical Oncology, CRO National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | | | - Erika Cecchin
- Translational Research, CRO National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
| | - Federico Innocenti
- University of North Carolina, Institute for Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Giuseppe Toffoli
- Translational Research, CRO National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Pordenone, Italy
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23
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Bracci L, Schiavoni G, Sistigu A, Belardelli F. Immune-based mechanisms of cytotoxic chemotherapy: implications for the design of novel and rationale-based combined treatments against cancer. Cell Death Differ 2014; 21:15-25. [PMID: 23787994 PMCID: PMC3857622 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2013.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 640] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional anticancer chemotherapy has been historically thought to act through direct killing of tumor cells. This concept stems from the fact that cytotoxic drugs interfere with DNA synthesis and replication. Accumulating evidence, however, indicates that the antitumor activities of chemotherapy also rely on several off-target effects, especially directed to the host immune system, that cooperate for successful tumor eradication. Chemotherapeutic agents stimulate both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system through several modalities: (i) by promoting specific rearrangements on dying tumor cells, which render them visible to the immune system; (ii) by influencing the homeostasis of the hematopoietic compartment through transient lymphodepletion followed by rebound replenishment of immune cell pools; (iii) by subverting tumor-induced immunosuppressive mechanisms and (iv) by exerting direct or indirect stimulatory effects on immune effectors. Among the indirect ways of immune cell stimulation, some cytotoxic drugs have been shown to induce an immunogenic type of cell death in tumor cells, resulting in the emission of specific signals that trigger phagocytosis of cell debris and promote the maturation of dendritic cells, ultimately resulting in the induction of potent antitumor responses. Here, we provide an extensive overview of the multiple immune-based mechanisms exploited by the most commonly employed cytotoxic drugs, with the final aim of identifying prerequisites for optimal combination with immunotherapy strategies for the development of more effective treatments against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Bracci
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - G Schiavoni
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - A Sistigu
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - F Belardelli
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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24
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Duffy AG, Greten TF. Immunological off-target effects of standard treatments in gastrointestinal cancers. Ann Oncol 2013; 25:24-32. [PMID: 24201974 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdt349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects on immune cells and the inflammatory microenvironment of commonly applied cancer treatments (chemotherapeutic or biologic agents, interventional radiologic procedures) have become better appreciated. Likewise, the contribution of the immune system toward the effectiveness of these treatments is clearer. The relevance of immune evasion by developing tumors is endorsed by its inclusion as one of the (updated) hallmarks of cancer. A greater understanding of this dimension can potentially lead to novel applications of existing standard of care therapies, in addition to potentiating their effect. This review summarizes the immune aspects of currently employed therapies-cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, biologic agents and interventional radiologic procedures-in solid tumor malignancies with a particular focus on those agents used in gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Duffy
- GI Malignancy Section, Medical Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
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25
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Matsushita N, Aruga A, Inoue Y, Kotera Y, Takeda K, Yamamoto M. Phase I clinical trial of a peptide vaccine combined with tegafur-uracil plus leucovorin for treatment of advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer. Oncol Rep 2013; 29:951-9. [PMID: 23314271 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, analysis of tumor antigens using micro-arrays has revealed upregulation of cancer-testis antigens RNF43 and TOMM34 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in colorectal cancer. A phase I clinical trial of peptide vaccine therapy together with oral anticancer drugs was conducted to treat advanced colorectal cancer using synthesized peptides of these tumor antigens in order to confirm the safety, immunogenicity and activity of this treatment. The subjects were patients with a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type of A2402 who had inoperable colorectal cancer but had failed to respond to or were unable to undergo standard chemotherapy. Four peptides (RNF43, TOMM34, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2) were emulsified with incomplete Freund's adjuvant (Montanide), and the resulting solution was administered subcutaneously once a week. Patients received the oral anticancer drug tegafur-uracil plus leucovorin for four weeks continuously as part of one course followed by one week of rest. The primary endpoint of the trial was observation of adverse events as determined by the NCI-CTCAE criteria, and the secondary endpoints were the size of the tumor and the number of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in the peripheral blood after treatment. Vaccine therapy was administered 148 times to 10 patients from July 2008 to December 2009. The adverse events were grade 1 redness and induration, a grade 2 skin ulcer at the vaccination site and grade 1 pyrexia. All patients tolerated treatment. Tumor imaging revealed that after 1 course of treatment 1 patient had partial response (PR), 7 had stable disease (SD) and 2 had progressive disease. A CTL assay of 10 patients revealed an increase in peptide-specific CTLs in patients with PR and SD, and the clinical responses of those patients were observed. Kaplan‑Meier analysis indicated that patients who had a strong CTL reaction had a tendency to have longer progression‑free survival and overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norimasa Matsushita
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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26
