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Cyberski TF, Singh A, Korzinkin M, Mishra V, Pun F, Shen L, Wing C, Cheng X, Baird B, Miao Y, Elkabets M, Kochanny S, Guo W, Dyer E, Pearson AT, Juloori A, Lingen M, Cole G, Zhavoronkov A, Agrawal N, Izumchenko E, Rosenberg AJ. Acquired resistance to immunotherapy and chemoradiation in MYC amplified head and neck cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:114. [PMID: 38783041 PMCID: PMC11116544 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00606-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The proto-oncogene MYC encodes a nuclear transcription factor that has an important role in a variety of cellular processes, such as cell cycle progression, proliferation, metabolism, adhesion, apoptosis, and therapeutic resistance. MYC amplification is consistently observed in aggressive forms of several solid malignancies and correlates with poor prognosis and distant metastases. While the tumorigenic effects of MYC in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are well known, the molecular mechanisms by which the amplification of this gene may confer treatment resistance, especially to immune checkpoint inhibitors, remains under-investigated. Here we present a unique case of a patient with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) HNSCC who, despite initial response to nivolumab-based treatment, developed rapidly progressive metastatic disease after the acquisition of MYC amplification. We conducted comparative transcriptomic analysis of this patient's tumor at baseline and upon progression to interrogate potential molecular processes through which MYC may confer resistance to immunotherapy and/or chemoradiation and used TCGA-HNSC dataset and an institutional cohort to further explore clinicopathologic features and key molecular networks associated with MYC amplification in HNSCC. This study highlights MYC amplification as a potential mechanism of immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance and suggest its use as a predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target in R/M HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F Cyberski
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alka Singh
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Vasudha Mishra
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Frank Pun
- Insilico Medicine, Pak Shek Kok, Hong Kong
| | - Le Shen
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Claudia Wing
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xiangying Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brandon Baird
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yuxuan Miao
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Sara Kochanny
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wenji Guo
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Emma Dyer
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexander T Pearson
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Aditya Juloori
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mark Lingen
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Grayson Cole
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Nishant Agrawal
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Evgeny Izumchenko
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Ari J Rosenberg
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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2
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Han Q, Shi J, Liu J, Fu Y, Li Z, Guo H, Guan X, Xue X, Liu H, Zhao L, Zhang C. Decoding the research landscape of drug resistance and therapeutic approaches in head and neck cancer: a bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2023. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1375110. [PMID: 38645557 PMCID: PMC11026562 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1375110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Head and neck cancer is one of the most common tumors worldwide. However, drug resistance in its treatment has become a major factor limiting the efficacy. This study aims to comprehensively understand the current status of research in this field. Methods The study analyzes papers related to therapeutic resistance in head and neck cancer published between 2000 and 2023 in the Web of Science Core Collection To achieve the research objectives, we searched the WoSCC for research and review papers on therapeutic resistance in head and neck cancer from 2000 to 2023, screened the English literature, and analyzed the research hotspots, academic collaborations, and trends in detail using tools such as Citespace, SCImago Graphica, and VOS viewer. Results This study summarizes 787 head and neck cancer treatment resistance publications from WoSCC. The analysis showed that China and the United States are the major contributors in this field, and Grandis Jennifer R and Yang Jai-Sing are the key scholars. Keyword analysis showed that "cisplatin resistance" is a continuing focus of attention, while "Metastasis" and "Ferroptosis" may be emerging research hotspots. Literature clustering analysis pointed out that "Ferroptosis", "Immunotherapy" and "ERK signaling" were the recent hotspots that received extensive attention and citations. Finally, we discuss the current status and challenges in drug-resistant therapies for head and neck cancer. Conclusion This study is the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of drug resistance in head and neck cancer. Reveals current trends and helps researchers grasp cutting-edge hotspots in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Han
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Junqi Shi
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, The First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jiaojiao Liu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, The First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yang Fu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhongxun Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Huina Guo
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaoya Guan
