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Quaranta V, Ballarò C, Giannelli G. Macrophages Orchestrate the Liver Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1772. [PMID: 38730724 PMCID: PMC11083142 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. Hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma are the most common types, and despite numerous advances, therapeutic options still remain poor for these cancer patients. Tumor development and progression strictly depend on a supportive tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant immune cells population within a tumorigenic liver; they sustain cancer cells' growth and invasiveness, and their presence is correlated with a poor prognosis. Furthermore, TAM cross-talk with cells and components of the TME promotes immunosuppression, a desmoplastic response, and angiogenesis. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in understanding TAM heterogeneity and function, with a particular focus on TAM modulation of the TME. We also discuss the potential of targeting macrophage subpopulations and how this is now being exploited in current clinical trials for the treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Quaranta
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS “S. de Bellis” Research Hospital, Via Turi 27, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy (G.G.)
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Sagini MN, Zepp M, Eyol E, Ali DM, Gromova S, Dahlmann M, Behrens D, Groeschel C, Tischmeier L, Hoffmann J, Berger MR, Forssmann WG. EPI-X4, a CXCR4 antagonist inhibits tumor growth in pancreatic cancer and lymphoma models. Peptides 2024; 175:171111. [PMID: 38036098 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous peptide inhibitor for CXCR4 (EPI-X4) is a CXCR4 antagonist with potential for cancer therapy. It is a processed fragment of serum albumin from the hemofiltrate of dialysis patients. This study reports the efficacy of fifteen EPI-X4 derivatives in pancreatic cancer and lymphoma models. In vitro, the peptides were investigated for antiproliferation (cytotoxicity) by MTT assay. The mRNA expression for CXCR4 and CXCL12 was determined by RT-PCR, chip array and RNA sequencing. Chip array analysis yielded 634 genes associated with CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling. About 21% of these genes correlated with metastasis in the context of cell motility, proliferation, and survival. Expression levels of these genes were altered in pancreatic cancer (36%), lymphoma models (53%) and in patients' data (58%). EPI-X4 derivatives failed to inhibit cell proliferation due to low expression of CXCR4 in vitro, but inhibited tumor growth in the bioassays with significant efficacy. In the pancreatic cancer model, EPI-X4a, f and k inhibited mean tumor growth by > 50% and even caused complete remissions. In the lymphoma model, EPI-X4b, n and p inhibited mean tumor growth by > 70% and caused stable disease. Given the non-toxic and non-immunogenic properties of EPI-X4, these findings underscore its status as a promising therapy of pancreatic cancer and lymphoma and warrant further studies. SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study examined the value of chemokine receptor CXCR4 as an antineoplastic target for the endogenous peptide inhibitor of CXCR4 (EPI-X4), a 12-meric peptide derived from serum albumin. EPI-X4 inhibits CXCR4 interaction with its natural ligand, CXCL12 (SDF1). Therefore, malignancies (including pancreatic cancer and lymphoma) that depend on the CXCR4/CXCL12 pathway for progression can be targeted with EPI-X4. Of 634 genes that were linked to the CXCR4/CXCL12 pathway, 21% were associated with metastasis. In cultured human Suit2-007 pancreatic cancer cells, CXCR4 showed low to undetectable expression, which was why EPI-X4 did not inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. These findings were different in vivo, where CXCR4 was highly expressed and EPI-X4 inhibited tumor growth in rodents harboring pancreatic cancer or lymphoma. In the pancreatic cancer model, EPI-X4 derivatives a, f and k caused complete remissions, while in lymphomas EPI-X4 derivatives b, n and p caused stable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah N Sagini
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Zepp
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ergül Eyol
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Doaa M Ali
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Svetlana Gromova
- EPO, Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Germany
| | - Mathias Dahlmann
- EPO, Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Germany
| | - Diana Behrens
- EPO, Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Germany
| | - Christian Groeschel
- NeoPep Pharma GmbH & Co. KG., Hannover, Germany and Hannover Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Germany
| | - Linus Tischmeier
- NeoPep Pharma GmbH & Co. KG., Hannover, Germany and Hannover Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Germany
| | - Jens Hoffmann
- EPO, Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Germany
| | - Martin R Berger
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Wolf-Georg Forssmann
- NeoPep Pharma GmbH & Co. KG., Hannover, Germany and Hannover Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Germany.
