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Hojjatipour T, Maali A, Azad M. Natural killer cell epigenetic reprogramming in tumors and potential for cancer immunotherapy. Epigenomics 2023; 15:249-266. [PMID: 37125432 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical members of the innate lymphoid cell population and have a pivotal role in cancer eradication. NK cell maturation, development and function are tightly regulated by epigenetic modifications, which can also be recruited for cancer propagation and immune escape. NK cells have the potential to be activated against tumors through several epigenetic regulators. Given that epigenetic changes are inducible and reversible, focusing on aberrant epigenetic regulations recruited by tumor cells provides a tremendous opportunity for cancer treatment. This review presents a comprehensive picture of NK cell normal epigenetic regulation and cancer-driven epigenetic modifications. From our perspective, a better understanding of epigenetic regulators that can edit and revise NK cells' activity is a promising avenue for NK cell-based therapy in cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Hojjatipour
- Department of Hematology & Blood Transfusion, Students Research Center, School of Allied Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Maali
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Paramedicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mehdi Azad
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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Shibel PEE, Abd Elmaogod EA. Immunohistochemical expression of CD155 in invasive female breast carcinoma and its correlation with tumor infiltrating natural killer cells. BENI-SUEF UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2023. [DOI: 10.1186/s43088-023-00370-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
CD155 is an immune checkpoint protein that interacts with ligands on natural killer cells to regulate the tumor associated immunity. CD155 overexpression has been detected in many human cancer types. CD155 and its pathways are promising tumor immunotherapy targets. We aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CD155 in invasive breast carcinomas and to correlate such expression with the pathological parameters of the tumors and also with natural killer - tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (NK-TILs) density in breast carcinomas tissue as highlighted by CD56 immunostaining. This study included 78 cases of breast carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against CD155 which was detected on the tumor cells and CD56 as a marker for stromal NK cells.
Results
CD155 expression by the tumor cells was detected in 30.8% of the cases and correlated significantly with advanced prognostic stage, Estrogen receptor (ER) and Progesterone receptor (PR) negativity, high Ki-67 index and Human epidermal receptor 2 (HER2) enriched molecular subtype. High stromal TILs CD56 expression was detected in 28.2% of the cases and correlated significantly with high histologic grade, PR negativity, HER2 neu over-expression, high Ki-67 index, high stromal TILs and more aggressive molecular subtypes; triple negative breast cancer, HER2 enriched and Luminal B-HER2 positive. Finally, statistically significant direct correlation was detected between Tumor cells CD155 expression and high TILs CD56 expression.
Conclusions
Our results support tumor cell CD155 expression and TILs CD56 expression in breast cancers that are high grade, TILs rich and hormone receptors negative, highlighting those cases as possible candidates for CD155 targeted therapy.
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Mutka M, Joensuu K, Eray M, Heikkilä P. Quantities of CD3+, CD8+ and CD56+ lymphocytes decline in breast cancer recurrences while CD4+ remain similar. Diagn Pathol 2023; 18:3. [PMID: 36627701 PMCID: PMC9830729 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-022-01278-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Much is known about tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (Tils) in primary breast cancer, as this has been the focus of much research in recent years, but regarding recurrent breast cancer, only few studies have been done. Our aim was to compare the quantities of Tils in primary breast carcinomas and their corresponding recurrences and to analyze the differences in the tumor Tils compositions in correlations with recurrence-free times and the clinicopathology of the tumor. METHODS One hundred thirty-seven breast cancer patients self-paired for primary- tumor-recurrence were divided into three groups based on the length of the recurrence-free interval. H&E-staining and immunohistochemical staining with antiCD3, antiCD4, antiCD8 and antiCD56 were performed. Differences in Tils between primaries and recurrences, between the recurrence-free interval groups, and between different clinicopathologic parameters were statistically analyzed. RESULTS Fewer stromal CD3+, CD8+ and CD56+ lymphocytes were found at recurrences compared to the primaries. No significant change in the percentage of CD4+ stromal lymphocytes. ER-negative primaries, PR-negative or HER2-positive tumors had more Tils in some subgroups. Ductal primaries had more Tils than lobular primaries and G3 tumors had more Tils than lower-grade tumors. The corresponding differences at recurrences could either not be detected or they were reversed. The fastest recurring group had generally more Tils than the slower groups. CONCLUSIONS CD4+ cell numbers did not decline from primary to recurrence in contrast to all other subclasses of lymphocytes. The proportion of CD4+ cells was higher in recurrences than in primaries. Tumors with a higher grade and proliferation rate had higher percentages of Tils. HER2+ and hormone receptor negative tumors tended to have higher Tils scores. In recurrences these differences were not seen or they were reversed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Mutka
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Department of Pathology, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, FIN-00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kristiina Joensuu
