The hallmarks of cancer immune evasion

Translational study of the regulatory mechanism by which immune synapses enhance immune cell function

Immune synapses, which were initially discovered at the interface between antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T cells, are special structures formed at the contact site between antigen-presenting cells and immune cells and constitute the structural basis for immune cells to kill tumours and synthesise antibodies. Their structures are very similar to those of neural synapses in the nervous system, and they contain different functional structural regions. With the development of cell visualization research, scientists have increasingly conducted in-depth research on immune synapses. At present, it is known that T cells, B cells, and NK cells can form different immune synapses with target cells. Immune synapses formed by different cell subsets as well as CAR-T cells have their own characteristics, mainly in terms of their structure, formation process and regulatory mechanism. Therefore, how to enhance immune cell killing function by enhancing immune synaptic function has long been a research hotspot. At present, the killing function of immune cells can be enhanced by influencing the signalling molecules of immune synapses and the cell microenvironment and modifying the structure of immune synapses. Through a review of the factors affecting immune synapses, we can better explore the target for enhancing immune system function.

CD47 as a potent target in cancer immunotherapy: A review

Cancer is the second-highest cause of death worldwide. Accordingly, finding new cancer treatments is of great interest to researchers. The current platforms to fight cancer such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are limited in efficacy, especially in the metastatic setting. In this war against cancer, the immune system is a powerful ally, but tumor cells often outsmart it through alternative pathways. Cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47), a protein that normally prevents healthy cells from being attacked by immune cells, is often overexpressed on cancer cells. This makes CD47 a prime target for immunotherapy. Blocking of CD47 has the potential to unleash the immune system's cell populations-such as myeloid cells, macrophages, and T cells-to allow the immune system to discover and destroy cancer cells more successfully. In this review, we aimed to provide the latest information and findings about the roles of CD47 in the regulation of various cellular pathways and, thus, the importance of CD47 as a potential target in cancer therapy.

Predicting colorectal adenoma recurrence: the role of systemic inflammatory markers and insulin resistance

BACKGROUND

Colorectal adenomas (CRA) exhibit high recurrence rates following endoscopic resection. Insulin resistance (IR) and chronic inflammation, increasingly prevalent due to unhealthy lifestyles, are key factors in CRA development. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive power of combining the inflammation score with the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index for CRA recurrence.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the clinical characteristics of 847 CRA patients who underwent endoscopic resection. Postoperative recurrence of CRA was assessed using logistic regression analyses to determine odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was utilized to predict the risk of CRA recurrence based on the inflammation score and TyG index.

RESULTS

Among the 847 CRA included in the study, 126 experienced recurrences. Logistic regression analysis identified NLR (OR 2.641, 95% CI 1.982-3.549), TyG (OR 1.494, 95% CI 1.146-1.956), three or more adenomas (OR 2.182, 95% CI 1.431-3.322) and CRA larger than 10 mm (OR 1.917, 95% CI 1.267-2.921) as independent risk factors for CRA recurrence. ROC curves demonstrated the efficacy of NLR (AUC 0.701, 95% CI 0.652-0.750) and TyG (AUC 0.607, 95% CI 0.553-0.660) in predicting CRA recurrence. The combination of NLR, TyG and adenoma characteristics showed improved performance in predicting CRA recurrence (AUC 0.762, 95% CI 0.718-0.805).

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated NLR and TyG were associated with an increased risk of CRA recurrence. The integration of NLR and TyG with CRA characteristics significantly enhanced the predictive power for CRA recurrence.

Inducing Cuproptosis with Copper Ion-Loaded Aloe Emodin Self-Assembled Nanoparticles for Enhanced Tumor Photodynamic Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has fundamentally transformed the clinical treatment landscape for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While its effectiveness is ultimately limited by patient heterogeneity and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), as an emerging antitumor immunotherapy, has shown its unique therapeutic advantages. However, previous studies often overlooked the potential toxicity of photosensitizers (PS), making the discovery of safe and effective PS a pressing clinical need. In this study, Aloe Emodin (AE), a medicinal plant natural compound, was loaded with copper ions (Cu), and self-assembled into nanoparticles (NPs) under the modification of PEG2k-DSPE-FA. NPs can target, accumulate, and reside within tumor sites, responsively releasing copper ions and AE, thus dual-functioning by inducing tumor cell death via cuproptosis and enhancing PDT effects. The LLC tumor-bearing mouse model demonstrated that NPs induce the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) in vivo, promote lymphocyte infiltration, transform "cold tumors" into "hot tumors" and significantly enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). This study provides experimental evidence of AE as a clinically promising PDT agent and offers a novel perspective for the synergistic treatment of clinical NSCLC.