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Huang L, Gao R, Nan L, Qi J, Yang S, Shao S, Xie J, Pan M, Qiu T, Zhang J. Anti-VEGFR2-Interferon α Promotes the Infiltration of CD8+ T Cells in Colorectal Cancer by Upregulating the Expression of CCL5. J Immunother 2024:00002371-990000000-00099. [PMID: 38654631 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
SUMMARY Immunocytokines are a promising immunotherapeutic approach in cancer therapy. Anti-VEGFR2-interferon α (IFNα) suppressed colorectal cancer (CRC) growth and enhanced CD8+ T-cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment, exhibiting great clinical translational potential. However, the mechanism of how the anti-VEGFR2-IFNα recruits T cells has not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrated that anti-VEGFR2-IFNα suppressed CRC metastasis and enhanced CD8+ T-cell infiltration. RNA sequencing revealed a transcriptional activation of CCL5 in metastatic CRC cells, which was correlated with T-cell infiltration. IFNα but not anti-VEGFR2 could further upregulate CCL5 in tumors. In immunocompetent mice, both IFNα and anti-VEGFR2-IFNα increased the subset of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells through upregulation of CCL5. Knocking down CCL5 in tumor cells attenuated the infiltration of CD8+ T cells and dampened the antitumor efficacy of anti-VEGFR2-IFNα treatment. We, therefore, propose upregulation of CCL5 is a key to enhance infiltration of CD8+ T cells in metastatic CRC with IFNα and IFNα-based immunocytokine treatments. These findings may help the development of IFNα related immune cytokines for the treatment of less infiltrated tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linhua Huang
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Rui Gao
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Lidi Nan
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Jingyao Qi
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Siyu Yang
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Shao
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Jiajun Xie
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Mingzhu Pan
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | | | - Juan Zhang
- Antibody Engineering Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P.R. China
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Luo J, Cheng K, Ji X, Gao C, Zhu R, Chen J, Xue W, Huang Q, Xu Q. Anlotinib enhanced CD8 + T cell infiltration via induction of CCL5 improves the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy in lung cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 591:216892. [PMID: 38621459 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and requires effective treatment strategies. Recently, the development of a novel multiple-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, anlotinib, has drawn increasing attention, especially it shows advantages when combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. However, the mechanism by which anlotinib improves immunotherapy and remodeling of the tumor microenvironment remains unclear. In this study, we found that anlotinib combined with PD-1 blockade significantly inhibited tumor growth and reduced tumor weight in a lung cancer xenograft model compared to any single treatment. Both immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analyses revealed that anlotinib induced a CD8+ T cell dominated tumor microenvironment, which might account for its improved role in immunotherapy. Further investigations showed that CCL5-mediated CD8+ T cell recruitment plays a critical role in anlotinib and PD-1 blockade strategies. The depletion of CD8+ T cells abrogated this process. In conclusion, our findings showed that the combination of anlotinib and PD-1 blockade produced promising effects in the treatment of lung cancer, and that the induction of CCL5-mediced CD8+ T cell recruitment by anlotinib provided a novel mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Luo
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Kebin Cheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xianxiu Ji
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Caixia Gao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Ren Zhu
- Department of Medical Administration, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jiayi Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjun Xue
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200070, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Basic Medical Center for Pulmonary Disease, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Qingqiang Xu
- Basic Medical Center for Pulmonary Disease, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Xiao Z, Nian Z, Zhang M, Liu Z, Zhang P, Zhang Z. Single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing reveal SPP1 and CXCL12 as cell-to-cell communication markers to predict prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma. Environ Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 38622884 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) generally presents as an immunosuppressive microenvironment. The characteristics of cell-to-cell communication in the LUAD microenvironment has been unclear. In this study, the LUAD bulk RNA-seq data and single-cell RNA-seq data were retrieved from public dataset. Differential expression genes (DEGs) between LUAD tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues were calculated by limma algorithm, and then detected by PPI, KEGG, and GO analysis. Cell-cell interactions were explored using the single-cell RNA-seq data. Finally, the first 15 CytoHubba genes were used to establish related pathways and these pathways were used to characterize the immune-related ligands and their receptors in LUAD. Our analyses showed that monocytes or macrophages interact with tissue stem cells and NK cells via SPP1 signaling pathway and tissue stem cells interact with T and B cells via CXCL signaling pathway in different states. Hub genes of SPP1 participated in SPP1 signaling pathway, which was negatively correlated with CD4+ T cell and CD8+ T cell. The expression of SPP1 in LUAD tumor tissues was negatively correlated with the prognosis. While CXCL12 participated in CXCL signaling pathway, which was positively correlated with CD4+ T cell and CD8+ T cell. The role of CXCL12 in LUAD tumor tissues exhibits an opposite effect to that of SPP1. This study reveals that tumor-associated monocytes or macrophages may affect tumor progression. Moreover, the SPP1 and CXCL12 may be the critic genes of cell-to-cell communication in LUAD, and targeting these pathways may provide a new molecular mechanism for the treatment of LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengtuan Xiao
