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Li N, Yu K, Huang D, Zhou H, Zeng D. Identifying a Novel Eight-NK Cell-related Gene Signature for Ovarian Cancer Prognosis Prediction. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:1578-1594. [PMID: 37650393 DOI: 10.2174/0929867331666230831101847] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer (OVC) is the most common and costly tumor in the world with unfavorable overall survival and prognosis. This study is aimed to explore the prognostic value of natural killer cells related genes for OVC treatment. METHODS RNA-seq and clinical information were acquired from the TCGA-OVC dataset (training dataset) and the GSE51800 dataset (validation dataset). Genes linked to NK cells were obtained from the immPort dataset. Moreover, ConsensusClusterPlus facilitated the screening of molecular subtypes. Following this, the risk model was established by LASSO analysis, and immune infiltration and immunotherapy were then detected by CIBERSORT, ssGSEA, ESTIMATE, and TIDE algorithms. RESULTS Based on 23 NK cell-related genes with prognosis, TCGA-OVC samples were classified into two clusters, namely C1 and C2. Of these, C1 had better survival outcomes as well as enhanced immune infiltration and tumor stem cells. Additionally, it was more suitable for immunotherapy and was also sensitive to traditional chemotherapy drugs. The eight-gene prognosis model was constructed and verified via the GSE51800 dataset. Additionally, a high infiltration level of immune cells was observed in low-risk patients. Low-risk samples also benefited from immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs. Finally, a nomogram and ROC curves were applied to validate model accuracy. CONCLUSION The present study identified a RiskScore signature, which could stratify patients with different infiltration levels, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy drugs. Our study provided a basis for precisely evaluating OVC therapy and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, 545001, China
- Liuzhou Institute of Reproduction and Genetics, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, 545001, China
- Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Cohort Study in Pregnant Women of Advanced Age, Liuzhou, 545001, China
| | - Kai Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Delun Huang
- Department of Physiology, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yatsen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Dingyuan Zeng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, 545001, China
- Liuzhou Institute of Reproduction and Genetics, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, 545001, China
- Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Cohort Study in Pregnant Women of Advanced Age, Liuzhou, 545001, China
- The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, 545001, China
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2
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Fan Z, Han D, Fan X, Zhao L. Ovarian cancer treatment and natural killer cell-based immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1308143. [PMID: 38187402 PMCID: PMC10768003 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1308143] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the malignant tumors that poses a serious threat to women's health. Natural killer (NK) cells are an integral part of the immune system and have the ability to kill tumor cells directly or participate indirectly in the anti-tumor immune response. In recent years, NK cell-based immunotherapy for OC has shown remarkable potential. However, its mechanisms and effects remain unclear when compared to standard treatment. Methods To explore the value of NK cell-based immunotherapy in the treatment of OC, we conducted a literature review. In comparison to standard treatment, our focus was primarily on the current anti-tumor mechanisms, the clinical effect of NK cells against OC, factors affecting the structure and function of NK cells, and strategies to enhance the effectiveness of NK cells. Results We found that NK cells exert their therapeutic effects in OC through mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity, perforin release, and granule enzyme secretion. They also secrete IFN-γ and TNF-α or engage in Fas/FasL and TRAIL/TRAILR pathways, mediating the death of OC cells. In clinical trials, the majority of patients experienced disease stability with mild side effects after receiving NK cell-based immunotherapy, but there is still a lack of high-quality research evidence regarding its clinical effectiveness. OC and prior experience with standard treatments have an effect on NK cells, and it may be considered to maximize NK cell effects through the modulation of the tumor microenvironment or combination with other therapies. Conclusions In this review, we have summarized the current evidence of NK cell applications in the treatment of OC. Furthermore, factors and strategies that influence and enhance the role of NK cell immunotherapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongru Fan
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Dongyu Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Meddical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xin Fan
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Meddical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou, China
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3
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Immune Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer Ascites. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810692. [PMID: 36142615 PMCID: PMC9504085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) has a specific type of metastasis, via transcoelomic, and most of the patients are diagnosed at advanced stages with multiple tumors spread within the peritoneal cavity. The role of Malignant Ascites (MA) is to serve as a transporter of tumor cells from the primary location to the peritoneal wall or to the surface of the peritoneal organs. MA comprise cellular components with tumor and non-tumor cells and acellular components, creating a unique microenvironment capable of modifying the tumor behavior. These microenvironment factors influence tumor cell proliferation, progression, chemoresistance, and immune evasion, suggesting that MA play an active role in OC progression. Tumor cells induce a complex immune suppression that neutralizes antitumor immunity, leading to disease progression and treatment failure, provoking a tumor-promoting environment. In this review, we will focus on the High-Grade Serous Carcinoma (HGSC) microenvironment with special attention to the tumor microenvironment immunology.