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Troiani T, Zappavigna S, Martinelli E, Addeo SR, Stiuso P, Ciardiello F, Caraglia M. Optimizing treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients with anti-EGFR antibodies: overcoming the mechanisms of cancer cell resistance. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2013; 13:241-55. [PMID: 23281932 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2012.756469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A number of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been recently developed for the treatment of refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). These mAbs, blocking ligand/receptor interactions, exert their biological activity via multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of cell cycle progression, potentiation of cell apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, tumor cell invasion and metastasis and, potentially, induction of immunological effector mechanisms. AREAS COVERED Cetuximab is an anti-EGFR mAb currently used in mCRC treatment. Despite the evidence of efficacy of cetuximab in the treatment of mCRC patients, the observation of low response rates was the proof of concept of resistance to anti-EGFR mAbs treatment. An increasing number of molecular alterations have been more recently hypothesized to be involved in resistance to anti-EGFR mAbs in CRC: mutations in BRAF, NRAS and PIK3CA, loss of expression of PTEN and, now, activation of HER2 signaling through HER2 gene amplification and/or increased heregulin stimulation. EXPERT OPINION This review focuses on the development of new strategies such as combination with other agents blocking alternative escape pathways, cancer cell prioritization hyperactivating EGFR pathway, combination with immune system, development of nanotech devices to increase efficacy of antibody-based therapy and overcome the mechanisms of cancer cell resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Troiani
- Oncologia Medica, Dipartimento Medico-Chirurgico di Internistica Clinica e Sperimentale F. Magrassi e A. Lanzara, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italia
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27
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Masuzawa T, Fujiwara Y, Okada K, Nakamura A, Takiguchi S, Nakajima K, Miyata H, Yamasaki M, Kurokawa Y, Osawa R, Takeda K, Yoshida K, Tsunoda T, Nakamura Y, Mori M, Doki Y. Phase I/II study of S-1 plus cisplatin combined with peptide vaccines for human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 and 2 in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Int J Oncol 2012; 41:1297-304. [PMID: 22842485 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2012.1573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vaccination with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A24-restricted human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1)-1084 and VEGFR2-169 combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer. HLA-A 2402-positive patients with advanced or recurrent adenocarcinoma of the stomach were vaccinated with VEGFR1-1084 and VEGFR2-169 combined with S-1 and cisplatin. The study included 22 patients (median age 60.5 years) who received at least one cycle of the combination therapy. No severe adverse effects caused by the vaccine therapy were observed except for an inflammatory reaction at the site of injection in 6 patients. Twelve patients (55%) showed partial response and 10 had stable disease after two cycles of the combination therapy. The disease control rate (partial response and stable disease) was 100% after two cycles. The median time to progression was 9.6 months and median overall survival was 14.2 months. VEGFR1-1084-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response was induced in 18 (82%) of the 22 patients and VEGFR2-169-specific CTL response was induced in 18 (82%) of the 22 patients. Patients showing CTL response to VEGFR2-169 peptide had significantly better prognosis than those without, as demonstrated by the overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) (OS, p=0.028, TTP, p=0.006). The combination therapy was well tolerated and highly effective in advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. Substantial specific CTL for both peptides was frequently induced even under chemotherapy. Thus, cancer vaccination combined with standard chemotherapy warrants further analysis as a promising strategy for the treatment of advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Masuzawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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28
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Palma G, De Laurenzi V, De Marco M, Barbieri A, Petrillo A, Turco MC, Arra C. Plasmacytoids dendritic cells are a therapeutic target in anticancer immunity. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2012; 1826:407-14. [PMID: 22579960 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2012.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2012] [Revised: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 04/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are immunological sentinels of the organism acting as antigen-presenting cells (APC) and are critical for induction of innate and adaptive immunity. Traditionally they are divided in myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), a rare population of circulating cells that selectively express Toll-like receptors (TLR) 7 and TLR9 and have the capacity to produce large amounts of type I interferons (IFNs) in response to pathogenic agents or danger signals. It has been demonstrated that pDCs can coordinate events during the course of viral infections, allergic and autoimmune diseases and cancer. Through the production of type I IFNs, pDCs initiate protective immunity by activating classical DCs, T cells, natural killer cells and B cells. Upon activation, pDCs also differentiate into mature DCs and may contribute to the contraction of T-cell response. Human pDCs preferentially express immunoglobulin-like transcript 7 (ILT7; LILRA4), which couples with a signaling adapter to activate a prominent immune-receptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-mediated signaling pathway. The interaction between ILT7 and bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST2, CD317) assures an appropriate TLR response by pDCs during viral infections and likely participates in pDCs tumor crosstalk. Moreover these cells seem to play a crucial role in the initiation of the pathological process of autoimmune diseases such as lupus or psoriasis. Despite the fact that their function within a tumor context is still controversial they represent an attractive target for therapeutic manipulation of the immune system to elicit a powerful immune response against tumor antigens in combination with other therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Palma
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale Sperimentazione Animale, Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Naples, Italy
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29
