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Ma H, Li G, Huo D, Su Y, Jin Q, Lu Y, Sun Y, Zhang D, Chen X. Impact of Hashimoto's thyroiditis on the tumor microenvironment in papillary thyroid cancer: insights from single-cell analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1339473. [PMID: 39351536 PMCID: PMC11439672 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1339473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), an autoimmune disorder, on the papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) microenvironment using a dataset of 140,456 cells from 11 patients. By comparing PTC cases with and without HT, we identify HT-specific cell populations (HASCs) and their role in creating a TSH-suppressive environment via mTE3, nTE0, and nTE2 thyroid cells. These cells facilitate intricate immune-stromal communication through the MIF-(CD74+CXCR4) axis, emphasizing immune regulation in the TSH context. In the realm of personalized medicine, our HASC-focused analysis within the TCGA-THCA dataset validates the utility of HASC profiling for guiding tailored therapies. Moreover, we introduce a novel, objective method to determine K-means clustering coefficients in copy number variation inference from bulk RNA-seq data, mitigating the arbitrariness in conventional coefficient selection. Collectively, our research presents a detailed single-cell atlas illustrating HT-PTC interactions, deepening our understanding of HT's modulatory effects on PTC microenvironments. It contributes to our understanding of autoimmunity-carcinogenesis dynamics and charts a course for discovering new therapeutic targets in PTC, advancing cancer genomics and immunotherapy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhe Ma
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics and Science Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Guoqi Li
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics and Science Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Diwei Huo
- Department of Urology Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yangguang Su
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics and Science Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qing Jin
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics and Science Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yangxu Lu
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics and Science Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yanyan Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Denan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics and Science Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiujie Chen
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics and Science Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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2
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De Paolis V, Troisi V, Bordin A, Pagano F, Caputo V, Parisi C. Unconventional p65/p52 NF-κB module regulates key tumor microenvironment-related genes in breast tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Life Sci 2024; 357:123059. [PMID: 39278618 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.123059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
The complex heterogeneity of tumor microenvironment (TME) of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents a significant obstacle to cytotoxic immune response and successful treatment, building up one of the most hostile oncological phenotypes. Among the most abundant TME components, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have pivotal pro-tumoral functions, involving discordant roles for the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) transcription factors and directing to higher levels of pathway complexity. In both resting macrophages and TAMs, we recently revealed the existence of the uncharacterized NF-κB p65/p52 dimer. In the present study, we demonstrated its enhanced active nuclear localization in TAMs and validated selected immune target genes as directly regulated by dimer binding on DNA sequences. We demonstrated by ChIP-qPCR that p65/p52 enrichment on HSPG2 and CSF-1 regulatory regions is strictly dependent on macrophage polarization and tumor environment. Our data provide novel mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in TAMs, orchestrated by the varied and dynamic nature of NF-κB combinations, which needs to be considered when targeting this pathway in cancer therapies. Our results offer p65/p52, together with identified regulatory regions on genes impacting macrophage behavior and tumor biology, as novel molecular targets for TNBC, aimed at modulating TAMs functions towards anti-tumoral phenotypes and thus improving cancer treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica De Paolis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CNR-National Research Council, Via Ercole Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, RM, Italy.
| | - Virginia Troisi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CNR-National Research Council, Via Ercole Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, RM, Italy
| | - Antonella Bordin
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica, 79, 04100, Latina, Italy
| | - Francesca Pagano
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CNR-National Research Council, Via Ercole Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, RM, Italy
| | - Viviana Caputo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Parisi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CNR-National Research Council, Via Ercole Ramarini, 32, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, RM, Italy.
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3
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Zheng X, Sun R, Wei T. Immune microenvironment in papillary thyroid carcinoma: roles of immune cells and checkpoints in disease progression and therapeutic implications. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1438235. [PMID: 39290709 PMCID: PMC11405226 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1438235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type of primary thyroid cancer. Despite the low malignancy and relatively good prognosis, some PTC cases are highly aggressive and even develop refractory cancer in the thyroid. Growing evidence suggested that microenvironment in tumor affected PTC biological behavior due to different immune states. Different interconnected components in the immune system influence and participate in tumor invasion, and are closely related to PTC metastasis. Immune cells and molecules are widely distributed in PTC tissues. Their quantity and proportion vary with the host's immune status, which suggests that immunotherapy may be a very promising therapeutic modality for PTC. In this paper, we review the role of immune cells and immune checkpoints in PTC immune microenvironment based on the characteristics of the PTC tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Zheng
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruonan Sun
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Wei
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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4
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Spiga M, Martini E, Maffia MC, Ciceri F, Ruggiero E, Potenza A, Bonini C. Harnessing the tumor microenvironment to boost adoptive T cell therapy with engineered lymphocytes for solid tumors. Semin Immunopathol 2024; 46:8. [PMID: 39060547 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-024-01011-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) and T Cell Receptor (TCR) engineered T cells represents an innovative therapeutic approach for the treatment of hematological malignancies, yet its application for solid tumors is still suboptimal. The tumor microenvironment (TME) places several challenges to overcome for a satisfactory therapeutic effect, such as physical barriers (fibrotic capsule and stroma), and inhibitory signals impeding T cell function. Some of these obstacles can be faced by combining ACT with other anti-tumor approaches, such as chemo/radiotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors. On the other hand, cutting edge technological tools offer the opportunity to overcome and, in some cases, take advantage of TME intrinsic characteristics to boost ACT efficacy. These include: the exploitation of chemokine gradients and integrin expression for preferential T-cell homing and extravasation; metabolic changes that have direct or indirect effects on TCR-T and CAR-T cells by increasing antigen presentation and reshaping T cell phenotype; introduction of additional synthetic receptors on TCR-T and CAR-T cells with the aim of increasing T cells survival and fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Spiga
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Martini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Maffia
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Ciceri
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Eliana Ruggiero
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Potenza
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
| | - Chiara Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
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5
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Jaroszewski A, Geysels RC, Volpini X, Pellizas CG, Motran CC, Stempin CC, Nicola JP, Cheng SY, Fozzatti L. Anaplastic thyroid cancer cell-secreted TGFβ1 plays a key role in inducing macrophage polarization of human monocytes. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:3626-3638. [PMID: 39113863 PMCID: PMC11301286 DOI: 10.62347/bhfa4606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a clinically aggressive form of undifferentiated thyroid cancer with limited treatment options. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute over 50% of ATC-infiltrating cells, and their presence is associated with a poor prognosis. We have previously shown that paracrine signals released by ATC cells induced pro-tumor M2-like polarization of human monocytes. However, which soluble factors derived from ATC cells drive monocyte activation, are largely unknown. In this study we investigated the participation of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) on the phenotype of macrophage activation induced by ATC cell-derived conditioned media (CM). THP-1 cells exposed to CM derived from ATC cells and recombinant human TGFβ1 induced M2-like macrophage polarization, showing high CD163 and Dectin1 expression. Moreover, we showed that TGFβ1 induced the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of the transcription factors SNAIL and SLUG. Accordingly, increased TGFβ1 secretion from ATC cells was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Addition of SB431542, a TGFβ receptor inhibitor, significantly decreased the Dectin1, CD163, SNAIL and SLUG expression stimulated by ATC cell-derived CM. We validated the clinical significance of the expression of TGFβ ligands, their receptors, as well as SNAIL and SLUG in human ATC by analyzing public microarray datasets. We found that the expression of the main TGFβ ligands, TGFβ1 and TGFβ3, along with their receptors, TGFR1 and TGFR2, as well as SLUG, was significantly higher in human ATC tissue samples than in normal thyroid tissues. Our findings indicate that ATC cell-secreted TGFβ1 may play a key role in M2-like macrophage polarization of human monocytes and in the up-regulation of SNAIL and SLUG transcription factors. Thus, ours results uncovered a novel mechanism involved in the activation of TAMs by soluble factors released by ATC cells, which suggest potential therapeutic targets for ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Jaroszewski
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de CórdobaCórdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICETCórdoba, Argentina
| | - Romina C Geysels
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de CórdobaCórdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICETCórdoba, Argentina
| | - Ximena Volpini
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de CórdobaCórdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICETCórdoba, Argentina
| | - Claudia G Pellizas
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de CórdobaCórdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICETCórdoba, Argentina
| | - Claudia C Motran
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de CórdobaCórdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICETCórdoba, Argentina
| | - Cinthia C Stempin
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de CórdobaCórdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICETCórdoba, Argentina
| | - Juan P Nicola
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de CórdobaCórdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICETCórdoba, Argentina
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Laura Fozzatti
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de CórdobaCórdoba, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, CONICETCórdoba, Argentina
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Kotwal A, Simpson R, Whiteman N, Swanson B, Yuil-Valdes A, Fitch M, Nguyen J, Elhag S, Shats O, Goldner W, Bennett R. Relaxin-2 is a novel biomarker for differentiated thyroid carcinoma in humans. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116323. [PMID: 38815632 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Relaxin's role in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has been suggested but its characterization in a large clinical sample remains limited. We performed immunohistochemistry for relaxin-2 (RLN2), CD68 (total macrophages), CD163 (M2 macrophages) on tissue microarrays from 181 subjects with non-distant metastatic DTC, and 185 subjects with benign thyroid tissue. Mean pixels/area for each marker was compared between tumor and adjacent tissue via paired-t test and between DTC and benign subjects via t-test assuming unequal variances. RNA qPCR was performed for expression of RLN2, RLN1, and RXFP1 in cell lines. Amongst 181 cases, the mean age was 46 years, 75 % were females. Tumoral tissue amongst the DTC cases demonstrated higher mean expression of RLN2 (53.04 vs. 9.79; p < 0.0001) compared to tumor-adjacent tissue. DTC tissue also demonstrated higher mean expression of CD68 (14.46 vs. 4.79; p < 0.0001), and CD163 (23.13 vs. -0.73; p < 0.0001) than benign thyroid. These markers did not differ between tumor-adjacent and benign thyroid tissue groups; and amongst cases, did not differ by demographic or clinicopathologic features. RLN1 and RXFP1 expression was detected in a minority of the cell lines, while RLN2 was expressed by 6/7 cell lines. In conclusion, widespread RLN2 expression in DTC tissue and most cell lines demonstrates that RLN2 acts in a paracrine manner, and that RLN1 and RXFP1 are probably not involved in thyroid cancer cell signaling. RLN2 is a biomarker for thyroid carcinogenesis, being associated with but not secreted by immunosuppressive macrophages. These findings will guide further investigations for therapeutic avenues against thyroid cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Relaxin/metabolism
- Relaxin/genetics
- Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology
- Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics
- Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Female
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Adult
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Antigens, CD/genetics
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Aged
- Receptors, Peptide/metabolism
- Receptors, Peptide/genetics
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/metabolism
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Kotwal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA; Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ronda Simpson
- VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Nicholas Whiteman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Benjamin Swanson
- Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ana Yuil-Valdes
- Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Madelyn Fitch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Joshua Nguyen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Salma Elhag
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Oleg Shats
- Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Whitney Goldner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Robert Bennett
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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7
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Toledo B, Zhu Chen L, Paniagua-Sancho M, Marchal JA, Perán M, Giovannetti E. Deciphering the performance of macrophages in tumour microenvironment: a call for precision immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:44. [PMID: 38863020 PMCID: PMC11167803 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01559-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophages infiltrating tumour tissues or residing in the microenvironment of solid tumours are known as tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs). These specialized immune cells play crucial roles in tumour growth, angiogenesis, immune regulation, metastasis, and chemoresistance. TAMs encompass various subpopulations, primarily classified into M1 and M2 subtypes based on their differentiation and activities. M1 macrophages, characterized by a pro-inflammatory phenotype, exert anti-tumoural effects, while M2 macrophages, with an anti-inflammatory phenotype, function as protumoural regulators. These highly versatile cells respond to stimuli from tumour cells and other constituents within the tumour microenvironment (TME), such as growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and enzymes. These stimuli induce their polarization towards one phenotype or another, leading to complex interactions with TME components and influencing both pro-tumour and anti-tumour processes.This review comprehensively and deeply covers the literature on macrophages, their origin and function as well as the intricate interplay between macrophages and the TME, influencing the dual nature of TAMs in promoting both pro- and anti-tumour processes. Moreover, the review delves into the primary pathways implicated in macrophage polarization, examining the diverse stimuli that regulate this process. These stimuli play a crucial role in shaping the phenotype and functions of macrophages. In addition, the advantages and limitations of current macrophage based clinical interventions are reviewed, including enhancing TAM phagocytosis, inducing TAM exhaustion, inhibiting TAM recruitment, and polarizing TAMs towards an M1-like phenotype. In conclusion, while the treatment strategies targeting macrophages in precision medicine show promise, overcoming several obstacles is still necessary to achieve an accessible and efficient immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Toledo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Lagunillas, Jaén, E-23071, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Linrui Zhu Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - María Paniagua-Sancho
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, E-18100, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada-Universidad de Granada, Granada, E-18071, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Marchal
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, E-18100, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Hospitales Universitarios de Granada-Universidad de Granada, Granada, E-18071, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
| | - Macarena Perán
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Lagunillas, Jaén, E-23071, Spain.