Hot Spots in Urogenital Basic Cancer Research and Clinics

Urogenital cancer is very common in the male population of Western countries, a problem of major concern for public health systems, and a frequent test subject for oncological research. In this narrative, we identify the main hot topics for clinics and the basic science of urological cancer in the last few years (from 2021 onwards), considering the information given in the abstracts of almost 300 original articles published in outstanding journals of pathology, urology, and basic science. Once defined, for the top ten list of hot topics (the 2022 WHO update on the classification of urinary and male genital tumors, new entities in kidney cancer, urinary cancer-omics, update on the Gleason grading system, targeted therapies and other novel therapies in renal cancer, news on non-muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma, artificial intelligence in urologic cancer, intratumor heterogeneity influence in therapeutic failures in urologic neoplasms, intratumor microbiome and its influence in urologic tumor aggressiveness, and ecological principles and mathematics applied to urogenital cancer study), each issue is independently reviewed in an attempt to put together the most relevant updates and/or useful features accompanied by selected illustrations. This review article addresses some of the most interesting and current hot spots in urogenital basic cancer research and clinics and is mainly aimed toward clinicians, including pathologists, urologists, and oncologists. Readers are invited to explore each topic for further, more detailed information, in addition to the references provided.

Multi-omics pan-cancer analysis reveals the diagnostic and prognostic value of C8orf76, with experimental validation of its impact on lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation

Background

Chromosome 8 open reading frame 76 (C8orf76) is a nuclear protein-encoding gene, has received limited attention in current study. Multi-omics pan-cancer analysis focused on the diagnosis, prognosis, immune cell infiltration, methylation, and anti-cancer drug sensitivity remains an enigma. The effect of C8orf76 on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is unknown.

Methods

Multi-omics pan-cancer analysis by utilizing datasets including UALCAN, TIMER 2.0, Human Protein Atlas (HPA), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), cBioPortal, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), OncoDB, and MethSurv datasets, were conducted to analyze C8orf76 across 33 cancer types. Furthermore, differential R packages were uesd for an in-depth analysis of C8orf76. The correlation between C8orf76 expression and diagnostic, prognosis, genetic alteration, mRNA modification, DNA methylation, lncRNA-miRNA-C8orf76 regulatory network, immune cell infiltration, and anti-tumor drugs response were explored to evaluate the potential roles of C8orf76. Most importantly, experiments including quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), RNA interference (RNAi), Western blotting (WB), and Edu staining, were performed for experimental verification.

Results

It was noted that the C8orf76 expression was markedly elevated across multiple tumor types. Moreover, C8orf76 showed potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. Besides, it was confirmed that the expression of C8orf76 was related to DNA methylation, mRNA modification, and the infiltration of immune cells. The lncRNA-miRNA-C8orf76 network was established in the study of LUAD. Experimental validation in LUAD A549 cells demonstrated that the knockdown of C8orf76 significantly inhibited cell proliferation in LUAD.

Conclusion

The present study is the first to report that the multi-omics pan-cancer analysis predicts C8orf76 as a promising target in cancer prognosis, diagnosis, immunology, and chemotherapy, highlighting its influence on cell proliferation in LUAD with experimental validation.

Single-cell multi-stage spatial evolutional map of esophageal carcinogenesis

Cancer development involves the co-evolution of cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment, yet the dynamics of this interaction within the physical architecture remains poorly understood. Here, we present a spatial transcriptomic map at single-cell resolution, encompassing 127 multi-stage fields of view from 43 patients, to chart the evolutionary trajectories of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). By analyzing 6.4 million cells, we reveal that ESCC progression is driven by a proliferative epithelial cell subpopulation that acquires dedifferentiated and invasive characteristics. At the late precancerous stage, these cells disrupt the epithelial-stromal interface and recruit normal fibroblasts via JAG1-NOTCH1 signaling, transforming them into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). This interaction leads to the formation of a "CAF-Epi" (CAF and epithelial cell) niche at the tumor edge that shields the tumor from immune surveillance. The CAF-Epi niche formation is a key indicator of progression in ESCC and other squamous cell carcinomas and patient outcomes.

Targeting tumor monocyte-intrinsic PD-L1 by rewiring STING signaling and enhancing STING agonist therapy

STING is an important DNA sensing machinery in initiating immune response, yet therapies targeting STING have shown poor outcomes in clinical trials. Here, we reveal that STING signaling induces PD-L1hi tumor monocytes (Tu.Mons) that dominate the resistance against STING agonist therapy. Cell-intrinsic PD-L1, induced by the STING-IRF3-IFN-I axis, is identified as the driving factor for protumoral PD-L1hi Tu.Mons. Notably, TLR2-activated Tu.Mons resist STING-induced upregulation of cell-intrinsic PD-L1 and the associated protumoral functions. Mechanistically, TLR2 stimulation remodels STING signaling by facilitating STING and TRAF6 interaction, which suppresses the IRF3-IFN-I response and enhances NF-κB activation. Moreover, we demonstrate that combining STING agonists with TLR2 agonist pretreatment significantly improves antitumor efficacy in murine syngeneic and humanized models. Our findings uncover a protumoral aspect of STING activation mediated by cell-intrinsic PD-L1 and propose a promising strategy to boost antitumor immunity by fine-tuning STING signaling outputs.