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Correale P, Rotundo MS, Botta C, Del Vecchio MT, Ginanneschi C, Licchetta A, Conca R, Apollinari S, De Luca F, Tassone P, Tagliaferri P. Tumor infiltration by T lymphocytes expressing chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is predictive of favorable outcome in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2012; 18:850-7. [PMID: 22142823 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-3186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE An efficient adaptive immunity is critical for a longer survival in cancer. We investigated the prognostic value of tumor infiltration by CD8(+) T cells expressing the chemokine-receptor-7 (T(ccr7)) and the correlation between tumor infiltration by T(ccr7) and regulatory CD4(+)FoxP3(+) T cells (T(reg)) in 76 metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients enrolled in a phase III trial. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN T(ccr7) and T(reg) cell infiltration in tumor samples was quantified by immunohistochemistry. The correlation among T(ccr7), T(reg) tumor infiltration, and patients' outcome was evaluated. RESULTS High T(ccr7) tumor infiltration was predictive of prolonged OS [high vs. low T(ccr7) score: median 38 months (95% CI: 24.5-51.4) vs. 20 months (95% CI: 11.4-28.5); HR = 0.48 (95% CI: 0.24-0.96); P = 0.03] and prolonged progression-free survival [PFS; high vs. low T(ccr7) score: median 12 months (95% CI: 7.7-16.2) vs. 7 months (95% CI: 5.2-8.7); HR = 0.54 (95% CI: 0.28-1.01); P = 0.01] after front-line chemotherapy. Regression analysis did not show correlation between T(ccr7) and T(reg) infiltration levels. However, the cluster of patients showing concomitant high infiltration by both T(ccr7) and T(reg) disclosed a favorable outcome [double high vs. double low tumor infiltration score: median OS = 35 months (95% CI: 20.8-49.1) vs. 17 months (95% CI: 4.6-29.3); HR = 0.32 (95% CI: 0.12-0.87); P = 0.02 and median PFS = 11 months (95% CI: 9.4-12.5) vs. 5 months (95% CI: 2.2-7.7); HR = 0.43 (95% CI: 0.17-1.06); P = 0.01]. CONCLUSIONS High T(ccr7) tumor infiltration score is a favorable prognostic factor for mCRC. Our findings underline the relevance of microenvironment-related immunologic events for patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Correale
- Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
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Lee HJ, Hong CY, Jin CJ, Kim MH, Lee YK, Nguyen-Pham TN, Lee H, Park BC, Chung IJ, Kim HJ, Lee JJ. Identification of novel HLA-A*0201-restricted epitopes from anterior gradient-2 as a tumor-associated antigen against colorectal cancer. Cell Mol Immunol 2012; 9:175-83. [PMID: 22231555 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2011.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Anterior gradient-2 (AGR2) promotes tumor growth, cell migration and cellular transformation and its enhanced expression is almost completely restricted to malignant tissues, thus making AGR2 an interesting target for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies. We investigated whether the AGR2 molecule comprises human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201-binding epitopes recognized by human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which could be targeted in dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy against colorectal cancer (CRC). We reviewed the sequence of AGR2 for peptides that could potentially bind to HLA-A*0201 with the aid of a computer-based program. Five candidate peptides with different binding scores were synthesized and tested. These peptides were then assessed for their immunogenicity to elicit specific immune responses mediated by CTLs in vitro by means of enzyme-linked immunospot assays and CTL assays. AGR2 was highly expressed in several CRC cell lines, including DK01, DLD1, KM12C, HCT-8 and HT-29. DCs pulsed with AGR2-P2 (aa 11-19; LLVALSYTL) or AGR2-P4 (aa 127-135; RIMFVDPSL) generated potent CTLs that could lyse T2 cells pulsed with AGR2-P2 or AGR2-P4 and HLA-A0201(+) AGR2-positive CRC cell lines in a strong dose-dependent and HLA-A*0201-restricted manner. In conclusion, these novel epitopes derived from AGR2 protein may be attractive candidates for DC-based immunotherapy for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ju Lee
- Research Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanamdo, Korea
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31
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Current immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer. Clin Dev Immunol 2011; 2011:267539. [PMID: 21922022 PMCID: PMC3172984 DOI: 10.1155/2011/267539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 06/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive and notoriously difficult to treat. As the vast majority of patients are diagnosed at advanced stage of the disease, only a small population is curative by surgical resection. Although gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is typically offered as standard of care, most patients do not survive longer than 6 months. Thus, new therapeutic approaches are needed. Pancreatic cancer cells that develop gemcitabine resistance would still be suitable targets for immunotherapy. Therefore, one promising treatment approach may be immunotherapy that is designed to target pancreatic-cancer-associated antigens. In this paper, we detail recent work in immunotherapy and the advances in concept of combination therapy of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. We offer our perspective on how to increase the clinical efficacy of immunotherapies for pancreatic cancer.
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32
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Correale P, Botta C, Cusi MG, Del Vecchio MT, De Santi MM, Gori Savellini G, Bestoso E, Apollinari S, Mannucci S, Marra M, Abbruzzese A, Aquino A, Turriziani M, Bonmassar L, Caraglia M, Tagliaferri P. Cetuximab ± chemotherapy enhances dendritic cell-mediated phagocytosis of colon cancer cells and ignites a highly efficient colon cancer antigen-specific cytotoxic T-cell response in vitro. Int J Cancer 2011; 130:1577-89. [PMID: 21618510 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.26181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2011] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cetuximab is a human/mouse chimeric IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to epidermal growth factor receptor, approved for colorectal carcinoma treatment in combination with chemotherapy. The immune-mediated effects elicited by its human fraction of crystallization moiety might critically contribute to the overall anti-tumor effectiveness of the antibody. We therefore investigated cetuximab ability to promote colon cancer cell opsonization and phagocytosis by human dendritic cells (DCs) that are subsequently engaged in antigen-cross presentation to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) precursors. Human colon cancer cell lines were evaluated for susceptibility to DC-mediated phagocytosis before and after treatment with chemotherapy ± cetuximab in vitro. Human DCs loaded with control or drug-treated cetuximab-coated colon cancer cells were used to in vitro generate cytotoxic T cell clones from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of human leucocyte antigen-A(*)02.01(+) donors. T-cell cultures were characterized for immune-phenotype and tumor-antigen specific CTL activity. The results confirmed that treatment of tumor cells with irinotecan + L-folinate + 5-flurouracil (ILF) or with gemcitabine + ILF increased tumor antigen expression. Moreover, malignant cells exposed to chemotherapy and cetuximab were highly susceptible to phagocytosis by human DCs and were able to promote their activation. The consequent DC-mediated cross-priming of antigens derived from mAb-covered/drug-treated cancer cells elicited a robust CTL anti-tumor response. On the basis of our data, we suggest a possible involvement of CTL-dependent immunity in cetuximab anti-cancer effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Correale
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, Siena University Hospital, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy.