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071University of Helsinki, FIN-00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mine Eray
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Department of Pathology, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, FIN-00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Heikkilä
- grid.7737.40000 0004 0410 2071Department of Pathology, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, FIN-00290 Helsinki, Finland
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4
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Immunological profiles of the breast cancer microenvironment represented by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1 expression. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8098. [PMID: 35577913 PMCID: PMC9110375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11578-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) are established prognostic and predictive biomarkers for certain breast cancer subsets. However, their association with the immune response complexity is not fully understood. Therefore, we analyzed the association between the immune cell fractions in breast cancer tissues and histologically assessed TIL (hTIL) and PD-L1 (hPD-L1). Forty-five tumor and eighteen blood samples were collected from patients with breast cancer. Total leukocyte counts, frequency of 11 immune cell populations, and PD-L1 expression in each cell fraction were evaluated by flow cytometry. TILs and PD-L1 were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively. A higher hTIL score showed association with increased leukocyte infiltration, higher CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proportions, and lower natural killer and natural killer T cell proportions. PD-L1 was highly expressed in nonclassical monocytes, monocyte/macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, myeloid dendritic cells, dendritic cells, and other lineages in tumors. hPD-L1 positivity reflected PD-L1 expression accurately in these fractions, as well as increased leukocyte infiltration in tumors. These results indicate that hTILs reflect differences in the immune responses in the tumor microenvironment, and certain immune cell fractions are favorably expressed in the PD-L1 pathway in breast cancer microenvironments.
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Bai Z, Zhou Y, Ye Z, Xiong J, Lan H, Wang F. Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Colorectal Cancer: The Fundamental Indication and Application on Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 12:808964. [PMID: 35095898 PMCID: PMC8795622 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.808964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical success of immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer patients, bringing renewed attention to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) of various cancer types. Immune checkpoint blockade is effective in patients with mismatched repair defects and high microsatellite instability (dMMR-MSI-H) in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), leading the FDA to accelerate the approval of two programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blocking antibodies, pembrolizumab and nivolumab, for treatment of dMMR-MSI-H cancers. In contrast, patients with proficient mismatch repair and low levels of microsatellite stability or microsatellite instability (pMMR-MSI-L/MSS) typically have low tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and have shown unsatisfied responses to the immune checkpoint inhibitor. Different TILs environments reflect different responses to immunotherapy, highlighting the complexity of the underlying tumor-immune interaction. Profiling of TILs fundamental Indication would shed light on the mechanisms of cancer-immune evasion, thus providing opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize phenotypic diversities of TILs and their connections with prognosis in CRC and provide insights into the subsets-specific nature of TILs with different MSI status. We also discuss current clinical immunotherapy approaches based on TILs as well as promising directions for future expansion, and highlight existing clinical data supporting its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Bai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China.,College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zifan Ye
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jialong Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Hongying Lan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
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Na HY, Park Y, Nam SK, Koh J, Kwak Y, Ahn SH, Park DJ, Kim HH, Lee KS, Lee HS. Prognostic significance of natural killer cell-associated markers in gastric cancer: quantitative analysis using multiplex immunohistochemistry. J Transl Med 2021; 19:529. [PMID: 34952595 PMCID: PMC8710020 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03203-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells mediate the anti-tumoral immune response as an important component of innate immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance and functional implication of NK cell-associated surface receptors in gastric cancer (GC) by using multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC). METHODS We performed an mIHC on tissue microarray slides, including 55 GC tissue samples. A total of 11 antibodies including CD57, NKG2A, CD16, HLA-E, CD3, CD20, CD45, CD68, CK, SMA, and ki-67 were used. CD45 + CD3-CD57 + cells were considered as CD57 + NK cells. RESULTS Among CD45 + immune cells, the proportion of CD57 + NK cell was the lowest (3.8%), whereas that of CD57 + and CD57- T cells (65.5%) was the highest, followed by macrophages (25.4%), and B cells (5.3%). CD57 + NK cells constituted 20% of CD45 + CD57 + immune cells while the remaining 80% were CD57 + T cells. The expression of HLA-E in tumor cells correlated with that in tumoral T cells, B cells, and macrophages, but not CD57 + NK cells. The higher density of tumoral CD57 + NK cells and tumoral CD57 + NKG2A + NK cells was associated with inferior survival. CONCLUSIONS Although the number of CD57 + NK cells was lower than that of other immune cells, CD57 + NK cells and CD57 + NKG2A + NK cells were significantly associated with poor outcomes, suggesting that NK cell subsets play a critical role in GC progression. NK cells and their inhibitory receptor, NKG2A, may be potential targets in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Young Na