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, E-18100, Spain.
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain.
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano, Pisa, 56017, Italy.
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8
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Febrero B, Ruiz-Manzanera JJ, Ros-Madrid I, Hernández AM, Orenes-Piñero E, Rodríguez JM. Tumor microenvironment in thyroid cancer: Immune cells, patterns, and novel treatments. Head Neck 2024; 46:1486-1499. [PMID: 38380767 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment of thyroid cancer is the heterogeneous histological space in which tumor cells coexist with host cells. Published data from this review were identified by search and selection database of Pubmed, Elsevier, and Science Direct. Searching was made in two steps using different keywords. In thyroid pathology, the inflammatory response is very important, and might have a key role finding new diagnostic and therapeutic methods, particularly in thyroid cancer. Different immune cells may be more or less present in different types of thyroid cancer and may even have different functions, hence the importance of knowing their presence in different thyroid tumor pathologies. Cancer-related inflammation could be a useful target for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies by analyzing peritumoral and intratumoral immune cells in different types of thyroid tumors. Moreover, novel strategies for thyroid cancer treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies targeting checkpoint inhibitors, are emerging as promising alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Febrero
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan José Ruiz-Manzanera
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Ros-Madrid
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Miguel Hernández
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
| | - Esteban Orenes-Piñero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-A, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Manuel Rodríguez
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, General Surgery Service, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
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9
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Turner N, Hamidi S, Ouni R, Rico R, Henderson YC, Puche M, Alekseev S, Colunga-Minutti JG, Zafereo ME, Lai SY, Kim ST, Cabanillas ME, Nurieva R. Emerging therapeutic options for follicular-derived thyroid cancer in the era of immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1369780. [PMID: 38868771 PMCID: PMC11167082 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1369780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Although most follicular-derived thyroid cancers are well differentiated and have an overall excellent prognosis following treatment with surgery and radioiodine, management of advanced thyroid cancers, including iodine refractory disease and poorly differentiated/undifferentiated subtypes, is more challenging. Over the past decade, better understanding of the genetic drivers and immune milieu of advanced thyroid cancers has led to significant progress in the management of these patients. Numerous targeted kinase inhibitors are now approved by the U.S Food and Drug administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced, radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) as well as anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Immunotherapy has also been thoroughly studied and has shown promise in selected cases. In this review, we summarize the progress in the understanding of the genetic landscape and the cellular and molecular basis of radioiodine refractory-DTC and ATC, as well as discuss the current treatment options and future therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naimah Turner
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sarah Hamidi
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rim Ouni
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rene Rico
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ying C. Henderson
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Puche
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Engineering, Houston Christian University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sayan Alekseev
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Program of Biology, College of Sciences, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Jocelynn G. Colunga-Minutti
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Program of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mark E. Zafereo
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Stephen Y. Lai
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sang T. Kim
- Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Maria E. Cabanillas
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Roza Nurieva
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Program of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX, United States
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10
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Carniti C, Caldarelli NM, Agnelli L, Torelli T, Ljevar S, Jonnalagadda S, Zanirato G, Fardella E, Stella F, Lorenzini D, Brich S, Arienti F, Dodero A, Chiappella A, Magni M, Corradini P. Monocytes in leukapheresis products affect the outcome of CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy in patients with lymphoma. Blood Adv 2024; 8:1968-1980. [PMID: 38359407 PMCID: PMC11017285 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2024012563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells can induce durable remissions in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphomas (R/R LBCLs), but 60% of patients do not respond or relapse. Biological mechanisms explaining lack of response are emerging, but they are largely unsuccessful in predicting disease response at the patient level. Additionally, to maximize the cost-effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy, biomarkers able to predict response and survival before CAR T-cell manufacturing would be desirable. We performed transcriptomic and functional evaluations of leukapheresis products in 95 patients with R/R LBCL enrolled in a prospective observational study, to identify correlates of response and survival to tisagenlecleucel and axicabtagene ciloleucel. A signature composed of 4 myeloid genes expressed by T cells isolated from leukapheresis products is able to identify patients with a very short progression-free survival (PFS), highlighting the impact of monocytes in CAR T-cell therapy response. Accordingly, response and PFS were also negatively influenced by high circulating absolute monocyte counts at the time of leukapheresis. The combined evaluation of peripheral blood monocytes at the time of leukapheresis and the 4-gene signature represents a novel tool to identify patients with R/R LBCL at very high risk of progression after CAR T-cell therapy and could be used to plan trials evaluating CAR T cells vs other novel treatments or allogeneic CAR T cells. However, it also highlights the need to incorporate monocyte depletion strategies for better CAR T production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Carniti
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicole M. Caldarelli
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Agnelli
- Department of Diagnostic Innovation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Molecular Oncology 1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Tommaso Torelli
- Department of Diagnostic Innovation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Molecular Oncology 1, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Silva Ljevar
- Biostatistics for Clinical Research Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sadhana Jonnalagadda
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Giada Zanirato
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenio Fardella
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Stella
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Lorenzini
- Department of Diagnostic Innovation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Brich
- Department of Diagnostic Innovation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavio Arienti
- Service of Immunohematology & Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Dodero
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Chiappella
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Magni
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Corradini
- Hematology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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11
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Núñez SY, Trotta A, Regge MV, Amarilla MS, Secchiari F, Sierra JM, Santilli MC, Gantov M, Rovegno A, Richards N, Ameri C, Ríos Pita H, Rico L, Mieggi M, Vitagliano G, Blas L, Friedrich AD, Domaica CI, Fuertes MB, Zwirner NW. Tumor-associated macrophages impair NK cell IFN-γ production and contribute to tumor progression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Eur J Immunol 2024:e2350878. [PMID: 38581345 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are abundant in several tumor types and usually correlate with poor prognosis. Previously, we demonstrated that anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2) inhibit NK cell effector functions. Here, we explored the impact of TAM on NK cells in the context of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that an exhausted NK cell signature strongly correlated with an M2 signature. Analysis of TAM from human ccRCC samples confirmed that they exhibited an M2-skewed phenotype and inhibited IFN-γ production by NK cells. Moreover, human M0 macrophages cultured with conditioned media from ccRCC cell lines generated macrophages with an M2-skewed phenotype (TAM-like), which alike TAM, displayed suppressive activity on NK cells. Moreover, TAM depletion in the mouse Renca ccRCC model resulted in delayed tumor growth and reduced volume, accompanied by an increased frequency of IFN-γ-producing tumor-infiltrating NK cells that displayed heightened expression of T-bet and NKG2D and reduced expression of the exhaustion-associated co-inhibitory molecules PD-1 and TIM-3. Therefore, in ccRCC, the tumor microenvironment polarizes TAM toward an immunosuppressive profile that promotes tumor-infiltrating NK cell dysfunction, contributing to tumor progression. In addition, immunotherapy strategies targeting TAM may result in NK cell reinvigoration, thereby counteracting tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sol Yanel Núñez
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Aldana Trotta
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Victoria Regge
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Sofía Amarilla
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia Secchiari
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jessica Mariel Sierra
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Santilli
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Gantov
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Agustín Rovegno
- Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno" (CEMIC), Servicio de Urología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Richards
- Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno" (CEMIC), Servicio de Urología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Ameri
- Hospital Alemán, Servicio de Urología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Luis Rico
- Hospital Alemán, Servicio de Urología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mauro Mieggi
- Hospital Alemán, Servicio de Urología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Leandro Blas
- Hospital Alemán, Servicio de Urología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adrián David Friedrich
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carolina Inés Domaica
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Beatriz Fuertes
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Norberto Walter Zwirner
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Fundación IBYME, Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Inmunidad Innata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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12
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Lim J, Lee HS, Heo JH, Song YS. Clinicopathological Features and Molecular Signatures of Lateral Neck Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2024; 39:324-333. [PMID: 38572535 PMCID: PMC11066436 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2023.1885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGRUOUND The predictive factors for lateral neck lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) remain undetermined. This study investigated the clinicopathological characteristics, transcriptomes, and tumor microenvironment in PTMC according to the LLNM status. We aimed to identify the biomarkers associated with LLNM development. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with PTMC from two independent institutions between 2018 and 2022 (n=597 and n=467). We compared clinicopathological features between patients without lymph node metastasis (N0) and those with LLNM (N1b). Additionally, laser capture microdissection and RNA sequencing were performed on primary tumors from both groups, including metastatic lymph nodes from the N1b group (n=30; 20 primary tumors and 10 paired LLNMs). We corroborated the findings using RNA sequencing data from 16 BRAF-like PTMCs from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Transcriptomic analyses were validated by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS Clinicopathological characteristics, such as male sex, multifocality, extrathyroidal extension, lymphatic invasion, and central node metastasis showed associations with LLNM in PTMCs. Transcriptomic profiles between the N0 and N1b PTMC groups were similar. However, tumor microenvironment deconvolution from RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry revealed an increased abundance of tumor-associated macrophages, particularly M2 macrophages, in the N1b group. CONCLUSION Patients with PTMC who have a male sex, multifocality, extrathyroidal extension, lymphatic invasion, and central node metastasis exhibited an elevated risk for LLNM. Furthermore, infiltration of M2 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment potentially supports tumor progression and LLNM in PTMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsun Lim
- CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Han Sai Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin-Hyung Heo
- Department of Pathology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Young Shin Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
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13