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Gavalas NG, Karadimou A, Dimopoulos MA, Bamias A. Immune response in ovarian cancer: how is the immune system involved in prognosis and therapy: potential for treatment utilization. Clin Dev Immunol 2011; 2010:791603. [PMID: 21318181 PMCID: PMC3034919 DOI: 10.1155/2010/791603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2010] [Accepted: 12/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death among women. Resistance to the disease occurs in more than 70% of the cases even after treated with chemotherapy agents such as paclitaxel- and platinum-based agents. The immune system is increasingly becoming a target for intense research in order to study the host's immune response against ovarian cancer. T cell populations, including NK T cells and Tregs, and cytokines have been associated with disease outcome, indicating their increasing clinical significance, having been associated with prognosis and as markers of disease progress, respectively. Harnessing the immune system capacity in order to induce antitumor response remains a major challenge. This paper examines the recent developments in our understanding of the mechanisms of development of the immune response in ovarian cancer as well as its prognostic significance and the existing experience in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos G. Gavalas
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School, University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 115 28 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandra Karadimou
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School, University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 115 28 Athens, Greece
| | - Meletios A. Dimopoulos
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School, University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 115 28 Athens, Greece
| | - Aristotelis Bamias
- Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School, University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 115 28 Athens, Greece
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Identifying molecular markers for chemosensitivity to gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer: increased expression of interferon-stimulated gene 15 kd is associated with intrinsic chemoresistance. Pancreas 2010; 39:473-85. [PMID: 19959962 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0b013e3181c0decc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Gemcitabine is the standard chemotherapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer. Nevertheless, the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients is still poor. Evaluating the mechanisms of chemoresistance to gemcitabine will be helpful for the improvement of the therapeutic outcome. METHODS Using 11 pancreatic cancer cell lines and global gene expression profiling, molecular markers were detected for acquired and intrinsic gemcitabine sensitivity. Acquired gemcitabine resistance in vitro was obtained by continual exposure to gradually increased concentrations of gemcitabine; however, intrinsic sensitivity is originally provided and differs between cell lines. RESULTS Microarray analysis of intrinsic sensitivity showed no correlation to that of acquired resistance. Fifteen overexpressed and 49 downexpressed genes in accordance with intrinsic gemcitabine resistance were identified, and we selected those highly expressed in resected pancreatic cancer tissue. Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), which plays a role in cellular defense from infection and carcinogenesis, was identified as the gene related to gemcitabine chemosensitivity. By inhibition of ISG15 in gemcitabine-resistant cell lines using siRNA, gemcitabine resistance was reversed. CONCLUSIONS It was demonstrated that ISG15 is one of the genes associated with intrinsic gemcitabine sensitivity, having a possibility to be a candidate of molecular targeting for the improvement of chemotherapy against pancreatic cancer.
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Pfannenstiel LW, Lam SSK, Emens LA, Jaffee EM, Armstrong TD. Paclitaxel enhances early dendritic cell maturation and function through TLR4 signaling in mice. Cell Immunol 2010; 263:79-87. [PMID: 20346445 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2010.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2009] [Revised: 02/24/2010] [Accepted: 03/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Subclinical doses of Paclitaxel (PTX) given 1day prior to a HER-2/neu (neu)-targeted, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-secreting whole-cell vaccine enhances neu-specific T cell responses and slows neu(+) tumor growth in tolerized HER-2/neu (neu-N) mice. We demonstrate that co-administration of PTX and Cyclophosphamide (CY) synergizes to slow tumor growth, and that in vitro, DC precursors exposed to PTX before LPS maturation results in greater co-stimulatory molecule expression, IL-12 production, and the ability to induce CD8(+) T cells with enhanced lytic activity against neu(+) tumors. PTX treatment also enhances maturation marker expression on CD11c(+) DCs isolated from vaccine-draining lymph nodes. Ex vivo, these DCs activate CD8(+) T cells with greater lytic capability than DC's from vaccine alone-treated neu-N mice. Finally, PTX treatment results in enhanced antigen-specific, IFN-gamma-secreting CD8(+) T cells in vivo. Thus, administration of PTX with a tumor vaccine improves T cell priming through enhanced maturation of DC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas W Pfannenstiel
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Division of Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, USA
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36
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Miyazawa M, Ohsawa R, Tsunoda T, Hirono S, Kawai M, Tani M, Nakamura Y, Yamaue H. Phase I clinical trial using peptide vaccine for human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in combination with gemcitabine for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Cancer Sci 2010; 101:433-9. [PMID: 19930156 PMCID: PMC11158736 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2009.01416.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is an essential factor in tumor angiogenesis and in the growth of pancreatic cancer. Immunotherapy using epitope peptide for VEGFR2 (VEGFR2-169) that we identified previously is expected to improve the clinical outcome. Therefore, a phase I clinical trial combining of VEGFR2-169 with gemcitabine was conducted for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients with metastatic and unresectable pancreatic cancer were eligible for the trial. Gemcitabine was administered at a dose of 1000 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 in a 28-day cycle. The VEGFR2-169 peptide was subcutaneously injected weekly in a dose-escalation manner (doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/body, six patients/one cohort). Safety and immunological parameters were assessed. No severe adverse effect of grade 4 or higher was observed. Of the 18 patients who completed at least one course of the treatment, 15 (83%) developed immunological reactions at the injection sites. Specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) reacting to the VEGFR2-169 peptide were induced in 11 (61%) of the 18 patients. The disease control rate was 67%, and the median overall survival time was 8.7 months. This combination therapy for pancreatic cancer patients was tolerable at all doses. Peptide-specific CTL could be induced by the VEGFR2-169 peptide vaccine at a high rate, even in combination with gemcitabine. From an immunological point of view, the optimal dose for further clinical trials might be 2 mg/body or higher. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrial.gov (no. NCT 00622622).