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4
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Xia Z, Rong X, Dai Z, Zhou D. Identification of Novel Prognostic Biomarkers Relevant to Immune Infiltration in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:863796. [PMID: 35571056 PMCID: PMC9092026 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.863796] [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: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is a biomarker for assessing the immune microenvironment, prognosis, and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in the clinical treatment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), but it does not work for all patients. This study aims to discover alternative biomarkers. Methods: Public data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and gene ontology (GO) were used to determine the gene modules relevant to tumor immunity. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and GO semantic similarity analyses were applied to identify the module hub genes with functional similarities to PD-L1, and we assessed their correlations with immune infiltration, patient prognosis, and immunotherapy response. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were used to validate the outcome at the protein level. Results: We identified an immune response–related module, and two hub genes (PSTPIP1 and PILRA) were selected as potential biomarkers with functional similarities to PD-L1. High expression levels of PSTPIP1 and PILRA were associated with longer overall survival and rich immune infiltration in LUAD patients, and both were significantly high in patients who responded to anti–PD-L1 treatment. Compared to PD-L1–negative LUAD tissues, the protein levels of PSTPIP1 and PILRA were relatively increased in the PD-L1–positive tissues, and the expression of PSTPIP1 and PILRA positively correlated with the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Conclusion: We identified PSTPIP1 and PILRA as prognostic biomarkers relevant to immune infiltration in LUAD, and both are associated with the response to anti–PD-L1 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Xia
- Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xueyao Rong
- Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziyu Dai
- Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dongbo Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Dongbo Zhou,
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5
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Tonetti CR, de Souza-Araújo CN, Yoshida A, da Silva RF, Alves PCM, Mazzola TN, Derchain S, Fernandes LGR, Guimarães F. Ovarian Cancer-Associated Ascites Have High Proportions of Cytokine-Responsive CD56bright NK Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071702. [PMID: 34359872 PMCID: PMC8306021 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, with serous histotype as the most prevalent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Peritoneal ascites is a frequent comorbidity in advanced EOC. EOC-associated ascites provide a reliable sampling source for studying lymphocytes directly from tumor environment. Herein, we carried out flow cytometry-based analysis to readdress issues on NK and T lymphocyte subsets in women with advanced EOC, additionally evaluating phenotypic modulation of their intracellular pathways involved in interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-15 signaling. Results depicted ascites as an inflammatory and immunosuppressive environment, presenting significantly (p < 0.0001) higher amounts of IL-6 and IL-10 than in the patients' blood, as well as significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of checkpoint inhibitory receptors (programmed death protein-1, PD-1) and ectonucleotidase (CD39) on T lymphocytes. However, NK lymphocytes from EOC-associated ascites showed higher (p < 0.05) pS6 phosphorylation compared with NK from blood. Additionally, in vitro treatment of lymphocytes with IL-2 or IL-15 elicited significantly (p < 0.001) phosphorylation of the STAT5 protein in NK, CD3 and CD8 lymphocytes, both from blood and ascites. EOC-associated ascites had a significantly (p < 0.0001) higher proportion of NK CD56bright lymphocytes than blood, which, in addition, were more responsive (p < 0.05) to stimulation by IL-2 than CD56dim NK. EOC-associated ascites allow studies on lymphocyte phenotype modulation in the tumor environment, where inflammatory profile contrasts with the presence of immunosuppressive elements and development of cellular self-regulating mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Rodrigues Tonetti
- School of Medicine Sciences, University of Campinas, Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo-126, Campinas CEP 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (C.R.T.); (C.N.d.S.-A.); (R.F.d.S.); (S.D.); (L.G.R.F.)
