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Chen IY, Dunne RF, Liao X. Prognostic implications of tumor histology and microenvironment in surgically resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a single institutional experience. Virchows Arch 2024:10.1007/s00428-024-03787-8. [PMID: 38499670 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-024-03787-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly aggressive malignant neoplasm. Certain histologic features and the tumor microenvironment may impact disease progression. We aim to characterize the clinicopathologic features of ICC to identify prognostic factors. A total of 50 surgically resected ICC (partial or transplant) cases were analyzed. The cohort included 26 men and 24 women with a median age of 62 years. Eighteen (36%) cases were multifocal ICC with a mean largest tumor size of 6.5 cm. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy was done in eight (16%) and 33 (66%) patients, respectively. Histologically, 42 (84%) were small duct type, seven (14%) large duct type, and one mixed (2%). Thirty (60%) cases showed lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and 11 (22%) with perineural invasion (PNI). Twenty-eight (56%) cases demonstrated dense intratumoral hyaline fibrosis and 18 (36%) with tumor necrosis, each ≥ 10% tumor volume. On follow-up, 35 (70%) patients died of disease after a median disease-specific survival (DSS) of 21 months. Univariate analysis revealed that hyaline fibrosis and adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with better DSS, while tumor size, multifocality, necrosis, and peritumoral neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were associated with worse DSS. In contrast, age, sex, small vs. large duct types, LVI, and individual inflammatory cell counts were not significant prognostic factors. In summary, ICC is a heterogeneous malignancy with variable clinical courses associated with tumor burden, histology, and microenvironment. Targeting specific components within the tumor microenvironments may be a promising approach for treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Y Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Richard F Dunne
- Department of Medicine, Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Liao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
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202
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Wang X, Luo K, Xu Q, Chi L, Guo Y, Jia C, Quan L. Prognostic marker CD27 and its micro-environmental in multiple myeloma. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:352. [PMID: 38504180 PMCID: PMC10949675 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11945-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Cluster of Differentiation 27 (CD27) is aberrantly expressed in multiple myeloma (MM) -derived. This expression facilitates the interaction between tumor and immune cells within TME via the CD27-CD70 pathway, resulting in immune evasion and subsequent tumor progression. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between CD27 expression and the prognosis of MM, and to elucidate its potential relationship with the immune microenvironment. METHODS In this research, CD27 expression in T cells within the 82 newly diagnosed MM microenvironment was assessed via flow cytometry. We then examined the association between CD27 expression levels and patient survival. Subsequent a series of bioinformatics and in vitro experiments were conducted to reveal the role of CD27 in MM. RESULTS Clinical evidence suggests that elevated CD27 expression in T cells within the bone marrow serves as a negative prognostic marker for MM survival. Data analysis from the GEO database has demonstrated a strong association between MM-derived CD27 and the immune response, as well as the hematopoietic system. Importantly, patients with elevated levels of CD27 expression were also found to have an increased presence of MDSCs and macrophages in the bone marrow microenvironment. Furthermore, the PERK-ATF4 signaling pathway has been implicated in mediating the effects of CD27 in MM. CONCLUSIONS We revealed that CD27 expression levels serve as an indicative marker for the prognosis of MM patients. The CD27- PERK-ATF4 is a promising target for the treatment of MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinya Wang
- Hematology Department, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Keyang Luo
- Hematology Department, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuting Xu
- Hematology Department, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqun Chi
- Hematology Department, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiwei Guo
- Hematology Department, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuiming Jia
- Hematology Department, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lina Quan
- Hematology Department, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
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203
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Ruan LJ, Jiao JY, Cheng C, Zhang Y, Cao ZQ, He B, Chen Z. Berberine chloride suppresses pancreatic adenocarcinoma proliferation and growth by targeting inflammation-related genes: an in silico analysis with in vitro and vivo validation. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2024:10.1007/s00280-024-04663-7. [PMID: 38502348 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-024-04663-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Targeting inflammatory crosstalk between tumors and their microenvironment has emerged as a crucial method for suppressing pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) progression. Berberine (BBR) is a natural pentacyclic isoquinoline alkaloid known for its anti-inflammatory and antitumor pharmacological effects; however, the mechanism underlying PAAD suppression remains unclear. We aim to investigate the effects of BBR on PAAD progression and their underlying mechanisms. METHODS The prognostic value of inflammation-related genes in PAAD was assessed using bioinformatics analyses, then the pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of BBR on PAAD will be investigated in silico, in vitro, and in vivo. RESULTS Fifty-eight prognostic inflammation-related genes were identified in PAAD, which were shown to have good sensitivity and specificity using a novel inflammation-related gene risk-prognosis prediction model. Among these, four candidate genes (CAPS3, PTGS2, ICAM1, and CXCR4) were predicted as targets of BBR in PAAD in silico. Molecular docking simulations showed that the four key targets docked well with BBR. Further BBR treatment suppressed cell proliferation, colony formation, and induced cell cycle arrest in vitro. Moreover, BBR exhibited a significant tumor-suppressive effect in murine subcutaneous xenografts without macroscopic hepatic and renal toxicities. In addition, BBR downregulated CAPS3, PTGS2, ICAM1, and CXCR4 protein expression. CONCLUSION This study not only elucidated the prognostic value of inflammation-related genes in PAAD but also demonstrated the potential of BBR to inhibit PAAD by targeting these genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Jie Ruan
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui district, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju-Ying Jiao
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui district, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chienshan Cheng
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui district, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui district, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhang-Qi Cao
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui district, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ba He
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui district, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Rd., Xuhui district, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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204
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Le Chapelain O, Jadoui S, Gros A, Barbaria S, Benmeziane K, Ollivier V, Dupont S, Solo Nomenjanahary M, Mavouna S, Rogozarski J, Mawhin MA, Caligiuri G, Delbosc S, Porteu F, Nieswandt B, Mangin PH, Boulaftali Y, Ho-Tin-Noé B. The localization, origin, and impact of platelets in the tumor microenvironment are tumor type-dependent. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:84. [PMID: 38493157 PMCID: PMC10944607 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND How platelets interact with and influence the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains poorly characterized. METHODS We compared the presence and participation of platelets in the TME of two tumors characterized by highly different TME, PyMT AT-3 mammary tumors and B16F1 melanoma. RESULTS We show that whereas firmly adherent platelets continuously line tumor vessels of both AT-3 and B16F1 tumors, abundant extravascular stromal clusters of platelets from thrombopoietin-independent origin were present only in AT-3 mammary tumors. We further show that platelets influence the angiogenic and inflammatory profiles of AT-3 and B16F1 tumors, though with very different outcomes according to tumor type. Whereas thrombocytopenia increased bleeding in both tumor types, it further caused severe endothelial degeneration associated with massive vascular leakage, tumor swelling, and increased infiltration of cytotoxic cells, only in AT-3 tumors. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that while platelets are integral components of solid tumors, their localization and origin in the TME, as well as their impact on its shaping, are tumor type-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophélie Le Chapelain
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1144 -Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, 75006, France
| | - Soumaya Jadoui
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR 1148, LVTS, Paris, F-75018, France
| | - Angèle Gros
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR 1148, LVTS, Paris, F-75018, France
| | - Samir Barbaria
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR 1148, LVTS, Paris, F-75018, France
| | | | - Véronique Ollivier
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1144 -Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, 75006, France
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR 1148, LVTS, Paris, F-75018, France
| | - Sébastien Dupont
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1144 -Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, 75006, France
| | - Mialitiana Solo Nomenjanahary
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1144 -Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, 75006, France
| | - Sabrina Mavouna
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1144 -Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, 75006, France
| | - Jasmina Rogozarski
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1144 -Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, 75006, France
| | - Marie-Anne Mawhin
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR 1148, LVTS, Paris, F-75018, France
| | | | - Sandrine Delbosc
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR 1148, LVTS, Paris, F-75018, France
| | | | - Bernhard Nieswandt
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine I, University Hospital Würzburg and Rudolf Virchow Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Pierre H Mangin
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Etablissement Français du Sang Grand-Est, Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1255, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, F-67065, France
| | - Yacine Boulaftali
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR 1148, LVTS, Paris, F-75018, France
| | - Benoit Ho-Tin-Noé
- Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1144 -Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, Paris, 75006, France.
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205
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Zhou J, Zhang M, Wang H, Zhong X, Yang X. Role of Helicobacter pylori virulence factors and alteration of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment: challenges and opportunities for Cancer Immunotherapy. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:167. [PMID: 38485861 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03908-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Various forms of malignancies have been linked to Helicobacter pylori. Despite advancements in chemotherapeutic and surgical approaches, the management of cancer, particularly at advanced stages, increasingly relies on the integration of immunotherapy. As a novel, safe therapeutic modality, immunotherapy harnesses the immune system of the patient to treat cancer, thereby broadening treatment options. However, there is evidence that H. pylori infection may influence the effectiveness of immunotherapy in various types of cancer. This association is related to H. pylori virulence factors and the tumor microenvironment. This review discusses the influence of H. pylori infection on immunotherapy in non-gastrointestinal and gastrointestinal tumors, the mechanisms underlying this relationship, and directions for the development of improved immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, The Huai'an Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Minna Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, China
| | - HongGang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaomin Zhong
- Department of Oncology, The Huai'an Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, China.
| | - XiaoZhong Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, China.