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoki Miyazawa
- Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan
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37
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Cho JH, Kim MH, Lee KH, Kim KU, Jeon DS, Park HK, Kim YS, Lee MK, Park SK. The Effect of Gefitinib on Immune Response of Human Peripheral Blood Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells. Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul) 2010. [DOI: 10.4046/trd.2010.69.6.456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Hoon Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Mi Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Kwang Ha Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Ki Uk Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Doo Soo Jeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Hye Kyung Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Yun Seong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Min Ki Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Soon Kew Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
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38
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Soeda A, Morita-Hoshi Y, Makiyama H, Morizane C, Ueno H, Ikeda M, Okusaka T, Yamagata S, Takahashi N, Hyodo I, Takaue Y, Heike Y. Regular dose of gemcitabine induces an increase in CD14+ monocytes and CD11c+ dendritic cells in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2009; 39:797-806. [PMID: 19797418 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyp112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chemotherapy and immunotherapy often seem to contradict each other. However, recent reports suggested that the anticancer effects in some chemotherapeutic agents were concerned with immune response. This study was designed to evaluate the immunological reaction by gemcitabine for future clinical trial of combination therapy with gemcitabine and cancer vaccines. METHODS We evaluated several immunological parameters in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who received a conventional dose of gemcitabine for 2 months. Twenty-eight patients with metastasis or locally advanced tumor, including 18 gemcitabine-naïve and 10 with a history of preceding gemcitabine treatment, were enrolled in this study. The patients received gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week of rest. We monitored the kinetics of lymphocytes, natural killer cells, monocytes, dendritic cells (DC), human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-multimer conjugated with CMV or WT1 peptide, and intracellular cytokine production of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 by flow cytometry. The T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire was also analyzed. RESULTS The absolute number and percentage of CD14(+) monocytes and CD11c(+) (myeloid) DC increased with gemcitabine treatment (P = 0.033 and P = 0.021). The percentage of CD123(+) (plasmacytoid) DC also increased (P = 0.034), whereas no significant change was observed in other immune parameters, including multimer, intracellular cytokine production and TCR repertoire. CONCLUSIONS Our finding that gemcitabine treatment induced the proliferation of CD14(+) monocytes and CD11c(+) DC could support combination therapy with gemcitabine and specific immunotherapy such as peptide vaccination against pancreatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Soeda
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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39
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Anti-tumor immune response in ovarian cancer: clinical implications, prognostic significance and potential for novel treatment strategies. Oncol Rev 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s12156-009-0016-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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40
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Seo SH, Han HD, Noh KH, Kim TW, Son SW. Chitosan hydrogel containing GMCSF and a cancer drug exerts synergistic anti-tumor effects via the induction of CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Clin Exp Metastasis 2008; 26:179-87. [PMID: 19082918 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-008-9228-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2008] [Accepted: 12/02/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cancer treatments consisting of a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been vigorously exploited to further improve the efficacy of cancer therapies. In this study, we utilized a chitosan hydrogel (CH) system loaded with GMCSF and a cancer drug as a chemo-immunotherapeutic agent in an effort to assess the effects on tumor growth in mice using TC-1 cervical tumor cells, which express the tumor-specific antigen, HPV-16 E7. The growth of TC-1 tumors was significantly reduced in mice treated with a CH harboring a cancer drug (doxorubicin (DOX), cisplatin (CDDP), or cyclophosphamide (CTX)) and GMCSF (CH-a cancer drug + GMCSF), as compared to other groups that were treated with CH containing only a cancer drug(CH-a cancer drug) or GMCSF(CH-GMCSF). Among the cancer drugs, CTX exerted the most potent anti-tumor effects. Interestingly, the intra-tumoral injection of CH-a cancer drug + GMCSF induced a significant E7-specific CD8(+) T cell immune response as compared to CH-GMCSF or CH-a cancer drug. This enhancement of tumor antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell immunity was associated principally with the anti-tumor effects induced by CH-CTX + GMCSF, as demonstrated by antibody depletion. Collectively, the aforementioned results indicate that co-treatment of tumors with a combination of GMCSF and a cancer drug incorporated into a CH system results in synergistic anti-tumor effects, which occur via the induction of a tumor antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. This study demonstrates the use of a biodegradable hydrogel system for the co-delivery of an immunoadjuvant and an anti-cancer drug for successful chemo-immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Hong Seo
- Department of Dermatology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Gojan 1-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
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Ménard C, Martin F, Apetoh L, Bouyer F, Ghiringhelli F. Cancer chemotherapy: not only a direct cytotoxic effect, but also an adjuvant for antitumor immunity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2008; 57:1579-87. [PMID: 18369619 PMCID: PMC11030219 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-008-0505-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2008] [Accepted: 03/09/2008] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of metastatic cancer mainly relies on chemotherapy. Chemotherapeutic agents kill tumor cells by direct cytotoxicity, thus leading to tumor regression. However, emerging data focus on another side of cancer chemotherapy: its antitumor immunity effect. Although cancer chemotherapy was usually considered as immunosuppressive, some chemotherapeutic agents have recently been shown to activate an anticancer immune response, which is involved in the curative effect of these treatments. Cancer development often leads to the occurrence of an immune tolerance that prevents cancer rejection by the immune system and hinders efficacy of immunotherapy. Cancer cells induce proliferation and local accumulation of immunosuppressive cells such as regulatory T cells and immature myeloid cells, and prevent the maturation of dendritic cells and their capacity to present tumor antigens to T lymphocytes. Many anticancer cytotoxic agents interfere with the molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to tumor-induced tolerance. They can restore an efficient immune response that contributes to the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy. These findings open a novel field of investigations for future clinical trial design, taking into account the immunostimulatory capacity of chemotherapeutic agents, and using them in combined chemo-immunotherapy strategies when tumor-induced tolerance is overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Ménard