LPIN3 promotes colorectal cancer growth by dampening intratumoral CD8+ T cell effector function

LPIN3 has emerged as a key factor in a variety of malignancies, although its precise role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. By analyzing the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we discovered that the expression pattern of LPIN3 and the relevant makeup of the immune microenvironment were immensely diverse among tumors. LPIN3 is abundantly expressed in CRC and may enhance tumor growth by activating the β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, we discovered that LPIN3 might reduce tumor antigen presentation signals, hence suppressing CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Furthermore, high expression of LPIN3 predicts decreased CD8+ T cell infiltration and effector function via bioinformatics analysis. Indeed, CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity as well as CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation in vivo were strengthened by LPIN3 knockdown. To sum up, our results highlight the part that LPIN3 plays in driving the progression of CRC by regulating β-catenin signaling and CD8+ T cell activity.

Dual‐Responsive PPy‐AIPH@LA Nanoplatform for Synergistic Photothermal and Thermodynamic Therapy of Colorectal Cancer

In this study, we introduce a novel nanoplatform, polypyrrole (PPy)‐2,2′‐Azobis[2‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl)propane] dihydrochloride (AIPH)@lauric acid (LA) (PPy‐AIPH@LA) nanoparticles (NPs), designed to overcome these limitations through synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). This dual‐responsive system incorporates PPy for efficient photothermal conversion, AIPH for thermos‐responsive and oxygen‐independent free radical generation, and LA as a thermally responsive encapsulation layer. The LA coating melts upon 808 nm near‐infrared laser irradiation, releasing AIPH and free radicals to enable precise spatiotemporal activation of therapeutic effects. PPy‐AIPH@LA demonstrates exceptional photothermal conversion efficiency (55.74%) and generates sufficient radicals to enhance PDT efficacy, even in hypoxic tumor microenvironments. In vitro studies revealed concentration‐dependent tumor cell ablation and inhibition of migration, while in vivo experiments showed that the combined PTT‐PDT treatment achieved an impressive 90.7% tumor growth inhibition rate in a mouse colon cancer cells CT‐26 murine model, with no significant systemic toxicity. Molecular analyses further revealed modulations in pathways associated with tumor metabolism, apoptosis, and immune escape, highlighting the comprehensive therapeutic potential of this nanoplatform. These findings underscore the potential of PPy‐AIPH@LA as a safe, effective, and minimally invasive nanotherapeutic platform for combating CRC and other solid tumors.

Resistance to immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: Unraveling causes, developing effective strategies, and exploring potential breakthroughs

Over the last two decades, advancements in deciphering the intricate interactions between oncology and immunity have fueled a meteoric rise in immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer, typified by an explosive growth of immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, resistance to immunotherapy remains inevitable. Herein we unravel the labyrinthine mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy, characterized by their involvement of nearly all types of cells within the body, beyond the extrinsic cancer cells, and importantly, such cells are not only (inhibitory or excitatory, or both) signal recipients but also producers, acting in a context-dependent manner. At the molecular level, these mechanisms underlie genetic and epigenetic aberrations, which are regulated by or regulate various protein kinases, growth factors, and cytokines with inherently dynamic and spatially heterogeneous properties. Additionally, macroscopic factors such as nutrition, comorbidities, and the microbiome within and around organs or tumor cells are involved. Therefore, developing therapeutic strategies combined with distinct action informed by preclinical, clinical, and real-world evidence, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, antibody-drug conjugates, oncolytic viruses, and cell-based therapies, may stand as a judicious reality, although the ideality is to overcome resistance point-by-point through a novel drug. Notably, we highlight a realignment of treatment aims, moving the primary focus from eliminating cancer cells -- such as through chemotherapy and radiotherapy -- to promoting immune modulation and underscore the value of regulating various components within the host macro- or micro-environment, as their effects, even if seemingly minimal, can cumulatively contribute to visible clinical benefit when applied in combination with ICIs. Lastly, this review also emphasizes the current hurdles scattered throughout preclinical and clinical studies, and explores evolving directions in the landscape of immunotherapy for NSCLC.

Divergent roles of PKM2 in regulating PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression and their implications in human and mouse cancer models

Cancer cells evade immune detection through checkpoint molecules like PD-L1 and PD-L2 which suppress T-cell activation. While PD-L1 is well-studied, the role of PD-L2 remains unclear. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), a metabolic enzyme, influences immune checkpoint regulation, but its role in PD-L1 and PD-L2 modulation is not well defined. Here, we investigate the role of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in modulating the immune checkpoint molecules PD-L1 and PD-L2 via GATA3 in cancer cells, with insights from both human and mouse models. We find that PKM2 enhances PD-L1 expression while inhibiting PD-L2, a dual regulatory mechanism that facilitates immune evasion. Knockdown and overexpression experiments revealed GATA3 as a key mediator. PKM2 knockout reduced GATA3 level, leading to decreased PD-L1 and increased PD-L2 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR demonstrates that GATA3 functions as a direct transcription factor capable of binding to the promoters of PD-L1 and PD-L2. In silico analyses of 81 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cases from the TCGA database demonstrate that PKM2 mRNA is unrelated to PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression but is negatively correlated with CD8 + T-cell infiltration in ESCC. To further validate these findings, we establish a xenograft model using immune-competent C57/BL6N mice, where knockdown of PKM2 results in significant downregulation of both PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression. Collectively, these findings underscore the divergent roles of PKM2 in regulating immune checkpoint expression in human and mouse cancer models and suggest that targeting the PKM2-GATA3 axis could enhance cancer immunotherapy by fine-tuning PD-L1 and PD-L2 levels.