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Chen J, Xiao Z, Wu H. Research progress of immunotherapy against anaplastic thyroid cancer. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1365055. [PMID: 38595813 PMCID: PMC11002090 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1365055] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is the most aggressive type of thyroid cancer. While ATC is rare, its mortality is high. Standard treatments, such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have demonstrated limited efficacy in managing ATC. However, the advent of immunotherapy has significantly improved the prognosis for patients with ATC. Immunotherapy effectively targets and eliminates tumor cells by using the power of the body's immune cells. The neoantigen is an atypical protein generated by somatic mutation, is exclusively observed in neoplastic cells, and is devoid of central tolerance. Neoantigens exhibit enhanced specificity towards tumor cells and display robust immunogenic properties. Currently, neoantigen therapy is primarily applied in immune checkpoint inhibitors and cellular immunotherapy, encompassing adoptive immunotherapy and tumor vaccines. This study discusses the mechanism, tumor microenvironment, clinical trials, adverse events, limitations and future directions associated with ATC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hongyan Wu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
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14
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Jin Y, Huang Y, Ren H, Huang H, Lai C, Wang W, Tong Z, Zhang H, Wu W, Liu C, Bao X, Fang W, Li H, Zhao P, Dai X. Nano-enhanced immunotherapy: Targeting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Biomaterials 2024; 305:122463. [PMID: 38232643 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME), which is mostly composed of tumor cells, immune cells, signaling molecules, stromal tissue, and the vascular system, is an integrated system that is conducive to the formation of tumors. TME heterogeneity makes the response to immunotherapy different in different tumors, such as "immune-cold" and "immune-hot" tumors. Tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells are the major suppressive immune cells and their different phenotypes interact and influence cancer cells by secreting different signaling factors, thus playing a key role in the formation of the TME as well as in the initiation, growth, and metastasis of cancer cells. Nanotechnology development has facilitated overcoming the obstacles that limit the further development of conventional immunotherapy, such as toxic side effects and lack of targeting. In this review, we focus on the role of three major suppressive immune cells in the TME as well as in tumor development, clinical trials of different drugs targeting immune cells, and different attempts to combine drugs with nanomaterials. The aim is to reveal the relationship between immunotherapy, immunosuppressive TME and nanomedicine, thus laying the foundation for further development of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhi Jin
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China; National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yangyue Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China
| | - Hui Ren
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China; National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Huanhuan Huang
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Postgraduate Training Base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou, 310022, China
| | - Chunyu Lai
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China; National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Zhou Tong
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Hangyu Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China; National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chuan Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Xuanwen Bao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China; National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Weijia Fang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China; National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hongjun Li
- National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
| | - Peng Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China; National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Xiaomeng Dai
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China; National Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery and Release Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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15
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Su JY, Huang T, Zhang JL, Lu JH, Wang ML, Yan J, Lin RB, Lin SY, Wang J. Leveraging molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors treat advanced thyroid carcinoma to achieve thyroid carcinoma redifferentiation. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:407-428. [PMID: 38455407 PMCID: PMC10915323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer can be classified into three different types based on the degree of differentiation: well-differentiated, poorly differentiated, and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Well-differentiated thyroid cancer refers to cancer cells that closely resemble normal thyroid cells, while poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma are characterized by cells that have lost their resemblance to normal thyroid cells. Advanced thyroid carcinoma, regardless of its degree of differentiation, is known to have a higher likelihood of disease progression and is generally associated with a poor prognosis. However, the process through which well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma transforms into anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, also known as "dedifferentiation", has been a subject of intensive research. In recent years, there have been significant breakthroughs in the treatment of refractory advanced thyroid cancer. Clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of dedifferentiated thyroid cancer. These drugs work by targeting specific molecules or proteins in cancer cells to inhibit their growth or by enhancing the body's immune response against the cancer cells. This article aims to explore some of the possible mechanisms behind the dedifferentiation process in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. It also discusses the clinical effects of molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors in thyroid cancer patients with different degrees of differentiation. Furthermore, it offers insights into the future trends in the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer, highlighting the potential for improved outcomes and better patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yang Su
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
- Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Huang
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia-Lin Zhang
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin-Hua Lu
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Meng-Lei Wang
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiang Yan
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ren-Bin Lin
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sheng-You Lin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
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16
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Kotwal A, Gustafson MP, Bornschlegl S, Dietz AB, Delivanis D, Ryder M. Circulating immunophenotypes are potentially prognostic in follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1325343. [PMID: 38235146 PMCID: PMC10792034 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1325343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Exploring the immune interface of follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer has prognostic and therapeutic potential. The available literature is lacking for comprehensive immunophenotyping in relation to clinical outcomes. In this study, we identify circulating immunophenotypes associated with thyroid cancer prognosis. Methods We conducted a pilot observational study of adults with follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer who underwent surgery at our tertiary care referral center and had consented for flow cytometry on peripheral blood collected at the time of thyroidectomy. Results Of the 32 included subjects, 20 (62%) had well differentiated, 5 (16%) had poorly differentiated, and 7 (22%) had anaplastic thyroid cancer. The most frequent AJCC stage was 4 (59%) and the ATA risk of recurrence category was high (56%). Patients with AJCC stage 3/4 demonstrated fewer circulating mononuclear cells (CD45+), more monocytes (CD14+), fewer total lymphocytes (CD14-), fewer T cells (CD3+), fewer CD4+ T cells, fewer gamma-delta T cells, fewer natural killer (NK) T-like cells, more myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs; Lin-CD33+HLADR-), and more effector memory T cells but similar CD8+ T cells compared to stage1/2. Immunophenotype comparisons by ATA risk stratification and course of thyroid cancer were comparable to those observed for stage, except for significant differences in memory T cell subtypes. The median follow-up was 58 months. Conclusions Aggressive follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer either at presentation or during follow-up is associated with down-regulation of the T cell populations specifically CD4+ T cells, gamma-delta T cells, and NK T-like cells but up-regulation of MDSCs and altered memory T cells. These immunophenotypes are potential prognostic biomarkers supporting future investigation for developing targeted immunotherapies against advanced thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Kotwal
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Michael P. Gustafson
- Divisions of Experimental Pathology and Transfusion Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Svetlana Bornschlegl
- Divisions of Experimental Pathology and Transfusion Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Allan B. Dietz
- Divisions of Experimental Pathology and Transfusion Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Danae Delivanis
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Mabel Ryder
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
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17
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Komatsuda H, Kono M, Wakisaka R, Sato R, Inoue T, Kumai T, Takahara M. Harnessing Immunity to Treat Advanced Thyroid Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 12:45. [PMID: 38250858 PMCID: PMC10820966 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12010045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) has increased over the past 30 years. Although differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has a good prognosis in most patients undergoing total thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine therapy (RAI), 5-10% of patients develop metastasis. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has a low survival rate and few effective treatments have been available to date. Recently, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been successfully applied to RAI-resistant or non-responsive TC to suppress the disease. However, TC eventually develops resistance to TKIs. Immunotherapy is a promising treatment for TC, the majority of which is considered an immune-hot malignancy. Immune suppression by TC cells and immune-suppressing cells, including tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells, is complex and dynamic. Negative immune checkpoints, cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) suppress antitumor T cells. Basic and translational advances in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), molecule-targeted therapy, tumor-specific immunotherapy, and their combinations have enabled us to overcome immune suppression and activate antitumor immune cells. This review summarizes current findings regarding the immune microenvironment, immunosuppression, immunological targets, and immunotherapy for TC and highlights the potential efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Komatsuda
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
| | - Michihisa Kono
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Risa Wakisaka
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
| | - Ryosuke Sato
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
| | - Takahiro Inoue
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
| | - Takumi Kumai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
- Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Miki Takahara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
- Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
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18
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Feng C, Tao Y, Yu C, Wang L, Liu X, Cao Y. Integrative single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals immune suppressive landscape in the anaplastic thyroid cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:1598-1609. [PMID: 37679527 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00663-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in ATC is a complex and diverse ecosystem. It is essential to have a comprehensive understanding to improve cancer treatment and prognosis. However, TIME of ATC and the dynamic changes with PTC has not been revealed at the single-cell level. Here, we performed an integrative single-cell analysis of PTC and ATC primary tumor samples. We found that immunosuppressive cells and molecules dominated the TIME in ATC. Specifically, the level of infiltration of exhausted CD8+ T cells, and M2 macrophages was increased, and that of NK cells, B cells, and M1 macrophages was decreased. The cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells, γδT cells, and NK cells was decreased, and immune checkpoint molecules, such as LAG3, PD1, HAVCR2, and TIGIT were highly expressed in ATC. Our findings contribute to the comprehension of TIME in both PTC and ATC, offering insights into the immunosuppressive factors specifically associated with ATC. Targeting these immunosuppressive factors may activate the anti-tumor immune response in ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Feng
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of PLA, 250031, Jinan, China
| | - Yujia Tao
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of PLA, 250031, Jinan, China
| | - Chao Yu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of PLA, 250031, Jinan, China
| | - Lirui Wang
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of PLA, 250031, Jinan, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of PLA, 250031, Jinan, China.
| | - Yuan Cao
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of PLA, 250031, Jinan, China.