| | - Caroline Natânia de Souza-Araújo
- School of Medicine Sciences, University of Campinas, Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo-126, Campinas CEP 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (C.R.T.); (C.N.d.S.-A.); (R.F.d.S.); (S.D.); (L.G.R.F.)
| | - Adriana Yoshida
- Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher (CAISM), Women’s Hospital José Aristodemo Pinotti, University of Campinas, Rua Alexander Fleming-101, Campinas CEP 13083-881, SP, Brazil;
| | - Rodrigo Fernandes da Silva
- School of Medicine Sciences, University of Campinas, Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo-126, Campinas CEP 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (C.R.T.); (C.N.d.S.-A.); (R.F.d.S.); (S.D.); (L.G.R.F.)
| | - Paulo César Martins Alves
- Center for Investigation in Pediatrics, University of Campinas, Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo-126, Campinas CEP 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (P.C.M.A.); (T.N.M.)
| | - Taís Nitsch Mazzola
- Center for Investigation in Pediatrics, University of Campinas, Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo-126, Campinas CEP 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (P.C.M.A.); (T.N.M.)
| | - Sophie Derchain
- School of Medicine Sciences, University of Campinas, Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo-126, Campinas CEP 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (C.R.T.); (C.N.d.S.-A.); (R.F.d.S.); (S.D.); (L.G.R.F.)
- Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher (CAISM), Women’s Hospital José Aristodemo Pinotti, University of Campinas, Rua Alexander Fleming-101, Campinas CEP 13083-881, SP, Brazil;
| | - Luís Gustavo Romani Fernandes
- School of Medicine Sciences, University of Campinas, Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo-126, Campinas CEP 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (C.R.T.); (C.N.d.S.-A.); (R.F.d.S.); (S.D.); (L.G.R.F.)
| | - Fernando Guimarães
- School of Medicine Sciences, University of Campinas, Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo-126, Campinas CEP 13083-887, SP, Brazil; (C.R.T.); (C.N.d.S.-A.); (R.F.d.S.); (S.D.); (L.G.R.F.)
- Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher (CAISM), Women’s Hospital José Aristodemo Pinotti, University of Campinas, Rua Alexander Fleming-101, Campinas CEP 13083-881, SP, Brazil;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-(19)-35219462
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Park HS, Kwon WS, Park S, Jo E, Lim SJ, Lee CK, Lee JB, Jung M, Kim HS, Beom SH, Park JY, Kim TS, Chung HC, Rha SY. Comprehensive immune profiling and immune-monitoring using body fluid of patients with metastatic gastric cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:268. [PMID: 31639056 PMCID: PMC6805480 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-019-0708-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study is to profile the cytokines and immune cells of body fluid from metastatic gastric cancer (mGC), and evaluate the potential role as a prognostic factor and the feasibility as a predictive biomarker or monitoring source for immune checkpoint inhibitor. Methods Body fluid including ascites and pleural fluid were obtained from 55 mGC patients and 24 matched blood. VEGF-A, IL-10, and TGF-β1 were measured and immune cells were profiled by fluorescence assisted cell sorting (FACS). Results VEGF-A and IL-10 were significantly higher in body fluid than in plasma of mGC. Proportion of T lymphocytes with CD69 or PD-1, memory T cell marked with CD45RO, and number of Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) were significantly higher in body fluid than those in blood of mGC. Proportion of CD8 T lymphocyte with memory marker (CD45RO) and activation marker (HLA-DR), CD3 T lymphocyte with PD-1, and number of FoxP3+ Tregs were identified as independent prognostic factors. When patients were classified by molecular subgroups of primary tumor, VEGF-A was significantly higher in genomically stable (GS)-like group than that in chromosomal instability (CIN)-like group while PD-L1 positive tumor cells (%) showed opposite results. Monitoring immune dynamics using body fluid was also feasible. Early activated T cell marked with CD25 was significantly increased in chemotherapy treated group. Conclusions By analyzing cytokines and proportion of immune cells in body fluid, prognosis of patients with mGC can be predicted. Immune monitoring using body fluid may provide more effective treatment for patients with mGC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40425-019-0708-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung Soon Park
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, South Korea.,Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woo Sun Kwon
- Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sejung Park
- Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunji Jo
- Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - So Jung Lim
- Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Choong-Kun Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea
| | - Jii Bum Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea
| | - Minkyu Jung
- Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea
| | - Hyo Song Kim
- Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hoon Beom
- Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea
| | - Jun Yong Park
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae Soo Kim
- Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Cheol Chung
- Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea
| | - Sun Young Rha
- Songdang Institute for Cancer Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. .,Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Sciences, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. .,Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea.
