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Smiline Girija AS. Protean role of epigenetic mechanisms and their impact in regulating the Tregs in TME. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:661-664. [PMID: 34321625 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00371-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Constitutive expression of Foxp3+ Tregs in the tumor microenvironment (TME) specifically renders immune suppression in the tumor tissues. Being highly stable and self-tolerant, Tregs may be influenced by various epigenetic-associated mechanisms while exhibiting their functions. DNA methylation, histone acetylation, epigenetic silencing, alteration in chromatin networks, etc., are some of the main factors underlying the epigenetic-based Treg cell functional modulations in the TME. The possible reasons on why these epigenetic modulations should be specifically targeted are thus discussed, so that enhanced anti-tumor immunity in TME can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Smiline Girija
- Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, 600 077, India.
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Cai Z, Lim D, Liu G, Chen C, Jin L, Duan W, Ding C, Sun Q, Peng J, Dong C, Zhang F, Feng Z. Valproic Acid-Like Compounds Enhance and Prolong the Radiotherapy Effect on Breast Cancer by Activating and Maintaining Anti-Tumor Immune Function. Front Immunol 2021; 12:646384. [PMID: 34054811 PMCID: PMC8149798 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.646384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inadequate sustained immune activation and tumor recurrence are major limitations of radiotherapy (RT), sustained and targeted activation of the tumor microenvironment can overcome this obstacle. Here, by two models of a primary rat breast cancer and cell co-culture, we demonstrated that valproic acid (VPA) and its derivative (HPTA) are effective immune activators for RT to inhibit tumor growth by inducing myeloid-derived macrophages and polarizing them toward the M1 phenotype, thus elevate the expression of cytokines such as IL-12, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α during the early stage of the combination treatment. Meanwhile, activated CD8+ T cells increased, angiogenesis of tumors is inhibited, and the vasculature becomes sparse. Furthermore, it was suggested that VPA/HPTA can enhance the effects of RT via macrophage-mediated and macrophage-CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. The combination of VPA/HPTA and RT treatment slowed the growth of tumors and prolong the anti-tumor effect by continuously maintaining the activated immune response. These are promising findings for the development of new effective, low-cost concurrent cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuchao Cai
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - David Lim
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Guochao Liu
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Liya Jin
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenhua Duan
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chenxia Ding
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qingjie Sun
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Junxuan Peng
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chao Dong
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fengmei Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhihui Feng
- Department of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Marshall HT, Djamgoz MBA. Immuno-Oncology: Emerging Targets and Combination Therapies. Front Oncol 2018; 8:315. [PMID: 30191140 PMCID: PMC6115503 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Host immunity recognizes and eliminates most early tumor cells, yet immunological checkpoints, exemplified by CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1, pose a significant obstacle to effective antitumor immune responses. T-lymphocyte co-inhibitory pathways influence intensity, inflammation and duration of antitumor immunity. However, tumors and their immunosuppressive microenvironments exploit them to evade immune destruction. Recent PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors yielded unprecedented efficacies and durable responses across advanced-stage melanoma, showcasing potential to replace conventional radiotherapy regimens. Neverthless, many clinical problems remain in terms of efficacy, patient-to-patient variability, and undesirable outcomes and side effects. In this review, we evaluate recent advances in the immuno-oncology field and discuss ways forward. First, we give an overview of current immunotherapy modalities, involving mainy single agents, including inhibitor monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting T-cell checkpoints of PD-1 and CTLA-4. However, neoantigen recognition alone cannot eliminate tumors effectively in vivo given their inherent complex micro-environment, heterogeneous nature and stemness. Then, based mainly upon CTLA-4 and PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors as a "backbone," we cover a range of emerging ("second-generation") therapies incorporating other immunotherapies or non-immune based strategies in synergistic combination. These include targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, co-stimulatory mAbs, bifunctional agents, epigenetic modulators (such as inhibitors of histone deacetylases or DNA methyltransferase), vaccines, adoptive-T-cell therapy, nanoparticles, oncolytic viruses, and even synthetic "gene circuits." A number of novel immunotherapy co-targets in pre-clinical development are also introduced. The latter include metabolic components, exosomes and ion channels. We discuss in some detail of the personalization of immunotherapy essential for ultimate maximization of clinical outcomes. Finally, we outline possible future technical and conceptual developments including realistic in vitro and in vivo models and inputs from physics, engineering, and artificial intelligence. We conclude that the breadth and quality of immunotherapeutic approaches and the types of cancers that can be treated will increase significantly in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry T Marshall