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19
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Shimoyama S, Okada K, Kimura T, Morohashi Y, Nakayama S, Kemmochi S, Makita-Suzuki K, Matulonis UA, Mori M. FF-10850, a Novel Liposomal Topotecan Achieves Superior Antitumor Activity via Macrophage- and Ammonia-Mediated Payload Release in the Tumor Microenvironment. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:1454-1464. [PMID: 37683276 PMCID: PMC10690090 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Topotecan, an approved treatment for refractory or recurrent ovarian cancer, has clinical limitations such as rapid clearance and hematologic toxicity. To overcome these limitations and maximize clinical benefit, we designed FF-10850, a dihydrosphingomyelin-based liposomal topotecan. FF-10850 demonstrated superior antitumor activity to topotecan in ovarian cancer cell line-based xenograft models, as well as in a clinically relevant DF181 platinum-refractory ovarian cancer patient-derived xenograft model. The safety profile was also improved with mitigation of hematologic toxicity. The improved antitumor activity and safety profile are achieved via its preferential accumulation and payload release triggered in the tumor microenvironment. Our data indicate that tumor-associated macrophages internalize FF-10850, resulting in complete payload release. The release mechanism also appears to be mediated by high ammonia concentration resulting from glutaminolysis, which is activated by tumor metabolic reprogramming. In ammonia-rich conditions, FF-10850 released payload more rapidly and to a greater extent than liposomal doxorubicin, a currently approved treatment for ovarian cancer. FF-10850 significantly enhanced antitumor activity in combination with carboplatin or PARP inhibitor without detrimental effects on body weight in murine xenograft models, and demonstrated synergistic antitumor activity combined with anti-PD-1 antibody with the development of tumor antigen-specific immunity. These results support phase I investigation of FF-10850 for the treatment of solid tumors including ovarian cancer (NCT04047251), and further evaluation in combination settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ken Okada
- Bio Science & Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Kimura
- Bio Science & Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasushi Morohashi
- Bio Science & Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shinji Nakayama
- Bio Science & Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sayaka Kemmochi
- Bio Science & Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Keiko Makita-Suzuki
- Bio Science & Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ursula A. Matulonis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mikinaga Mori
- Bio Science & Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
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20
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Zhu L, Li XJ, Gangadaran P, Jing X, Ahn BC. Tumor-associated macrophages as a potential therapeutic target in thyroid cancers. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3895-3917. [PMID: 37796300 PMCID: PMC10992981 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03549-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages are important precursor cell types of the innate immune system and bridge adaptive immune responses through the antigen presentation system. Meanwhile, macrophages constitute substantial portion of the stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) (referred to as tumor-associated macrophages, or TAMs) and exhibit conflicting roles in the development, invasion, and metastasis of thyroid cancer (TC). Moreover, TAMs play a crucial role to the behavior of TC due to their high degree of infiltration and prognostic relevance. Generally, TAMs can be divided into two subgroups; M1-like TAMs are capable of directly kill tumor cells, and recruiting and activating other immune cells in the early stages of cancer. However, due to changes in the TME, M2-like TAMs gradually increase and promote tumor progression. This review aims to discuss the impact of TAMs on TC, including their role in tumor promotion, gene mutation, and other factors related to the polarization of TAMs. Finally, we will explore the M2-like TAM-centered therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, clinical trials, and combinatorial immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liya Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Xiu Juan Li
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, 271000, Shan-Dong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Prakash Gangadaran
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR KNU Convergence Educational Program of Biomedical Sciences for Creative Future Talents, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Xiuli Jing
- Center for Life Sciences Research, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shan-Dong Province, 271000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Byeong-Cheol Ahn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea.
- BK21 FOUR KNU Convergence Educational Program of Biomedical Sciences for Creative Future Talents, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea.
- Department Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea.
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21
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Gulia S, Chandra P, Das A. The Prognosis of Cancer Depends on the Interplay of Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Anoikis within the Tumor Microenvironment. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023; 81:621-658. [PMID: 37787970 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01179-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Within the tumor microenvironment, the fight between the immune system and cancer influences tumor transformation. Metastasis formation is an important stage in the progression of cancer. This process is aided by cellular detachment and resistance to anoikis, which are achieved by altering intercellular signaling. Autophagy, specifically pro-survival autophagy, aids cancer cells in developing treatment resistance. Numerous studies have shown that autophagy promotes tumor growth and resistance to anoikis. To regulate protective autophagy, cancer-related genes phosphorylate both pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. Apoptosis, a type of controlled cell death, eliminates damaged or unwanted cells. Anoikis is a type of programmed cell death in which cells lose contact with the extracellular matrix. The dysregulation of these cellular pathways promotes tumor growth and spread. Apoptosis, anoikis, and autophagy interact meticulously and differently depending on the cellular circumstances. For instance, autophagy can protect cancer cells from apoptosis by removing cellular components that are damaged and might otherwise trigger apoptotic pathways. Similarly, anoikis dysregulation can trigger autophagy by causing cellular harm and metabolic stress. In order to prevent or treat metastatic disease, specifically, targeting these cellular mechanisms may present a promising prospect for cancer therapy. This review discourses the state of our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tumor transformation and the establishment of metastatic tumors. To enhance the prognosis for cancer, we highlight and discuss potential therapeutic approaches that target these processes and genes involved in them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Gulia
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Prakash Chandra
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Asmita Das
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India.
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22
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Zhang L, Zhou M, Gao X, Xie Y, Xiao J, Liu T, Zeng X. Estrogen-related genes for thyroid cancer prognosis, immune infiltration, staging, and drug sensitivity. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1048. [PMID: 37907864 PMCID: PMC10619281 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11556-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer (THCA) has become increasingly common in recent decades, and women are three to four times more likely to develop it than men. Evidence shows that estrogen has a significant impact on THCA proliferation and growth. Nevertheless, the effects of estrogen-related genes (ERGs) on THCA stages, immunological infiltration, and treatment susceptibility have not been well explored. METHODS Clinicopathological and transcriptome data of patients with THCA from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were cleaned before consensus clustering. Differential expression analysis was performed on the genes expressed between THCA and paraneoplastic tissues in TCGA, and Wayne analysis was performed on the ERGs obtained from the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis MsigDB and differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses were used to identify the set of estrogen-related differentially expressed genes (ERDEGs) associated with progression-free intervals (PFI) and to establish a prediction model. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to calculate the risk scores and PFI status to validate the predictive effect of the model. Enrichment analyses and immune infiltration analyses were performed to analyze DEGs between the high- and low-risk groups, and a nomogram plot was used in the risk model to predict the PFI of THCA. RESULTS The expression of 120 ERDEGs differed significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). Five (CD24, CAV1, TACC1, TIPARP, and HSD17B10) of the eight ERDEGs identified using univariate Cox and LASSO regression were validated via RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry analysis of clinical tissue samples and were used for clinical staging and drug sensitivity analysis. Risk-DEGs were shown to be associated with immune modulation and tumor immune evasion, as well as defense systems, signal transduction, the tumor microenvironment, and immunoregulation. In 19 of the 28 immune cells, infiltration levels differed between the high- and low-risk groups. High-risk patients in the immunotherapy dataset had considerably shorter survival times than low-risk patients. CONCLUSION We identified and confirmed eight ERDEGs using a systematic analysis and screened sensitive drugs for ERDEGs. These results provide molecular evidence for the involvement of ERGs in controlling the immunological microenvironment and treatment response in THCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leiying Zhang
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Man Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiaoni Gao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yang Xie
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Thyroid Diseases, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Thyroid Tumor, Ganzhou, China
| | - Junqi Xiao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Tao Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Beijing Business University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangtai Zeng
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.
- Institute of Thyroid Diseases, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.
- Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Thyroid Tumor, Ganzhou, China.
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23
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Gadde M, Mehrabi-Dehdezi M, Debeb BG, Woodward WA, Rylander MN. Influence of Macrophages on Vascular Invasion of Inflammatory Breast Cancer Emboli Measured Using an In Vitro Microfluidic Multi-Cellular Platform. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4883. [PMID: 37835577 PMCID: PMC10571588 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis and a lack of effective treatments. It is widely established that understanding the interactions between tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and the tumor microenvironment is essential for identifying distinct targeting markers that help with prognosis and subsequent development of effective treatments. In this study, we present a 3D in vitro microfluidic IBC platform consisting of THP1 M0, M1, or M2 macrophages, IBC cells, and endothelial cells. The platform comprises a collagen matrix that includes an endothelialized vessel, creating a physiologically relevant environment for cellular interactions. Through the utilization of this platform, it was discovered that the inclusion of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) led to an increase in the formation of new blood vessel sprouts and enhanced permeability of the endothelium, regardless of the macrophage phenotype. Interestingly, the platforms containing THP-1 M1 or M2 macrophages exhibited significantly greater porosity in the collagen extracellular matrix (ECM) compared to the platforms containing THP-1 M0 and the MDA-IBC3 cells alone. Cytokine analysis revealed that IL-8 and MMP9 showed selective increases when macrophages were cultured in the platforms. Notably, intravasation of tumor cells into the vessels was observed exclusively in the platform containing MDA-IBC3 and M0 macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasa Gadde
- Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.G.); (M.M.-D.)
| | - Melika Mehrabi-Dehdezi
- Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.G.); (M.M.-D.)
| | - Bisrat G. Debeb
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- MD Anderson Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Clinic and Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Wendy A. Woodward
- MD Anderson Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Clinic and Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marissa Nichole Rylander
- Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; (M.G.); (M.M.-D.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Oden Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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24
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Zhang L, Yu S, Hong S, Xiao X, Liao Z, Li Y, Xiao H. Comprehensive analysis of BTNL9 as a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltrations in thyroid cancer. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:234. [PMID: 37798795 PMCID: PMC10552425 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01676-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer (THCA) is the most common type of endocrine cancers, and the disease recurrences were usually associated with the risks of metastasis and fatality. Butyrophilin-like protein 9 (BTNL9) is a member of the immunoglobulin families. This study investigated the prognostic role of BTNL9 in THCA. METHODS Gene enhancers of BTNL9 were identified by interrogating H3K27ac ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and benign thyroid nodule (BTN) tissues. Meanwhile, BTNL9 expression level was verified by qRT-PCR in 30 pairs of primary THCA and adjacent normal tissues. Clinicopathological and RNA sequencing data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) to analyze the relations between BTNL9 expression and immune cell infiltration, chemokines/cytokines, immune checkpoint genes, clinical parameters and prognosis values. Besides, survival analysis combining BTNL9 expression and immune cell infiltration scores was conducted. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to investigate the potential biological mechanisms. Cox regression analyses were used to explore independent clinical indicators, and a nomogram model incorporating BTNL9 expression with clinical parameters was established. RESULTS BTNL9 showed significantly stronger H3K27ac modifications in BTN than PTC tissues at the promoter region (chr5: 181,035,673-181,047,436) and gene body (chr5: 181,051,544-181,054,849). The expression levels of BTNL9 were significantly down-regulated in THCA samples compared to normal tissues, and were strongly associated with different tumor stages, immune cell infiltrations, chemokines/cytokines and immune checkpoint genes in THCA. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that BTNL9 was involved in immune-related and cancer-related pathways. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed lower BTNL9 expression was associated with poorer progression-free interval (PFI). BTNL9 expression and pathologic stages were independent prognostic indicators of PFI in THCA. CONCLUSIONS The results implied an important role of BTNL9 in the tumor progression, with the possibility of serving as a novel prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for THCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shuang Yu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shubin Hong
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xi Xiao
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhihong Liao
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yanbing Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Haipeng Xiao