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7
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Lutz P, Jeffery HC, Jones N, Birtwistle J, Kramer B, Nattermann J, Spengler U, Strassburg CP, Adams DH, Oo YH. NK Cells in Ascites From Liver Disease Patients Display a Particular Phenotype and Take Part in Antibacterial Immune Response. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1838. [PMID: 31440239 PMCID: PMC6694841 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Ascites and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) are frequent complications of liver cirrhosis. In spite of the clinical impact, knowledge about ascites as an immune cell compartment in liver disease is limited. Therefore, we analyzed NK cells in blood, ascites, and liver. Methods: Mononuclear cells from blood, ascites, and liver explants of patients with advanced liver disease were extracted by density gradient centrifugation. Phenotyping and analysis of functional responses were carried out using flow cytometry. Migratory potential was investigated with transwell chamber assays. NK cell metabolism was assessed by Seahorse technology. Results: NK cell frequency was increased in uninfected ascites compared to blood, but not to liver. Ascites NK cells were predominantly CD16positive. CD56bright ascites NK cells did not share the typical phenotype of their liver counterparts. In contrast to the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, expression of the activating receptor NKG2D was decreased on ascites and liver CD16positive NK cells. Ascites NK cells expressed higher levels of CXCR3 than blood or liver NK cells, corresponding to increased ascites levels of CXCL10. Blood NK cells migrated toward ascites. Stimulation of mononuclear cells with Escherichia coli led to downregulation of NKG2D expression and IL-12 and IL-18 mediated secretion of interferon-γ by ascites and liver, but not blood NK cells. In-vivo, ascites NK cells expressed higher levels of the activation marker CD69 and lower levels of NKG2D during SBP compared to uninfected ascites. Conclusion: Ascites NK cells display a particular phenotype and are implicated in local immune defense against translocating bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Lutz
- National Institute of Health Research Liver Biomedical Research Unit Birmingham, Centre for Liver Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hannah C. Jeffery
- National Institute of Health Research Liver Biomedical Research Unit Birmingham, Centre for Liver Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Jones
- Swansea University Medical School, Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Birtwistle
- Human Biomaterial Resource Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin Kramer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jacob Nattermann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrich Spengler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian P. Strassburg
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - David H. Adams
- National Institute of Health Research Liver Biomedical Research Unit Birmingham, Centre for Liver Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ye H. Oo
- National Institute of Health Research Liver Biomedical Research Unit Birmingham, Centre for Liver Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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8
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Strengthening the AntiTumor NK Cell Function for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20040890. [PMID: 30791364 PMCID: PMC6412350 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The crosstalk between cancer cells and host cells is a crucial prerequisite for tumor growth and progression. The cells from both the innate and adaptive immune systems enter into a perverse relationship with tumor cells to create a tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the most lethal of all gynecological malignancies, is characterized by a unique TME that paves the way to the formation of metastasis and mediates therapy resistance through the deregulation of immune surveillance. A characteristic feature of the ovarian cancer TME is the ascites/peritoneal fluid, a malignancy-associated effusion occurring at more advanced stages, which enables the peritoneal dissemination of tumor cells and the formation of metastasis. The standard therapy for EOC involves a combination of debulking surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. However, most patients experience disease recurrence. New therapeutic strategies are needed to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced EOC. Harnessing the body’s natural immune defenses against cancer in the form of immunotherapy is emerging as an innovative treatment strategy. NK cells have attracted attention as a promising cancer immunotherapeutic target due to their ability to kill malignant cells and avoid healthy cells. Here, we will discuss the recent advances in the clinical application of NK cell immunotherapy in EOC.
