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Agrez M, Rybchyn MS, De Silva WGM, Mason RS, Chandler C, Piva TJ, Thurecht K, Fletcher N, Liu F, Subramaniam G, Howard CB, Blyth B, Parker S, Turner D, Rzepecka J, Knox G, Nika A, Hall A, Gooding H, Gallagher L. An immunomodulating peptide to counteract solar radiation-induced immunosuppression and DNA damage. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11702. [PMID: 37474630 PMCID: PMC10359417 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38890-4] [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: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induces immunosuppression and DNA damage, both of which contribute to the rising global incidence of skin cancer including melanoma. Nucleotide excision repair, which is activated upon UVR-induced DNA damage, is linked to expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) which serves to limit immunosuppression and augment the DNA repair process. Herein, we report an immunomodulating peptide, designated IK14800, that not only elicits secretion of IL-12, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) but also reduces DNA damage in the skin following exposure to UVR. Combined with re-invigoration of exhausted CD4+ T cells, inhibition of UVR-induced MMP-1 release and suppression of B16F10 melanoma metastases, IK14800 offers an opportunity to gain further insight into mechanisms underlying the development and progression of skin cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Agrez
- InterK Peptide Therapeutics Limited, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Mark Stephen Rybchyn
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Rebecca Sara Mason
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Terrence J Piva
- Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kristofer Thurecht
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nicholas Fletcher
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Feifei Liu
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gayathri Subramaniam
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Christopher B Howard
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technologies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Benjamin Blyth
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology at the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen Parker
- InterK Peptide Therapeutics Limited, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Gavin Knox
- Concept Life Sciences Limited, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | | | - Andrew Hall
- Concept Life Sciences Limited, Edinburgh, Scotland
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A novel lipidic peptide with potential to promote balanced effector-regulatory T cell responses. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11185. [PMID: 35778468 PMCID: PMC9249808 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15455-5] [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: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell-dendritic cell (DC) interactions contribute to reciprocal stimulation leading to DC maturation that results in production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Both cytokines have been implicated in autoimmune diseases while being necessary for effective immune responses against foreign antigens. We describe a lipidic peptide, designated IK14004, that modifies crosstalk between T cells and DCs resulting in suppression of IL-12p40/IFN-γ production. T cell production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IFN-γ is uncoupled and IL-12p70 production is enhanced. IK14004 induces expression of activating co-receptors in CD8+ T cells and increases the proportion of Foxp3-expressing CD4+ T regulatory cells. The potential for IK14004 to impact on signalling pathways required to achieve a balanced immune response upon stimulation of DCs and T cells is highlighted. This novel compound provides an opportunity to gain further insights into the complexity of T cell-DC interactions relevant to autoimmunity associated with malignancies and may have therapeutic benefit.
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Zhou Y, Cheng F, Zhang Z, Xiang J, Xue T, Ye Q, Yan B. Preoperative Absolute Lymphocyte Count to Carcinoembryonic Antigen Ratio Is a Superior Predictor of Survival in Stage I to III Colorectal Cancer. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS: ONCOLOGY 2022; 16:11795549221126249. [PMID: 36186673 PMCID: PMC9515526 DOI: 10.1177/11795549221126249] [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: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Preoperative absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and carcinoembryonic antigen
(CEA) are useful prognostic indicators in colorectal cancer (CRC); however,
the role of the ALC-to-CEA ratio (LCR) has been less addressed. Methods: A total of 189 stage I to III CRC patients who underwent radical resection
were enrolled retrospectively. The significance of the LCR in predicting
disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was calculated and
compared with other markers based on ALC. The DFS and OS differences among
the low- and high-LCR subgroups and risk factors for the outcome were
estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model,
respectively. Results: Taking 0.28 as the cutoff point, the LCR has a sensitivity and a specificity
of 75.60% and 77.00%, respectively, in predicting OS. The prognostic
efficacy of LCR was significantly superior to that of other markers based on
ALC for predicting DFS and OS. A total of 34.92% (66/189) of patients
displayed a low LCR (<0.28), and these patients were more likely to
present poor cell differentiation (P = .03), tumor deposits
(P < .01) and advanced T (P <
.01) and liver metastasis (P = .02). Patients with a low
LCR had significantly worse DFS (Log Rank = 34.98, P <
.01) and OS (Log Rank = 43.17, P < .01) than those with
a high LCR. The LCR was an independent prognostic factor for both DFS
(hazard ratio (HR) = 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.20-0.62,
P < .01) and OS (HR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.08-0.37,
P < .01). Conclusions: The LCR is a superior predictor of survival in stage I to III CRC, and
patients with a low LCR have an inferior outcome; however, additional
studies are required to validate its prognostic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, P.R. China
| | - Fei Cheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, P.R. China
| | - Zihao Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, P.R. China
| | - Jia Xiang
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, P.R. China
| | - Tianhui Xue
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, P.R. China
| | - Qianwen Ye
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, P.R. China
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, P.R. China