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Shao J, Jin Y, Jin C. A new approach to overcoming resistance to immunotherapy: nanotechnology. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1210245. [PMID: 37637050 PMCID: PMC10457008 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1210245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy for immune response has ushered in a new era of cancer treatment. In recent years, new immunotherapeutic agents have been introduced into clinical trials and even approved for marketing. However, the widespread use of immunotherapeutic agents faces an unavoidable challenge: immunotherapy does not work at all for some patients, or has good efficacy in the initial phase, but immunotherapy resistance develops within a short period of time, and immunotherapy can also cause serious adverse effects such as autoimmune inflammation and non-specific inflammation. How to enable patients to overcome drug resistance, reduce the toxic side effects of drugs, enhance patient compliance and improve patient survival has become a problem that clinicians have to face. The advent of nanotechnology provides an encouraging platform for immunotherapy. It can not only improve the bioavailability and stability of drugs and reduce toxic side effects, but also reduce resistance to immunotherapy. Here, we discuss these research advances and discuss potential challenges and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangbo Shao
- Department of Ultrasound, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ying Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chunxiang Jin
- Department of Ultrasound, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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26
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Xu Z, Shin HS, Kim YH, Ha SY, Won JK, Kim SJ, Park YJ, Parangi S, Cho SW, Lee KE. Modeling the tumor microenvironment of anaplastic thyroid cancer: an orthotopic tumor model in C57BL/6 mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1187388. [PMID: 37545523 PMCID: PMC10403231 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1187388] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Securing a well-established mouse model is important in identifying and validating new therapeutic targets for immuno-oncology. The C57BL/6 mouse is one of the most fully characterised immune system of any animal and provides powerful platform for immuno-oncology discovery. An orthotopic tumor model has been established using TBP3743 (murine anaplastic thyroid cancer [ATC]) cells in B6129SF1 hybrid mice, this model has limited data on tumor immunology than C57BL/6 inbred mice. This study aimed to establish a novel orthotopic ATC model in C57BL/6 mice and characterize the tumor microenvironment focusing immunity in the model. Methods Adapted TBP3743 cells were generated via in vivo serial passaging in C57BL/6 mice. Subsequently, the following orthotopic tumor models were established via intrathyroidal injection: B6129SF1 mice injected with original TBP3743 cells (original/129), B6129SF1 mice injected with adapted cells (adapted/129), and C57BL/6 mice injected with adapted cells (adapted/B6). Results The adapted TBP3743 cells de-differentiated but exhibited cell morphology, viability, and migration/invasion potential comparable with those of original cells in vitro. The adapted/129 contained a higher Ki-67+ cell fraction than the original/129. RNA sequencing data of orthotopic tumors revealed enhanced oncogenic properties in the adapted/129 compared with those in the original/129. In contrast, the orthotopic tumors grown in the adapted/B6 were smaller, with a lower Ki-67+ cell fraction than those in the adapted/129. However, the oncogenic properties of the tumors within the adapted/B6 and adapted/129 were similar. Immune-related pathways were enriched in the adapted/B6 compared with those in the adapted/129. Flow cytometric analysis of the orthotopic tumors revealed higher cytotoxic CD8+ T cell and monocytic-myeloid-derived suppressor cell fractions in the adapted/B6 compared with the adapted/129. The estimated CD8+ and CD4+ cell fractions in the adapted/B6 were similar to those in human ATCs but negligible in the original/B6. Conclusion A novel orthotopic tumor model of ATC was established in C57BL/6 mice. Compared with the original B6129SF1 murine model, the novel model exhibited more aggressive tumor cell behaviours and strong immune responses. We expect that this novel model contributes to the understanding tumor microenvironment and provides the platform for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xu
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, YanBian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Hyo Shik Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Hyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Yun Ha
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Kyung Won
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-jin Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Surgery, Thyroid Center, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sareh Parangi
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sun Wook Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Eun Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Surgery, Thyroid Center, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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27
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Zheng Y, Li S, Tang H, Meng X, Zheng Q. Molecular mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1153990. [PMID: 37426654 PMCID: PMC10327275 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1153990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapy has profoundly changed the treatment model for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). But the heterogeneity of this disease resulted in significant differences in immunotherapy efficacy, and only some patients are able to benefit from this therapeutic modality. With the recent explosion in studies on the mechanism of cancer immunotherapy drug resistance, this article will focus on the processes of the immune response; summarize the immune evasion mechanisms in TNBC into three categories: loss of tumor-specific antigen, antigen presentation deficiency, and failure to initiate an immune response; together with the aberrant activation of a series of immune-critical signaling pathways, we will discuss how these activities jointly shape the immunosuppressive landscape within the tumor microenvironment. This review will attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanism of drug resistance in TNBC, identify potential targets that may assist in reversing drug resistance, and lay a foundation for research on identifying biomarkers for predicting immune efficacy and selection of breast cancer populations that may benefit from immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Zheng
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shujin Li
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongchao Tang
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuli Meng
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinghui Zheng
- General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Battaglia AM, Sacco A, Aversa I, Santamaria G, Palmieri C, Botta C, De Stefano R, Bitetto M, Petriaggi L, Giorgio E, Faniello CM, Costanzo F, Biamonte F. Iron-mediated oxidative stress induces PD-L1 expression via activation of c-Myc in lung adenocarcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1208485. [PMID: 37377735 PMCID: PMC10291098 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1208485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The PD-1/PD-L1 axis is hijacked by lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells to escape immune surveillance. PD-L1 expression in LUAD is affected, among others, by the metabolic trafficking between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Methods: Correlation between PD-L1 expression and iron content within the TME was established on FFPE LUAD tissue samples. The effects of an iron rich microenvironment on PD-L1 mRNA and protein levels were assessed in vitro in H460 and A549 LUAD by using qPCR, western blot and flow citometry. c-Myc knockdown was performed to validate the role of this transcription factor on PD-L1 expression. The effects of iron-induced PD-L1 on T cell immune function was assessed by quantifying IFN-γ release in a co-colture system. TCGA dataset was used to analyse the correlation between PD-L1 and CD71 mRNA expression in LUAD patients. Results: In this study, we highlight a significant correlation between iron density within the TME and PD-L1 expression in 16 LUAD tissue specimens. In agreement, we show that a more pronounced innate iron-addicted phenotype, indicated by a higher transferrin receptor CD71 levels, significantly correlates with higher PD-L1 mRNA expression levels in LUAD dataset obtained from TCGA database. In vitro, we demonstrate that the addition of Fe3+ within the culture media promotes the significant overexpression of PD-L1 in A549 and H460 LUAD cells, through the modulation of its gene transcription mediated by c-Myc. The effects of iron lean on its redox activity since PD-L1 up-regulation is counteracted by treatment with the antioxidant compound trolox. When LUAD cells are co-cultured with CD3/CD28-stimulated T cells in an iron-rich culture condition, PD-L1 up-regulation causes the inhibition of T-lymphocytes activity, as demonstrated by the significant reduction of IFN-γ release. Discussion: Overall, in this study we demonstrate that iron abundance within the TME may enhance PD-L1 expression in LUAD and, thus, open the way for the identification of possible combinatorial strategies that take into account the iron levels within the TME to improve the outcomes of LUAD patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Martina Battaglia
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sacco
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ilenia Aversa
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Gianluca Santamaria
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Camillo Palmieri
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Cirino Botta
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother, and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto De Stefano
- Operational Unit of Anatomic Pathology, Annunziata Hospital, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bitetto
- Operational Unit of Thoracic Surgery, Annunziata Hospital, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Lavinia Petriaggi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuele Giorgio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Concetta Maria Faniello
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Costanzo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Center of Interdepartmental Services (CIS), Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Flavia Biamonte
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Center of Interdepartmental Services (CIS), Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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Albarrán V, Villamayor ML, Pozas J, Chamorro J, Rosero DI, San Román M, Guerrero P, Pérez de Aguado P, Calvo JC, García de Quevedo C, González C, Vaz MÁ. Current Landscape of Immunotherapy for Advanced Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2287. [PMID: 37190214 PMCID: PMC10136499 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
There is substantial heterogeneity between different subtypes of sarcoma regarding their biological behavior and microenvironment, which impacts their responsiveness to immunotherapy. Alveolar soft-part sarcoma, synovial sarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma show higher immunogenicity and better responses to checkpoint inhibitors. Combination strategies adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy and/or tyrosine-kinase inhibitors globally seem superior to single-agent schemes. Therapeutic vaccines and different forms of adoptive cell therapy, mainly engineered TCRs, CAR-T cells and TIL therapy, are emerging as new forms of immunotherapy for advanced solid tumors. Tumor lymphocytic infiltration and other prognostic and predictive biomarkers are under research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Albarrán
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain
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Ahrenfeldt J, Christensen DS, Østergaard AB, Kisistók J, Sokač M, Birkbak NJ. The ratio of adaptive to innate immune cells differs between genders and associates with improved prognosis and response to immunotherapy. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281375. [PMID: 36745657 PMCID: PMC9901741 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer treatment. However, not all cancer patients benefit, and current stratification strategies based primarily on PD1 status and mutation burden are far from perfect. We hypothesised that high activation of an innate response relative to the adaptive response may prevent proper tumour neoantigen identification and decrease the specific anticancer response, both in the presence and absence of immunotherapy. To investigate this, we obtained transcriptomic data from three large publicly available cancer datasets, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Hartwig Medical Foundation (HMF), and a recently published cohort of metastatic bladder cancer patients treated with immunotherapy. To analyse immune infiltration into bulk tumours, we developed an RNAseq-based model based on previously published definitions to estimate the overall level of infiltrating innate and adaptive immune cells from bulk tumour RNAseq data. From these, the adaptive-to-innate immune ratio (A/I ratio) was defined. A meta-analysis of 32 cancer types from TCGA overall showed improved overall survival in patients with an A/I ratio above median (Hazard ratio (HR) females 0.73, HR males 0.86, P < 0.05). Of particular interest, we found that the association was different for males and females for eight cancer types, demonstrating a gender bias in the relative balance of the infiltration of innate and adaptive immune cells. For patients with metastatic disease, we found that responders to immunotherapy had a significantly higher A/I ratio than non-responders in HMF (P = 0.036) and a significantly higher ratio in complete responders in a separate metastatic bladder cancer dataset (P = 0.022). Overall, the adaptive-to-innate immune ratio seems to define separate states of immune activation, likely linked to fundamental immunological reactions to cancer. This ratio was associated with improved prognosis and improved response to immunotherapy, demonstrating potential relevance to patient stratification. Furthermore, by demonstrating a significant difference between males and females that associates with response, we highlight an important gender bias which likely has direct clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne Ahrenfeldt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- * E-mail: (JA); (NJB)
| | - Ditte S. Christensen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Judit Kisistók
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mateo Sokač
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nicolai J. Birkbak
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- * E-mail: (JA); (NJB)
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31
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Wolf S, Rannikko JH, Virtakoivu R, Cinelli P, Felmerer G, Burger A, Giovanoli P, Detmar M, Lindenblatt N, Hollmén M, Gousopoulos E. A distinct M2 macrophage infiltrate and transcriptomic profile decisively influence adipocyte differentiation in lipedema. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1004609. [PMID: 36605202 PMCID: PMC9809281 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1004609] [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: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipedema is a chronic and progressive adipose tissue disorder, characterized by the painful and disproportionate increase of the subcutaneous fat in the lower and/or upper extremities. While distinct immune cell infiltration is a known hallmark of the disease, its role in the onset and development of lipedema remains unclear. To analyze the macrophage composition and involved signaling pathways, anatomically matched lipedema and control tissue samples were collected intra-operatively from gender- and BMI-matched patients, and the Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) was used for Cytometry by Time-of-Flight (CyTOF) and RNA sequencing. The phenotypic characterization of the immune component of lipedema versus control SVF using CyTOF revealed significantly increased numbers of CD163 macrophages. To gain further insight into this macrophage composition and molecular pathways, RNA sequencing of isolated CD11b+ cells was performed. The analysis suggested a significant modification of distinct gene ontology clusters in lipedema, including cytokine-mediated signaling activity, interleukin-1 receptor activity, extracellular matrix organization, and regulation of androgen receptor signaling. As distinct macrophage populations are known to affect adipose tissue differentiation and metabolism, we evaluated the effect of M2 to M1 macrophage polarization in lipedema using the selective PI3Kγ inhibitor IPI-549. Surprisingly, the differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells with conditioned medium from IPI-549 treated SVF resulted in a significant decreased accumulation of lipids in lipedema versus control SVF. In conclusion, our results indicate that CD163+ macrophages are a critical component in lipedema and re-polarization of lipedema macrophages can normalize the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells in vitro evaluated by the cellular lipid accumulation. These data open a new chapter in understanding lipedema pathophysiology and may indicate potential treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wolf