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206
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Wu Z, Wu H, Dai Y, Wang Z, Han H, Shen Y, Zhang R, Wang X. A pan-cancer multi-omics analysis of lactylation genes associated with tumor microenvironment and cancer development. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27465. [PMID: 38463768 PMCID: PMC10923869 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Lactylation is a significant post-translational modification bridging the gap between cancer epigenetics and metabolic reprogramming. However, the association between lactylation and prognosis, tumor microenvironment (TME), and response to drug therapy in various cancers remains unclear. Methods First, the expression, prognostic value, and genetic and epigenetic alterations of lactylation genes were systematically explored in a pan-cancer manner. Lactylation scores were derived for each tumor using the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm. The correlation of lactylation scores with clinical features, prognosis, and TME was assessed by integrating multiple computational methods. In addition, GSE135222 data was used to assess the efficacy of lactylation scores in predicting immunotherapy outcomes. The expression of lactylation genes in breast cancers and gliomas were verified by RNA-sequencing. Results Lactylation genes were significantly upregulated in most cancer types. CREBBP and EP300 exhibited high mutation rates in pan-cancer analysis. The prognostic impact of the lactylation score varied by tumor type, and lactylation score was a protective factor for KIRC, ACC, READ, LGG, and UVM, and a risk factor for CHOL, DLBC, LAML, and OV. In addition, a high lactylation score was associated with cold TME. The infiltration levels of CD8+ T, γδT, natural killer T cell (NKT), and NK cells were lower in tumors with higher lactylation scores. Finally, immunotherapy efficacy was worse in patients with high lactylation scores than other types. Conclusion Lactylation genes are involved in malignancy formation. Lactylation score serves as a promising biomarker for predicting patient prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixuan Wu
- Department of Burns and Skin Repair Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Haodong Wu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinwei Dai
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziqiong Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Han
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanyan Shen
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongrong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowu Wang
- Department of Burns and Skin Repair Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
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207
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Li P, Xiong P, Li X, Zhang X, Chen X, Zhang W, Jia B, Lai Y. Tumor microenvironment characteristics and prognostic role of m 6A modification in lung squamous cell carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26851. [PMID: 38455573 PMCID: PMC10918158 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background It has recently been determined that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation regulators have prominent effects on several cancers. However, the potential role of m6A modification in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) remains unclear. Methods We evaluated the modification pattern of m6A and studied the biological function of m6A regulators in LUSC. Then, we constructed the m6Ascore to predict the prognosis of LUSC and analyzed the relationship between the m6Ascore and tumor mutation burden, immune cell infiltration, and immunotherapy. Result In the unsupervised consensus cluster analysis, three different m6Aclusters were identified, which correspond to an immune activation state, a moderate immune activation state, and an immune tolerance state. Forty-two genes related to the m6A phenotype were used to construct the m6Ascore; subsequently, multiple validations of the m6Ascore were carried out to determine the relationship between the score and immune cell infiltration and response to CTLA-4/PD-1 inhibitor treatment. Further analysis revealed that the m6Ascore could effectively predict the prognosis of LUSC and that the m6A phenotype-related genes, FAM162A and LOM4, might be potential biomarkers. Conclusion These findings highlight the potential role of m6A modification in the prognosis, TME, and immunotherapy of LUSC and have profound implications for developing more effective personalized treatment strategies for LUSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Li
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Peiyu Xiong
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Xinyun Li
- Sichuan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mianyang, 621000, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Xu Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Bo Jia
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Yu Lai
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
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208
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Wang X, Liang H, Tang X, Ling X, Yang Y. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals distinct transcriptomic profiles and evolutionary patterns in lung cancer brain metastasis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27071. [PMID: 38463784 PMCID: PMC10920378 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Lung cancer metastasis to the brain presents significant clinical challenges. Therefore, elucidating its underlying mechanisms and characterizing its transcriptomic landscape is essential for developing therapeutic interventions. Methods We analyzed two distinct single-cell RNA sequencing datasets of lung cancer metastasis to analyze the evolutionary trajectory of brain metastatic tumors. In addition, a systematic comparison of cell-cell interaction between tumor cells and lymphocytes was conducted within primary and brain metastatic tumors. Results The brain metastatic tumors showed greater transcriptomic changes (reflected by a higher pseudotime) than tumors in the lymph nodes and primary tumors. Furthermore, our investigation has not only revealed specific shared ligand-receptor pairs in both mLN and mBrain, exemplified by the interaction between SPP1 and CD99 in T cells, but has also unveiled a diverse array of ligand-receptor pairs exclusive to the mBrain. Notably, this includes distinctive pairs such as APP and IL1 observed specifically in myeloid cells. Conclusion The distinct microenvironment in the brain may influence the observed transcriptomic changes in tumors, emphasizing the significance of the specific environment in determining tumor behavior and therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Hao Liang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoli Tang
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodong Ling
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yingnan Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
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209
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Peng X, Huang X, Lulu TB, Jia W, Zhang S, Cohen L, Huang S, Fan J, Chen X, Liu S, Wang Y, Wang K, Isoyama S, Dan S, Wang F, Zhang Z, Elkabets M, Kong D. A novel pan-PI3K inhibitor KTC1101 synergizes with anti-PD-1 therapy by targeting tumor suppression and immune activation. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:54. [PMID: 38486218 PMCID: PMC10938783 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01978-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are critical regulators of diverse cellular functions and have emerged as promising targets in cancer therapy. Despite significant progress, existing PI3K inhibitors encounter various challenges such as suboptimal bioavailability, potential off-target effects, restricted therapeutic indices, and cancer-acquired resistance. Hence, novel inhibitors that overcome some of these challenges are needed. Here, we describe the characterization of KTC1101, a novel pan-PI3K inhibitor that simultaneously targets tumor cell proliferation and the tumor microenvironment. Our studies demonstrate that KTC1101 significantly increases the anti-PD-1 efficacy in multiple pre-clinical mouse models. METHODS KTC1101 was synthesized and characterized employing chemical synthesis, molecular modeling, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and mass spectrometry. Its target specificity was confirmed through the kinase assay, JFCR39 COMPARE analysis, and RNA-Seq analysis. Metabolic stability was verified via liver microsome and plasma assays, pharmacokinetics determined by LC-MS/MS, and safety profile established through acute toxicity assays to determine the LD50. The antiproliferative effects of KTC1101 were evaluated in a panel of cancer cell lines and further validated in diverse BALB/c nude mouse xenograft, NSG mouse xenograft and syngeneic mouse models. The KTC1101 treatment effect on the immune response was assessed through comprehensive RNA-Seq, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry, with molecular pathways investigated via Western blot, ELISA, and qRT-PCR. RESULTS KTC1101 demonstrated strong inhibition of cancer cell growth in vitro and significantly impeded tumor progression in vivo. It effectively modulated the Tumor Microenvironment (TME), characterized by increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells and innate immune cells. An intermittent dosing regimen of KTC1101 enhanced these effects. Notably, KTC1101 synergized with anti-PD-1 therapy, significantly boosting antitumor immunity and extending survival in preclinical models. CONCLUSION KTC1101's dual mechanism of action-directly inhibiting tumor cell growth and dynamically enhancing the immune response- represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment strategies. These findings support incorporating KTC1101 into future oncologic regimens to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Peng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Talal Ben Lulu
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Wenqing Jia
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Shaolu Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Limor Cohen
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Shengfan Huang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Jindian Fan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Yongzhe Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Kailin Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Sho Isoyama
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Shingo Dan
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
| | - Dexin Kong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China.
- International Joint Laboratory of Ocular Diseases (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
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210
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Jing ZL, Liu GL, Zhou N, Xu DY, Feng N, Lei Y, Ma LL, Tang MS, Tong GH, Tang N, Deng YJ. Interferon-γ in the tumor microenvironment promotes the expression of B7H4 in colorectal cancer cells, thereby inhibiting cytotoxic T cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6053. [PMID: 38480774 PMCID: PMC10937991 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56681-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The bioactivity of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is not well understood in the current immunotherapy era. We found that IFN-γ has an immunosuppressive effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The tumor volume in immunocompetent mice was significantly increased after subcutaneous implantation of murine CRC cells followed by IFN-γ stimulation, and RNA sequencing showed high expression of B7 homologous protein 4 (B7H4) in these tumors. B7H4 promotes CRC cell growth by inhibiting the release of granzyme B (GzmB) from CD8+ T cells and accelerating apoptosis in CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), which binds to the B7H4 promoter, is positively associated with IFN-γ stimulation-induced expression of B7H4. The clinical outcome of patients with CRC was negatively related to the high expression of B7H4 in cancer cells or low expression of CD8 in the microenvironment. Therefore, B7H4 is a biomarker of poor prognosis in CRC patients, and interference with the IFN-γ/IRF1/B7H4 axis might be a novel immunotherapeutic method to restore the cytotoxic killing of CRC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Liang Jing
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Nan Fang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China
| | - Guang-Long Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Nan Fang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Na Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Dong-Yan Xu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Nan Fang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Na Feng
- Department of Pathology, Dongguan Songshan Lake Tungwah Hospital, Dongguan, 523413, China
| | - Yan Lei
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Nan Fang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Li-Li Ma
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Min-Shan Tang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Nan Fang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Gui-Hui Tong
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510415, China
| | - Na Tang
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, China.
| | - Yong-Jian Deng
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Nan Fang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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211
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Richtmann S, Marwitz S, Muley T, Koistinen H, Christopoulos P, Thomas M, Kazdal D, Allgäuer M, Winter H, Goldmann T, Meister M, Klingmüller U, Schneider MA. The pregnancy-associated protein glycodelin as a potential sex-specific target for resistance to immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Transl Res 2024:S1931-5244(24)00036-7. [PMID: 38490536 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2024.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Lung cancer has been shown to be targetable by novel immunotherapies which reactivate the immune system and enable tumor cell killing. However, treatment failure and resistance to these therapies is common. Consideration of sex as a factor influencing therapy resistance is still rare. We hypothesize that the success of the treatment is impaired by the presence of the immunosuppressive pregnancy-associated glycoprotein glycodelin that is expressed in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We demonstrate that the glycan pattern of NSCLC-derived glycodelin detected by a lectin-based enrichment assay highly resembles amniotic fluid-derived glycodelin A, which is known to have immunosuppressive properties. NSCLC-derived glycodelin interacts with immune cells in vitro and regulates the expression of genes associated with inflammatory and tumor microenvironment pathways. In tumor microarray samples of patients, high glycodelin staining in tumor areas results in an impaired overall survival of female patients. Moreover, glycodelin colocalizes to tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells and pro-tumorigenic M2 macrophages. High serum concentrations of glycodelin prior to immunotherapy are associated with a poor progression-free survival (p < 0.001) of female patients receiving PD-(L)1 inhibitors. In summary, our findings suggest that glycodelin not only is a promising immunological biomarker for early identification of female patients that do not benefit from the costly immunotherapy, but also represents a promising immunotherapeutic target in NSCLC to improve therapeutic options in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Richtmann
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Marwitz
- Histology, Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany; Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Thomas Muley
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hannu Koistinen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Petros Christopoulos
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Thomas
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Thoracic Oncology, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Kazdal
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Allgäuer
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hauke Winter
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Surgery, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Torsten Goldmann
- Histology, Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany; Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Michael Meister
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ursula Klingmüller
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany; Division of Systems Biology of Signal Transduction, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc A Schneider
- Translational Research Unit, Thoraxklinik at Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.
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212
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Wang P, Pan Y, Zhang Y, Chen C, Hu J, Wang X. Role of interferon-induced transmembrane protein family in cancer progression: a special focus on pancreatic cancer. Med Oncol 2024; 41:85. [PMID: 38472606 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02308-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Human interferon-induced transmembrane protein family (IFITMs) consists of five main proteins. IFITM1, IFITM2, and IFITM3 can be induced by interferon, while IFITM5 and IFITM10 are insensitive to interferon. IFITMs has various functions, including well-researched antiviral effects. As a molecule whose expression is significantly increased by interferon in the immune microenvironment, IFITMs has drawn growing interest in recent years for their role in the cancer progression. Unlike antiviral effects, the role and mechanism of IFITMs in cancer progression have not been clearly studied, especially the role and molecular mechanism of IFITMs in pancreatic cancer are rarely reported in the literature. This article focuses on the role and potential mechanism of IFITMs in pancreatic cancer progression by analyzing the function and mechanism of IFITM1-3 in other cancers and conducting bioinformatics analysis using the databases, so as to provide a new target for pancreatic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Wang
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Rd, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Pan
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Rd, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Rd, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Congliang Chen
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Rd, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Junmei Hu
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Rd, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, 3-17 Renmin South Rd, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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213
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Lee JH, Hong YM. The relationship between tumor-infiltrating neutrophils and clinical outcomes in patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:327. [PMID: 38462640 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12074-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of tumor-infiltrating neutrophils (TINs) on clinical outcomes has been reported in various cancer types, but their role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic values for TINs in HCC patients undergoing curative resection. METHODS We assessed immune markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD66b) using immunohistochemistry in 115 patients who underwent curative resection for HCC. We analyzed the prognostic values for tumor-infiltrating immune cells, including neutrophils, and other clinicopathological factors. RESULTS In the Multivariate Cox analysis of overall survival (OS), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 100 ng/mL (hazard ratio (HR), 2.74, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17-6.44; P = 0.021) and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) B/C stage (HR, 3.98, 95% CI, 1.68-9.43; P = 0.020) were found to be independent poor prognostic factors in HCC patients undergoing resection. The presence of CD66b+TINs was observed in 66 (57.4%) patients. However, CD66b+TINs were not associated with recurrence-free survival and OS. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified low CD66b+TINs in resectable HCC, and CD66b+ TINs did not have a significant role for the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing curative resection. The results suggest that TINs may play a role in more advanced stages of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Hee Lee
- Department of Pathology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Mi Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Republic of Korea.