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xuting Xue
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hongliang Liu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, the Basic Medical School of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Liting Zhao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chunming Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Shanxi Province Clinical Medical Research Center for Precision Medicine of Head and Neck Cancer, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Meci A, Goyal N, Slonimsky G. Mechanisms of Resistance and Therapeutic Perspectives in Immunotherapy for Advanced Head and Neck Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:703. [PMID: 38398094 PMCID: PMC10887076 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is emerging as an effective treatment for advanced head and neck cancers and interest in this treatment modality has led to rapid expansion of this research. Pembrolizumab and nivolumab, monoclonal antibodies directed against the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor, are US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- and European Medical Agency (EMA)-approved immunotherapies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Resistance to immunotherapy is common, with about 60% of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC not responding to immunotherapy and only 20-30% of patients without disease progression in the long term. Overcoming resistance to immunotherapy is therefore essential for augmenting the effectiveness of immunotherapy in HNSCC. This review details the innate and adaptive mechanisms by which head and neck cancers can become resistant to immunotherapeutic agents, biomarkers that can be used for immunotherapy patient selection, as well as other factors of the tumor microenvironment correlated with therapeutic response and prognosis. Numerous combinations and novel immunotherapies are currently being trialed, based on better understood immune evasion mechanisms. These potential treatments hold the promise of overcoming resistance to immunotherapy in head and neck cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Meci
- The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Neerav Goyal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Dr, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Guy Slonimsky
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Dr, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
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Kostecki KL, Iida M, Crossman BE, Salgia R, Harari PM, Bruce JY, Wheeler DL. Immune Escape Strategies in Head and Neck Cancer: Evade, Resist, Inhibit, Recruit. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:312. [PMID: 38254801 PMCID: PMC10814769 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) arise from the mucosal lining of the aerodigestive tract and are often associated with alcohol use, tobacco use, and/or human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Over 600,000 new cases of HNC are diagnosed each year, making it the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Historically, treatments have included surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and while these treatments are still the backbone of current therapy, several immunotherapies have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in HNC. The role of the immune system in tumorigenesis and cancer progression has been explored since the early 20th century, eventually coalescing into the current three-phase model of cancer immunoediting. During each of the three phases-elimination, equilibrium, and escape-cancer cells develop and utilize multiple strategies to either reach or remain in the final phase, escape, at which point the tumor is able to grow and metastasize with little to no detrimental interference from the immune system. In this review, we summarize the many strategies used by HNC to escape the immune system, which include ways to evade immune detection, resist immune cell attacks, inhibit immune cell functions, and recruit pro-tumor immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourtney L. Kostecki
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Mari Iida
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Bridget E. Crossman
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Paul M. Harari
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Justine Y. Bruce
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Deric L. Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA; (K.L.K.); (M.I.); (B.E.C.)
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
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Miraki Feriz A, Bahraini F, Khosrojerdi A, Azarkar S, Sajjadi SM, HosseiniGol E, Honardoost MA, Saghafi S, Silvestris N, Leone P, Safarpour H, Racanelli V. Deciphering the immune landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A single-cell transcriptomic analysis of regulatory T cell responses to PD-1 blockade therapy. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295863. [PMID: 38096229 PMCID: PMC10721039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is changing the Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) landscape and improving outcomes for patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. A deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is required in light of the limitations of patients' responses to immunotherapy. Here, we aimed to examine how Nivolumab affects infiltrating Tregs in the HNSCC TME. We used single-cell RNA sequencing data from eight tissues isolated from four HNSCC donors before and after Nivolumab treatment. Interestingly, the study found that Treg counts and suppressive activity increased following Nivolumab therapy. We also discovered that changes in the CD44-SSP1 axis, NKG2C/D-HLA-E axis, and KRAS signaling may have contributed to the increase in Treg numbers. Furthermore, our study suggests that decreasing the activity of the KRAS and Notch signaling pathways, and increasing FOXP3, CTLA-4, LAG-3, and GZMA expression, may be mechanisms that enhance the killing and suppressive capacity of Tregs. Additionally, the result of pseudo-temporal analysis of the HNSCC TME indicated that after Nivolumab therapy, the expression of certain inhibitory immune checkpoints including TIGIT, ENTPD1, and CD276 and LY9, were decreased in Tregs, while LAG-3 showed an increased expression level. The study also found that Tregs had a dense communication network with cluster two, and that certain ligand-receptor pairs, including SPP1/CD44, HLA-E/KLRC2, HLA-E/KLRK1, ANXA1/FPR3, and CXCL9/FCGR2A, had notable changes after the therapy. These changes in gene expression and cell interactions may have implications for the role of Tregs in the TME and in response to Nivolumab therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adib Miraki Feriz
- Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Bahraini
- Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran
| | | | - Setareh Azarkar
- Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences (BUMS), Birjand, Iran
| | | | - Edris HosseiniGol
- Department of Computer Engineering, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Honardoost
- Laboratory of Systems Biology and Data Analytics, Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Samira Saghafi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center (CMRC), BUMS, Birjand, Iran
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, BUMS, Birjand, Iran
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Human Pathology “G. Barresi”, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Patrizia Leone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | | | - Vito Racanelli
- Centre for Medical Sciences (CISMed), University of Trento and Internal Medicine Division, Santa Chiara Hospital, Provincial Health Care Agency (APSS), Trento, Italy
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6
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Liu Y, Wu Z, Fu Z, Han Y, Wang J, Zhang Y, Liang B, Tao Y, Zhang Y, Shen C, Xu Y, Yin S, Chen B, Liu Y, Pan H, Liang Z, Wu K. A predictive model of immune infiltration and prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma based on cell adhesion-related genes: including molecular biological validation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1190678. [PMID: 37691922 PMCID: PMC10484396 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1190678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Focal adhesion serves as a bridge between tumour cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) and has multiple roles in tumour invasion, migration, and therapeutic resistance. However, studies on focal adhesion-related genes (FARGs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are limited. Methods Data on HNSCC samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and GSE41613 datasets, and 199 FARGs were obtained from the Molecular Signatures database. The integrated datasets' dimensions were reduced by the use of cluster analysis, which was also used to classify patients with HNSCC into subclusters. A FARG signature model was developed and utilized to calculate each patient's risk score using least extreme shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis. The risk score was done to quantify the subgroups of all patients. We evaluated the model's value for prognostic prediction, immune infiltration status, and therapeutic response in HNSCC. Preliminary molecular and biological experiments were performed to verify these results. Results Two different HNSCC molecular subtypes were identified according to FARGs, and patients with C2 had a shorter overall survival (OS) than those with C1. We constructed an FARG signature comprising nine genes. We constructed a FARG signature consisting of nine genes. Patients with higher risk scores calculated from the FARG signature had a lower OS, and the FARG signature was considered an independent prognostic factor for HNSCC in univariate and multivariate analyses. FARGs are associated with immune cell invasion, gene mutation status, and chemosensitivity. Finally, we observed an abnormal overexpression of MAPK9 in HNSCC tissues, and MAPK9 knockdown greatly impeded the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cells. Conclusion The FARG signature can provide reliable prognostic prediction for patients with HNSCC. Apart from that, the genes in this model were related to immune invasion, gene mutation status, and chemosensitivity, which may provide new ideas for targeted therapies for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhechen Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ziyue Fu
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yanxun Han
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | | | - Yanqiang Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Bingyu Liang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ye Tao
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | | | - Yidan Xu
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Siyue Yin
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Bangjie Chen
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yehai Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Haifeng Pan
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhang Liang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kaile Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Venkatesiah SS, Augustine D, Mishra D, Gujjar N, Haragannavar VC, Awan KH, Patil S. Immunology of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Comprehensive Insight with Recent Concepts. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1807. [PMID: 36362963 PMCID: PMC9695443 DOI: 10.3390/life12111807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This review aims to understand the concept of oral cancer immunology through the notion of immune profiling, immunoediting and immunotherapy, and to gain knowledge regarding its application for the management of oral cancer patients. Oral cancer is an immunogenic tumor where the cells of the tumor microenvironment play an important role in tumorigenesis. Understanding the mechanism of these modulations can help design immunotherapeutic strategies in oral cancer patients. This article gives an overview of immunomodulation in the oral cancer tumor microenvironment, with concepts of immune profiling, immunoediting and immunotherapy. English literature searches via Google Scholar, Web of Science, EBSCO, Scopus, and PubMed database were performed with the key words immunology, tumor microenvironment, cells, cross talk, immune profiling, biomarkers, inflammation, gene expression, techniques, immunoediting, immunosurveillance, tumor escape, immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines in cancer, oral cancer, and head and neck cancer. Original research articles, reviews, and case reports published from 2016-2021 (n = 81) were included to appraise different topics, and were discussed under the following subsections. Literature published on oral cancer immunology reveals that oral cancer immune profiling with appropriate markers and techniques and knowledge on immunoediting concepts can help design and play an effective role in immunotherapeutic management of oral cancer patients. An evaluation of oral cancer immunology helps to determine its role in tumorigenesis, and immunotherapy could be the emerging drift in the effective management of oral cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sowmya Samudrala Venkatesiah
- Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, MSR Nagar, Bengaluru 560054, India
| | - Dominic Augustine
- Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, MSR Nagar, Bengaluru 560054, India
| | - Deepika Mishra
- Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi 110608, India
| | - Neethi Gujjar
- Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, MSR Nagar, Bengaluru 560054, India
| | - Vanishri C. Haragannavar
- Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, MSR Nagar, Bengaluru 560054, India
| | - Kamran Habib Awan
- College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, South Jordan, UT 84095, USA
| | - Shankargouda Patil
- College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, South Jordan, UT 84095, USA
- Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences University, Chennai 600077, India
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8
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How the Potassium Channel Response of T Lymphocytes to the Tumor Microenvironment Shapes Antitumor Immunity. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153564. [PMID: 35892822 PMCID: PMC9330401 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Competent antitumor immune cells are fundamental for tumor surveillance and combating active cancers. Once established, tumors generate a tumor microenvironment (TME) consisting of complex cellular and metabolic elements that serve to suppress the function of antitumor immune cells. T lymphocytes are key cellular elements of the TME. In this review, we explore the role of ion channels, particularly K+ channels, in mediating the suppressive effects of the TME on T cells. First, we will review the complex network of ion channels that mediate Ca2+ influx and control effector functions in T cells. Then, we will discuss how multiple features of the TME influence the antitumor capabilities of T cells via ion channels. We will focus on hypoxia, adenosine, and ionic imbalances in the TME, as well as overexpression of programmed cell death ligand 1 by cancer cells that either suppress K+ channels in T cells and/or benefit from regulating these channels’ activity, ultimately shaping the immune response. Finally, we will review some of the cancer treatment implications related to ion channels. A better understanding of the effects of the TME on ion channels in T lymphocytes could promote the development of more effective immunotherapies, especially for resistant solid malignancies.
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Schoenwaelder N, Krause M, Freitag T, Schneider B, Zonnur S, Zimpfer A, Becker AS, Salewski I, Strüder DF, Lemcke H, Grosse-Thie C, Junghanss C, Maletzki C. Preclinical Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Models for Combined Targeted Therapy Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102484. [PMID: 35626088 PMCID: PMC9139292 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to refine combined targeted approaches on well-characterized, low-passage tumor models. Upon in vivo xenografting in immunodeficient mice, three cell lines from locally advanced or metastatic HNSCC were established. Following quality control and basic characterization, drug response was examined after therapy with 5-FU, Cisplatin, and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (abemaciclib, THZ1). Our cell lines showed different in vitro growth kinetics, morphology, invasive potential, and radiosensitivity. All cell lines were sensitive to 5-FU, Cisplatin, and THZ1. One cell line (HNSCC48 P0 M1) was sensitive to abemaciclib. Here, Cyto-FISH revealed a partial CDKN2a deletion, which resulted from a R58* mutation. Moreover, this cell line demonstrated chromosome 12 polysomy, accompanied by an increase in CDK4-specific copy numbers. In HNSCC16 P1 M1, we likewise identified polysomy-associated CDK4-gains. Although not sensitive to abemaciclib per se, the cell line showed a G1-arrest, an increased number of acidic organelles, and a swollen structure. Notably, intrinsic resistance was conquered by Cisplatin because of cMYC and IDO-1 downregulation. Additionally, this Cisplatin-CDKI combination induced HLA-ABC and PD-L1 upregulation, which may enhance immunogenicity. Performing functional and molecular analysis on patient-individual HNSCC-models, we identified CDK4-gains as a biomarker for abemaciclib response prediction and describe an approach to conquer intrinsic CDKI resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Schoenwaelder
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (N.S.); (M.K.); (T.F.); (I.S.); (C.G.-T.); (C.J.)
| | - Mareike Krause
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (N.S.); (M.K.); (T.F.); (I.S.); (C.G.-T.); (C.J.)
| | - Thomas Freitag
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (N.S.); (M.K.); (T.F.); (I.S.); (C.G.-T.); (C.J.)