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 173-82 Gumi-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujun Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 173-82 Gumi-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Kyung Nam
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Koh
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonjin Kwak
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hoon Ahn
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 173-82 Gumi-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Joong Park
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Ho Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 173-82 Gumi-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Sang Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 173-82 Gumi-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hye Seung Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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da Silva JL, de Albuquerque LZ, Rodrigues FR, de Mesquita GG, Fernandes PV, Thuler LCS, de Melo AC. Prognostic Influence of Residual Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Subtype After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:636716. [PMID: 34858800 PMCID: PMC8630741 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.636716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the prevalence and prognostic role of tumor microenvironment (TME) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) through immunohistochemical characterization. METHODS The internal database of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute for women diagnosed with TNBC who underwent NACT and thereafter curative surgery between January 2010 and December 2014 was queried out. Core biopsy specimens and tissue microarrays containing surgical samples of TNBC from 171 and 134 women, respectively, were assessed by immunohistochemistry for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD14, CD56, CD68, CD117, FOXP3, PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2. Immune cell profiles were analyzed and correlated with response and survival. RESULTS Mean age was 50.5 years, and most cases were clinical stage III [143 cases (83.6%)]. According to the multivariate analysis, only Ki67 and clinical stage significantly influenced the pattern of response to systemic treatment (p = 0.019 and p = 0.033, respectively). None of the pre-NACT IHC markers showed a significant association with event-free survival (EFS) or overall survival (OS). As for post-NACT markers, patients with high CD14 had significantly shorter EFS (p = 0.015), while patients with high CD3 (p = 0.025), CD4 (p = 0.025), CD8 (p = 0.030), CD14 (p = 0.015), FOXP3 (p = 0.005), high CD4/FOXP3 (p = 0.034), and CD8/FOXP3 (p = 0.008) showed longer EFS. Only high post-NACT CD4 showed significantly influenced OS (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated that the post-NACT TIL subtype can be a determining factor in the prognosis of patients with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Lopes da Silva
- Division of Clinical Research and Technological Development, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lucas Zanetti de Albuquerque
- Division of Clinical Research and Technological Development, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Guilherme Gomes de Mesquita
- Division of Clinical Research and Technological Development, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Division of Pathology, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Claudio Santos Thuler
- Division of Clinical Research and Technological Development, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Andreia Cristina de Melo
- Division of Clinical Research and Technological Development, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Nersesian S, Schwartz SL, Grantham SR, MacLean LK, Lee SN, Pugh-Toole M, Boudreau JE. NK cell infiltration is associated with improved overall survival in solid cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Transl Oncol 2020; 14:100930. [PMID: 33186888 PMCID: PMC7670197 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune landscape of a tumor is highly connected to patient prognosis and response to treatment, but little is known about how natural killer (NK) cells predict overall survival (OS) among patients with solid tumors. We present the first meta-analysis on NK cell infiltration into solid tumors as a prognostic indicator for OS, considering cancer types independently, and together. Samples were collected from 1973 to 2016 with results published between 1989 and 2020. From 53 studies, we found that NK cell infiltration corresponds with decreased risk of death (HR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.26-0.46; p<0.0001). Among studies that investigated the prognostic potential of NK cells in specific regions of the tumor, intraepithelial infiltration was better predictive of OS than NK infiltration in the tumor-adjacent stroma. Generally, NK cell infiltration is lower in advanced-stage and lower-grade tumors; nevertheless, it remains prognostically beneficial. This meta-analysis highlights an important prognostic role of NK cells in solid tumors, but exposes that few studies have considered the contributions of NK cells. Toward NK cell-based immunotherapies, it will be important to understand the conditions under which NK cells can be effective agents of tumor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Nersesian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sarah L Schwartz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stephanie R Grantham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Leah K MacLean
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Stacey N Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Morgan Pugh-Toole