Integrative analysis of T cell-mediated tumor killing-related genes reveals KIF11 as a novel therapeutic target in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are emerging promising agents for the treatment of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), however, there are only a small proportion respond to ICI therapy. Therefore, selecting candidate patients who will benefit the most from these drugs is critical. However, validated biomarkers for predicting immunotherapy response and overall survival are lacking. As the fundamental principle of ICI therapy is T cell-mediated tumor killing (TTK), we aimed to develop a unique TTK-related gene prognostic index (TTKPI) for predicting survival outcomes and responses to immune-based therapy in ESCC patients.

METHODS

Transcriptomic and clinical information of ESCC patients were from the GSE53625, GSE53624, GSE47404 and TCGA datasets. TTK-related genes were from the TISIDB database. The LASSO Cox regression model was employed to create the TTKPI. The prediction potential of the TTKPI was evaluated using the KM curve and time-dependent ROC curve analysis. Finally, the relationship between TTKPI and immunotherapy efficacy was investigated in clinical trials of ICIs (GSE91061, GSE135222, IMvigor210 cohort). The role of KIF11 in accelerating tumor progression was validated via a variety of functional experiments, including western blot, CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing scratch, and xenograft tumor model. The KIF11 expression was detected by multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray from ESCC patients.

RESULTS

We constructed the TTKPI based on 8 TTK-related genes. The TTKPI low-risk patients exhibited better overall survival. TTKPI was significantly and positively correlated with the main immune checkpoint molecules levels. Furthermore, the low-risk patients were more prone to reap the benefits of immunotherapy in the cohort undergoing anti-PD-L1 therapy. Moreover, we performed functional experiments on KIF11, which ranked as the most significant prognostic risk gene among the 8 TTK-related genes. Our findings identified that KIF11 knockdown significantly hindered cell proliferation and mobility in ESCC cells. The KIF11 expression was negatively related with CD8+ T cell infiltration in ESCC patient samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The TTKPI is a promising biomarker for accurately determining survival and predicting the effectiveness of immunotherapy in ESCC patients. This risk indicator can help patients receive timely and precise early intervention, thereby advancing personalized medicine and facilitating precise immuno-oncology research. KIF11 plays a crucial role in driving tumor proliferation and migration and may act as a potential tumor biomarker of ESCC.

Mitochondrial succinate feeds T cell exhaustion in cancer

Mitochondrial fitness is critical for effector CD8+ T cell responses against cancer. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Ma et al. delineate a novel mechanism linking defects in mitochondrial metabolism as elicited by prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1) to T cell exhaustion and reduced tumor sensitivity to immunotherapy.

Reinforcing cancer immunotherapy with engineered porous hollow mycobacterium tuberculosis loaded with tumor neoantigens

BACKGROUND

Enhancing antigen cross-presentation is essential for the development of a tumor neoantigen vaccine. One approach is to stimulate antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to uptake neoantigens. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) contains pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) recognized by APCs and adhesion molecules that facilitate MTb invasion of APCs. Therefore, we suggest using MTb as a carrier to enhance APC phagocytosis of neoantigens, thereby promoting antigen cross-presentation.

METHODS

The successful preparation of the MTb carrier (phMTb) was confirmed through electron and confocal microscopy. Fluorescence microscopy was used to detect PAMPs and adhesion molecules on phMTb as well as to observe its role in aiding dendritic cells (DCs) in antigen uptake into endosomes or lysosomes. Flow cytometry was used to assess the retention of PAMPs and adhesion molecules on phMTb, investigate antigen uptake by DCs, evaluate their activation and maturation status, examine the presentation of tumor neoantigens, and analyze immune cells in draining lymph nodes and tumor tissues. The efficacy of phMTb vaccine formulations in combination with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody therapy was assessed using the MC38 mouse tumor models. Adverse effects were evaluated through H&E staining of major organs, assessment of reproductive capability and detection of biochemical indices.

RESULTS

The engineered porous hollow phMTb carrier successfully encapsulated model tumor neoantigens, with or without the adjuvant CpG. The phMTb retained PAMPs and adhesion molecules on its surface, similar to the parental MTb, thereby enhancing DC uptake of phMTb and its formulations containing tumor neoantigens and CpG. Vaccines formulated with phMTb facilitated DC maturation, activation, cross-presentation of tumor neoantigens, and promoted migration of phMTb-laden DCs to lymph nodes, enhancing effector and memory CD8+ T lymphocyte function. In murine tumor models, immunization with phMTb-formulated neoantigen vaccines elicited a robust tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte immune response with minimal adverse effects. Additionally, vaccination with phMTb-formulated neoantigen vaccines effectively reversed the tumor's immune-suppressive microenvironment. Concurrent administration of the PD-1 antibody with the phMTb-formulated neoantigen vaccine exhibited significant synergistic therapeutic effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study highlight the potential clinical translation of personalized tumor neoantigen vaccines using the phMTb carrier.