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9
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Uppendahl LD, Felices M, Bendzick L, Ryan C, Kodal B, Hinderlie P, Boylan KLM, Skubitz APN, Miller JS, Geller MA. Cytokine-induced memory-like natural killer cells have enhanced function, proliferation, and in vivo expansion against ovarian cancer cells. Gynecol Oncol 2019; 153:149-157. [PMID: 30658847 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes well suited for adoptive immunotherapy. Attempts with adoptive NK cell immunotherapy against ovarian cancer have proven unsuccessful, with the main limitations including failure to expand and diminished effector function. We investigated if incubation of NK cells with interleukin (IL)-12, IL-15, and IL-18 for 16h could produce cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cells capable of enhanced function against ovarian cancer. METHODS NK cells were preactivated briefly with IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18, rested, then placed against ovarian cancer targets to assess phenotype and function via flow cytometry. Real-time NK-cell-mediated tumor-killing was evaluated. Using ascites cells and cell-free ascites fluid, NK cell proliferation and function within the immunosuppressive microenvironment was evaluated in vitro. Finally, CIML NK cells were injected intraperitoneal (IP) into an in vivo xenogeneic mouse model of ovarian cancer. RESULTS CIML NK cells demonstrate enhanced cytokine (IFN-γ) production and NK-cell-mediated killing of ovarian cancer. NK cells treated overnight with cytokines led to robust activation characterized by temporal shedding of CD16, induction of CD25, and enhanced proliferation. CIML NK cells proliferate more with enhanced effector function compared to controls in an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Finally, human CIML NK cells exhibited potent antitumor effects within a xenogeneic mouse model of ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS CIML NK cells have enhanced functionality and persistence against ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo, even when exposed to ascites fluid. These findings provide a strategy for NK cell-based immunotherapy to circumvent the immunosuppressive nature of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Locke D Uppendahl
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Martin Felices
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Laura Bendzick
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Caitlin Ryan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Behiye Kodal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Peter Hinderlie
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Kristin L M Boylan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Amy P N Skubitz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Melissa A Geller
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
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10
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IRE1α-XBP1 controls T cell function in ovarian cancer by regulating mitochondrial activity. Nature 2018; 562:423-428. [PMID: 30305738 PMCID: PMC6237282 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0597-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Tumours evade immune control by creating hostile microenvironments that perturb T cell metabolism and effector function1-4. However, it remains unclear how intra-tumoral T cells integrate and interpret metabolic stress signals. Here we report that ovarian cancer-an aggressive malignancy that is refractory to standard treatments and current immunotherapies5-8-induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and activates the IRE1α-XBP1 arm of the unfolded protein response9,10 in T cells to control their mitochondrial respiration and anti-tumour function. In T cells isolated from specimens collected from patients with ovarian cancer, upregulation of XBP1 was associated with decreased infiltration of T cells into tumours and with reduced IFNG mRNA expression. Malignant ascites fluid obtained from patients with ovarian cancer inhibited glucose uptake and caused N-linked protein glycosylation defects in T cells, which triggered IRE1α-XBP1 activation that suppressed mitochondrial activity and IFNγ production. Mechanistically, induction of XBP1 regulated the abundance of glutamine carriers and thus limited the influx of glutamine that is necessary to sustain mitochondrial respiration in T cells under glucose-deprived conditions. Restoring N-linked protein glycosylation, abrogating IRE1α-XBP1 activation or enforcing expression of glutamine transporters enhanced mitochondrial respiration in human T cells exposed to ovarian cancer ascites. XBP1-deficient T cells in the metastatic ovarian cancer milieu exhibited global transcriptional reprogramming and improved effector capacity. Accordingly, mice that bear ovarian cancer and lack XBP1 selectively in T cells demonstrate superior anti-tumour immunity, delayed malignant progression and increased overall survival. Controlling endoplasmic reticulum stress or targeting IRE1α-XBP1 signalling may help to restore the metabolic fitness and anti-tumour capacity of T cells in cancer hosts.