- Hematology Laboratory, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pontchaillou, 35033 Rennes, France
| | | | | | | | - François Ghiringhelli
- INSERM, CRI-866, Faculté de Médecine, Centre Georges François Leclerc, 1 rue du Professeur Marion, 21000 Dijon, France
- INSERM, CRI-866, Dijon, France
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42
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Correale P, Tagliaferri P, Fioravanti A, Del Vecchio MT, Remondo C, Montagnani F, Rotundo MS, Ginanneschi C, Martellucci I, Francini E, Cusi MG, Tassone P, Francini G. Immunity feedback and clinical outcome in colon cancer patients undergoing chemoimmunotherapy with gemcitabine + FOLFOX followed by subcutaneous granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and aldesleukin (GOLFIG-1 Trial). Clin Cancer Res 2008; 14:4192-9. [PMID: 18593999 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-07-5278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE GOLFIG chemoimmunotherapy regimen proved to be a safe and very active chemoimmunotherapy regimen in advanced colon cancer patients. We have thus investigated the immunobiological feedback to the treatment and its possible correlation with the clinical outcome of these patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN This clinical and immunologic study involved 46 patients, 27 males and 19 females, enrolled in the GOLFIG-1 phase II trial who received gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 15), oxaliplatin (85 mg/m(2) on days 2 and 16), levofolinic acid (100 mg/m(2) on days 1, 2, 15, and 16), and 5-fluorouracil (400 mg/m(2) as a bolus, and 800 mg/m(2) as a 24-hour infusion on days 1, 2, 15, and 16) followed by s.c. granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (100 mug, on days 3-7) and interleukin 2 (0.5 x 10(6) IU twice a day on days 8-14 and 17-29). RESULTS The regimen was confirmed to be safe and very active in pretreated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. A subgroup analysis of these patients revealed a prolonged time to progression and survival in six patients who developed late signs of autoimmunity. A multivariate analysis validated the occurrence of autoimmunity signs as an independent predictor of favorable outcome. A parallel immunologic study detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of these patients a progressive increase in lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, amplification in central memory, a marked depletion of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells, and activation of colon cancer-specific cytotoxic T cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that immunity feedback to GOLFIG regimen and its antitumor activity are tightly correlated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Correale
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department "Giorgio Segre" of Pharmacology, Rheumatology Unit, Siena University School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
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Correale P, Fioravanti A, Bertoldi I, Montagnani F, Miracco C, Francini G. Occurrence of autoimmunity in a long-term survivor with metastatic colon carcinoma treated with a new chemo-immunotherapy regimen. J Chemother 2008; 20:278-81. [PMID: 18467257 DOI: 10.1179/joc.2008.20.2.278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
GOLFIG-1 chemo-immunotherapy is a new translational anticancer regimen based on the combined use of gemcitabine, oxalipatin, levofolinic acid and infusional 5-fluorouracil together with the subcutaneous administration immunoadjuvant cytokines (GM-CSF and ultra low dose IL-2). This regimen, tested in a phase II trial, was safe and very active in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma and it has been shown to have powerful immunobiological activity. Treatment with the GOLFIG regimen resulted in the induction of a colon cancer specific cell mediated immune response associated with a significant reduction in the percentage of peripheral regulatory T (T(reg)) cells, a very immunosuppressive lymphocyte subset which is commonly over-represented in cancer patients. These cells are able to prevent the occurrence of autoimmunity in response to immunological stimuli, thus their malfunctioning has been associated with the occurrence of auto-immune diseases but may also be responsible for more efficient anticancer immune reaction. In this manuscript we describe a clinical case concerning a patient with metastatic colon carcinoma who responded to the GOLFIG regimen, showed symptoms of autoimmunity [Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE)] and had a very long survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Correale
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunological Sciences, Siena University School of Medicine, Siena, Italy
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44
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Buonocore S, Haddou NO, Moore F, Florquin S, Paulart F, Heirman C, Thielemans K, Goldman M, Flamand V. Neutrophil-dependent tumor rejection and priming of tumoricidal CD8+ T cell response induced by dendritic cells overexpressing CD95L. J Leukoc Biol 2008; 84:713-20. [PMID: 18567840 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0108075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of CD95 (Fas/Apo-1) ligand (CD95L) has been shown to induce T cell tolerance but also, neutrophilic inflammation and rejection of allogeneic tissue. We explored the capacity of dendritic cells (DCs) genetically engineered to overexpress CD95L to induce an antitumor response. We first found that DCs overexpressing CD95L, in addition to MHC class I-restricted OVA peptides (CD95L-OVA-DCs), induced increased antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell responses as compared with DCs overexpressing OVA peptides alone. The enhanced T cell responses were associated with improved regression of a tumor expressing OVA, allowing survival of all animals. When DCs overexpressing CD95L (CD95L-DCs) were injected with the tumor expressing OVA, in vivo tumor proliferation was strikingly inhibited. A strong cellular apoptosis and a massive neutrophilic infiltrate developed in this setting. Neutrophil depletion prevented tumor regression as well as enhanced IFN-gamma production induced by CD95L-OVA-DCs. Furthermore, the CD8(+) T cell response induced by the coadministration of tumor cells and CD95L-DCs led to rejection of a tumor implanted at a distance from the DC injection site. In summary, DCs expressing CD95L promote tumor rejection involving neutrophil-mediated innate immunity and CD8(+) T cell-dependent adaptative immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Buonocore