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jeanette E Boudreau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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9
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Sadeghalvad M, Mohammadi-Motlagh HR, Rezaei N. Immune microenvironment in different molecular subtypes of ductal breast carcinoma. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2020; 185:261-279. [PMID: 33011829 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-020-05954-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ductal breast carcinoma as a heterogeneous disease has different molecular subtypes associated with clinical prognosis and patients' survival. The role of immune system as a consistent part of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been documented in progression of ductal breast carcinoma. Here, we aimed to describe the important immune cells and the immune system-associated molecules in Ductal Carcinoma In situ (DCIS) and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) with special emphasis on their associations with different molecular subtypes and patients' prognosis. RESULTS The immune cells have a dual role in breast cancer (BC) microenvironment depending on the molecular subtype or tumor grade. These cells with different frequencies are present in the TME of DCIS and IDC. The presence of regulatory cells including Tregs, MDSC, Th2, Th17, M2 macrophages, HLADR- T cells, and Tγδ cells is related to more immunosuppressive microenvironment, especially in ER- and TN subtypes. In contrast, NK cells, CTL, Th, and Tfh cells are associated to the anti-tumor activity. These cells are higher in ER+ BC, although in other subtypes such as TN or HER2+ are associated with a favorable prognosis. CONCLUSION Determining the specific immune response in each subtype could be helpful in estimating the possible behavior of the tumor cells in TME. It is important to realize that different frequencies of immune cells in BC environment likely determine the patients' prognosis and their survival in each subtype. Therefore, elucidation of the distinct immune players in TME would be helpful toward developing targeted therapies in each subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Sadeghalvad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid-Reza Mohammadi-Motlagh
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran. .,Children's Medical Center Hospital, Dr Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, 14194, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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Wu SY, Fu T, Jiang YZ, Shao ZM. Natural killer cells in cancer biology and therapy. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:120. [PMID: 32762681 PMCID: PMC7409673 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01238-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 357] [Impact Index Per Article: 89.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is highly complex, and immune escape is currently considered an important hallmark of cancer, largely contributing to tumor progression and metastasis. Named for their capability of killing target cells autonomously, natural killer (NK) cells serve as the main effector cells toward cancer in innate immunity and are highly heterogeneous in the microenvironment. Most current treatment options harnessing the tumor microenvironment focus on T cell-immunity, either by promoting activating signals or suppressing inhibitory ones. The limited success achieved by T cell immunotherapy highlights the importance of developing new-generation immunotherapeutics, for example utilizing previously ignored NK cells. Although tumors also evolve to resist NK cell-induced cytotoxicity, cytokine supplement, blockade of suppressive molecules and genetic engineering of NK cells may overcome such resistance with great promise in both solid and hematological malignancies. In this review, we summarized the fundamental characteristics and recent advances of NK cells within tumor immunometabolic microenvironment, and discussed potential application and limitations of emerging NK cell-based therapeutic strategies in the era of presicion medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Yang Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Tong Fu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yi-Zhou Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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11
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Zhang S, Liu W, Hu B, Wang P, Lv X, Chen S, Shao Z. Prognostic Significance of Tumor-Infiltrating Natural Killer Cells in Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1242. [PMID: 32714321 PMCID: PMC7343909 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Tumor-infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells (TINKs) are crucial immune cells in tumor defense, and might be related to tumor prognosis. However, the results were discrepant among different studies. The present meta-analysis was performed to comprehensively assess the prognostic value of NK cell markers in solid tumor tissues. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched to identify original researches reporting the prognostic significance of TINKs in solid tumors. NK cell markers CD56, CD57, NKp30, and NKp46 were included in the analysis. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of pooled overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated by STATA software 14.0 to assess the prognostic significance. Results : Of the 56 included studies, there were 18 studies on CD56, 31 studies on CD57, 1 study on NKp30, and 7 studies on NKp46. High levels of CD56, CD57, NKp30, and NKp46 were significantly correlated with better OS of patients with solid malignancies (HR = 0.473, 95%CI: 0.315–0.710, p < 0.001; HR = 0.484, 95%CI: 0.380–0.616, p < 0.001; HR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.14–0.80, p = 0.014; HR = 0.622, 95%CI: 0.470–0.821, p < 0.001, respectively). Our results also revealed that CD56, CD57, and NKp46 could act as independent prognostic predictors for favorable OS (HR = 0.372, 95%CI: 0.261–0.531, p < 0.001; HR = 0.525, 95%CI: 0.346–0.797, p = 0.003; HR = 0.559, 95%CI: 0.385–0.812, p = 0.002, respectively). Conclusions : Our results indicated that high levels of NK cell markers in solid tumor tissues could predict favorable prognosis for solid tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weijian Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Binwu Hu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Lv