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Paolo Cinelli
- Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gunther Felmerer
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Trauma Surgery, Orthopedics and Plastic Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anna Burger
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pietro Giovanoli
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Detmar
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Lindenblatt
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maija Hollmén
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Epameinondas Gousopoulos
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,*Correspondence: Epameinondas Gousopoulos,
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Wang K, Li H, Zhao J, Yao J, Lu Y, Dong J, Bai J, Liao L. Potential diagnostic of lymph node metastasis and prognostic values of TM4SFs in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1001954. [PMID: 36568979 PMCID: PMC9773885 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1001954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although the prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is relatively good, it causes around 41,000 deaths per year, which is likely related to recurrence and metastasis. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is an important indicator of PTC recurrence and transmembrane 4 superfamily (TM4SF) proteins regulate metastasis by modulating cell adhesion, migration, tissue differentiation, and tumor invasion. However, the diagnostic and prognostic values of TM4SF in PTC remain unclear. Methods: This study aimed to identify TM4SF genes with predictive value for LNM and prognostic value in PTC using bioinformatic analysis. We screened the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the TM4SF family in PTC using data from TCGA, constructed a PPI network using STRING, and evaluated the predictive role of TM4SF1 in LNM via a binary logistic regression analysis and ROC curve. We assessed the association between TM4SF1 expression and DNA methylation, and determined the functional and mechanistic role of TM4SF1 in promoting LNM via GSEA, KEGG, and GO. We estimated the relationship between each TM4SF gene and overall survival (OS, estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis) in patients with PTC and established a predictive model of prognostic indicators using a LASSO penalized Cox analysis to identify hub genes. Finally, we explored the correlation between TM4SFs and TMB/MSI. Results: We identified 21 DEGs from the 41 TM4SFs between N0 (without LNM) and N1 (with LNM) patients, with TM4SF1, TM4SF4, UPK1B, and CD151 being highly expressed in the N1 group; several DEGs were observed in the TNM, T, and N cancer stages. The "integrins and other cell-surface receptors" pathway was the most significantly enriched functional category related to LNM and TM4SFs. TM4SF1 was identified as an indicator of LNM (AUC= 0.702). High levels of TM4SF1 might be related to Wnt/β-catenin pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in PTC. The higher expression of TM4SF1 was also related to DNA promoter hypomethylation. CD9, TM4SF4, TSPAN2, and TSPAN16 were associated with OS in PTC patients and TSPAN2 has great potential to become a prognostic marker of PTC progression. For the prognostic model, the riskscore = (-0.0058)*CD82+(-0.4994)*+(0.1584)*TSPAN11+(1.7597)*TSPAN19+(0.2694)*TSPAN2 (lambda.min = 0.0149). The AUCs for 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year OS were 0.81, 0.851, and 0.804. TSPAN18, TSPAN31, and TSPAN32 were associated with both TMB and MSI in PTC patients. Conclusion: Our findings identified TM4SF1 as a potential diagnostic marker of LNM and TSPAN2 as a prognostic factor for patients with PTC. Our study provides a novel strategy to assess prognosis and predict effective treatments in PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China,Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Haomin Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Junyu Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinming Yao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yiran Lu
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jianjun Dong
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China,*Correspondence: Jie Bai, ; Lin Liao,
| | - Lin Liao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China,Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China,*Correspondence: Jie Bai, ; Lin Liao,
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Palacios LM, Peyret V, Viano ME, Geysels RC, Chocobar YA, Volpini X, Pellizas CG, Nicola JP, Motran CC, Rodriguez-Galan MC, Fozzatti L. TIM3 Expression in Anaplastic-Thyroid-Cancer-Infiltrating Macrophages: An Emerging Immunotherapeutic Target. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:1609. [PMID: 36358310 PMCID: PMC9687546 DOI: 10.3390/biology11111609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a clinically aggressive form of undifferentiated thyroid cancer with limited treatment options. Immunotherapy for patients with ATC remains challenging. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute over 50% of ATC-infiltrating cells, and their presence is associated with a poor prognosis. Consequently, the development of new therapies targeting immune checkpoints in TAMs is considered a promising therapeutic approach for ATC. We have previously shown that soluble factors secreted by ATC cells induced pro-tumor M2-like polarization of human monocytes by upregulating the levels of the inhibitory receptor TIM3. Here, we extended our observations on ATC-cell-induced xenograft tumors. We observed a large number of immune cells infiltrating the ATC xenograft tumors. Significantly, 24-28% of CD45+ immune cells were macrophages (CD11b+ F4/80+). We further showed that 40% of macrophages were polarized toward a M2-like phenotype, as assessed by CD206 expression and by a significant increase in the Arg1/iNOS (M2/M1) ratio. Additionally, we found that ATC xenograft tumors had levels of TIM3 expression when determined by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence assays. Interestingly, we detected the expression of TIM3 in macrophages in ATC tumors by flow cytometry assays. Furthermore, TIM3 expression correlated with macrophage marker expression in human ATC. Our studies show that TIM3 is a newly identified immune checkpoint in macrophages. Since TIM3 is known as a negative immune regulator, it should be considered as a promising immunotherapeutic target for ATC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz Maria Palacios
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - Victoria Peyret
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Hospital de Endocrinología y Metabolismo Dr. Arturo Oñativia, Salta 4400, Argentina
| | - María Estefania Viano
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - Romina Celeste Geysels
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - Yair Aron Chocobar
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - Ximena Volpini
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - Claudia Gabriela Pellizas
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - Juan Pablo Nicola
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - Claudia Cristina Motran
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Rodriguez-Galan
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - Laura Fozzatti
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CIBICI-CONICET), Córdoba 5000, Argentina
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Shin E, Koo JS. Cell Component and Function of Tumor Microenvironment in Thyroid Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012578. [PMID: 36293435 PMCID: PMC9604510 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common cancer in the endocrine system. Most thyroid cancers have good prognosis, but some of them are resistant to treatment or show aggressive behavior. Like other tumors, thyroid cancers harbor tumor microenvironment (TME) composed of cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) and immune cells. Autoimmune lymphocytic thyroiditis can occur in the thyroid, and it may be associated with cancer development. TME is involved in tumor progression through various mechanisms: (1) CAF is involved in tumor progression through cell proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling; and (2) immune cells are involved in tumor progression through cell proliferation, angiogenesis, epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT), and immune suppression. These events are activated by various cytokines, chemokines, and metabolites secreted from cells that comprise TME. This review is focused on how CAF and immune cells, two important cell components of thyroid cancer TME, are involved in tumor progression, and will explore their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ja Seung Koo
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2228-1772; Fax: +82-2-362-0860
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35
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Vu SH, Vetrivel P, Kim J, Lee MS. Cancer Resistance to Immunotherapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Tackling Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:10906. [PMID: 36142818 PMCID: PMC9513751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has fundamentally altered cancer treatment; however, its efficacy is limited to a subset of patients in most clinical settings. The immune system plays a key role in cancer progression from tumor initiation to the metastatic state. Throughout the treatment course, communications between the immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and the immune macroenvironment, as well as interactions between the immune system and cancer cells, are dynamic and constantly evolving. To improve the clinical benefit for patients who do not respond completely to immunotherapy, the molecular mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy must be elucidated in order to develop effective strategies to overcome resistance. In an attempt to improve and update the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that hinder immunotherapy, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of cancer resistance to immunotherapy and the available treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Son Hai Vu
- Institute of Applied Sciences, HUTECH University, 475A Dien Bien Phu St., Ward 25, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City 72308, Vietnam
- Cellular Heterogeneity Research Center, Department of Biological Science, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea
| | - Preethi Vetrivel
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117643, Singapore
| | - Jongmin Kim
- Cellular Heterogeneity Research Center, Department of Biological Science, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea
| | - Myeong-Sok Lee
- Cellular Heterogeneity Research Center, Department of Biological Science, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul 04310, Korea
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Transcription Factor MAFB as a Prognostic Biomarker for the Lung Adenocarcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179945. [PMID: 36077342 PMCID: PMC9456510 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
MAFB is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor specifically expressed in macrophages. We have previously identified MAFB as a candidate marker for tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in human and mouse models. Here, we analyzed single-cell sequencing data of patients with lung adenocarcinoma obtained from the GEO database (GSE131907). Analyzed data showed that general macrophage marker CD68 and macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (CD204) were expressed in TAM and lung tissue macrophage clusters, while transcription factor MAFB was expressed specifically in TAM clusters. Clinical records of 120 patients with lung adenocarcinoma stage I (n = 57), II (n = 21), and III (n = 42) were retrieved from Tsukuba Human Tissue Biobank Center (THB) in the University of Tsukuba Hospital, Japan. Tumor tissues from these patients were extracted and stained with anti-human MAFB antibody, and then MAFB-positive cells relative to the tissue area (MAFB+ cells/tissue area) were morphometrically quantified. Our results indicated that higher numbers of MAFB+ cells significantly correlated to increased local lymph node metastasis (nodal involvement), high recurrence rate, poor pathological stage, increased lymphatic permeation, higher vascular invasion, and pleural infiltration. Moreover, increased amounts of MAFB+ cells were related to poor overall survival and disease-free survival, especially in smokers. These data indicate that MAFB may be a suitable prognostic biomarker for smoker lung cancer patients.
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Wu J, Liu X, Wu J, Lou C, Zhang Q, Chen H, Yang Z, Long S, Wang Y, Shang Z, Hu Z, Zhang R, Zhang J, Zeng Z. CXCL12 derived from CD248-expressing cancer-associated fibroblasts mediates M2-polarized macrophages to promote nonsmall cell lung cancer progression. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166521. [PMID: 35985448 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is among the most prevalent malignant tumours threatening human health. In the tumour microenvironment (TME), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) induce M2-polarized macrophages, which strongly regulate tumour progression. However, little is known about the association between CAFs and M2 macrophages. CD248 is a transmembrane glycoprotein found in several cancer cells, tumour stromal cells, and pericytes. Here, we isolated CAFs from tumour tissues of NSCLC patients to detect the relationship between CD248 expression and patient prognosis. We knocked down the expression of CD248 on CAFs to detect CXCL12 secretion and macrophage polarization. We then examined the effects of CD248-expressing CAF-induced M2 macrophage polarization to promote NSCLC progression in vitro and in vivo. We found that CD248 is expressed mainly in NSCLC-derived CAFs and that the expression of CD248 correlates with poor patient prognosis. Blocking CXCL12 receptor (CXCR4) drastically decreased M2 macrophage chemotaxis. CD248 promotes CAFs secreting CXCL12 to mediate M2-polarized macrophages to promote NSCLC progression both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our data suggest that CD248-positive CAFs induce NSCLC progression by mediating M2-polarized macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieheng Wu
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, 550025 Guiyang, China; Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China; Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Xinlei Liu
- Guizhou Prenatal Diagnsis Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550001 Guiyang, China
| | - Jiangwei Wu
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, 550025 Guiyang, China
| | - Chunju Lou
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, 550025 Guiyang, China
| | - Qiaoling Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, 550025 Guiyang, China
| | - Huiping Chen
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, 550025 Guiyang, China
| | - Zeyang Yang
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, 550025 Guiyang, China
| | - Shiqi Long
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, 550025 Guiyang, China; Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China; Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China; Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Zhenling Shang
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, 550025 Guiyang, China
| | - Zuquan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China; Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, 550025 Guiyang, China; Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550001 Guiyang, China.
| | - Zhu Zeng
- Department of Immunology, Guizhou Medical University, 550025 Guiyang, China; Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China; Immune Cells and Antibody Engineering Research Center of Guizhou Province, Key Laboratory of Biology and Medical Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China.