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214
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Jin S, Wang H, Li Y, Yang J, Li B, Shi P, Zhang X, Zhou X, Zhou X, Niu X, Wu M, Wu Y, Zhai W, Qi Y, Gao Y, Zhao W. Discovery of a novel small molecule as CD47/SIRPα and PD-1/PD-L1 dual inhibitor for cancer immunotherapy. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:173. [PMID: 38462636 PMCID: PMC10926604 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01555-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged as a promising strategy in cancer treatment, particularly through the utilization of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) agents such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Despite partial success, the presence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contributes to an immunosuppressive TME that fosters tumor progression, and diminishes the therapeutic efficacy of ICB. Blockade of the CD47/SIRPα pathway has proven to be an effective intervention, that restores macrophage phagocytosis and yields substantial antitumor effects, especially when combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Therefore, the identification of small molecules capable of simultaneously blocking CD47/SIRPα and PD-1/PD-L1 interactions has remained imperative. METHODS SMC18, a small molecule with the capacity of targeting both SIRPα and PD-L1 was obtained using MST. The efficiency of SMC18 in interrupting CD47/SIRPα and PD-1/PD-L1 interactions was tested by the blocking assay. The function of SMC18 in enhancing the activity of macrophages and T cells was tested using phagocytosis assay and co-culture assay. The antitumor effects and mechanisms of SMC18 were investigated in the MC38-bearing mouse model. RESULTS SMC18, a small molecule that dual-targets both SIRPα and PD-L1 protein, was identified. SMC18 effectively blocked CD47/SIRPα interaction, thereby restoring macrophage phagocytosis, and disrupted PD-1/PD-L1 interactions, thus activating Jurkat cells, as evidenced by increased secretion of IL-2. SMC18 demonstrated substantial inhibition of MC38 tumor growths through promoting the infiltration of CD8+ T and M1-type macrophages into tumor sites, while also priming the function of CD8+ T cells and macrophages. Moreover, SMC18 in combination with radiotherapy (RT) further improved the therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that the small molecule compound SMC18, which dual-targets the CD47/SIRPα and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways, could be a candidate for promoting macrophage- and T-cell-mediated phagocytosis and immune responses in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengzhe Jin
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Hongfei Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, China
| | - Yang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jingwen Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Beibei Li
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Peishang Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xiangrui Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xiaowen Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xiuman Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Niu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Menghan Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yahong Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- International Joint Laboratory for Protein and Peptide Drugs of Henan Province, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Wenjie Zhai
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
- International Joint Laboratory for Protein and Peptide Drugs of Henan Province, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yuanming Qi
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Wenshan Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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215
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Elicora A, Yaprak Bayrak B, Vural C, Sezer HF, Uzun Erkal S, Metin E. Prognostic significance of T lymphocyte subgroups (CD4 and CD8) in lung cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. J Cardiothorac Surg 2024; 19:113. [PMID: 38468248 PMCID: PMC10926577 DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02596-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The basis for current and future lung cancer immunotherapy depends on our knowledge of molecular mechanisms of interactions between tumor and immune system cells. Interactions that occur between different intratumoral populations of the same cells are important. In our study, we aimed to evaluate relationship between the clinical and prognostic features and T lymphocyte subgroups of patients with lung tumors after neoadjuvant treatment. METHODS A total of 72 patients were included in our study, including study group, 39 of whom received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Clinical/radiological/pathological findings of patients and CD4/CD8 staining rates in peritumoral/intratumoral areas were recorded. RESULTS Our study revealed significantly lower intratumoral CD4 + T cell density and lower intratumoral CD4/CD8 ratio in primary tumor after neoadjuvant therapy (respectively, 0.012 and 0.016). Considering tumor types, when control-study groups were compared, inflammation was statistically significant only in adenocarcinoma subtype; intratumoral CD4/CD8 ratio was statistically significant only in squamous-cell carcinoma subtype (respectively, p = 0.0008 and p = 0.0139). When CD4 + T lymphocytes and CD8 + T lymphocytes and CD4/CD8 ratio were compared between control and study groups in low-stage patients according to clinical stages, only intratumoral CD4 + T lymphocyte values and intratumoral CD4/CD8 ratio were significant (respectively, p = 0.0291 ve p = 0.0154). CONCLUSION All cell types of innate and adaptive intratumoral immunity can affect lung cancer tissues simultaneously, and these interactions have a very complex structure. Understanding the tumor microenvironment and the different roles of associated cancer immune cells may lead to the discovery of new targets for immunological therapies and increased survival times in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aykut Elicora
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Busra Yaprak Bayrak
- Department of Pathology, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey.
| | - Cigdem Vural
- Department of Pathology, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Huseyin Fatih Sezer
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Semra Uzun Erkal
- Department of Pathology, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Elif Metin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey
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216
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Chen Y, Chen CY, Huang H, Luo Z, Mu Y, Li S, Li S. Knocking down of Xkr8 enhances chemotherapy efficacy through modulating tumor immune microenvironment. J Control Release 2024:S0168-3659(24)00163-9. [PMID: 38471639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Scramblase Xkr8 regulates the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) during apoptosis and holds a pivotal role in fostering tumor immunosuppression. Targeting Xkr8 in conjunction with chemotherapy demonstrated a novel avenue for amplifying antitumor immune response and overcoming chemo-immune resistance. Here we further evaluated this strategy by using a clinically relevant orthotopic model and elucidated the mechanism through in-depth single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). We found that Xkr8 knockdown exhibited the potential to lead to immunogenic cell death (ICD) by impeding the normal clearance of apoptotic cells. Co-delivery of Xkr8 small interference RNA (siRNA) and chemo prodrug FuOXP showed remarkable therapeutic efficacy in an orthotopic pancreatic tumor model with an increase of proliferative NK cells and activated macrophages infiltration in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Single-cell trajectory analysis further unveiled that tumor infiltrating CD8+ T cells are differentiated favorably to cytotoxic over exhausted phenotype after combination treatment. Our study sheds new light on the impact of Xkr8 knockdown on TME and solidifies the rationale of combining Xkr8 knockdown with chemotherapy to treat various types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuang Chen
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chien-Yu Chen
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Haozhe Huang
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zhangyi Luo
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yiqing Mu
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Shichen Li
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Song Li
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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217
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Wang B, Pei J, Xu S, Liu J, Yu J. A glutamine tug-of-war between cancer and immune cells: recent advances in unraveling the ongoing battle. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:74. [PMID: 38459595 PMCID: PMC10921613 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-02994-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamine metabolism plays a pivotal role in cancer progression, immune cell function, and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Dysregulated glutamine metabolism has been implicated in cancer development and immune responses, supported by mounting evidence. Cancer cells heavily rely on glutamine as a critical nutrient for survival and proliferation, while immune cells require glutamine for activation and proliferation during immune reactions. This metabolic competition creates a dynamic tug-of-war between cancer and immune cells. Targeting glutamine transporters and downstream enzymes involved in glutamine metabolism holds significant promise in enhancing anti-tumor immunity. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying this interplay is crucial for developing innovative therapeutic approaches that improve anti-tumor immunity and patient outcomes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in unraveling the tug-of-war of glutamine metabolism between cancer and immune cells and explore potential applications of basic science discoveries in the clinical setting. Further investigations into the regulation of glutamine metabolism in cancer and immune cells are expected to yield valuable insights, paving the way for future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin Wang
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinli Pei
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shengnan Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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218
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Cho JW, Cao J, Hemberg M. Joint analysis of mutational and transcriptional landscapes in human cancer reveals key perturbations during cancer evolution. Genome Biol 2024; 25:65. [PMID: 38459554 PMCID: PMC10921788 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03201-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumors are able to acquire new capabilities, including traits such as drug resistance and metastasis that are associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Single-cell technologies have made it possible to study both mutational and transcriptomic profiles, but as most studies have been conducted on model systems, little is known about cancer evolution in human patients. Hence, a better understanding of cancer evolution could have important implications for treatment strategies. RESULTS Here, we analyze cancer evolution and clonal selection by jointly considering mutational and transcriptomic profiles of single cells acquired from tumor biopsies from 49 lung cancer samples and 51 samples with chronic myeloid leukemia. Comparing the two profiles, we find that each clone is associated with a preferred transcriptional state. For metastasis and drug resistance, we find that the number of mutations affecting related genes increases as the clone evolves, while changes in gene expression profiles are limited. Surprisingly, we find that mutations affecting ligand-receptor interactions with the tumor microenvironment frequently emerge as clones acquire drug resistance. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that lung cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia maintain a high clonal and transcriptional diversity, and we find little evidence in favor of clonal sweeps. This suggests that for these cancers selection based solely on growth rate is unlikely to be the dominating driving force during cancer evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Won Cho
- The Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jingyi Cao
- The Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martin Hemberg
- The Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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219
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Coursier D, Calvo F. CAFs vs. TECs: when blood feuds fuel cancer progression, dissemination and therapeutic resistance. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00931-z. [PMID: 38453816 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00931-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Neoplastic progression involves complex interactions between cancer cells and the surrounding stromal milieu, fostering microenvironments that crucially drive tumor progression and dissemination. Of these stromal constituents, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) emerge as predominant inhabitants within the tumor microenvironment (TME), actively shaping multiple facets of tumorigenesis, including cancer cell proliferation, invasiveness, and immune evasion. Notably, CAFs also orchestrate the production of pro-angiogenic factors, fueling neovascularization to sustain the metabolic demands of proliferating cancer cells. Moreover, CAFs may also directly or indirectly affect endothelial cell behavior and vascular architecture, which may impact in tumor progression and responses to anti-cancer interventions. Conversely, tumor endothelial cells (TECs) exhibit a corrupted state that has been shown to affect cancer cell growth and inflammation. Both CAFs and TECs are emerging as pivotal regulators of the TME, engaging in multifaceted biological processes that significantly impact cancer progression, dissemination, and therapeutic responses. Yet, the intricate interplay between these stromal components and the orchestrated functions of each cell type remains incompletely elucidated. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the dynamic interrelationships between CAFs and TECs, discussing the challenges and prospects for leveraging their interactions towards therapeutic advancements in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Coursier
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Cantabria), Santander, Spain
| | - Fernando Calvo
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Cantabria), Santander, Spain.