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Songfeng Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zengwu Shao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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12
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CD155 expression in human breast cancer: Clinical significance and relevance to natural killer cell infiltration. Life Sci 2019; 231:116543. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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13
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Lim SA, Kim J, Jeon S, Shin MH, Kwon J, Kim TJ, Im K, Han Y, Kwon W, Kim SW, Yee C, Kim SJ, Jang JY, Lee KM. Defective Localization With Impaired Tumor Cytotoxicity Contributes to the Immune Escape of NK Cells in Pancreatic Cancer Patients. Front Immunol 2019; 10:496. [PMID: 31024520 PMCID: PMC6465515 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), found in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), are shown to correlate with overall survival (OS) rate. Although majority of TILs consist of CD8+/CD4+ T cells, the presence of NK cells and their role in the pathogenesis of PDAC remains elusive. We performed comprehensive analyses of TIL, PBMC, and autologous tumor cells from 80 enrolled resectable PDAC patients to comprehend the NK cell defects within PDAC. Extremely low frequencies of NK cells (<0.5%) were found within PDAC tumors, which was attributable not to the low expression of tumor chemokines, but to the lack of chemokine receptor, CXCR2. Forced expression of CXCR2 in patients' NK cells rendered them capable of trafficking into PDAC. Furthermore, NK cells exhibited impaired cell-mediated killing of autologous PDAC cells, primarily due to insufficient ligation of NKG2D and DNAM-1, and failed to proliferate within the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Importantly, these defects could be overcome by ex-vivo stimulation of NK cells from such patients. Importantly, when the proliferative capacity of NK cells in vitro was used to stratify patients on the basis of cell expansion, patients whose NK cells proliferated <250-fold experienced significantly lower DFS and OS than those with ≥250-fold. Ex-vivo activation of NK cells restored tumor trafficking and reactivity, hence provided a therapeutic modality while their fold expansion could be a potentially significant prognostic indicator of OS and DFS in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seon Ah Lim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jungwon Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seunghyun Jeon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min Hwa Shin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Joonha Kwon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyungtaek Im
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Youngmin Han
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wooil Kwon
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sun-Whe Kim
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Cassian Yee
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Seong-Jin Kim
- Precision Medicine Research Center, Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Jin-Young Jang
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyung-Mi Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Immunology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.,Center for Bio- Integrated Electronics, Simpson Querrey Institute, Evanston, IL, United States
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14
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Long Y, Gao Z, Hu X, Xiang F, Wu Z, Zhang J, Han X, Yin L, Qin J, Lan L, Yin F, Wang Y. Downregulation of MCT4 for lactate exchange promotes the cytotoxicity of NK cells in breast carcinoma. Cancer Med 2018; 7:4690-4700. [PMID: 30051648 PMCID: PMC6143925 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monocarboxylate transporter‐4 (MCT4), a monocarboxylic acid transporter, demonstrates significantly increased expression in the majority of malignancies. We performed an experiment using BALB/C mice, and our results showed that ShMCT4 transfection or the pharmaceutic inhibition of MCT4 with 7acc1 strengthens the activity of NK cells. The results of a calcein assay revealed that the cytotoxicity of NK cells was strengthened via inhibition of MCT4. In addition, ELISA testing showed that the content of perforin and CD107a was increased, and PCR amplification and immunoblotting revealed that the expression of NKG2D and H60 was upregulated after the inhibition of MCT4. Further, we observed an elevated pH value, decreased extracellular lactate flow, and attenuated tumor growth. Therefore, we concluded that the inhibition of MCT4 enhanced the cytotoxicity of NK cells by blocking lactate flux and reversing the acidified tumor microenvironment. In addition to these findings, we also discovered that MCT4 depletion may have a pronounced impact on autophagy, which was surmised by observing that the inhibition of autophagy (3MA) pulled the enhanced cytotoxicity of NK cells downwards. Together, these data suggest that the key effect of MCT4 depletion on NK cells probably utilizes inductive autophagy as a compensatory metabolic mechanism to minimize the acidic extracellular microenvironment associated with lactate export in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Long
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zihe Gao
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiao Hu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Xiang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhaozhen Wu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiao Han
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Liyong Yin
- First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Junfang Qin
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lan Lan