Inhibition of SIRT4 promotes bladder cancer progression and immune escape via attenuating CD8+ T cells function

BACKGROUND

Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common malignancies of the urinary system and is characterized by a high recurrence rate and significant mortality. Sirtuin 4 (SIRT4), a member of the NAD+-dependent deacetylase and ADP-ribosyltransferase family, is involved in regulating cellular metabolism, DNA repair, and longevity, potentially influencing tumor progression and immune escape. This study aimed to elucidate the role of SIRT4 in BCa.

METHODS

The correlation between the sirtuin family and immunotherapy sensitivity in BCa patients was analyzed via IMvigor210 data. The clinical significance and immunological role of SIRT4 across multiple cancer types were assessed by evaluating its associations with clinicopathologic features, prognosis, tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), immune cell infiltration, and immune response genes across 33 datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). SIRT4 expression was confirmed in BCa tissues, and its functions were examined via proliferation and migration assays. CD8+ T cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy individuals and activated with CD3 and CD28 antibodies and recombinant IL2. Coculture assays involving BCa cells and activated CD8+ T cells, alongside ELISA, were conducted to evaluate the immunological function of SIRT4.

RESULTS

SIRT4 was positively associated with the immunotherapy response of BCa patients on the basis of IMvigor210 data. Its expression was downregulated in 11 tumor types but upregulated in 3. SIRT4 was significantly correlated with tumor stage in 2 tumor types and showed varying associations with overall survival, progression-free survival, and disease-specific survival. Additionally, SIRT4 was correlated with TMB in 10 tumor types and with MSI in 8. GSEA indicated that SIRT4 was negatively associated with the immune response in 9 tumor types, excluding BCa. It was positively correlated with immune cell infiltration in 2 tumor types and negatively correlated in 6. The TCGA data revealed that SIRT4 was positively associated with activated NK cell infiltration but negatively associated with M1 macrophages, neutrophils, resting NK cells, and activated memory CD4 T cells. Enrichment analyses revealed positive correlations with various chemokines, immunoinhibitors, immunostimulators, lymphocytes, MHC molecules, and MHC receptors, suggesting that SIRT4 may enhance the immune response in BCa. Further experiments confirmed that SIRT4 was downregulated in BCa tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Inhibition of SIRT4 promoted BCa cell proliferation and migration, whereas knockdown of SIRT4 impaired the chemotaxis and tumor-killing ability of CD8+ T cells in the BCa tumor microenvironment.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, SIRT4 inhibits the progression and immune escape of BCa, indicating its potential as a novel biomarker and immune checkpoint for immunotherapy.

Epithelial miR-149-5p up-regulation is associated with immune evasion in progressive bronchial premalignant lesions

The molecular drivers bronchial premalignant lesion progression to invasive lung squamous cell carcinoma are not well defined. Prior work profiling longitudinally collected bronchial premalignant lesion biopsies by RNA sequencing defined a proliferative subtype, enriched with bronchial dysplasia. We found that a gene co-expression module associated with interferon gamma signaling and antigen processing/presentation was down-regulated in progressive/persistent versus regressive lesions within the proliferative subtype, suggesting a functional impact of these genes on immune evasion. RNA from these same premalignant lesions was profiled by microRNA (miRNA) sequencing and a miRNA-gene network analysis identified hsa-miR-149-5p as a potential regulator of this antigen presentation gene co-expression module associated with lesion progression. hsa-miR-149-5p was found to be predominantly expressed in the epithelium and up-regulated in progressive/persistent versus regressive proliferative lesions while targets of this miRNA, the transcriptional coactivator of MHC-I gene expression, NLRC5 , and the genes it regulates were down-regulated. MicroRNA in situ hybridization of hsa-miR-149-5p in tissue from adjacent fixed biopsies showed that hsa-miR-149-5p was increased in areas of bronchial dysplasia in progressive/persistent versus regressive lesions. Imaging mass cytometry showed that NLRC5 protein expression was decreased in progressive/persistent versus regressive lesions within areas of hyperplasia, metaplasia, and dysplasia. Additionally, basal cells with high versus low levels of NLRC5 were found to be in close spatial proximity to CD8 T cells, suggesting that these cells exhibit increased functional MHC-I gene expression in lesions with low hsa-miR-149-5p expression. Collectively, our data suggests a functional role for hsa-miR-149-5p in bronchial premalignant lesions and may serve as a therapeutic target for PML immunomodulation.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Integrative analysis across bronchial premalignant lesions has identified and localized a potential regulator of immune evasion in progressive/persistent lesions that could be a novel therapeutic target.