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220
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Papadopoulos N, Trifylli EM. Role of exosomal circular RNAs as microRNA sponges and potential targeting for suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma growth and progression. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:994-998. [PMID: 38577187 PMCID: PMC10989485 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i9.994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In this editorial, we comment on the article by Lyu et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology (2023; 2219-2840). Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequently encountered and highly aggressive primary liver cancer, which remains the third-commonest cause of cancer-related death despite the current therapeutic modalities. There is urgency in developing novel therapeutic approaches, such as by manipulating extracellular vesicles, which constitute a highly heterogeneous nanoparticle population that contains various cargoes. These cargoes have a pivotal role in cell-to-cell communication and can modify the functional level of the recipient cells via their uptake by other recipient cells. Exosomal non-coding RNAs have particular evolving significance in HCC, such as circular RNAs, which have been found differentially expressed in normal hepatic and HCC tissues. The aberrations in their expression levels have a key role in the HCC development and progression and the overall prognosis. In this editorial, we will shed light on the emerging role of exosomal circular RNAs in HCC development and progression, focusing on the oncogenic or potentially tumor suppressive effect of mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomal non-coding RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Papadopoulos
- The Second Department of Internal Medicine, 401 General Army Hospital of Athens, Athens 11525, Greece
| | - Eleni-Myrto Trifylli
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, 417 Share Army Fund Hospital, Athens 11521, Greece
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221
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Repáraz D, Casares N, Fuentes A, Navarro F. Establishment of a murine hepatocellular carcinoma model by hydrodynamic injection and characterization of the immune tumor microenvironment. Methods Cell Biol 2024; 185:79-97. [PMID: 38556453 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignant neoplasms. Current treatments for HCC, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have limited efficacy, highlighting the urgent need for better therapies. Immunotherapies, including anti-programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and anti-Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), and more recently, the combination of anti-PD-L1 and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibodies, have shown efficacy against HCC, resulting in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. However, these immunotherapies only show efficiency in a small proportion of patients, meaning there is a great need to improve and optimize treatments against HCC. Accurate animal models that mimic human HCC are necessary to help better understand the nature of these tumors, which in turn will allow the development and testing of new treatments. Existing pre-clinical HCC models can be divided into non-genetic and genetic models. Non-genetic models involve implanting human or murine HCC cell lines or inducing tumors using chemical compounds or dietary modifications. These models have limitations, including slow tumor development and a lack of resemblance to human HCC. Genetic models, on the other hand, manipulate gene expression to induce HCC in mice and provide a better understanding of the effects of specific genes on tumor development. One method commonly used to generate HCC is hydrodynamic tail vein injection (HTVI), which consists of the delivery of oncogenes directly to the liver, resulting in expression and subsequent hepatocyte transformation. Usually, Sleeping Beauty transposase-containing plasmids are used to achieve stable and long-term gene expression. Once the HCC tumor is generated, and a proper tumor microenvironment (TME) is established, it is important to study the immune compartment of the TME, which plays a crucial role in HCC development and response to treatment. Techniques like flow cytometry can be used to analyze the immune cell populations in HCC tumors and assess their impact on tumor development and survival in mice. In this article, we thoroughly describe an example of the methodology to successfully generate HCC murine models via HTVI, and we propose a way to characterize the immune TME by flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Repáraz
- Radio-Oncology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Noelia Casares
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Navarra, Spain
| | - Andrea Fuentes
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Navarra, Spain
| | - Flor Navarro
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Navarra, Spain.
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222
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Liao S, Wu G, Xie Z, Lei X, Yang X, Huang S, Deng X, Wang Z, Tang G. pH regulators and their inhibitors in tumor microenvironment. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116170. [PMID: 38308950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
As an important characteristic of tumor, acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) is closely related to immune escape, invasion, migration and drug resistance of tumor. The acidity of the TME mainly comes from the acidic products produced by the high level of tumor metabolism, such as lactic acid and carbon dioxide. pH regulators such as monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), and Na+/H+ exchange 1 (NHE1) expel protons directly or indirectly from the tumor to maintain the pH balance of tumor cells and create an acidic TME. We review the functions of several pH regulators involved in the construction of acidic TME, the structure and structure-activity relationship of pH regulator inhibitors, and provide strategies for the development of small-molecule antitumor inhibitors based on these targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senyi Liao
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Guang Wu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Zhizhong Xie
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Xiaoyong Lei
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- Jiuzhitang Co., Ltd, Changsha, Hunan, 410007, China
| | - Xiangping Deng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
| | - Zhe Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
| | - Guotao Tang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
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223
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Xu Y, Hua J, Que H, Zeng T, Li Q, Deng J, Xie J. Identification of PANoptosis-related signature reveals immune infiltration characteristics and immunotherapy responses for renal cell carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:292. [PMID: 38439022 PMCID: PMC10913266 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12067-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
PANoptosis is a specific type of inflammatory programmed cell death (PCD) modality that can be involved in three key modes of cellular programmed cell death-pyroptosis, apoptosis and necroptosis. We analyzed PANoptosis activity in three common renal cell carcinoma subtypes (Clear cell renal cell carcinoma, Papillary renal cell carcinoma, and Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma) separately and constructed a new PANoptosis immunity index (PANII). In three renal cell carcinomas, we found that PANII was an effective predictor of immunotherapy efficacy in KIRC, KIRP and KICH, and the high PANII group was characterized by high immune infiltration and sensitivity to immunotherapy, while the low PANII group was prone to immune escape and immunotherapy resistance. We performed molecular docking prediction of each core protein comprising PANII and identified natural small molecule compounds with the highest affinity to target proteins. In addition, we found that down-regulation of PYCARD inhibited the proliferation and migration of renal clear cell carcinoma cells by in vitro functional assays, suggesting that PYCARD could be a novel target for renal clear cell carcinoma therapy. Our findings that the PANoptosis characterization-based index (PANII) helps to elucidate the tumor microenvironmental features of three common renal cell carcinoma subtypes and identify patient populations that will benefit from immunotherapy, providing a new tool for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with intermediate- and advanced-stage renal cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Jingqi Hua
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, 215001, China
| | - Hongliang Que
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, 215001, China
| | - Tengyue Zeng
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, 215001, China
| | - Quan Li
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, 215001, China
| | - Junpeng Deng
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, 215001, China.
| | - Jianjun Xie
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, 215001, China.
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224
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Miao L, Lu C, Zhang B, Li H, Zhao X, Chen H, Liu Y, Cui X. Advances in metabolic reprogramming of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment on the impact of NK therapy. J Transl Med 2024; 22:229. [PMID: 38433193 PMCID: PMC10909296 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05033-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are unique from other immune cells in that they can rapidly kill multiple neighboring cells without the need for antigenic pre-sensitization once the cells display surface markers associated with oncogenic transformation. Given the dynamic role of NK cells in tumor surveillance, NK cell-based immunotherapy is rapidly becoming a "new force" in tumor immunotherapy. However, challenges remain in the use of NK cell immunotherapy in the treatment of solid tumors. Many metabolic features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors, including oxygen and nutrient (e.g., glucose, amino acids) deprivation, accumulation of specific metabolites (e.g., lactate, adenosine), and limited availability of signaling molecules that allow for metabolic reorganization, multifactorial shaping of the immune-suppressing TME impairs tumor-infiltrating NK cell function. This becomes a key barrier limiting the success of NK cell immunotherapy in solid tumors. Restoration of endogenous NK cells in the TME or overt transfer of functionally improved NK cells holds great promise in cancer therapy. In this paper, we summarize the metabolic biology of NK cells, discuss the effects of TME on NK cell metabolism and effector functions, and review emerging strategies for targeting metabolism-improved NK cell immunotherapy in the TME to circumvent these barriers to achieve superior efficacy of NK cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxuan Miao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, People's Republic of China
- Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenglin Lu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, People's Republic of China
| | - Huili Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, People's Republic of China
- Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, People's Republic of China
- Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoran Chen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, People's Republic of China
- Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, 116001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaonan Cui
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, People's Republic of China.
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225
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Dai Z, Lin X, Wang X, Zou X, Yan Y, Wang R, Chen Y, Tasiheng Y, Ma M, Wang X, Cheng H, Yu X, Liu C. Ectopic CXCR2 expression cells improve the anti-tumor efficiency of CAR-T cells and remodel the immune microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:61. [PMID: 38430267 PMCID: PMC10908625 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03648-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent progressions in CAR-T cell therapy against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain disappointing, which are partially attributed to the immunosuppressive microenvironment including macrophage-mediated T cell repletion. METHODS We first characterized the expression patterns of macrophage-relevant chemokines and identified CXCR2 as the key factor regulating T cell trafficking and tumor-specific accumulation in PDAC microenvironment. After that, we synthesized and introduced a CXCR2 expression cascade into Claudin18.2 CAR-T cells and compared the behaviors of CAR-T cells in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic potential of CXCR2 CAR-T was evaluated in two different allogeneic models: subcutaneous allografts and metastatic PDAC models. RESULTS The results showed that CXCR2 CAR-T not only reduced the size of allografted PDAC tumors, but also completely eliminated the formation of metastases. Lastly, we investigated the tumor tissues and found that expression of ectopic CXCR2 significantly improved tumor-targeted infiltration and residence of T cells and reduced the presence of MDSCs and CXCR2 + macrophages in PDAC microenvironment. CONCLUSION Our studies suggested that ectopic CXCR2 played a significant and promising role in improving the efficiency of CAR-T therapy against primary and metastatic PDAC and partially reversed the immune-suppressive microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjie Dai
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xuan Lin
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, , Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xuan Zou
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yu Yan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ruijie Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yusheng Chen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yesiboli Tasiheng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mingjian Ma
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - He Cheng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong An Road, Xu-Hui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Soldani C, De Simone G, Polidoro MA, Morabito A, Franceschini B, Colombo FS, Anselmo A, Milana F, Lleo A, Torzilli G, Pastorelli R, Donadon M, Brunelli L. Riboflavin-LSD1 axis participates in the in vivo tumor-associated macrophage morphology in human colorectal liver metastases. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:63. [PMID: 38430255 PMCID: PMC10908638 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03645-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In colorectal liver metastasis (CLM), TAM morphology correlates with prognosis, with smaller TAMs (S-TAMs) conferring a more favorable prognosis than larger TAMs (L-TAMs). However, the metabolic profile of in vivo human TAM populations remains unknown. Multiparametric flow cytometry was used to freshly isolate S- and L-TAMs from surgically resected CLM patients (n = 14S-, 14L-TAMs). Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analyses were implemented for the metabolic characterization of TAM populations. Gene expression analysis and protein activity were used to support the biochemical effects of the enzyme-substrate link between riboflavin and (lysine-specific demethylase 1A, LSD1) with TAM morphologies. L-TAMs were characterized by a positive correlation and a strong association between riboflavin and TAM morphologies. Riboflavin in both L-TAMs and in-vitro M2 polarized macrophages modulates LSD1 protein expression and activity. The inflammatory stimuli promoted by TNFα induced the increased expression of riboflavin transporter SLC52A3 and LSD1 in M2 macrophages. The modulation of the riboflavin-LSD1 axis represents a potential target for reprogramming TAM subtypes, paving the way for promising anti-tumor therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Soldani
- Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Immunopathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Alessandro Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia De Simone
- Laboratory of Metabolites and Proteins in Translational Research, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, Università degli Studi Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Anna Polidoro
- Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Immunopathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Alessandro Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Aurelia Morabito
- Laboratory of Metabolites and Proteins in Translational Research, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Franceschini
- Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Immunopathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Alessandro Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Simone Colombo
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Struttura Complessa di Patologia Clinica, Laboratorio di Citometria, Milano, Italy
| | - Achille Anselmo
- Flow Cytometry Resource, Advanced Cytometry Technical Application Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
| | - Flavio Milana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele - Milan, Italy
- Division of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Department of Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ana Lleo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele - Milan, Italy
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele - Milan, Italy
- Division of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Department of Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Pastorelli
- Laboratory of Metabolites and Proteins in Translational Research, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Donadon
- Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Immunopathology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Alessandro Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
- Division of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Department of Surgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy.