- Tianjin Cancer Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fuzai Yin
- First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Yue Wang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, NanKai University, Tianjin, China
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15
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Abouelghar A, Hasnah R, Taouk G, Saad M, Karam M. Prognostic values of the mRNA expression of natural killer receptor ligands and their association with clinicopathological features in breast cancer patients. Oncotarget 2018; 9:27171-27196. [PMID: 29930758 PMCID: PMC6007477 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that have potent cytotoxic activity against tumor cells. NK cell recognition and activity towards cancer cells are regulated by an integrated interplay between numerous inhibitory and activating receptors acting in concert to eliminate tumor cells expressing cognate ligands. Despite strong evidence supporting the role of NK cells in breast cancer (BC) control, BC still develops and progresses to form large tumors and metastases. A major mechanism of BC escape from NK immunity is the alteration of the expression of NK receptor ligands. The aim of this study was to determine whether NK receptor ligands' mRNA expression might influence prognosis in BC patients and whether these effects differ by molecular subtypes and clinicopathological features. METHODS We used the KM plotter platform to analyze the correlation between mRNA expression of 32 NK receptor ligands and relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in 3951 and 1402 BC patients, respectively. The association with tumor subtypes and clinicopathological features was determined. BC samples were split into high and low expression groups according to the best cutoff value and the two patient cohorts were compared by Kaplan-Meier survival plots. The hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals and log rank P values were calculated and FDR-adjusted for multiple testing correction. The data was considered to be statistically significant when FDR-adjusted P value < 0.05. RESULTS High mRNA expression of around 80% of ligands for NK activating and inhibitory receptors associated with better RFS, which correlated with longer OS for only about half of the NK-activating ligands but for most NK-inhibitory ligands. Also, five NK-activating ligands correlated with worse prognosis. These prognostic values were differentially associated with the BC clinical criteria. In addition, the favorable prognostic influence of NK-activating ligands' upregulation, as a whole, was mainly significantly associated with HER2-positive and basal-like subtypes, lymph node positive phenotype, and high-grade tumors. CONCLUSIONS NK receptor ligands appear to play an important role in defining BC patient prognosis. Identification of a group of patients with worse prognosis expressing high levels of NK-activating ligands and low levels of NK-inhibitory ligands makes them ideal potential candidates for NK-based immunotherapy to eliminate residual tumor cells, prevent relapse and improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Abouelghar
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Reem Hasnah
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ghina Taouk
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamad Saad
- Qatar Computing Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Manale Karam
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
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16
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Jang N, Kwon HJ, Park MH, Kang SH, Bae YK. Prognostic Value of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Density Assessed Using a Standardized Method Based on Molecular Subtypes and Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Invasive Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2018; 25:937-946. [PMID: 29330719 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-017-6332-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density as determined by molecular subtype and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy in invasive breast cancer (IBC). METHODS Stromal TIL densities were evaluated in 1489 IBC samples using recommendations proposed by the International TILs Working Group. Cases were allocated to high- and low-TIL density groups using a cutoff of 10%. RESULTS Of the 1489 IBC patients, 427 (28.7%) were assigned to the high-TIL group and 1062 (71.3%) to the low-TIL group. High TIL density was found to be significantly associated with large tumor size (p = 0.001), high histologic grade (p < 0.001), and high Ki-67 labeling index (p < 0.001). Triple-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive subtypes had significantly higher TIL densities than luminal A or B (HER2-negative) subtypes (p < 0.001). High TIL density was significantly associated with prolonged disease-free survival (DFS) by univariate (p < 0.001) and multivariate (p < 0.001) analyses. In the low-TIL-density group, the patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy showed better DFS (p < 0.001), but no such survival difference was observed in the high-TIL group (p = 0.222). For the patients who received adjuvant anthracycline, high-TIL density was found to be an independent prognostic factor of favorable DFS in the luminal B (HER2-negative; p = 0.003), HER2-positive (p = 0.019), and triple-negative (p = 0.017) subtypes. CONCLUSION Measurements of TIL density in routine clinical practice could give useful prognostic information for the triple-negative, HER2-positive, and luminal B (HER2-negative) IBC subtypes, especially for patients administered adjuvant anthracycline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuri Jang
- Department of Pathology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Hee Jung Kwon
- Department of Pathology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Min Hui Park
- Department of Pathology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Su Hwan Kang
- Department of Surgery, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Young Kyung Bae
- Department of Pathology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea.