Epigenomic Echoes-Decoding Genomic and Epigenetic Instability to Distinguish Lung Cancer Types and Predict Relapse

Genomic and epigenomic instability are defining features of cancer, driving tumor progression, heterogeneity, and therapeutic resistance. Central to this process are epigenetic echoes, persistent and dynamic modifications in DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNA regulation, and chromatin remodeling that mirror underlying genomic chaos and actively influence cancer cell behavior. This review delves into the complex relationship between genomic instability and these epigenetic echoes, illustrating how they collectively shape the cancer genome, affect DNA repair mechanisms, and contribute to tumor evolution. However, the dynamic, context-dependent nature of epigenetic changes presents scientific and ethical challenges, particularly concerning privacy and clinical applicability. Focusing on lung cancer, we examine how specific epigenetic patterns function as biomarkers for distinguishing cancer subtypes and monitoring disease progression and relapse.

Evaluation and In Situ Library Expansion of Small Molecule MHC-I Inducers

Immunotherapy has emerged as a powerful strategy for combating cancer by harnessing the patient immune system to recognize and eliminate malignant cells. The major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) has a pivotal role in the recognition step. These surface proteins present cancer-specific neoantigens to CD8+ T cells, which triggers activation and T cell-mediated killing. However, cancer cells can often evade immune detection by downregulating MHC-I surface expression, which renders the immune response less effective. In turn, this resistance mechanism offers an opportunity to bolster MHC-I surface expression via therapeutic interventions. Here, we conducted an initial comprehensive evaluation of previously purported small molecule MHC-I inducers and identified heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors as privileged inducers of MHC-I surface expression. With a core scaffold in hand, we employed an in situ click chemistry-based derivatization strategy to generate 380 novel compounds in the same family. New agents from this library showed high levels of induction, with one of the triazole-based analogs, CliMB-325, also enhancing T cell activation and exhibiting lower toxicity, which could potentiate some immunotherapeutic modalities. Moreover, we demonstrated the potential of a click chemistry-based diversification strategy for the discovery of small molecules to counter immune evasion.

A novel pharmacological entity toward integrated multimodal immunotherapy

Most solid tumors are insensitive to single-agent immunotherapy, calling for the development of combinatorial treatment regimens. Recently, Lin and collaborators developed a pharmacological platform enabling the combination of different immunotherapies into a single chemical entity. This approach may effectively circumvent obstacles associated with the simultaneous delivery of multiple immunotherapeutic agents.

NF-κB signaling and the tumor microenvironment in osteosarcoma: implications for immune evasion and therapeutic resistance

Osteosarcoma, a highly aggressive malignancy with a generally poor prognosis, is characterized by tumor cells' ability to evade immune responses and resist treatment. The nuclear transcription factor NF-κB signaling pathway is crucial in regulating inflammatory and immune reactions. It occupies a central position in the development of the osteosarcoma tumor microenvironment. This research aimed to explore how NF-κB influences the recruitment and polarization of tumor-associated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, both of which contribute to immunosuppression. Furthermore, NF-κB facilitates immune surveillance evasion in osteosarcoma cells by altering the expression of immune checkpoint molecules, such as PD-L1. It also enhances tumor cell resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy by activating anti-apoptotic signaling pathways and exacerbating treatment-induced inflammation. Potential therapeutic approaches include using NF-κB inhibitors, possibly in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, to overcome tumor cell resistance mechanisms and reshape antitumor immune responses. A thorough examination of NF-κB's role in osteosarcoma development is expected to yield novel clinical treatment strategies, and significantly improve patient prognosis by targeting this key signaling pathway.

Evolutionary trajectories of immune escape across cancers

Immune escape is a critical hallmark of cancer progression and underlies resistance to multiple immunotherapies. However, it remains unclear when the genetic events associated with immune escape occur during cancer development. Here, we integrate functional genomics studies of immunomodulatory genes with a tumor evolution reconstruction approach to infer the evolution of immune escape across 38 cancer types from the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes dataset. Different cancers favor mutations in different immunomodulatory pathways. For example, the antigen presentation machinery is highly mutated in colorectal adenocarcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma, and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, and the protein methylation pathway is highly mutated in bladder transitional cell carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma. We also observe different timing patterns in multiple immunomodulatory pathways. For instance, mutations impacting genes involved in cellular amino acid metabolism were more likely to happen late in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Mutations in the glucocorticoid receptor regulatory network pathway tended to occur early, while mutations in the TNF pathways were more likely to occur late in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Mutations in the NOD1/2 signaling pathway and DNA binding transcription factor activity tended to happen late in breast adenocarcinoma and ovarian adenocarcinoma. Together, these results delineate the evolutionary trajectories of immune escape in different cancer types and highlight opportunities for improved immunotherapy of cancer.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression and Drug Resistance in the Context of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most difficult subtypes of breast cancer to treat due to its distinct clinical and molecular characteristics. Patients with TNBC face a high recurrence rate, an increased risk of metastasis, and lower overall survival compared to other breast cancer subtypes. Despite advancements in targeted therapies, traditional chemotherapy (primarily using platinum compounds and taxanes) continues to be the standard treatment for TNBC, often with limited long-term efficacy. TNBC tumors are heterogeneous, displaying a diverse mutation profile and considerable chromosomal instability, which complicates therapeutic interventions. The development of chemoresistance in TNBC is frequently associated with the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), during which epithelial tumor cells acquire a mesenchymal-like phenotype. This shift enhances metastatic potential, while simultaneously reducing the effectiveness of standard chemotherapeutics. It has also been suggested that EMT plays a central role in the development of cancer stem cells. Hence, there is growing interest in exploring small-molecule inhibitors that target the EMT process as a future strategy for overcoming resistance and improving outcomes for patients with TNBC. This review focuses on the progression and drug resistance of TNBC with an emphasis on the role of EMT in these processes. We present TNBC-specific and EMT-related molecular features, key EMT protein markers, and various signaling pathways involved. We also discuss other important mechanisms and factors related to chemoresistance in TNBC within the context of EMT, highlighting treatment advancements to improve patients' outcomes.