- Department of General Surgery, University Maggiore Hospital, Novara, Italy.
| | - Laura Brunelli
- Laboratory of Metabolites and Proteins in Translational Research, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy.
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Chen X, Wang L, Yang M, Zhao W, Tu J, Liu B, Yuan X. RUNX transcription factors: biological functions and implications in cancer. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:50. [PMID: 38430423 PMCID: PMC10908630 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01281-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Runt-related transcription factors (RUNX) are a family of transcription factors that are essential for normal and malignant hematopoietic processes. Their most widely recognized role in malignancy is to promote the occurrence and development of acute myeloid leukemia. However, it is worth noting that during the last decade, studies of RUNX proteins in solid tumors have made considerable progress, suggesting that these proteins are directly involved in different stages of tumor development, including tumor initiation, progression, and invasion. RUNX proteins also play a role in tumor angiogenesis, the maintenance of tumor cell stemness, and resistance to antitumor drugs. These findings have led to the consideration of RUNX as a tumor biomarker. All RUNX proteins are involved in the occurrence and development of solid tumors, but the role of each RUNX protein in different tumors and the major signaling pathways involved are complicated by tumor heterogeneity and the interacting tumor microenvironment. Understanding how the dysregulation of RUNX in tumors affects normal biological processes is important to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which RUNX affects malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Chen
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Mu Yang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Weiheng Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jingyao Tu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Xianglin Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jie Fang Road 1095, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
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Casagrande N, Borghese C, Corona G, Aldinucci D. In ovarian cancer maraviroc potentiates the antitumoral activity and further inhibits the formation of a tumor-promoting microenvironment by trabectedin. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 172:116296. [PMID: 38382330 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth most frequent cause of cancer-related death in women. Chemotherapy agent trabectedin, affecting cancer cells and tumor microenvironment, has been approved for the treatment of relapsed platinum-sensitive OC patients. CCR5-antagonist maraviroc inhibits tumor growth, metastasis, and enhances the antitumoral activity of DNA-damaging drugs. Here, we found that OC cells expressed CCR5 receptor but did not secret CCR5-ligands. Maraviroc treatment did not affect OC cell viability, but strongly potentiated the antiproliferative activity, apoptosis induction, cell cycle blockage, DNA damage, and ROS formation by trabectedin. In A2780cis cisplatin-resistant cells, the cross-resistance to trabectedin was overcame by the combination with maraviroc. Maraviroc enhanced trabectedin cytotoxicity in OC 3Dimensional spheroids and THP-1-monocytes. Both maraviroc and trabectedin interact with drug efflux pump MDR1/P-gp, overexpressed in recurrent OC patients. Maraviroc increased trabectedin intracellular accumulation and the MDR1-inhibitor verapamil, like maraviroc, increased trabectedin cytotoxicity. In OC tumor xenografts the combination with maraviroc further reduced tumor growth, angiogenesis, and monocyte infiltration by trabectedin. In conclusion, this study offers a preclinical rationale for the use of maraviroc as new option to improve trabectedin activity in relapsed chemoresistant OC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naike Casagrande
- Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, PN 33081, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Borghese
- Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, PN 33081, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Corona
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, Aviano, PN 33081, Italy
| | - Donatella Aldinucci
- Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, Aviano, PN 33081, Italy
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229
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Qu J, Guan H, Zheng Q, Sun F. Molecular subtypes of disulfidptosis-regulated genes and prognosis models for predicting prognosis, tumor microenvironment infiltration, and therapeutic response in hepatocellular carcinoma. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 261:129584. [PMID: 38246443 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Disulfidptosis, a recently identified mode of cellular demise marked by excess SLC7A11-reliant cystine, has been proved to affect the development and resilience of tumor cells through the production of glutathione from cystine. Glutathione synthesis plays a crucial role in chemotherapy resistance and the survival of liver cancer cells. Thus, understanding the relationship between disulfidptosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is imperative. A molecular typing approach was employed to classify patients with HCC into two distinct subtypes, namely disulfidptosis and disulfide-homeostasis, based on the expression of genes associated with disulfidptosis. Patients with disulfidptosis exhibited a longer survival time, improved immune status, and heightened sensitivity to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and immunotherapy. Patients with disulfide-homeostasis demonstrated an immunosuppressive microenvironment, drug resistance, and unfavorable prognosis. A prognostic model was constructed utilizing the significant prognostic variables of the disulfidptosis-regulated genes. A real-world cohort was subjected to multiplex immunofluorescence to validate the clinical outcomes and immune context. Ultimately, our study delved into the prognostic relevance of disulfidptosis in HCC and provides insights into potential avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialin Qu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan 250117, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Guan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Fourth People's Hospital of Jinan, Jinan 250031, Shandong, China
| | - Quan Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan 250117, Shandong, China
| | - Fenghao Sun
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong, China.
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230
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Cuenca-Escalona J, Flórez-Grau G, van den Dries K, Cambi A, de Vries IJM. PGE2-EP4 signaling steers cDC2 maturation toward the induction of suppressive T-cell responses. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350770. [PMID: 38088451 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) shape adaptive immunity in response to environmental cues such as cytokines or lipid mediators, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). In cancer, tumors are known to establish an enriched PGE2 microenvironment. Tumor-derived PGE2 primes regulatory features across immune cells, including DCs, facilitating tumor progression. PGE2 shapes DC function by providing signaling via its two so-called E-prostanoid receptors (EPs) EP2 and EP4. Although studies with monocyte-derived DCs have shown the importance of PGE2 signaling, the role of PGE2-EP2/EP4 on conventional DCs type 2 (cDC2s), is still poorly defined. In this study, we investigated the function of EP2 and EP4 using specific EP antagonists on human cDC2s. Our results show that EP2 and EP4 exhibit different functions in cDC2s, with EP4 modulating the upregulation of activation markers (CD80, CD86, CD83, MHC class II) and the production of IL-10 and IL-23. Furthermore, PGE2-EP4 boosts CCR type 7-based migration as well as a higher T-cell expansion capacity, characterized by the enrichment of suppressive rather than pro-inflammatory T-cell populations. Our findings are relevant to further understanding the role of EP receptors in cDC2s, underscoring the benefit of targeting the PGE2-EP2/4 axis for therapeutic purposes in diseases such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Cuenca-Escalona
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 26-28, Nijmegen, 6525GA, the Netherlands
| | - Georgina Flórez-Grau
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 26-28, Nijmegen, 6525GA, the Netherlands
| | - Koen van den Dries
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 26-28, Nijmegen, 6525GA, the Netherlands
| | - Alessandra Cambi
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 26-28, Nijmegen, 6525GA, the Netherlands
| | - I Jolanda M de Vries
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 26-28, Nijmegen, 6525GA, the Netherlands
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231
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Li Y, Liu W, Xu H, Zhou Y, Xie W, Guo Y, Liao Z, Jiang X, Liu J, Ren C. Aptamers combined with immune checkpoints for cancer detection and targeted therapy: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 262:130032. [PMID: 38342267 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, remarkable strides have been made in the field of immunotherapy, which has emerged as a standard treatment for many cancers. As a kind of immunotherapy drug, monoclonal antibodies employed in immune checkpoint therapy have proven beneficial for patients with diverse cancer types. However, owing to the extensive heterogeneity of clinical responses and the complexity and variability of the immune system and tumor microenvironment (TME), accurately predicting its efficacy remains a challenge. Recent advances in aptamers provide a promising approach for monitoring alterations within the immune system and TME, thereby facilitating targeted immunotherapy, particularly focused on immune checkpoint blockade, with enhanced antitumor efficiency. Aptamers have been widely used in tumor cell detection, biosensors, drug discovery, and biomarker screening due to their high specificity and high affinity with their targets. This review aims to comprehensively examine the research status and progress of aptamers in cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy, with a specific emphasis on those related to immune checkpoints. Additionally, we will discuss the future research directions and potential therapeutic targets for aptamer-based immune checkpoint therapy, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for targeting immunotherapy molecules and blocking tumor immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Weidong Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Hongjuan Xu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biological Nanotechnology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Wen Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Youwei Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Ziling Liao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Xingjun Jiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Critical care medicine, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hosptial; project supported by Hainan Province Clinical Medical Center, China.