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11
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Hoogstad-van Evert JS, Maas RJ, van der Meer J, Cany J, van der Steen S, Jansen JH, Miller JS, Bekkers R, Hobo W, Massuger L, Dolstra H. Peritoneal NK cells are responsive to IL-15 and percentages are correlated with outcome in advanced ovarian cancer patients. Oncotarget 2018; 9:34810-34820. [PMID: 30410679 PMCID: PMC6205176 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The demonstration that ovarian carcinoma (OC) is an immunogenic disease, opens opportunities to explore immunotherapeutic interventions to improve clinical outcome. In this regard, NK cell based immunotherapy could be promising as it has been demonstrated that OC cells are susceptible to killing by cytokine-stimulated NK cells. Here, we evaluated whether percentage, phenotype, function and IL-15 responsiveness of ascites-derived natural killer (NK) cells is related to progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of advanced stage OC patients. Generally, a lower percentage of NK cells within the lymphocyte fraction was seen in OC ascites (mean 17.4 ± 2.7%) versus benign peritoneal fluids (48.1 ± 6.8%; p < 0.0001). Importantly, a higher CD56+ NK cell percentage in ascites was associated with a better PFS (p = 0.01) and OS (p = 0.002) in OC patients. Furthermore, the functionality of ascites-derived NK cells in terms of CD107a/IFN-γ activity was comparable to that of healthy donor peripheral blood NK cells, and stimulation with monomeric IL-15 or IL-15 superagonist ALT-803 potently improved their reactivity towards tumor cells. By showing that a higher NK cell percentage is related to better outcome in OC patients and NK cell functionality can be boosted by IL-15 receptor stimulation, a part of NK cell immunity in OC is further deciphered to exploit NK cell based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janneke S Hoogstad-van Evert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ralph J Maas
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jolien van der Meer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeannette Cany
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sophieke van der Steen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joop H Jansen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ruud Bekkers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Willemijn Hobo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Leon Massuger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Harry Dolstra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory of Hematology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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12
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The Tumor Microenvironment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and Its Influence on Response to Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2018. [PMID: 30042343 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10080242] [] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy as a treatment for cancer is a growing field of endeavor but reports of success have been limited for epithelial ovarian cancer. Overcoming the challenges to developing more effective therapeutic approaches lies in a better understanding of the factors in cancer cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment that limit response to immunotherapies. This article provides an overview of some ovarian cancer cell features such as tumor-associated antigens, ovarian cancer-derived exosomes, tumor mutational burden and overexpression of immunoinhibitory molecules. Moreover, we describe relevant cell types found in epithelial ovarian tumors including immune cells (T and B lymphocytes, Tregs, NK cells, TAMs, MDSCs) and other components found in the tumor microenvironment including fibroblasts and the adipocytes in the omentum. We focus on how those components may influence responses to standard treatments or immunotherapies.
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13
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The Tumor Microenvironment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and Its Influence on Response to Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2018. [PMID: 30042343 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10080242]+[] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy as a treatment for cancer is a growing field of endeavor but reports of success have been limited for epithelial ovarian cancer. Overcoming the challenges to developing more effective therapeutic approaches lies in a better understanding of the factors in cancer cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment that limit response to immunotherapies. This article provides an overview of some ovarian cancer cell features such as tumor-associated antigens, ovarian cancer-derived exosomes, tumor mutational burden and overexpression of immunoinhibitory molecules. Moreover, we describe relevant cell types found in epithelial ovarian tumors including immune cells (T and B lymphocytes, Tregs, NK cells, TAMs, MDSCs) and other components found in the tumor microenvironment including fibroblasts and the adipocytes in the omentum. We focus on how those components may influence responses to standard treatments or immunotherapies.