Monitoring cellular dynamics upon infection using a holotomography-based approach

Many intracellular bacteria interfere with mitochondrial dynamics or target other organelles, thereby inducing a specific cellular response that could emerge as a strategy of the pathogen to ensure its survival, or as a form of defense employed by the host cell to restrict dissemination. In this context, the concomitant monitoring of both pathogen migration and (intra)cellular dynamics in live cells emerges as a pivotal aspect for the comprehension of the infection sequence and to visualize the pathogen-mediated remodeling that could occur to the entire cellular system. Holotomographic microscopy can be used to achieve this goal, allowing the simultaneous analysis of both bacterial movement and intracellular alteration for extended periods of time, with high spatial resolution and avoiding side-effects due to phototoxicity. Here we provide a holotomography-based approach to detect Listeria monocytogenes dynamics and its effects on the entire cellular system at morphological level.

Targeting immune evasion in hepatocellular carcinoma-initiating cells

Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are particularly efficient at evading detection and elimination by the human immune system. Recent data from Yang and collaborators demonstrate that - at least in preclinical hepatocellular carcinoma models - the immunological privilege of CD49f+ TICs can be limited by targeting CD155, resulting in restored sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Immunogenicity of cell death and cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors

While immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the clinical management of various malignancies, a large fraction of patients are refractory to ICIs employed as standalone therapeutics, necessitating the development of combinatorial treatment strategies. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers have attracted considerable interest as combinatorial partners for ICIs, at least in part owing to their ability to initiate a tumor-targeting adaptive immune response. However, compared with either approach alone, combinatorial regimens involving ICD inducers and ICIs have not always shown superior clinical activity. Here, we discuss accumulating evidence on the therapeutic interactions between ICD inducers and immunotherapy with ICIs in oncological settings, identify key factors that may explain discrepancies between preclinical and clinical findings, and propose strategies that address existing challenges to increase the efficacy of these combinations in patients with cancer.

Heterogeneous intratumor irradiation: a new partner for immunotherapy

We recently demonstrated that a heterogeneous tumor irradiation strategy, combining high-dose and low-dose radiotherapy (RT) within the same tumor volume, can synergize with immunotherapy in mice. Our findings indicate that heterogeneous RT doses may promote the spatial diversification of the antitumor immune response. Spatial fractionation of the RT dose has the potential to enhance the therapeutic index of RT/IO combinations, particularly in scenarios where irradiating the entire tumor volume is unfeasible or excessively harmful to the patient.

The Immune Landscape and Its Potential for Immunotherapy in Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer

Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are a highly heterogeneous group of cancers at the genomic, epigenetic and molecular levels. The vast majority of patients initially present at an advanced (unresectable) disease stage due to a lack of symptoms and an aggressive tumour biology. Chemotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment in patients with advanced BTC but the survival outcomes and prognosis remain poor. The addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) to chemotherapy have shown only a marginal benefit over chemotherapy alone due to the complex tumour immune microenvironment of these cancers. This review appraises our current understanding of the immune landscape of advanced BTC, including emerging transcriptome-based classifications, highlighting the mechanisms of immune evasion and resistance to ICI and their therapeutic implications. It describes the shifting treatment paradigm from traditional chemotherapy to immunotherapy combinations as well as the potential biomarkers for predicting response to ICI.

Cytoplasmic HMGB2 orchestrates CALR translocation in the course of immunogenic cell death

A recent in vitro study showed that pharmacological inhibition of the nuclear export receptor XPO1 suppresses oxaliplatin-induced nuclear release of HMGB1 and HMGB2, as well as the translocation of CALR to the plasma membrane. Moreover, cell-targeted-HMGB2 protein potently induced CALR exposure, even in the absence of oxaliplatin.

Targeting CDK2 to circumvent treatment resistance in HR+ breast cancer

Genetic and epigenetic defects of the p53 system have previously been associated with resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors in women with HR+ breast cancer. Recent data from Kudo et al. demonstrate that CDK2-targeting agents may offer an effective strategy to circumvent such resistance by enforcing cellular senescence downstream of RBL2 dephosphorylation.