| | - Caiping Ren
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
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232
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Li X, Wu M, Lu J, Yu J, Chen D. Interleukin-21 as an adjuvant in cancer immunotherapy: Current advances and future directions. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189084. [PMID: 38354828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, it's well-recognized that a considerable proportion of patients fail to benefit from immunotherapy, and to improve immunotherapy response is clinically urgent. Insufficient immune infiltration and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME) are main contributors to immunotherapy resistance. Thus sustaining functional self-renewal capacity for immune cells and subverting immune-suppressive signals are potential strategies for boosting the efficacy of immunotherapy. Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a crucial cytokine, which could enhance cytotoxic function of immune cells and reduces immunosuppressive cells enrichment in TME, shows promising orientations as an immunoadjuvant in tumor immunotherapy. This review focuses on IL-21 in cancer treatment, including function and mechanisms of IL-21, preclinical and clinical studies, and future directions for IL-21-assisted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Meng Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinming Yu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Dawei Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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Yang S, Wang M, Hua Y, Li J, Zheng H, Cui M, Huang N, Liu Q, Liao Q. Advanced insights on tumor-associated macrophages revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing: The intratumor heterogeneity, functional phenotypes, and cellular interactions. Cancer Lett 2024; 584:216610. [PMID: 38244910 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is an emerging technology used for cellular transcriptome analysis. The application of scRNA-seq has led to profoundly advanced oncology research, continuously optimizing novel therapeutic strategies. Intratumor heterogeneity extensively consists of all tumor components, contributing to different tumor behaviors and treatment responses. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the core immune cells linking innate and adaptive immunity, play significant roles in tumor progression and resistance to therapies. Moreover, dynamic changes occur in TAM phenotypes and functions subject to the regulation of the tumor microenvironment. The heterogeneity of TAMs corresponding to the state of the tumor microenvironment has been comprehensively recognized using scRNA-seq. Herein, we reviewed recent research and summarized variations in TAM phenotypes and functions from a developmental perspective to better understand the significance of TAMs in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Yang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Mengyi Wang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yuze Hua
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Huaijin Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ming Cui
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Nan Huang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Qiaofei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Quan Liao
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Di Modugno F, Di Carlo A, Spada S, Palermo B, D'Ambrosio L, D'Andrea D, Morello G, Belmonte B, Sperduti I, Balzano V, Gallo E, Melchionna R, Panetta M, Campo G, De Nicola F, Goeman F, Antoniani B, Carpano S, Frigè G, Warren S, Gallina F, Lambrechts D, Xiong J, Vincent BG, Wheeler N, Bortone DS, Cappuzzo F, Facciolo F, Tripodo C, Visca P, Nisticò P. Tumoral and stromal hMENA isoforms impact tertiary lymphoid structure localization in lung cancer and predict immune checkpoint blockade response in patients with cancer. EBioMedicine 2024; 101:105003. [PMID: 38340557 PMCID: PMC10869748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) correlate with positive outcomes in patients with NSCLC and the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in cancer. The actin regulatory protein hMENA undergoes tissue-specific splicing, producing the epithelial hMENA11a linked to favorable prognosis in early NSCLC, and the mesenchymal hMENAΔv6 found in invasive cancer cells and pro-tumoral cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). This study investigates how hMENA isoforms in tumor cells and CAFs relate to TLS presence, localization and impact on patient outcomes and ICB response. METHODS Methods involved RNA-SEQ on NSCLC cells with depleted hMENA isoforms. A retrospective observational study assessed tissues from surgically treated N0 patients with NSCLC, using immunohistochemistry for tumoral and stromal hMENA isoforms, fibronectin, and TLS presence. ICB-treated patient tumors were analyzed using Nanostring nCounter and GeoMx spatial transcriptomics. Multiparametric flow cytometry characterized B cells and tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM). Survival and ICB response were estimated in the cohort and validated using bioinformatics pipelines in different datasets. FINDINGS Findings indicate that hMENA11a in NSCLC cells upregulates the TLS regulator LTβR, decreases fibronectin, and favors CXCL13 production by TRM. Conversely, hMENAΔv6 in CAFs inhibits LTβR-related NF-kB pathway, reduces CXCL13 secretion, and promotes fibronectin production. These patterns are validated in N0 NSCLC tumors, where hMENA11ahigh expression, CAF hMENAΔv6low, and stromal fibronectinlow are associated with intratumoral TLS, linked to memory B cells and predictive of longer survival. The hMENA isoform pattern, fibronectin, and LTβR expression broadly predict ICB response in tumors where TLS indicates an anti-tumor immune response. INTERPRETATION This study uncovers hMENA alternative splicing as an unexplored contributor to TLS-related Tumor Immune Microenvironment (TIME) and a promising biomarker for clinical outcomes and likely ICB responsiveness in N0 patients with NSCLC. FUNDING This work is supported by AIRC (IG 19822), ACC (RCR-2019-23669120), CAL.HUB.RIA Ministero Salute PNRR-POS T4, "Ricerca Corrente" granted by the Italian Ministry of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Di Modugno
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Anna Di Carlo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Sheila Spada
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Belinda Palermo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo D'Ambrosio
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniel D'Andrea
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, New Hall Block - Room 171, Clifton Campus - NG11 8NS, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gaia Morello
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Beatrice Belmonte
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Isabella Sperduti
- Biostatistics and Scientific Direction, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittoria Balzano
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Gallo
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Melchionna
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Panetta
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Campo
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca De Nicola
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Frauke Goeman
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Antoniani
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Carpano
- Second Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Frigè
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan, Italy
| | - Sarah Warren
- NanoString Technologies Inc., 530 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Filippo Gallina
- Thoracic-Surgery Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Center for Cancer Biology, Herestraat 49 box 912, VIB, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jieyi Xiong
- Center for Cancer Biology, Herestraat 49 box 912, VIB, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benjamin G Vincent
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 5206 Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Nathan Wheeler
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 5206 Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Dante S Bortone
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 5206 Marsico Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Federico Cappuzzo
- Second Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Facciolo
- Thoracic-Surgery Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, 90134, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Visca
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Nisticò
- Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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Li Y, Yuan Z, Wang L, Yang J, Pu P, Le Y, Chen X, Wang C, Gao Y, Liu Y, Wang J, Gao X, Li Y, Wang H, Zou C. Prolyl isomerase Pin1 sculpts the immune microenvironment of colorectal cancer. Cell Signal 2024; 115:111041. [PMID: 38199598 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Pin1, a peptide prolyl cis-trans isomerase, is overexpressed and/or overactivated in many human malignancies. However, whether Pin1 regulates the immunosuppressive TME has not been well defined. In this study, we detected the effect of Pin1 on immune cells and immune checkpoint PD-L1 in the TME of CRC and explored the anti-tumor efficacy of Pin1 inhibitor ATRA combined with PD-1 antibody. We found that Pin1 facilitated the immunosuppressive TME by raising the proportion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and declining the percentage of CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells. Pin1 restrained PD-L1 protein expression in CRC cells and the effect was tempered by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducers. Mechanically, Pin1 overexpression decreased the stability of PD-L1 and promoted its degradation by mitigating ER stress. Silencing or inhibiting Pin1 promoted PD-L1 protein expression by inducing ER stress. Hence, Pin1 inhibitor ATRA enhanced the anti-tumor efficacy of PD-1 antibody in the CRC allograft by upregulating PD-L1. Our results reveal the critical and pleiotropic effects of Pin1 on managing the immune cells and immune checkpoint PD-L1 in the TME of CRC, providing a new promising candidate for combination with immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Zhongnan Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Pei Pu
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yunting Le
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - XianWei Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Chongyang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yating Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Jialin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Xu Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China; Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medicine Sciences, Harbin 150081, China; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research of Harbin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Harbin 150081, China; Key Laboratory of Preservation of Human Genetic Resources and Disease Control in China (Harbin Medical University), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yanze Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Hefei Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Chaoxia Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China; Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medicine Sciences, Harbin 150081, China.
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Xu Y, Li Q, Lin H. Bioinformatics analysis of CMTM family in pan-cancer and preliminary exploration of CMTM6 in bladder cancer. Cell Signal 2024; 115:111012. [PMID: 38113979 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.111012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The chemokine-like factor (CKLF)-like Marvel transmembrane structural domain (CMTM) family is widely expressed in the tumor and immune systems and is essential in human cancer progression. However, the multi-omic profile of CMTM family genes and their role in tumor patient prognosis and immune microenvironment have not been explored. METHODS We collected data from 33 cancers and 33 non-cancers and then comprehensively analyzed the basal expression levels of CMTM family genes in normal human tissues as well as abnormal expression in diseases, genomic alterations, diagnostic and prognostic roles, subcellular localization, pathway enrichment, the immune microenvironment, associations with immune checkpoints, and drug sensitivities as well as to predict the immunotherapeutic response of patients to ICIs and targeting of small molecule drugs, the above results were validated by immunohistochemical staining, pathology sections and experiments. We also performed protein docking of immune checkpoints binding to CMTM6 and screening of small molecule drugs targeting CMTM6 based on mass spectrometry results and molecular docking techniques. Finally, we experimentally confirmed the role of CMTM6 in bladder cancer. RESULTS We found differential expression and diagnostic biomarker value of the CMTMs family in diseases (cancer and non-cancer). CMTMs were also found to play a key role in pan-cancer with the tumor microenvironment. CMTMs were closely associated with common immune checkpoints, TMB and MSI, so we scored CMTMs based on CMTMs expression in patients undergoing ICI, and patients with lower scores had better survival and showed higher immunotherapy response after immunotherapy. Finally, molecular docking was used to identify small molecule inhibitors that could target CMTM6 and binding poses of CMTM6 to other immune checkpoint genes. Finally, it was determined experimentally that knockdown of CMTM6 gene expression inhibited the proliferation and invasion of bladder cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide a valuable strategy to guide the diagnostic and therapeutic direction of CMTM family genes in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Qianlong Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, The first Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Hualong Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Rui'an People's Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325200, China.
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Magalhães IA, Costa GAJ, Borges MMF, Carlos ACAM, Mesquita KC, Arruda LMAD, Cunha MDPSS, Sousa FB, Silva PGDB. Deficiency in infiltration of CD8/CD3 positive lymphocytes and macrophages plays a role in lip carcinogenesis: an immunohistochemical study. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 90:101379. [PMID: 38219446 PMCID: PMC10826144 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2023.101379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the immunoexpression profile for CD8, CD3, CD20 and CD68 in the process and carcinogenesis of Carcinoma of the vermilion lip. METHODS Average cell count with positive expression for CD3, CD8, CD20 and CD68. The CD8/CD3 ratio calculated in the region was based on the percentage of positive cells in a total of malignant cells. Kruska-Wallis/Dunn, Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation tests (SPSS, p < 0.05) were used. RESULTS In the Aquitic Cheilitis samples, there was an increase in intraepithelial CD8+ and CD68+. In LSCCs, there was an increase in peritumoral and intratumoral CD3+, CD8+, CD20+ and CD68+ cells. In peritumoral LSCC, CD3+ and CD8+ showed a direct correlation (p = 0.004), and CD68+ and CD8+ (p = 0.017). In the intraepithelial region, CD8+ correlated with CD20+ (p = 0.014) and CD68+ (p = 0.013). In the CAs, CD3 (p < 0.001) and CD8 (p = 0.025) correlated intraepithelial and subepithelial. In LSCC CD3+ (p = 0.002), CD8+ (p = 0.001) and CD68+ (p = 0.030) had intra and peritumoral correlation. CONCLUSION CD68+ is the first interacting cell with the greatest capacity to migrate to the tumor and interact with CD3, CD8 and CD20. Apparently, CD20 affects perineural invasion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marcela Maria Fontes Borges
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Farmácia, Odontologia e Enfermagem, Departamento de Clínica Dentária, Divisão de Patologia Oral, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Anna Clara Aragão Matos Carlos
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Farmácia, Odontologia e Enfermagem, Departamento de Clínica Dentária, Divisão de Patologia Oral, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Fabrício Bitu Sousa
- Unichristus, Departamento de Odontologia, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Farmácia, Odontologia e Enfermagem, Departamento de Clínica Dentária, Divisão de Patologia Oral, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva
- Unichristus, Departamento de Odontologia, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Farmácia, Odontologia e Enfermagem, Departamento de Clínica Dentária, Divisão de Patologia Oral, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil; Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, Instituto Cearense do Câncer, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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238