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17
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Ravelli A, Roviello G, Cretella D, Cavazzoni A, Biondi A, Cappelletti MR, Zanotti L, Ferrero G, Ungari M, Zanconati F, Bottini A, Alfieri R, Petronini PG, Generali D. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and breast cancer: Beyond the prognostic and predictive utility. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317695023. [DOI: 10.1177/1010428317695023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of the immune system as a potent anti-tumor defense has been consolidated in recent times, and novel immune-related therapies are today demonstrating a strong clinical benefit in the setting of several solid neoplasms. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes reflect the attempt of the host to eradicate malignancies, and during the last decades, they have been shown to possess an interesting prognostic utility for breast cancer, especially in case of HER2 positive and triple-negative molecular subtypes. In parallel, the clinical evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been shown to effectively predict treatment outcomes in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Currently, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are promising further predictive utility in view of novel immune-related therapeutic strategies which are coming into the clinical setting launching a solid rationale for the future next-generation treatment options. In this scenario, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes might represent an important resource for the selection of the most appropriate therapeutic strategy, as well as further evaluations of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and the immunoediting process would eventually provide new insights to augment therapeutic success. Considering these perspectives, we review the potential utility of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the definition of breast cancer prognosis and in the prediction of treatment outcomes, along with the new promising molecular-based therapeutic discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ravelli
- UO Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, US Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, AO Azienda Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy
- Unit of Experimental Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giandomenico Roviello
- Section of Pharmacology and University Center DIFF—Drug Innovation Forward Future, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniele Cretella
- Unit of Experimental Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavazzoni
- Unit of Experimental Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Biondi
- Unit of Experimental Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Cappelletti
- UO Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, US Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, AO Azienda Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy
| | - Laura Zanotti
- UO Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, US Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, AO Azienda Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Ferrero
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, AO Azienda Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy
| | - Marco Ungari
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, AO Azienda Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alberto Bottini
- UO Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, US Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, AO Azienda Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy
| | - Roberta Alfieri
- Unit of Experimental Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Pier Giorgio Petronini
- Unit of Experimental Oncology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Daniele Generali
- UO Multidisciplinare di Patologia Mammaria, US Terapia Molecolare e Farmacogenomica, AO Azienda Istituti Ospitalieri di Cremona, Cremona, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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18
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Muenst S, Läubli H, Soysal SD, Zippelius A, Tzankov A, Hoeller S. The immune system and cancer evasion strategies: therapeutic concepts. J Intern Med 2016; 279:541-62. [PMID: 26748421 DOI: 10.1111/joim.12470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The complicated interplay between cancer and the host immune system has been studied for decades. New insights into the human immune system as well as the mechanisms by which tumours evade immune control have led to the new and innovative therapeutic strategies that are considered amongst the medical breakthroughs of the last few years. Here, we will review the current understanding of cancer immunology in general, including immune surveillance and immunoediting, with a detailed look at immune cells (T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, macrophages and dendritic cells), immune checkpoints and regulators, sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) and other mechanisms. We will also present examples of new immune therapies able to reverse immune evasion strategies of tumour cells. Finally, we will focus on therapies that are already used in daily oncological practice such as the blockade of immune checkpoints cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) in patients with metastatic melanoma or advanced lung cancer, or therapies currently being tested in clinical trials such as adoptive T-cell transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Muenst