The roles of LncRNA CARMN in cancers: biomarker potential, therapeutic targeting, and immune response

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression and cellular processes, with significant implications for cancer research. This review focuses on the role of LncRNA CARMN (Cardiac Arrest and Regulated Myocyte Nuclear Protein) in various cancers. CARMN, originally identified for its function in cardiac tissues, has shown dysregulated expression in several tumor types, including cervical, breast, colorectal, and esophageal cancers. Its altered expression often correlates with tumor progression, metastasis, and patient prognosis, suggesting its potential as both a biomarker and therapeutic target. In cervical cancer, CARMN's role as a tumor suppressor is highlighted by its ability to inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through interaction with the miR-92a-3p/BTG2 axis and modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In breast cancer, CARMN acts as an enhancer RNA, affecting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis by regulating MMP2 via DHX9. The downregulation of CARMN in triple-negative breast cancer is associated with enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy. In colorectal cancer, CARMN's expression is regulated by m6A methylation and mutant p53, influencing tumor growth through miR-5683 and FGF2. Lastly, in esophageal cancer, genetic variations in CARMN affect cancer susceptibility, with certain SNPs and haplotypes associated with either increased or decreased risk. Additionally, the relationship between CARMN and immune cell dynamics highlights its potential role in cancer immune surveillance and therapy. Finally, we found that CARMN may regulate immune cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment by influencing the recruitment and activation of NK cells and T cells, as well as modulating macrophage polarization. This review emphasizes the diverse roles of CARMN across different cancers and its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Future research should address the mechanistic details of CARMN's involvement in cancer, validate its clinical utility, and explore its therapeutic potential in combination with existing treatments.

Harnessing antibody-mediated recognition of the intracellular proteome with T cell receptor-like specificity

The clinical success of cancer immunotherapy has driven ongoing efforts to identify novel targets that can effectively guide potent effector functions to eliminate malignant cells. Traditionally, immunotherapies have focused on surface antigens; however, these represent only a small fraction of the cancer proteome, limiting their therapeutic potential. In contrast, the majority of proteins within the human proteome are intracellular, yet they are represented on the cell surface as short peptides presented by MHC class I molecules. These peptide-MHC complexes offer a vast and largely untapped resource for cancer immunotherapy targets. The intracellular proteome, including neo-antigens, presents an exciting opportunity for the development of novel cell-based and soluble immunotherapies. Targeting these intracellular-derived peptide-MHC molecules on malignant cell surfaces can be achieved using specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) or TCR-mimicking antibodies, known as TCR-like (TCRL) antibodies. Current therapeutic strategies under investigation include adoptive cell transfer of TCR-engineered or TCRL-T cells and CAR-T cells that target peptide-MHC complexes, as well as soluble TCR- and TCRL-based agents like bispecific T cell engagers. Recent clinical developments in targeting the intracellular proteome using TCRL- and TCR-based molecules have shown promising results, with two therapies recently receiving FDA approval for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma and synovial sarcoma. This review focuses on the processes for selecting and isolating TCR- and TCRL-based targeting moieties, with an emphasis on pre-clinical and clinical studies that explore the potential of peptide-MHC targeting agents in cancer immunotherapy.

Cannabigerol (CBG): A Comprehensive Review of Its Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential

Cannabigerol (CBG), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent with a diverse range of potential applications. Unlike its well-known counterpart tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBG does not induce intoxication, making it an attractive option in the clinic. Recent research has shed light on CBG's intriguing molecular mechanisms, highlighting its potential to modulate multiple physiological processes. This review delves into the current understanding of CBG's molecular interactions and explores its therapeutic power to alleviate various conditions, including cancer, metabolic, pain, and inflammatory disorders, amongst others. We discuss how CBG interacts with the endocannabinoid system and other key signaling pathways, such as CB1, CB2, TPR channels, and α2-adrenoceptor, potentially influencing inflammation, pain, neurodegeneration, and other ailments. Additionally, we highlight the ongoing research efforts aimed at elucidating the full spectrum of CBG's therapeutic potential and its safety profile in clinical settings. Through this comprehensive analysis, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of CBG's role in promoting human health and pave the way for future research endeavors.

A multi-subunit autophagic capture complex facilitates degradation of ER stalled MHC-I in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) evades immune detection partly via autophagic capture and lysosomal degradation of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I). Why MHC-I is susceptible to capture via autophagy remains unclear. By synchronizing exit of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), we show that PDAC cells display prolonged retention of MHC-I in the ER and fail to efficiently route it to the plasma membrane. A capture-complex composed of NBR1 and the ER-phagy receptor TEX264 facilitates targeting of MHC-I for autophagic degradation, and suppression of either receptor is sufficient to increase total levels and re-route MHC-I to the plasma membrane. Binding of MHC-I to the capture complex is linked to antigen presentation efficiency, as inhibiting antigen loading via knockdown of TAP1 or beta 2-Microglobulin led to increased binding between MHC-I and the TEX264-NBR1 capture complex. Conversely, expression of ER directed high affinity antigenic peptides led to increased MHC-I at the cell surface and reduced lysosomal degradation. A genome-wide CRISPRi screen identified NFXL1, as an ER-resident E3 ligase that binds to MHC-I and mediates its autophagic capture. High levels of NFXL1 are negatively correlated with MHC-I protein expression and predicts poor patient prognosis. These data highlight an ER resident capture complex tasked with sequestration and degradation of non-conformational MHC-I in PDAC cells, and targeting this complex has the potential to increase PDAC immunogenicity.