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14
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Rodriguez GM, Galpin KJC, McCloskey CW, Vanderhyden BC. The Tumor Microenvironment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and Its Influence on Response to Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:E242. [PMID: 30042343 PMCID: PMC6116043 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10080242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy as a treatment for cancer is a growing field of endeavor but reports of success have been limited for epithelial ovarian cancer. Overcoming the challenges to developing more effective therapeutic approaches lies in a better understanding of the factors in cancer cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment that limit response to immunotherapies. This article provides an overview of some ovarian cancer cell features such as tumor-associated antigens, ovarian cancer-derived exosomes, tumor mutational burden and overexpression of immunoinhibitory molecules. Moreover, we describe relevant cell types found in epithelial ovarian tumors including immune cells (T and B lymphocytes, Tregs, NK cells, TAMs, MDSCs) and other components found in the tumor microenvironment including fibroblasts and the adipocytes in the omentum. We focus on how those components may influence responses to standard treatments or immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galaxia M Rodriguez
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Kristianne J C Galpin
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Curtis W McCloskey
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
| | - Barbara C Vanderhyden
- Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.
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15
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Nham T, Poznanski SM, Fan IY, Shenouda MM, Chew MV, Lee AJ, Vahedi F, Karimi Y, Butcher M, Lee DA, Hirte H, Ashkar AA. Ex vivo-expanded NK cells from blood and ascites of ovarian cancer patients are cytotoxic against autologous primary ovarian cancer cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:575-587. [PMID: 29299659 PMCID: PMC11028100 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-017-2112-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of gynecological cancer-related death in North America. Most ovarian cancer patients (OCPs) experience disease recurrence after first-line surgery and chemotherapy; thus, there is a need for novel second-line treatments to improve the prognosis of OC. Although peripheral blood-derived NK cells are known for their ability to spontaneously lyse tumour cells without prior sensitization, ascites-derived NK cells (ascites-NK cells) isolated from OCPs exhibit inhibitory phenotypes, impaired cytotoxicity and may play a pro-tumourigenic role in cancer progression. Therefore, it is of interest to improve the cytotoxic effector function of impaired OCP ascites-NK cells at the tumour environment. We investigated the efficacy of using an artificial APC-based ex vivo expansion technique to generate cytotoxic, expanded NK cells from previously impaired OCP ascites-NK cells, for use in an autologous model of NK cell immunotherapy. We are the first to obtain a log-scale expansion of OCP ascites-NK cells that upregulate the surface expression of activating receptors NKG2D, NKp30, NKp44, produce robust amounts of anti-tumour cytokines in the presence of OC cells and mediate direct tumour cytotoxicity against ascites-derived, primary OC cells obtained from autologous patients. Our findings demonstrate that it is possible to generate cytotoxic OCP ascites-NK cells from previously impaired OCP ascites-NK cells, which presents a promising immunotherapeutic target for the second-line treatment of OC. Future work should focus on evaluating the in vivo efficacy of autologous NK cell immunotherapy through the intraperitoneal delivery of NK cell expansion factors to a preclinical xenograft mouse model of human OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Nham
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Rm 4015 Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Sophie M Poznanski
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Rm 4015 Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Isabella Y Fan
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Rm 4015 Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Mira M Shenouda
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Rm 4015 Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Marianne V Chew
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Rm 4015 Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Amanda J Lee
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Rm 4015 Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Vahedi
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Rm 4015 Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Yalda Karimi
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Rm 4015 Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Martin Butcher
- Juravinski Cancer Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Dean A Lee
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hal Hirte
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Juravinski Cancer Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ali A Ashkar
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Rm 4015 Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
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16
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Functional activity of natural killer cells in biological fluids in patients with colorectal and ovarian cancers. Cent Eur J Immunol 2018; 43:26-32. [PMID: 29736145 PMCID: PMC5927170 DOI: 10.5114/ceji.2018.74870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim of the study To compare the functional activity of natural killer cells depending on the presence of a malignant process and its dissemination. Material and methods The study included 20 patients with Stage IIIB, C (FIGO, 2009) ovarian cancer, 10 patients with benign ovarian tumours (BOT), and 20 patients with colorectal cancer (T2-4N0-2M0). The control group consisted of 9 healthy donors. To evaluate the number and functional activity of NK cells, multicolour flow cytometry was performed. Results In cancer patients, the relative number of activated NK cells secreting granzyme B (GB) (CD56+CD107a+GB+PF–) was significantly decreased, and the proportion of degranulated NK cells (CD56+CD107a+GB–PF–) was significantly increased, compared to those observed in healthy donors. The total number of NK cells in peripheral blood was low in ovarian cancer patients (p < 0.05). The proportion of activated peripheral blood NK cells containing cytolytic granules GB and perforin (PF) in colorectal cancer patients increased with tumour growth. However, lymph node metastasis did not affect the content and activation of NK cells. Comparative analysis of NK-cell populations in patients with benign and malignant ovarian tumours revealed that the level of CD56+ cells was significantly higher in ascites than in peripheral blood. However, CD56+CD107a+ activated cells and CD56+CD107a+GB+PF+ cells were found more frequently in ascites of BOT patients than in ovarian cancer patients. The degranulated population of NK cells (CD56+CD107a+GB–PF–) was mainly observed in the peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients.