- Neuroscience Solutions to Cancer Research Group, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mustafa B A Djamgoz
- Neuroscience Solutions to Cancer Research Group, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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A Jak2-selective inhibitor potently reverses the immune suppression by modulating the tumor microenvironment for cancer immunotherapy. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 145:132-146. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Murphy KA, James BR, Wilber A, Griffith TS. A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28448047 DOI: 10.3791/55080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) affects > 60,000 people in the United States annually, and ~ 30% of RCC patients have multiple metastases at the time of diagnosis. Metastatic RCC (mRCC) is incurable, with a median survival time of only 18 months. Immune-based interventions (e.g., interferon (IFN) and interleukin (IL)-2) induce durable responses in a fraction of mRCC patients, and multikinase inhibitors (e.g., sunitinib or sorafenib) or anti-VEGF receptor monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are largely palliative, as complete remissions are rare. Such shortcomings in current therapies for mRCC patients provide the rationale for the development of novel treatment protocols. A key component in the preclinical testing of new therapies for mRCC is a suitable animal model. Beneficial features that recapitulate the human condition include a primary renal tumor, renal tumor metastases, and an intact immune system to investigate any therapy-driven immune effector responses and the formation of tumor-induced immunosuppressive factors. This report describes an orthotopic mRCC mouse model that has all of these features. We describe an intrarenal implantation technique using the mouse renal adenocarcinoma cell line Renca, followed by the assessment of tumor growth in the kidney (primary site) and lungs (metastatic site).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Murphy
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
| | - Britnie R James
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota; Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Minnesota
| | - Andrew Wilber
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine; Simmons Cancer Institute
| | - Thomas S Griffith
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota; Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Minnesota;
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immunotherapy using checkpoint inhibitors is providing significant benefit to patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), both in overall survival and tolerability of treatment. Given the recent approval of the first checkpoint inhibitor in RCC, this review discusses the background and clinical data for checkpoint inhibition in RCC. Areas covered: This review introduces and discusses the basic biologic mechanisms of checkpoint inhibitor function and focuses on the current evidence in clinical trials for the use of immunotherapy in RCC. Expert commentary: Immunotherapy has been a mainstay of therapy in RCC, but the recent approval of nivolumab with ORR of 25% and durable responses has provided a transformative new therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Beckermann
- a Department of Medicine , Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville , TN , USA
| | - Douglas B Johnson
- a Department of Medicine , Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville , TN , USA
| | - Jeffrey A Sosman
- b Department of Medicine , Northwestern University Medical Center , Chicago , IL , USA
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Wu W, Wan J, Xia R, Huang Z, Ni J, Yang M. Functional role of regulatory T cells in B cell lymphoma and related mechanisms. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2015; 8:9133-9139. [PMID: 26464657 PMCID: PMC4583889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
B cell lymphoma (BCL) has a higher degree of malignancy and complicated pathogenic mechanism. Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are known to exert certain immune suppression functions, in addition to immune mediating effects. Recent studies have revealed the role of Treg cells in pathogenesis and progression of multiple malignant tumors. This study therefore investigated the functional role and related mechanism of Treg cells in BCL. A cohort of thirty patients who were diagnosed with BCL in our hospital between January 2013 and December 2014. Another thirty healthy individuals were recruited. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated and analyzed for the ratio of CD4+/CD25+ Treg cells. The mRNA expression levels of Foxp3, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and interleukin (IL)-10 genes were quantified by real-time PCR, while their serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile all laboratory indexes for patients were monitored during the complete remission (CR) stage. BCL patients significantly elevated ratio of CD4+/CD25+ Treg cells, which were decreased at CR stage. mRNA levels of Foxp3, TGF-β1 and IL-10, in addition to protein levels of TGF-β1 and IL-10 were potentiated in lymphoma patients but decreased in CR patients (P<0.05 in all cases). CD4+/CD25+ Treg cells exert immune suppressing functions in BCL via regulating cytokines, thereby facilitating the pathogenesis and progression of lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei, China
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei, China
| | - Ruixiang Xia
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei, China
| | - Zhenqi Huang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei, China
| | - Jing Ni
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei, China
| | - Mingzhen Yang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei, China
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