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Rue Adrienne Bolland 8, 6041 Gosselies, Belgium
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45
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Chemotherapeutic drugs may be used to enhance the killing efficacy of human tumor antigen peptide-specific CTLs. J Immunother 2008; 31:132-47. [PMID: 18481383 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0b013e31815b69c8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The effects of anticancer chemotherapy on antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are mostly unknown. We tested the effects of cytotoxic drugs such as 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin on the functional activity of antigen-specific CTL cultures derived from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of human donors. We found that a biweekly drug-exposure of human HLA-A(*)02.01+ CTLs derived from bulk cultures led to completely different effects if occurring early (day second) or late (day thirteenth) after the in vitro stimulations with the cognate peptides. In the first case, there was a significant CTL inhibition, whereas in the second, there was a marked enhancement of the antigen-specific cytolytic activity. Results of immunocytofluorimetric studies and CTL/natural killer inhibition assays suggested that the latter effect could be related to a more selective drug-mediated inhibition of cohabitant T regulatory (reg) cells. These results were translated in an in vivo therapeutic mouse model where humanized HLA-A(*)02.01 transgenic mice inoculated with EL-4/humanized HLA-A(*)02.01 transgenic mice showed a prolonged survival and the greatest rate of cure when receiving a combined treatment with a thymidylate synthase-specific peptide vaccine and a multidrug chemotherapy regimen administered late after immunization. Tumor samples derived from this group of mice showed a reduced expression of the target thymidylate synthase antigen, a marked reduction of T(reg)s, and a noteworthy infiltration of C8+ T cells. These results may have clinical implications for the design of new translational anticancer regimens aimed at combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
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Addeo R, Montella L, Baldi A, Cennamo G, Guarrasi R, Faiola V, Caraglia M, Del Prete S. Atypical cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia induced by chemotherapy in a patient with advanced colon carcinoma. Clin Colorectal Cancer 2008; 6:728-30. [PMID: 18039427 DOI: 10.3816/ccc.2007.n.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Some conditions are predisposed to excessive lymphocyte responses, which can progress to a benign condition, ie, atypical cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia (ACLH), or a malignant lymphoma. Clinical diagnosis of drug-associated pseudolymphoma can be based on a temporal association between drug ingestion and lesion onset followed by resolution without recurrence after discontinuation of drug administration. Herein, we report the case of a 66-year-old man with advanced colon carcinoma with ACLH developed while receiving chemotherapy regimen with oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil/leucovorin. The authors postulate that chemotherapy can promote an aberrant immune response to an antigen that can be the drug itself or other self-antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Addeo
- Department of Oncology, S.Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Naples, Italy.
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47
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Tamir A, Basagila E, Kagahzian A, Jiao L, Jensen S, Nicholls J, Tate P, Stamp G, Farzaneh F, Harrison P, Stauss H, George AJT, Habib N, Lechler RI, Lombardi G. Induction of tumor-specific T-cell responses by vaccination with tumor lysate-loaded dendritic cells in colorectal cancer patients with carcinoembryonic-antigen positive tumors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2007; 56:2003-16. [PMID: 17333181 PMCID: PMC11031039 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-007-0299-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2006] [Accepted: 02/07/2007] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most effective antigen-presenting cells. In the last decade, the use of DCs for immunotherapy of cancer patients has been vastly increased. High endocytic capacity together with a unique capability of initiating primary T-cell responses have made DCs the most potent candidates for this purpose. Although DC vaccination occasionally leads to tumor regression, clinical efficacy, and immunogenicity of DCs in clinical trials has not been yet clarified. The present study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of tumor-lysate loaded DC vaccines in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positive tumors. RESULTS Six patients HLA-A*0201-positive were vaccinated with autologous DCs loaded with tumor lysates (TL) together with tetanus toxoid antigen, hepatitis B, and influenza matrix peptides. Two additional patients were injected with DCs that were generated from their sibling or parent with one haplotype mismatch. All patients received the vaccines every 2 weeks, with a total of three intra-nodal injections per patient. The results indicated that DC vaccination was safe and well tolerated by the patients. Specific immune responses were detected and in some patients, transient stabilization or even reduction of CEA levels were observed. The injection of haplotype mismatched HLA-A*0201-positive DCs resulted in some enhancement of the anti-tumor response in vitro and led to stabilization/reduction of CEA levels in the serum, compared to the use of autologous DCs. CONCLUSION Altogether, these results suggest that TL-pulsed DCs may be an effective vaccine method in CRC patients. Elimination of regulatory mechanisms as well as adjustment of the vaccination protocol may improve the efficacy of DC vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayala Tamir
- Department of Immunology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
- Present Address: Research Department, Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle, WA 98104 USA
| | - Ernesto Basagila
- Liver Surgery Section, Department of Surgical Oncology and Technology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Arash Kagahzian
- Liver Surgery Section, Department of Surgical Oncology and Technology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Long Jiao
- Liver Surgery Section, Department of Surgical Oncology and Technology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Steen Jensen
- Liver Surgery Section, Department of Surgical Oncology and Technology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Joanna Nicholls
- Liver Surgery Section, Department of Surgical Oncology and Technology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Paul Tate
- Department of Radiology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Gordon Stamp
- Department of Histopathology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Farzin Farzaneh
- Department of Molecular Biology, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Phillip Harrison