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - H Läubli
- Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedicine, Cancer Immunology Laboratory, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - S D Soysal
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - A Zippelius
- Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedicine, Cancer Immunology Laboratory, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - A Tzankov
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - S Hoeller
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Ohnishi K, Yamaguchi M, Erdenebaatar C, Saito F, Tashiro H, Katabuchi H, Takeya M, Komohara Y. Prognostic significance of CD169-positive lymph node sinus macrophages in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2016; 107:846-52. [PMID: 26991548 PMCID: PMC4968600 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymph node (LN) macrophages play critical roles in anti-tumor immunity, which develops via the activation of cytotoxic T cells (CTL) and NK cells. The present study aims to determine the prognostic significance of CD169(+) LN macrophages in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC). The number of CD169(+) cells or the CD169(+) -to-CD68(+) macrophage ratio in regional LN (RLN), and the number of CD8(+) CTL or CD57(+) NK cells in tumor tissues were investigated by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 79 patients with EC. A high density of CD169(+) cells in the RLN of patients with EC was correlated with an early clinical stage or no LN metastasis. A high number of CD169(+) cells and a high CD169(+) -to-CD68(+) macrophage ratio were significantly associated with longer overall survival in EC. We also found that the density of CD169(+) macrophages was positively correlated with the number of CD8(+) CTL and CD57(+) NK cells that infiltrated into tumor tissues. A high density of CD57(+) cells in EC tissues was associated with a better prognosis, while a high density of CD8(+) cells was not linked to an altered prognosis. The present study showed that the density of CD169(+) macrophages in RLN was associated with an improved prognosis in EC patients. CD169(+) macrophages in RLN might represent a useful marker for assessing clinical prognoses and monitoring anti-tumor immunity in patients with EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Ohnishi
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Munekage Yamaguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Chimeddulam Erdenebaatar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hironori Tashiro
- Department of Mother-Child Nursing, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Katabuchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Motohiro Takeya
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Komohara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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20
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Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, forkhead box P3, programmed death ligand-1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 expressions before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancer. Transl Res 2015. [PMID: 26209749 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2015.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical studies have suggested that cytotoxic agents and radiation may partly deliver their antitumor activities by activating antitumor immune response. However, the alterations of tumor immune microenvironment including immunosuppressive molecules during chemoradiotherapy and their associations with clinical features and prognosis in rectal cancer have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, we investigate the densities of cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8) positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD4+TILs, natural killer cell (NK)-TILs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3)+TILs, programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in rectal cancer patients to determine their predictive and prognostic effects. We screen 62 rectal cancer patients who underwent nCRT followed by radical surgery. Pretreatment biopsy specimens and posttreatment surgically resected specimens of all patients are retrieved to perform the immunohistochemistry of CD8, CD4, CD56, FOXP3, CD33, CD11b, PD-L1, and CTLA-4. The CD8+TILs and CD4+TILs in post-nCRT resected specimens are significantly higher than that in pre-nCRT biopsy specimens (P = 0.004 and 0.005, respectively). Expressions of MDSC, FOXP3+TILs, and CTLA-4 are relative stable after nCRT. Tumors with high density of CD8+TILs, CD4+TILs, and low MDSC-TILs are more sensitive to nCRT (P = 0.022, 0.022 and 0.005, respectively). High pretreatment CD8+TILs are associated with better disease-free survival and overall survival (P = 0.016 and 0.022, respectively). NK-TILs are detected only in 6 of 62 rectal cancer specimens evaluated. Cell surface PD-L1 positive by tumor cells (1 of 62) and stroma cells (3 of 62) are very low. We may conclude that tumor immunity is activated after nCRT by increased infiltrating CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and relative stable numbers MDSC-TILs, FOXP3+TILs, and coinhibitory molecules. Pre-nCRT CD8+TILs, CD4+TILs, and MDSC-TILs are sensitive predictive marker for response to CRT, and high CD8+TILs are associated with better prognosis.
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