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17
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Uppendahl LD, Dahl CM, Miller JS, Felices M, Geller MA. Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy in Gynecologic Malignancy: A Review. Front Immunol 2018; 8:1825. [PMID: 29354116 PMCID: PMC5760535 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Harnessing the immune system has proven an effective therapy in treating malignancies. Since the discovery of natural killer (NK) cells, strategies aimed to manipulate and augment their effector function against cancer have been the subject of intense research. Recent progress in the immunobiology of NK cells has led to the development of promising therapeutic approaches. In this review, we will focus on the recent advances in NK cell immunobiology and the clinical application of NK cell immunotherapy in ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Locke D Uppendahl
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Carly M Dahl
- University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Martin Felices
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Melissa A Geller
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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18
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Felices M, Chu S, Kodal B, Bendzick L, Ryan C, Lenvik AJ, Boylan KLM, Wong HC, Skubitz APN, Miller JS, Geller MA. IL-15 super-agonist (ALT-803) enhances natural killer (NK) cell function against ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2017; 145:453-461. [PMID: 28236454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2017.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Natural killer (NK) cells represent a powerful immunotherapeutic target as they lyse tumors directly, do not require differentiation, and can elicit potent inflammatory responses. The objective of these studies was to use an IL-15 super-agonist complex, ALT-803 (Altor BioScience Corporation), to enhance the function of both normal and ovarian cancer patient derived NK cells by increasing cytotoxicity and cytokine production. METHODS NK cell function from normal donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and ovarian cancer patient ascites was assessed using flow cytometry and chromium release assays ±ALT-803 stimulation. To evaluate the ability of ALT-803 to enhance NK cell function in vivo against ovarian cancer, we used a MA148-luc ovarian cancer NOD scid gamma (NSG) xenogeneic mouse model with transferred human NK cells. RESULTS ALT-803 potently enhanced functionality of NK cells against all ovarian cancer cell lines with significant increases seen in CD107a, IFNγ and TNFα expression depending on target cell line. Function was also rescued in NK cells derived from ovarian cancer patient ascites. Finally, only animals treated with intraperitoneal ALT-803 displayed an NK dependent significant decrease in tumor. CONCLUSIONS ALT-803 enhances NK cell cytotoxicity against ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo and is able to rescue functionality of NK cells derived from ovarian cancer patient ascites. These findings suggest that ALT-803 has the potential to enhance NK cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Felices
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
| | - S Chu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - B Kodal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - L Bendzick
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - C Ryan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - A J Lenvik
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - K L M Boylan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - H C Wong
- Altor BioScience Corporation, Miramar, FL, United States
| | - A P N Skubitz
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - J S Miller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - M A Geller
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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19
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Baert T, Vergote I, Coosemans A. Ovarian cancer and the immune system. Gynecol Oncol Rep 2017; 19:57-58. [PMID: 28127584 PMCID: PMC5247278 DOI: 10.1016/j.gore.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Short communication in response to the review of Turner et al. entitled “Ovarian cancer and the immune system - the role of targeted therapies” published in Gynecological Oncology. We believe systemic immune parameters might be a good alternative to tumor biopsy to gain insight in the immunological background of ovarian cancer. The immune system is an important player in ovarian cancer behaviour. Intratumoral studies of the immune system show an overwhelming immunosuppression. The immune signature in the blood can be important as a new biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaïs Baert
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ignace Vergote
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Gynaecological Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Coosemans
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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