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De Paolis V, Maiullari F, Chirivì M, Milan M, Cordiglieri C, Pagano F, La Manna AR, De Falco E, Bearzi C, Rizzi R, Parisi C. Unusual Association of NF-κB Components in Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) Promotes HSPG2-Mediated Immune-Escaping Mechanism in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7902. [PMID: 35887248 PMCID: PMC9324337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The cellular heterogeneity of the tumor environment of breast cancer (BC) is extremely complex and includes different actors such as neoplastic, stromal, and immunosuppressive cells, which contribute to the chemical and mechanical modification of the environment surrounding the tumor-exasperating immune-escaping mechanisms. In addition to molecular signals that make the tumor microenvironment (TME) unacceptable for the penetrance of the immune system, the physical properties of tumoral extracellular matrix (tECM) also have carved out a fundamental role in the processes of the protection of the tumor niche. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), with an M2 immunosuppressive phenotype, are important determinants for the establishment of a tumor phenotype excluded from T cells. NF-κB transcription factors orchestrate innate immunity and represent the common thread between inflammation and cancer. Many studies have focused on canonical activation of NF-κB; however, activation of non-canonical signaling predicts poor survival and resistance to therapy. In this scenario, we demonstrated the existence of an unusual association of NF-κB components in TAMs that determines the deposition of HSPG2 that affects the stiffness of tECM. These results highlight a new mechanism counterbalanced between physical factors and a new perspective of mechano-pathology to be targeted to counteract immune evasion in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica De Paolis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy (IBBC-CNR), Via Ercole Ramarini, 32, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy; (V.D.P.); (F.P.)
| | - Fabio Maiullari
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare, Via F. Sforza, 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (M.M.); (C.C.); (C.B.)
- PhD Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Maila Chirivì
- Department of Molecular Medicine Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena, 324, 00161 Rome, Italy;
- UOC Neurology, Fondazione Ca’Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza, 28, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Marika Milan
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare, Via F. Sforza, 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (M.M.); (C.C.); (C.B.)
- UOC Neurology, Fondazione Ca’Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via F. Sforza, 28, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Cordiglieri
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare, Via F. Sforza, 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (M.M.); (C.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Francesca Pagano
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy (IBBC-CNR), Via Ercole Ramarini, 32, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy; (V.D.P.); (F.P.)
| | - Alessandra Rita La Manna
- Breast Unit, Department of General Surgery, Santa Maria Goretti Hospital, Via Guido Reni Snc, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL), 04100 Latina, Italy;
| | - Elena De Falco
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, C.so della Repubblica, 79, 04100 Latina, Italy;
- Clinica Mediterranea Cardiocentro, Via Orazio, 2, 80122 Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia Bearzi
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare, Via F. Sforza, 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (M.M.); (C.C.); (C.B.)
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Via Fratelli Cervi, 93, 20054 Segrate, Italy
| | - Roberto Rizzi
- Fondazione Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare, Via F. Sforza, 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (F.M.); (M.M.); (C.C.); (C.B.)
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, C.so della Repubblica, 79, 04100 Latina, Italy;
| | - Chiara Parisi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council of Italy (IBBC-CNR), Via Ercole Ramarini, 32, Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy; (V.D.P.); (F.P.)
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Chen H, Chen G. Dissecting Immunosuppressive Cell Communication Patterns Reveals JunB Proto-Oncogene (JUNB) Shaping a Non-Inflamed Tumor Microenvironment. Front Genet 2022; 13:883583. [PMID: 35812726 PMCID: PMC9263213 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.883583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Immunosuppressive cell interactions are responsible for tumor progression and metastasis, as well as anti-tumor immune dysfunction. However, the communication pattern remains unclear. Methods: We first integrated two single-cell RNA-seq datasets (GSE72056 and GSE103322) of different tumor types to increase the diversity of immunosuppressive cells. Then, based on the analysis results of the communication network, gene regulatory network (GRN), and highly activated pathways, we identified the hub gene in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). To further explore the molecular features of the identified gene, we performed several in silico analysis and in vitro experiments including qRT-PCR and CCK-8 assay. Results: Four types of immunosuppressive cells were identified, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Based on GRNs and the interactions of immunosuppressive cells and tumor cells, we constructed an intercellular communication signature that divided the pan-cancer TME into two clusters with distinct immunological features and different responses to immunotherapy. In combination with pathway analysis, JunB proto-oncogene (JUNB) was identified as the hub gene of the immunosuppressive TME, and it designed a non-inflamed TME of bladder cancer according to evidence that JUNB was negatively correlated with immunomodulators, chemokines, major histocompatibility complex molecules, immune cell infiltration abundances, anti-cancer immune response, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Moreover, JUNB may predict an unfavorable response to immunotherapy. The signaling network of the four types of cells demonstrated the dominant roles of CAFs and TAMs in the TME. Further investigation uncovered that the complement signal was highly activated in the interactions between subpopulations of the inflammatory phenotype of CAFs and TAMs. Functional experiment results demonstrated the upregulated JUNB in bladder cancer tissues and low-immunity-score tissues. In addition, CAFs showed a pro-tumor proliferation effect via JUNB. Conclusion: Our findings gave insights into the immunosuppressive TME communication network and provided potential therapeutic targets.
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Kim HJ, Ji YR, Lee YM. Crosstalk between angiogenesis and immune regulation in the tumor microenvironment. Arch Pharm Res 2022; 45:401-416. [PMID: 35759090 PMCID: PMC9250479 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-022-01389-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer creates a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) composed of immune cells, stromal cells, blood vessels, and various other cellular and extracellular elements. It is essential for the development of anti-cancer combination therapies to understand and overcome this high heterogeneity and complexity as well as the dynamic interactions between them within the TME. Recent treatment strategies incorporating immune-checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents have brought many changes and advances in clinical cancer treatment. However, there are still challenges for immune suppressive tumors, which are characterized by a lack of T cell infiltration and treatment resistance. In this review, we will investigate the crosstalk between immunity and angiogenesis in the TME. In addition, we will look at strategies designed to enhance anti-cancer immunity, to convert "immune suppressive tumors" into "immune activating tumors," and the mechanisms by which these strategies enhance effector immune cell infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hei Jung Kim
- Vessel-Organ Interaction Research Center, VOICE (MRC), Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Rae Ji
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - You Mie Lee
- Vessel-Organ Interaction Research Center, VOICE (MRC), Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Molecular Pathophysiology, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
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Lau TY, Kwan HY. Fucoxanthin Is a Potential Therapeutic Agent for the Treatment of Breast Cancer. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20060370. [PMID: 35736173 PMCID: PMC9229252 DOI: 10.3390/md20060370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers diagnosed and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Although there are first-line treatments for BC, drug resistances and adverse events have been reported. Given the incidence of BC keeps increasing, seeking novel therapeutics is urgently needed. Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a dietary carotenoid commonly found in seaweeds and diatoms. Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that Fx and its deacetylated metabolite fucoxanthinol (Fxol) inhibit and prevent BC growth. The NF-κB signaling pathway is considered the major pathway contributing to the anti-proliferation, anti-angiogenesis and pro-apoptotic effects of Fx and Fxol. Other signaling molecules such as MAPK, MMP2/9, CYP and ROS are also involved in the anti-cancer effects by regulating the tumor microenvironment, cancer metastasis, carcinogen metabolism and oxidation. Besides, Fx also possesses anti-obesity effects by regulating UCP1 levels and lipid metabolism, which may help to reduce BC risk. More importantly, mounting evidence demonstrates that Fx overcomes drug resistance. This review aims to give an updated summary of the anti-cancer effects of Fx and summarize the underlying mechanisms of action, which will provide novel strategies for the development of Fx as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent.
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Liu X, Song Q, Wang D, Liu Y, Zhang Z, Fu W. LIMK1: A promising prognostic and immune infiltration indicator in colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:234. [PMID: 35720504 PMCID: PMC9185146 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies have shown that LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1) is upregulated in a variety of tumors and may be a potential detection target. The present study analyzed the expression difference of LIMK1 and its relationship with tumor clinicopathological characteristics and tumor microenvironment in colorectal cancer (CRC). The transcriptomic data of LIMK1 with CRC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and GEO databases for analyzing the expression of LIMK1 mRNA and the correlation with the prognosis of patients. The protein expression of LIMK1 was obtained from the Human Protein Atlas. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Kaplan-Meier was used to evaluate the expression characteristics and prognostic differences of LIMK1 in CRC. STRING was used to analyze co-expression genes of LIMK1. The tumor immune estimation resource was applied to the correlation between LIMK1 expression and immune infiltrates. The present study verified LIMK1 expression at the level of clinical samples collected from the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital and cell lines using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The mRNA and protein expression of LIMK1 were both upregulated in tumor tissues compared with adjacent tissues in CRC. The expression levels of LIMK1 were positively associated with clinical-pathological features of CRC including lymphatic invasion (P=4.00×10−2) and high pathologic stages (P=4.20×10−2). The AUC value of LIMK1 in CRC was 0.937 (95% CI: 0.918-0.957) through ROC analysis. Under the best cut-off value (4.009), the sensitivity and specificity were 98 and 81.9%. LIMK1 expression was mainly related to CD4+ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells in the immune microenvironment of CRC. In conclusion, the high expression of LIMK1 in CRC was closely related to the clinical features and prognosis of patients. Therefore, LIMK1 was a promising prognostic indicator and a potential target for immunotherapy in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Song
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Daohan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Yubiao Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Zhixiang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
| | - Weihua Fu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, P.R. China
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Liu Q, Sun W, Zhang H. Roles and new Insights of Macrophages in the Tumor Microenvironment of Thyroid Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:875384. [PMID: 35479325 PMCID: PMC9035491 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.875384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although most thyroid cancers have a good and predictable prognosis, the anaplastic, medullary, and refractory thyroid cancers still prone to recurrence and metastasis, resulting in poor prognosis. Although a number of newly developed targeted therapies have begun to be indicated for the above types of thyroid cancer in recent years, their ability to improve overall survival remain hindered by low efficacy. As the largest component of immune cells in tumor microenvironment, tumor-associated macrophages play a key role in the invasion and metastasis of thyroid cancer. There is much evidence that the immune system, tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cell interactions may revolutionize traditional therapeutic directions. Tumor-associated macrophages have been extensively studied in a variety of tumors, however, research on the relationship between thyroid cancer and macrophages is still insufficient. In this review, we summarize the functions of tumor-associated macrophages in different types of thyroid cancer, their cytokines or chemokines effect on thyroid cancer and the mechanisms that promote tumor proliferation and migration. In addition, we discuss the mechanisms by which tumor-associated macrophages maintain the stemness of thyroid cancer and potential strategies for targeting tumor-associated macrophages to treat thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Inflammatory Tumor Microenvironment in Cranial Meningiomas: Clinical Implications and Intraindividual Reproducibility. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12040853. [PMID: 35453901 PMCID: PMC9029024 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12040853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The MIB-1 index was demonstrated to be significantly correlated to meningioma recurrence. However, to date, the relationship of the intraindividual course of the MIB-1 index and the growth fraction, respectively, to clinical tumor recurrence has not been demonstrated in cranial WHO grade 1 and 2 meningiomas. In the present paper, we compare the MIB-1 indices of 16 solely surgically treated primary meningiomas and their recurrent tumors regarding the course of the MIB-1 indices, time to recurrence, reproducibility and factors influencing the intraindividual MIB-1 indices. Regression analyses revealed (1) a strong intra-lab reproducibility (r = 0.88) of the MIB-1 index at the second versus the first operation, corresponding to a constant intrinsic growth activity of an individual meningioma, (2) a significant inverse correlation of both primary (r = −0.51) and secondary (r = −0.70) MIB-1 indices to time to recurrence, and (3) male sex, low plasma fibrinogen and diffuse CD68+ macrophage infiltrates contribute to an increase in the MIB-1 index. A strong intraindividual reproducibility of the MIB-1 index and a direct relationship of the MIB-1 index to the time to recurrence were observed. Individual MIB-1 indices might be used for tailored follow-up imaging intervals. Further research on the role of macrophages and inflammatory burden in the regrowth potential of meningiomas are needed.