| | - Björn Schneider
- Institute of Pathology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (B.S.); (S.Z.); (A.Z.); (A.S.B.)
| | - Sarah Zonnur
- Institute of Pathology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (B.S.); (S.Z.); (A.Z.); (A.S.B.)
| | - Annette Zimpfer
- Institute of Pathology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (B.S.); (S.Z.); (A.Z.); (A.S.B.)
| | - Anne Sophie Becker
- Institute of Pathology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (B.S.); (S.Z.); (A.Z.); (A.S.B.)
| | - Inken Salewski
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (N.S.); (M.K.); (T.F.); (I.S.); (C.G.-T.); (C.J.)
| | - Daniel Fabian Strüder
- Head and Neck Surgery “Otto Koerner”, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Rostock University Medical Centre, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Heiko Lemcke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Reference and Translation Center for Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy (RTC), Rostock University Medical Center, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
- Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, Department Life, Light & Matter, University Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Christina Grosse-Thie
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (N.S.); (M.K.); (T.F.); (I.S.); (C.G.-T.); (C.J.)
| | - Christian Junghanss
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (N.S.); (M.K.); (T.F.); (I.S.); (C.G.-T.); (C.J.)
| | - Claudia Maletzki
- Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (N.S.); (M.K.); (T.F.); (I.S.); (C.G.-T.); (C.J.)
- Correspondence:
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10
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Galanin mediates tumor-induced immunosuppression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022; 45:241-256. [PMID: 35267186 PMCID: PMC9050779 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00631-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Galanin receptor 2 (GALR2) plays a significant role in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Since there is virtually no information on immunomodulation mediated by its ligand in the tumor microenvironment, we assessed the effects of galanin on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods After verification of GALR2 expression and it activity in PBMCs we evaluated the effect of galanin and conditioned media from HNSCC cell lines silenced for galanin or antibody-depleted, on proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine expression and activation/differentiation of immune cells. Results We found that galanin alone and as a component of the HNSCC secretome decreased HNSCC cell proliferation and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α), whilst increasing apoptosis and expression of pro-tumoral cytokines/growth factors (IL-10, IL-4, PDGF and GM-CSF). T cell activation (using CD69 as activation marker) and anti-tumoral phenotypes in CD4+ T cells (Th1 and Th17) were found to be suppressed. In vivo, tumor growth was found to be increased in the presence of galanin-stimulated PBMCs. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed that high expression of galanin was associated with a reduced overall survival of patients with HNSCC. Conclusion Our data indicate that galanin secreted by HNSCC cells exhibits immune-suppressive and pro-tumoral effects. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13402-021-00631-y.
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11
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Wang S, Xie K, Liu T. Cancer Immunotherapies: From Efficacy to Resistance Mechanisms - Not Only Checkpoint Matters. Front Immunol 2021; 12:690112. [PMID: 34367148 PMCID: PMC8335396 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.690112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The immunotherapeutic treatment of various cancers with an increasing number of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has profoundly improved the clinical management of advanced diseases. However, just a fraction of patients clinically responds to and benefits from the mentioned therapies; a large proportion of patients do not respond or quickly become resistant, and hyper- and pseudoprogression occur in certain patient populations. Furthermore, no effective predictive factors have been clearly screened or defined. In this review, we discuss factors underlying the elucidation of potential immunotherapeutic resistance mechanisms and the identification of predictive factors for immunotherapeutic responses. Considering the heterogeneity of tumours and the complex immune microenvironment (composition of various immune cell subtypes, disease processes, and lines of treatment), checkpoint expression levels may not be the only factors underlying immunotherapy difficulty and resistance. Researchers should consider the tumour microenvironment (TME) landscape in greater depth from the aspect of not only immune cells but also the tumour histology, molecular subtype, clonal heterogeneity and evolution as well as micro-changes in the fine structural features of the tumour area, such as myeloid cell polarization, fibroblast clusters and tertiary lymphoid structure formation. A comprehensive analysis of the immune and molecular profiles of tumour lesions is needed to determine the potential predictive value of the immune landscape on immunotherapeutic responses, and precision medicine has become more important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyue Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Kun Xie
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tengfei Liu
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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12
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Maroun CA, Mandal R. Anti-PD-1 Immune Checkpoint Blockade for Head and Neck Cancer: Biomarkers of Response and Resistance. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2021; 54:751-759. [PMID: 34116842 DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Maroun
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Rajarsi Mandal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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13
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Economopoulou P, Kotsantis I, Psyrri A. Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy Response in Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3377. [PMID: 33203092 PMCID: PMC7696050 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) encompasses cellular and non-cellular components which play an important role in tumor evolution, invasion, and metastasis. A complicated interplay between tumor cells and adjacent TME cells, such as stromal cells, immune cells, inflammatory cells, and cytokines, leads to severe immunosuppression and the proliferation of cancer cells in several solid tumors. An immunosuppressive TME has a significant impact on treatment resistance and may guide response to immunotherapy. In head and neck cancer (HNC), immunotherapeutic drugs have been incorporated in everyday clinical practice. However, despite an exceptional rate of durable responses, only a low percentage of patients respond. In this review, we will focus on the complex interactions occurring in this dynamic system, the TME, which orchestrate key events that lead to tumor progression, immune escape, and resistance. Furthermore, we will summarize current clinical trials that depict the TME as a potential therapeutic target for improved patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amanda Psyrri
- Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece; (P.E.); (I.K.)