- Department of Medicine, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Hans Stauss
- Department of Immunology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Andrew J. T. George
- Department of Immunology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Nagy Habib
- Liver Surgery Section, Department of Surgical Oncology and Technology, Imperial College at Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Robert I. Lechler
- Immunoregulation Laboratory, Department of Nephrology and Transplantation, Guy’s Hospital, King’s College London, Guy’s King’s and St. Thomas School of Medicine, 5th Floor Thomas Guy House, SE1 9RT London, UK
| | - Giovanna Lombardi
- Immunoregulation Laboratory, Department of Nephrology and Transplantation, Guy’s Hospital, King’s College London, Guy’s King’s and St. Thomas School of Medicine, 5th Floor Thomas Guy House, SE1 9RT London, UK
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Wu S, Xing W, Peng J, Yuan X, Zhao X, Lei P, Li W, Wang M, Zhu H, Huang B, Huang L, Shen G. Tumor transfected with CCL21 enhanced reactivity and apoptosis resistance of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Immunobiology 2007; 213:417-26. [PMID: 18472050 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2007.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2007] [Revised: 10/13/2007] [Accepted: 10/22/2007] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chemokine CCL21 can effectively attract CCR7(+) dendritic cells (DCs), however its role in this event is poorly understood. In this report, we investigated the effect of exogenous CCL21 expressed in breast cancer MCF-7 on human monocyte-derived DCs. CCL21-transfected MCF-7 stimulation prompted DC functions: migration, antigen-uptake and presentation. The stimulated DCs facilitated Th1 type cytokines production, perforin-forming CD8(+) T cell transformation and final T cell-associated clearance of MCF-7. Moreover, the MCF-7-resourced CCL21 protected DCs from apoptosis significantly, involving up-regulations of Bcl-2 expression and NF-kappaB activity, and reduction of caspase-3. This study provides evidence that tumor-derived CCL21 increases the presentation and apoptosis resistance of DCs, suggesting such a mechanism may be useful for the improvement of tumor cell immunogenicity and anti-tumor response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Wu
- Department of Immunology, Basic Medicine Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
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Song CK, Han HD, Noh KH, Kang TH, Park YS, Kim JH, Park ES, Shin BC, Kim TW. Chemotherapy enhances CD8(+) T cell-mediated antitumor immunity induced by vaccination with vaccinia virus. Mol Ther 2007; 15:1558-63. [PMID: 17551502 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of immunotherapy or chemotherapy alone is generally ineffective against well-established tumors. To overcome this intrinsic resistance against therapy for tumors, we have attempted to combine immunotherapy with chemotherapy. In this study, we tried to induce a rapid antitumor effect via chemoimmunotherapy using a vaccinia viral vaccine as an immunotherapeutic agent with anticancer agents including epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and conventional anticancer drugs. Although a combination of vaccinia-mediated vaccination and chemotherapy led to a strong inhibition of tumor growth, monotherapy alone failed to completely cure tumors. In contrast, intravenous injection of cisplatin (CDDP) or cyclophosphamide (CTX) after vaccinia virus vaccination led to complete regression of the established tumors. Interestingly, anticancer drugs appear to augment the antitumor effect of the vaccinia virus-mediated immunotherapy. This effect is mainly associated with the enhanced tumor-specific CD8(+) T cell immune response induced by vaccinia virus, which was demonstrated by antibody depletion. However, anticancer drugs alone failed to induce a significant enhancement of the tumor-specific CD8(+) T cell immune response. Taken together, these results suggest that combining vaccinia virus-based immunotherapy with anticancer drugs is particularly effective against established tumors by increasing the tumor antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell immune response, which is primed by vaccinia virus-mediated vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung Kil Song
- Bioactive Molecules Delivery and Control Research Team, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Yuseong, Daejeon, South Korea
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50
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Kang TH, Lee JH, Song CK, Han HD, Shin BC, Pai SI, Hung CF, Trimble C, Lim JS, Kim TW, Wu TC. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate enhances CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity induced by DNA vaccination. Cancer Res 2007; 67:802-11. [PMID: 17234792 PMCID: PMC3181129 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-2638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy and chemotherapy are generally effective against small tumors in animal models of cancer. However, these treatment regimens are generally ineffective against large, bulky tumors. We have found that a multimodality treatment regimen using DNA vaccination in combination with chemotherapeutic agent epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a compound found in green tea, is effective in inhibiting large tumor growth. EGCG was found to induce tumor cellular apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The combination of EGCG and DNA vaccination led to an enhanced tumor-specific T-cell immune response and enhanced antitumor effects, resulting in a higher cure rate than either immunotherapy or EGCG alone. In addition, combined DNA vaccination and oral EGCG treatment provided long-term antitumor protection in cured mice. Cured animals rejected a challenge of E7-expressing tumors, such as TC-1 and B16E7, but not a challenge of B16 7 weeks after the combined treatment, showing antigen-specific immune responses. These results suggest that multimodality treatment strategies, such as combining immunotherapy with a tumor-killing cancer drug, may be a more effective anticancer strategy than single-modality treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Heung Kang
- Laboratory of Infection and Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea
| | - Jin Hyup Lee
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chung Kil Song
- Department of Advanced Materials, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hee Dong Han
- Department of Advanced Materials, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Byung Cheol Shin
- Department of Advanced Materials, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sara I. Pai
- Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chien-Fu Hung
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Cornelia Trimble
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jong-Seok Lim
- Research Center for Women’s Diseases, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae Woo Kim
- Laboratory of Infection and Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea
- Research Center for Women’s Diseases, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - T-C. Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
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