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Shaw P, Dwivedi SKD, Bhattacharya R, Mukherjee P, Rao G. VEGF signaling: Role in angiogenesis and beyond. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189079. [PMID: 38280470 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial process for tissue development, repair, and tumor survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key driver secreted by cancer cells, promoting neovascularization. While VEGF's role in angiogenesis is well-documented, its influence on the other aspects in tumor microenvironemt is less discussed. This review elaborates on VEGF's impact on intercellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment, including how VEGF affects pericyte proliferation and migration and mediates interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and cancer cells, resulting in PDL-1-mediated immunosuppression and Nrf2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The review discusses VEGF's involvement in intra-organelle crosstalk, tumor metabolism, stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It also provides insights into current anti-VEGF therapies and their limitations in cancer treatment. Overall, this review aims to provide a thorough overview of the current state of knowledge concerning VEGF signaling and its impact, not only on angiogenesis but also on various other oncogenic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallab Shaw
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Shailendra Kumar Dhar Dwivedi
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Geeta Rao
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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Piranfar A, Soltani M, Kashkooli FM, Uribe CF, Rahmim A. Spatiotemporal modeling of radiopharmaceutical transport in solid tumors: Application to 177Lu-PSMA therapy of prostate cancer. Comput Methods Programs Biomed 2024; 245:108004. [PMID: 38215660 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.108004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE 177Lu-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) represents a pivotal advancement in addressing prostate cancer. However, existing therapies, while promising, remain incompletely understood and optimized. Computational models offer potential insights into RPTs, aiding in clinical drug delivery enhancement. In this study, we investigate the impact of various physiological parameters on the delivery of 177Lu-PSMA-617 RPT using the convection-diffusion-reaction (CDR) model. METHODS Our investigation encompasses tumor geometry and surrounding tissue, characterized by well-defined boundaries and initial conditions. Utilizing the finite element method, we solve governing equations across a range of parameters: dissociation constant KD (1, 0.1, 0.01 [nM]), internalization rate (0.01-0.0001 [min-1]), diverse tumor shapes, and variable necrotic zone sizes. This model can provide an accurate analysis of radiopharmaceutical delivery from the injection site to the tumor cell, including drug transport in the vascular, interstitial, and intracellular spaces, and considering important parameters (e.g., drug extravasation from microvessels or to lymphatic vessels, the extracellular matrix, receptors, and intracellular space). RESULTS Our findings reveal significant enhancements in tumor-absorbed doses as KD decreases. This outcome can be attributed to the higher affinity of radiopharmaceuticals for PSMA receptors as KD diminishes, facilitating a more efficient binding and retention of the therapeutic agent within the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, tumor-absorbed doses for KD ∼ 1 [nM] show an upward trend with higher internalization rates. This observation can be rationalized by considering that a greater internalization rate would result in a higher proportion of radiopharmaceuticals being taken up by tumor cells after binding to receptors on the cell surface. Notably, tumor shape and necrotic zone size exhibit limited influence on tumor absorbed dose. CONCLUSIONS The present study employs the CDR model to explore the role of physiological parameters in shaping 177Lu-PSMA-617 RPT delivery. These findings provide insights for improving prostate cancer therapy by understanding radiopharmaceutical transport dynamics. This computational approach contributes to advancing our understanding of radiopharmaceutical delivery mechanisms and has implications for enhancing treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Piranfar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Soltani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, ON, Canada; Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (CBB), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada; Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Farshad M Kashkooli
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Carlos F Uribe
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Functional Imaging, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Arman Rahmim
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Functional Imaging, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Pavelková L, Táborská E, Syding LA, Plačková K, Simonova E, Hladíková K, Hensler M, Laco J, Koucký V, Zábrodský M, Bouček J, Grega M, Rozkošová K, Vošmiková H, Halaška MJ, Rob L, Práznovec I, Hodek M, Vošmik M, Čelakovský P, Chrobok V, Ryška A, Palová-Jelínková L, Špíšek R, Fialová A. Tissue contexture determines the pattern and density of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in HPV-associated squamous cell carcinomas of oropharynx and uterine cervix. Transl Oncol 2024; 41:101884. [PMID: 38242007 PMCID: PMC10831289 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.101884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The profile of the antitumor immune response is an important factor determining patient clinical outcome. However, the influence of the tissue contexture on the composition of the tumor microenvironments of virally induced tumors is not clearly understood. Therefore, we analyzed the immune landscape of two HPV-associated malignancies: oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix (CESC). We employed multiplex immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to evaluate the density and spatial distribution of immune cells in retrospective cohorts of OPSCC and CESC patients. This approach was complemented by transcriptomic analysis of purified primary tumor cells and in silico analysis of publicly available RNA sequencing data. Transcriptomic analysis showed similar immune profiles in OPSCC and CESC samples. Interestingly, immunostaining of OPSCC tissues revealed high densities of immune cells in both tumor stroma and tumor epithelium, whereas CESC samples were mainly characterized by the lack of immune cells in the tumor epithelium. However, in contrast to other immune cell populations, polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) were abundant in both segments of CESC samples and CESC-derived tumor cells expressed markedly higher levels of the PMN-MDSC chemoattractants CXCL1, CXCL5, and CXCL6 than OPSCC tumor cells. Taken together, despite their having the same etiologic agent, the immune infiltration pattern significantly differs between OPSCC and CESC, with a noticeable shift toward prominent MDSC infiltration in the latter. Our data thus present a rationale for a diverse approach to targeted therapy in patients with HPV-associated tumors of different tissue origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Pavelková
- SOTIO, Českomoravská 2532/19b,Prague 9, Prague CZ-19000, Czech Republic; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Táborská
- SOTIO, Českomoravská 2532/19b,Prague 9, Prague CZ-19000, Czech Republic
| | - Linn A Syding
- SOTIO, Českomoravská 2532/19b,Prague 9, Prague CZ-19000, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Plačková
- SOTIO, Českomoravská 2532/19b,Prague 9, Prague CZ-19000, Czech Republic; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Kamila Hladíková
- SOTIO, Českomoravská 2532/19b,Prague 9, Prague CZ-19000, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Hensler
- SOTIO, Českomoravská 2532/19b,Prague 9, Prague CZ-19000, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Laco
- The Fingerland Department of Pathology, Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Koucký
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Zábrodský
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Bouček
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Grega
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Rozkošová
- The Fingerland Department of Pathology, Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Vošmiková
- The Fingerland Department of Pathology, Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Michael J Halaška
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Rob
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Práznovec
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Hodek
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Milan Vošmik
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Čelakovský
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Viktor Chrobok
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Ryška
- The Fingerland Department of Pathology, Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | | | - Radek Špíšek
- SOTIO, Českomoravská 2532/19b,Prague 9, Prague CZ-19000, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Fialová
- SOTIO, Českomoravská 2532/19b,Prague 9, Prague CZ-19000, Czech Republic.
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Zheng T, Zheng Z, Zhou H, Guo Y, Li S. The multifaceted roles of COL4A4 in lung adenocarcinoma: An integrated bioinformatics and experimental study. Comput Biol Med 2024; 170:107896. [PMID: 38217972 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal expression of collagen IV subunits has been reported in cancers, but the significance is not clear. No study has reported the significance of COL4A4 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). METHODS COL4A4 expression data, single-cell sequencing data and clinical data were downloaded from public databases. A range of bioinformatics and experimental methods were adopted to analyze the association of COL4A4 expression with clinical parameters, tumor microenvironment (TME), drug resistance and immunotherapy response, and to investigate the roles and underlying mechanism of COL4A4 in LUAD. RESULTS COL4A4 is differentially expressed in most of cancers analyzed, being associated with prognosis, tumor stemness, immune checkpoint gene expression and TME parameters. In LUAD, COL4A4 expression is down-regulated and associated with various TME parameters, response to immunotherapy and drug resistance. LUAD patients with lower COL4A4 have worse prognosis. Knockdown of COL4A4 significantly inhibited the expression of cell-cycle associated genes, and the expression and activation of signaling pathways including JAK/STAT3, p38, and ERK pathways, and induced quiescence in LUAD cells. Besides, it significantly induced the expression of a range of bioactive molecule genes that have been shown to have critical roles in TME remodeling and immune regulation. CONCLUSIONS COL4A4 is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancers including LUAD. Its function may be multifaceted. It can modulate the activity of LUAD cells, TME remodeling and tumor stemness, thus affecting the pathological process of LUAD. COL4A4 may be a prognostic molecular marker and a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiaozhan Zheng
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Zhiwen Zheng
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Hanxi Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Yiqing Guo
- Department of Pathology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Shikang Li
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China.
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Su X, Wang X, Lai J, Mao S, Li H. Unraveling a novel hippo-associated immunological prognostic signature: The contribution of SERPINE1 in facilitating colorectal cancer progression via the notch signaling pathway. Genomics 2024; 116:110794. [PMID: 38224823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence demonstrated that Hippo signaling pathway is implicated in tumor initiation and progression. However, there have been limited studies on establishing signatures utilizing genes related to the Hippo pathway to evaluate prognosis and clinical efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. METHODS Hippo pathway-associated genes with prognostic significance were identified in the TCGA database. Subsequently, a prognostic signature associated with the Hippo pathway was constructed using Cox and LASSO regression analyses. Survival analysis, ROC analysis, and stratified analyses were conducted to appraise the performance effect of our prognostic model. We also explored the relationship between the risk score and tumor immune microenvironment. Furthermore, GO analyses and GSEA were performed for SERPINE1. Additional experiments were conducted to illuminate the underlying function and possible mechanism of SERPINE1 in CRC cell proliferation and migration. RESULTS We identified 58 differentially expressed genes associated with Hippo pathway that have prognostic significance in CRC. Among them, five genes (PPP2CB, SERPINE1, WNT5A, TCF7L1, and LEF1) were selected to establish a prognostic signature for CRC. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that this signature exhibited excellent diagnostic and prognostic performance, providing maximum benefits for CRC patients. In accordance with the prognostic signatures, the cases were divided into low-risk and high-risk groups. Remarkably, the high-risk group displayed lower immune scores, reduced immune cell infiltration, and decreased expression of immune checkpoints. Low-risk group could more possibly benefit from conventional chemotherapeutic and targeted therapies. CRC exhibited significantly elevated expression of SERPINE1, which was linked to worst overall survival. Moreover, inhibition of SERPINE1 suppressed proliferation, invasion, and migration of CRC cells via Notch pathway. CONCLUSIONS To sum up, we established a novel immunological prognostic signature utilizing genes associated with the Hippo pathway. This signature offers accurate prognostic prediction and can guide individualized therapy for patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyao Su
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Lai
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shengxun Mao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Huizi Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
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243
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Buyse C, Mignion L, Joudiou N, Melloul S, Driesschaert B, Gallez B. Sensitive simultaneous measurements of oxygenation and extracellular pH by EPR using a stable monophosphonated trityl radical and lithium phthalocyanine. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 213:11-18. [PMID: 38218552 PMCID: PMC10923140 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The monitoring of acidosis and hypoxia is crucial because both factors promote cancer progression and impact the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments. A phosphonated tetrathiatriarylmethyl (pTAM) has been previously described to monitor both parameters simultaneously, but the sensitivity to tackle subtle changes in oxygenation was limited. Here, we describe an innovative approach combining the pTAM radical and lithium phthalocyanine (LiPc) crystals to provide sensitive simultaneous measurements of extracellular pH (pHe) and pO2. Both parameters can be measured simultaneously as both EPR spectra do not overlap, with a gain in sensitivity to pO2 variations by a factor of 10. This procedure was applied to characterize the impact of carbogen breathing in a breast cancer 4T1 model as a proof-of-concept. No significant change in pHe and pO2 was observed using pTAM alone, while LiPc detected a significant increase in tumor oxygenation. Interestingly, we observed that pTAM systematically overestimated the pO2 compared to LiPc. In addition, we analyzed the impact of an inhibitor (UK-5099) of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) on the tumor microenvironment. In vitro, the exposure of 4T1 cells to UK-5099 for 24 h induced a decrease in pHe and oxygen consumption rate (OCR). In vivo, a significant decrease in tumor pHe was observed in UK-5099-treated mice, while there was no change for mice treated with the vehicle. Despite the change observed in OCR, no significant change in tumor oxygenation was observed after the UK-5099 treatment. This approach is promising for assessing in vivo the effect of treatments targeting tumor metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Buyse
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group (REMA), Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lionel Mignion
- Nuclear and Electron Spin Technologies Platform (NEST), Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Joudiou
- Nuclear and Electron Spin Technologies Platform (NEST), Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Samia Melloul
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group (REMA), Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benoit Driesschaert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy & In Vivo Multifunctional Magnetic Resonance Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Bernard Gallez
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Research Group (REMA), Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.