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Kunert A, Chmielewski M, Wijers R, Berrevoets C, Abken H, Debets R. Intra-tumoral production of IL18, but not IL12, by TCR-engineered T cells is non-toxic and counteracts immune evasion of solid tumors. Oncoimmunology 2017; 7:e1378842. [PMID: 29296541 PMCID: PMC5739571 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1378842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive therapy with engineered T cells shows promising results in treating patients with malignant disease, but is challenged by incomplete responses and tumor recurrences. Here, we aimed to direct the tumor microenvironment in favor of a successful immune response by local secretion of interleukin (IL-) 12 and IL-18 by sadministered T cells. To this end, we engineered T cells with a melanoma-specific T cell receptor (TCR) and murine IL-12 and/or IL-18 under the control of a nuclear-factor of activated T-cell (NFAT)-sensitive promoter. These T cells produced IL-12 or IL-18, and consequently enhanced levels of IFNγ, following exposure to antigen-positive but not negative tumor cells. Adoptive transfer of T cells with a TCR and inducible (i)IL-12 to melanoma-bearing mice resulted in severe, edema-like toxicity that was accompanied by enhanced levels of IFNγ and TNFα in blood, and reduced numbers of peripheral TCR transgene-positive T cells. In contrast, transfer of T cells expressing a TCR and iIL-18 was without side effects, enhanced the presence of therapeutic CD8+ T cells within tumors, reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival. Notably, treatment with TCR+iIL-12 but not iIL-18 T cells resulted in enhanced intra-tumoral accumulation of macrophages, which was accompanied by a decreased frequency of therapeutic T cells, in particular of the CD8 subset. In addition, when administered to mice, iIL-18 but not iIL-12 demonstrated a favorable profile of T cell co-stimulatory and inhibitory receptors. In conclusion, we observed that treatment with T cells engineered with a TCR and iIL18 T cells is safe and able to skew the tumor microenvironment in favor of an improved anti-tumor T cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kunert
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M Chmielewski
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - R Wijers
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Berrevoets
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Abken
- Department I of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - R Debets
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Michelin MA, Montes L, Nomelini RS, Abdalla DR, Aleixo AAR, Murta EFC. Interleukin-12 in patients with cancer is synthesized by peripheral helper T lymphocytes. Oncol Lett 2015; 10:1523-1526. [PMID: 26622702 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.3470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of cytokines by helper T lymphocytes is a critical event in the immune response, as alterations in the regulation of this process may result in an appropriate immune response, persistent infection or the development of autoimmune disease. Previously, this group has used flow cytometry to demonstrate the expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes from patients and mice with advanced cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether CD4+ T lymphocytes from the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with cancer produce IL-12, using molecular approaches, flow cytometry and cellular imaging techniques. CD3+ and CD4+ cells, and cells producing IL-12, were isolated from the PB obtained from patients with cancer, using a cell sorting flow cytometry technique. The positivity of cells for CD3, CD4 and IL-12, which were identified by cell sorting, was visualized using immunofluorescent cellular imaging. Total RNA was extracted from the CD3+CD4+IL-12+ cells, obtained by cell sorting, for confirmation of the presence of IL-12 mRNA, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of IL-12 mRNA in all patients (n=14), in contrast to the control group, in whom IL-12 expression was not detected. Immunofluorescent analysis of CD4+ T lymphocytes showed positive intracytoplasmatic IL-12 staining. These results demonstrated that CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes in the PB of patients with cancer have the capacity to synthesize and express IL-12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia A Michelin
- Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-440, Brazil ; Discipline of Immunology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-440, Brazil
| | - Leticia Montes
- Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-440, Brazil
| | - Rosekeila S Nomelini
- Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-440, Brazil ; Discipline of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-440, Brazil
| | - Douglas R Abdalla
- Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-440, Brazil
| | - Andre A R Aleixo
- Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-440, Brazil
| | - Eddie F C Murta
- Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-440, Brazil ; Discipline of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais 38025-440, Brazil
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Microsatellite instability, disease-free survival and role of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (Invited editorial on ‘Predictors of disease-free survival in colorectal cancer with microsatellite instability: An AGEO multicenter study’). Eur J Cancer 2015; 51:922-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2015.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Lasek W, Zagożdżon R, Jakobisiak M. Interleukin 12: still a promising candidate for tumor immunotherapy? Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:419-35. [PMID: 24514955 PMCID: PMC3994286 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1523-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 325] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin 12 (IL-12) seemed to represent the ideal candidate for tumor immunotherapy, due to its ability to activate both innate (NK cells) and adaptive (cytotoxic T lymphocytes) immunities. However, despite encouraging results in animal models, very modest antitumor effects of IL-12 in early clinical trials, often accompanied by unacceptable levels of adverse events, markedly dampened hopes of the successful use of this cytokine in cancer patients. Recently, several clinical studies have been initiated in which IL-12 is applied as an adjuvant in cancer vaccines, in gene therapy including locoregional injections of IL-12 plasmid and in the form of tumor-targeting immunocytokines (IL-12 fused to monoclonal antibodies). The near future will show whether this renewed interest in the use of IL-12 in oncology will result in meaningful therapeutic effects in a select group of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Witold Lasek
- Department of Immunology, Centre of Biostructure Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, "F" Bldg, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland,
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