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BRAFV600E Induction in Thyrocytes Triggers Important Changes in the miRNAs Content and the Populations of Extracellular Vesicles Released in Thyroid Tumor Microenvironment. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040755. [PMID: 35453506 PMCID: PMC9029139 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common endocrine malignancy for which diagnosis and recurrences still challenge clinicians. New perspectives to overcome these issues could come from the study of extracellular vesicle (EV) populations and content. Here, we aimed to elucidate the heterogeneity of EVs circulating in the tumor and the changes in their microRNA content during cancer progression. Using a mouse model expressing BRAFV600E, we isolated and characterized EVs from thyroid tissue by ultracentrifugations and elucidated their microRNA content by small RNA sequencing. The cellular origin of EVs was investigated by ExoView and that of deregulated EV-microRNA by qPCR on FACS-sorted cell populations. We found that PTC released more EVs bearing epithelial and immune markers, as compared to the healthy thyroid, so that changes in EV-microRNAs abundance were mainly due to their deregulated expression in thyrocytes. Altogether, our work provides a full description of in vivo-derived EVs produced by, and within, normal and cancerous thyroid. We elucidated the global EV-microRNAs signature, the dynamic loading of microRNAs in EVs upon BRAFV600E induction, and their cellular origin. Finally, we propose that thyroid tumor-derived EV-microRNAs could support the establishment of a permissive immune microenvironment.
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Arora S, Khan S, Zaki A, Tabassum G, Mohsin M, Bhutto HN, Ahmad T, Fatma T, Syed MA. Integration of chemokine signaling with non-coding RNAs in tumor microenvironment and heterogeneity in different cancers. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:720-736. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Jannin A, Escande A, Al Ghuzlan A, Blanchard P, Hartl D, Chevalier B, Deschamps F, Lamartina L, Lacroix L, Dupuy C, Baudin E, Do Cao C, Hadoux J. Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: An Update. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14041061. [PMID: 35205809 PMCID: PMC8869821 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14041061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare and undifferentiated form of thyroid cancer. Its prognosis is poor: the median overall survival (OS) of patients varies from 4 to 10 months after diagnosis. However, a doubling of the OS time may be possible owing to a more systematic use of molecular tests for targeted therapies and integration of fast-track dedicated care pathways for these patients in tertiary centers. The diagnostic confirmation, if needed, requires an urgent biopsy reread by an expert pathologist with additional immunohistochemical and molecular analyses. Therapeutic management, defined in multidisciplinary meetings, respecting the patient's choice, must start within days following diagnosis. For localized disease diagnosed after primary surgical treatment, adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy is recommended. In the event of locally advanced or metastatic disease, the prognosis is very poor. Treatment should then involve chemotherapy or targeted therapy and decompressive cervical radiotherapy. Here we will review current knowledge on ATC and provide perspectives to improve the management of this deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Jannin
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Lille University Hospital, 59000 Lille, France; (A.J.); (B.C.); (C.D.C.)
- H. Warembourg School of Medicine, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France;
| | - Alexandre Escande
- H. Warembourg School of Medicine, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France;
- Academic Radiation Oncology Department, Oscar Lambret Center, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Abir Al Ghuzlan
- Cancer Medical Pathology and Biology Department, Institute Gustave Roussy, 94805 Villejuif, France;
| | - Pierre Blanchard
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France;
| | - Dana Hartl
- Département d’Anesthésie, Chirurgie et Interventionnel (DACI), Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France;
| | - Benjamin Chevalier
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Lille University Hospital, 59000 Lille, France; (A.J.); (B.C.); (C.D.C.)
- H. Warembourg School of Medicine, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France;
| | - Frédéric Deschamps
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Paris, France;
| | - Livia Lamartina
- Cancer Medicine Department, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France; (L.L.); (E.B.)
| | - Ludovic Lacroix
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France;
| | | | - Eric Baudin
- Cancer Medicine Department, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France; (L.L.); (E.B.)
| | - Christine Do Cao
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Lille University Hospital, 59000 Lille, France; (A.J.); (B.C.); (C.D.C.)
| | - Julien Hadoux
- Cancer Medicine Department, Institute Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, 94805 Villejuif, France; (L.L.); (E.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-142116361
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Tan H, Wang L, Liu Z. Role of Suprabasin in the Dedifferentiation of Follicular Epithelial Cell-Derived Thyroid Cancer and Identification of Related Immune Markers. Front Genet 2022; 13:810681. [PMID: 35222534 PMCID: PMC8865917 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.810681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Aberrant regulation of suprabasin (SBSN) is associated with the development of cancer and immune disorders. SBSN influences tumor cell migration, proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune resistance. In this study, we investigated the potential correlation between SBSN expression and immune infiltration in thyroid cancer. Methods: The expression of SBSN in 80 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) specimens was determined using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. The expression of SBSN in 9 cases of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) and 18 cases of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of SBSN expression was performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus datasets, and the relationship of SBSN expression with M2 macrophages and T regulatory cells (Tregs) in ATC and PTC was verified by immunohistochemical staining. Results: Compared with those in adjacent normal tissues, the expression levels of SBSN mRNA and protein were significantly higher in PTC tissues. SBSN expression level was correlated with that of cervical lymph node metastasis in PTC patients. Immunohistochemical staining results showed statistically significant differences among high-positive expression rates of SBSN in PTC, PDTC, and ATC. Functional enrichment analysis showed that SBSN expression was associated with pathways related to cancer, cell signaling, and immune response. Furthermore, analysis of the tumor microenvironment (using CIBERSORT-ABS and xCell algorithms) showed that SBSN expression affected immune cell infiltration and the cancer immunity cycle, and immunohistochemistry confirmed a significant increase in M2 macrophage and Treg infiltration in tumor tissues with high-positive SBSN expression. Conclusion: These findings reveal that SBSN may be involved in thyroid carcinogenesis, tumor dedifferentiation progression, and immunosuppression as an important regulator of tumor immune cell infiltration.
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Macrophage C/EBPδ Drives Gemcitabine, but Not 5-FU or Paclitaxel, Resistance of Pancreatic Cancer Cells in a Deoxycytidine-Dependent Manner. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020219. [PMID: 35203429 PMCID: PMC8869168 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a dismal disease with poor survival rates, is hampered by the high prevalence of chemotherapy resistance. Resistance is accompanied by macrophage infiltration into the tumor microenvironment, and infiltrated macrophages are key players in chemotherapy resistance. In the current manuscript, we identify CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (C/EBPδ) as an important transcription factor driving macrophage-dependent gemcitabine resistance. We show that conditioned medium obtained from wild type macrophages largely diminishes gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity of PDAC cells, whereas conditioned medium obtained from C/EBPδ-deficient macrophages only minimally affects gemcitabine-induced PDAC cell death. Subsequent analysis of RNA-Seq data identified the pyrimidine metabolism pathway amongst the most significant pathways down-regulated in C/EBPδ-deficient macrophages and size filtration experiments indeed showed that the low molecular weight and free metabolite fraction most effectively induced gemcitabine resistance. In line with a role for pyrimidines, we next show that supplementing macrophage conditioned medium with deoxycytidine overruled the effect of macrophage conditioned media on gemcitabine resistance. Consistently, macrophage C/EBPδ-dependent resistance is specific for gemcitabine and does not affect paclitaxel or 5-FU-induced cytotoxicity. Overall, we thus show that C/EBPδ-dependent deoxycytidine biosynthesis in macrophages induces gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer cells.
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50
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Moore JA, Mistry JJ, Hellmich C, Horton RH, Wojtowicz EE, Jibril A, Jefferson M, Wileman T, Beraza N, Bowles KM, Rushworth SA. LC3-associated phagocytosis in bone marrow macrophages suppresses acute myeloid leukemia progression through STING activation. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:153157. [PMID: 34990402 PMCID: PMC8884913 DOI: 10.1172/jci153157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment regulates acute myeloid leukemia (AML) initiation, proliferation, and chemotherapy resistance. Following cancer cell death, a growing body of evidence suggests an important role for remaining apoptotic debris in regulating the immunologic response to and growth of solid tumors. Here, we investigated the role of macrophage LC3–associated phagocytosis (LAP) within the BM microenvironment of AML. Depletion of BM macrophages (BMMs) increased AML growth in vivo. We show that LAP is the predominate method of BMM phagocytosis of dead and dying cells in the AML microenvironment. Targeted inhibition of LAP led to the accumulation of apoptotic cells (ACs) and apoptotic bodies (ABs), resulting in accelerated leukemia growth. Mechanistically, LAP of AML-derived ABs by BMMs resulted in stimulator of IFN genes (STING) pathway activation. We found that AML-derived mitochondrial damage–associated molecular patterns were processed by BMMs via LAP. Moreover, depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in AML-derived ABs showed that it was this mtDNA that was responsible for the induction of STING signaling in BMMs. Phenotypically, we found that STING activation suppressed AML growth through a mechanism related to increased phagocytosis. In summary, we report that macrophage LAP of apoptotic debris in the AML BM microenvironment suppressed tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie A Moore
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Jayna J Mistry
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Hellmich
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca H Horton
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aisha Jibril
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Jefferson
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Wileman
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Naiara Beraza
- Quadram Institute Biosciences, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Kristian M Bowles
- Department of Haematology, Norwich Medical School, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart A Rushworth
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
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