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244
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Kim HD, Yeh CY, Chang YC, Kim CH. Dawn era for revisited cancer therapy by innate immune system and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167019. [PMID: 38211726 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer. However, it shows limited efficacy against certain tumor types. The activation of innate immunity can suppress tumors by mitigating inflammatory and malignant behaviors through immune surveillance. The tumor microenvironment, which is composed of immune cells and cancer cells, plays a crucial role in determining the outcomes of immunotherapy. Relying solely on immune checkpoint inhibitors is not an optimal approach. Instead, there is a need to consider the use of a combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors with other modulators of the innate immune system to improve the tumor microenvironment. This can be achieved through methods such as immune cell antigen presentation and recognition. In this review, we delve into the significance of innate immune cells in tumor regression, as well as the role of the interaction of tumor cells with innate immune cells in evading host immune surveillance. These findings pave the way for the next chapter in the field of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Do Kim
- Molecular and Cellular Glycobiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, SungKyunKwan University, Suwon, Gyunggi-Do 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Chia-Ying Yeh
- Department of Biomedicine Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chan Chang
- Department of Biomedicine Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
| | - Cheorl-Ho Kim
- Molecular and Cellular Glycobiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, SungKyunKwan University, Suwon, Gyunggi-Do 16419, Republic of Korea; Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Science and Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea.
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245
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Sousa-Squiavinato ACM, Morgado-Díaz JA. A glimpse into cofilin-1 role in cancer therapy: A potential target to improve clinical outcomes? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189087. [PMID: 38395237 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Cofilin-1 (CFL1) modulates dynamic actin networks by severing and enhancing depolymerization. The upregulation of cofilin-1 expression in several cancer types is associated with tumor progression and metastasis. However, recent discoveries indicated relevant cofilin-1 functions under oxidative stress conditions, interplaying with mitochondrial dynamics, and apoptosis networks. In this scenario, these emerging roles might impact the response to clinical therapy and could be used to enhance treatment efficacy. Here, we highlight new perspectives of cofilin-1 in the therapy resistance context and discussed how cofilin-1 is involved in these events, exploring aspects of its contribution to therapeutic resistance. We also provide an analysis of CFL1 expression in several tumors predicting survival. Therefore, understanding how exactly coflin-1 plays, particularly in therapy resistance, may pave the way to the development of treatment strategies and improvement of patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jose Andrés Morgado-Díaz
- Cellular and Molecular Oncobiology Program, Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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246
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Longhi E, Carminati L, Carlessi E, Belotti D, Taraboletti G. Thrombospondin-1 in drug activity and tumor response to therapies. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 155:45-51. [PMID: 37414720 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Thrombospondins (TSPs) have numerous different roles in cancer, regulating the behavior of cancer cells and non-neoplastic cells, and defining the responses of tumor cells to environmental changes, thorough their ability to orchestrate cellular and molecular interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME). As a result of these activities, TSPs can also control drug delivery and activity, tumor response and resistance to therapies, with different outcomes depending on the nature of TSP-interacting cell types, receptors, and ligands, in a highly context-dependent manner. This review, focusing primarily on TSP-1, discusses the effects of TSPs on tumor response to chemotherapy, antiangiogenic, low-dose metronomic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, by analyzing TSP activity on different cell compartments - tumor cells, vascular endothelial cells and immune cells. We review evidence of the value of TSPs, specifically TSP-1 and TSP-2, as biomarkers of prognosis and tumor response to therapy. Finally, we examine possible approaches to develop TSP-based compounds as therapeutic tools to potentiate the efficacy of anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Longhi
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Stezzano 87, Bergamo 24126, Italy
| | - Laura Carminati
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Stezzano 87, Bergamo 24126, Italy
| | - Elena Carlessi
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Stezzano 87, Bergamo 24126, Italy
| | - Dorina Belotti
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Stezzano 87, Bergamo 24126, Italy.
| | - Giulia Taraboletti
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Stezzano 87, Bergamo 24126, Italy.
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247
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Ma J, Chen K, Li S, Zhu L, Yu Y, Li J, Ma J, Ouyang J, Wu Z, Tan Y, He Z, Liu H, Pan Z, Li H, Liu Q, Song E. MRI-based radiomic models to predict surgical margin status and infer tumor immune microenvironment in breast cancer patients with breast-conserving surgery: a multicenter validation study. Eur Radiol 2024; 34:1774-1789. [PMID: 37658888 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10144-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Accurate preoperative estimation of the risk of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) resection margin positivity would be beneficial to surgical planning. In this multicenter validation study, we developed an MRI-based radiomic model to predict the surgical margin status. METHODS We retrospectively collected preoperative breast MRI of patients undergoing BCS from three hospitals (SYMH, n = 296; SYSUCC, n = 131; TSPH, n = 143). Radiomic-based model for risk prediction of the margin positivity was trained on the SYMH patients (7:3 ratio split for the training and testing cohorts), and externally validated in the SYSUCC and TSPH cohorts. The model was able to stratify patients into different subgroups with varied risk of margin positivity. Moreover, we used the immune-radiomic models and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature to infer the distribution patterns of immune cells and tumor cell EMT status under different marginal status. RESULTS The AUCs of the radiomic-based model were 0.78 (0.66-0.90), 0.88 (0.79-0.96), and 0.76 (0.68-0.84) in the testing cohort and two external validation cohorts, respectively. The actual margin positivity rates ranged between 0-10% and 27.3-87.2% in low-risk and high-risk subgroups, respectively. Positive surgical margin was associated with higher levels of EMT and B cell infiltration in the tumor area, as well as the enrichment of B cells, immature dendritic cells, and neutrophil infiltration in the peritumoral area. CONCLUSIONS This MRI-based predictive model can be used as a reliable tool to predict the risk of margin positivity of BCS. Tumor immune-microenvironment alteration was associated with surgical margin status. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT This study can assist the pre-operative planning of BCS. Further research on the tumor immune microenvironment of different resection margin states is expected to develop new margin evaluation indicators and decipher the internal mechanism. KEY POINTS • The MRI-based radiomic prediction model (CSS model) incorporating features extracted from multiple sequences and segments could estimate the margin positivity risk of breast-conserving surgery. • The radiomic score of the CSS model allows risk stratification of patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery, which could assist in surgical planning. • With the help of MRI-based radiomics to estimate the components of the immune microenvironment, for the first time, it is found that the margin status of breast-conserving surgery is associated with the infiltration of immune cells in the microenvironment and the EMT status of breast tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafan Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Yat-sen Breast Tumor Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Yat-sen Breast Tumor Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Artificial Intelligence Lab, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Shunrong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Yat-sen Breast Tumor Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Liling Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Yat-sen Breast Tumor Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunfang Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingwu Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, 063001, Hebei, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Breast Surgery, Tangshan People's Hospital, Tangshan, 063001, Hebei, China
| | - Jie Ouyang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Tungwah Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Dongguan, 523413, China
| | - Zhuo Wu
- Artificial Intelligence Lab, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Yujie Tan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Zifan He
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Haiqing Liu
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhilong Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Breast Tumor Center, Yat-sen Breast Tumor Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Haojiang Li
- Department of Radiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.
| | - Qiang Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Breast Tumor Center, Yat-sen Breast Tumor Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
| | - Erwei Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Breast Tumor Center, Yat-sen Breast Tumor Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China.
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248
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Behrooz AB, Cordani M, Donadelli M, Ghavami S. Metastatic outgrowth via the two-way interplay of autophagy and metabolism. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166824. [PMID: 37949196 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis represents one of the most dangerous issue of cancer progression, characterized by intricate interactions between invading tumor cells, various proteins, and other cells on the way towards target sites. Tumor cells, while undergoing metastasis, engage in dynamic dialogues with stromal cells and undertake epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenoconversion. To ensure survival, tumor cells employ several strategies such as restructuring their metabolic needs to adapt to the alterations of the microenvironmental resources via different mechanisms including macroautophagy (autophagy) and to circumvent anoikis-a form of cell death induced upon detachment from the extracellular matrix (ECM). This review focuses on the puzzling connections of autophagy and energetic metabolism within the context of cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Barzegar Behrooz
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marco Cordani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Massimo Donadelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Academy of Silesia, Faculty of Medicine, Rolna 43 Street, 40-555 Katowice, Poland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba-University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
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249
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Yu Z, Huang L, Guo J. Anti-stromal nanotherapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Control Release 2024; 367:500-514. [PMID: 38278367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most commonly diagnosed primary liver cancer, has become a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Accumulating evidence confirms that the stromal constituents within the tumor microenvironment (TME) exacerbate HCC malignancy and set the barriers to current anti-HCC treatments. Recent developments of nano drug delivery system (NDDS) have facilitated the application of stroma-targeting therapeutics, disrupting the stromal TME in HCC. This review discusses the stromal activities in HCC development and therapy resistance. In addition, it addresses the delivery challenges of NDDS for stroma-targeting therapeutics (termed anti-stromal nanotherapeutics in this review), and provides recent advances in anti-stromal nanotherapeutics for safe, effective, and specific HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Yu
- Department of Hepatopathy, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Leaf Huang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jianfeng Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
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Gong H, Liu Z, Yuan C, Luo Y, Chen Y, Zhang J, Cui Y, Zeng B, Liu J, Li H, Deng Z. Identification of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs with the significance in prognosis and immunotherapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Comput Biol Med 2024; 171:108198. [PMID: 38417385 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Cuproptosis, a recently characterized programmed cell death mechanism, has emerged as a potential contributor to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and immune modulation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have demonstrated diverse regulatory roles in cancer and hold promise as biomarkers. However, the involvement and prognostic significance of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRLs) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain poorly understood. Based on TCGA-OSCC data, we integrated single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), the LASSO algorithm, and the tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) algorithm. We identified 11 CRLs through differential expression, Spearman correlation, and univariate Cox regression analyses. Two distinct CRL-related subtypes were unveiled, delineating divergent survival patterns, tumor microenvironments (TME), and mutation profiles. A robust CRL-based signature (including AC107027.3, AC008011.2, MYOSLID, AC005785.1, AC019080.5, AC020558.2, AC025265.1, FAM27E3, and LINC02367) prognosticated OSCC outcomes, immunotherapy responses, and anti-tumor strategies. Superior predictive power compared to other lncRNA models was demonstrated. Functional assessments confirmed the influence of FAM27E3, LINC02367, and MYOSLID knockdown on OSCC cell behaviors. Remarkably, the CRLs-based signature maintained stability across OSCC patient subgroups, underscoring its clinical potential for survival prediction. This study elucidates CRLs' roles in TME of OSCC and establishes a potential signature for precision therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Gong
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; Molecular Biology Research Center and Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaolong Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunhui Yuan
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Ying Luo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuhan Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junyi Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yiteng Cui
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bin Zeng
- School of Stomatology, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Molecular Biology Research Center and Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; Molecular Biology Research Center and Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
| | - Zhiyuan Deng
- Department of Dermatology, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China; School of Stomatology, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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