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14
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Plavc G, Jesenko T, Oražem M, Strojan P. Challenges in Combining Immunotherapy with Radiotherapy in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3197. [PMID: 33143094 PMCID: PMC7692120 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has recently become a standard part of the treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), although the response rates are low. Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have now illuminated several mechanisms by which radiotherapy (RT) enhances the effect of ICI. From RT-induced immunogenic cancer cell death to its effect on the tumor microenvironment and vasculature, the involved mechanisms are diverse and intertwined. Moreover, the research of these interactions is challenging because of the thin line between immunostimulatory and the immunosuppressive effect of RT. In the era of active research of immunoradiotherapy combinations, the significance of treatment and host-related factors that were previously seen as being less important is being revealed. The impact of dose and fractionation of RT is now well established, whereas selection of the number and location of the lesions to be irradiated in a multi-metastatic setting is something that is only now beginning to be understood. In addition to spatial factors, the timing of irradiation is as equally important and is heavily dependent on the type of ICI used. Interestingly, using smaller-than-conventional RT fields or even partial tumor volume RT could be beneficial in this setting. Among host-related factors, the role of the microbiome on immunotherapy efficacy must not be overlooked nor can we neglect the role of gut irradiation in a combined RT and ICI setting. In this review we elaborate on synergistic mechanisms of immunoradiotherapy combinations, in addition to important factors to consider in future immunoradiotherapy trial designs in R/M HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaber Plavc
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.O.); (P.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Tanja Jesenko
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miha Oražem
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.O.); (P.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Primož Strojan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.O.); (P.S.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
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15
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Cao Y, Wang X, Jin T, Tian Y, Dai C, Widarma C, Song R, Xu F. Immune checkpoint molecules in natural killer cells as potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:250. [PMID: 33122640 PMCID: PMC7596531 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00348-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of natural killer (NK) cells in immunotherapy to treat multiple types of cancer. NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that play essential roles in tumor surveillance and control that efficiently kill the tumor and do not require the major histocompatibility complex. The discovery of the NK’s potential as a promising therapeutic target for cancer is a relief to oncologists as they face the challenge of increased chemo-resistant cancers. NK cells show great potential against solid and hematologic tumors and have progressively shown promise as a therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy. The effector role of these cells is reliant on the balance of inhibitory and activating signals. Understanding the role of various immune checkpoint molecules in the exhaustion and impairment of NK cells when their inhibitory receptors are excessively expressed is particularly important in cancer immunotherapy studies and clinical implementation. Emerging immune checkpoint receptors and molecules have been found to mediate NK cell dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment; this has brought up the need to explore further additional NK cell-related immune checkpoints that may be exploited to enhance the immune response to refractory cancers. Accordingly, this review will focus on the recent findings concerning the roles of immune checkpoint molecules and receptors in the regulation of NK cell function, as well as their potential application in tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- College of Life and Health Science, Northeastern University, 110819, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianqiang Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Chaoliu Dai
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China
| | - Crystal Widarma
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Rui Song
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA.
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 110004, Shenyang, China.
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