- Department of Lung Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Lung Cancer Center, Tianjin, China
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhe Nian
- Department of Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Tianjin for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengzhe Zhang
- Department of Lung Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Lung Cancer Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Zuo Liu
- Department of Lung Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Lung Cancer Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Pengpeng Zhang
- Department of Lung Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Lung Cancer Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhenfa Zhang
- Department of Lung Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Lung Cancer Center, Tianjin, China
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Hsu CY, Mustafa MA, Kumar A, Pramanik A, Sharma R, Mohammed F, Jawad IA, Mohammed IJ, Alshahrani MY, Ali Khalil NAM, Shnishil AT, Abosaoda MK. Exploiting the immune system in hepatic tumor targeting: Unleashing the potential of drugs, natural products, and nanoparticles. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 256:155266. [PMID: 38554489 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic tumors present a formidable challenge in cancer therapeutics, necessitating the exploration of novel treatment strategies. In recent years, targeting the immune system has attracted interest to augment existing therapeutic efficacy. The immune system in hepatic tumors includes numerous cells with diverse actions. CD8+ T lymphocytes, T helper 1 (Th1) CD4+ T lymphocytes, alternative M1 macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells provide the antitumor immunity. However, Foxp3+ regulatory CD4+ T cells (Tregs), M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are the key immune inhibitor cells. Tumor stroma can also affect these interactions. Targeting these cells and their secreted molecules is intriguing for eliminating malignant cells. The current review provides a synopsis of the immune system components involved in hepatic tumor expansion and highlights the molecular and cellular pathways that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. It also overviews the diverse range of drugs, natural products, immunotherapy drugs, and nanoparticles that have been investigated to manipulate immune responses and bolster antitumor immunity. The review also addresses the potential advantages and challenges associated with these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chou-Yi Hsu
- Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan City 71710, Taiwan
| | | | - Ashwani Kumar
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560069, India; Department of Pharmacy, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303012, India
| | - Atreyi Pramanik
- Institute of Pharma Sciences and Research, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Rajiv Sharma
- Institute of Pharma Sciences and Research, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Faraj Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Manara College for Medical Sciences, Maysan, Iraq
| | | | - Imad Jasim Mohammed
- College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | - Mohammad Y Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | | | - Munther Kadhim Abosaoda
- College of technical engineering, the Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq; College of technical engineering, the Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Iraq; College of technical engineering, the Islamic University of Babylon, Iraq
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Santagata S, Rea G, Castaldo D, Napolitano M, Capiluongo A, D'Alterio C, Trotta AM, Ieranò C, Portella L, Di Maro S, Tatangelo F, Albino V, Guarino R, Cutolo C, Izzo F, Scala S. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor microenvironment is more suppressive than colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) tumor microenvironment. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:568-581. [PMID: 37142825 PMCID: PMC11014815 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10537-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While HCC is an inflammation-associated cancer, CRLM develops on permissive healthy liver microenvironment. To evaluate the immune aspects of these two different environments, peripheral blood-(PB), peritumoral-(PT) and tumoral tissues-(TT) from HCC and CRLM patients were evaluated. METHODS 40 HCC and 34 CRLM were enrolled and freshly TT, PT and PB were collected at the surgery. PB-, PT- and TT-derived CD4+CD25+ Tregs, M/PMN-MDSC and PB-derived CD4+CD25- T-effector cells (Teffs) were isolated and characterized. Tregs' function was also evaluated in the presence of the CXCR4 inhibitor, peptide-R29, AMD3100 or anti-PD1. RNA was extracted from PB/PT/TT tissues and tested for FOXP3, CXCL12, CXCR4, CCL5, IL-15, CXCL5, Arg-1, N-cad, Vim, CXCL8, TGFβ and VEGF-A expression. RESULTS In HCC/CRLM-PB, higher number of functional Tregs, CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ was detected, although PB-HCC Tregs exert a more suppressive function as compared to CRLM Tregs. In HCC/CRLM-TT, Tregs were highly represented with activated/ENTPD-1+Tregs prevalent in HCC. As compared to CRLM, HCC overexpressed CXCR4 and N-cadherin/vimentin in a contest rich in arginase and CCL5. Monocytic MDSCs were highly represented in HCC/CRLM, while high polymorphonuclear MDSCs were detected only in HCC. Interestingly, the function of CXCR4-PB-Tregs was impaired in HCC/CRLM by the CXCR4 inhibitor R29. CONCLUSION In HCC and CRLM, peripheral blood, peritumoral and tumoral tissues Tregs are highly represented and functional. Nevertheless, HCC displays a more immunosuppressive TME due to Tregs, MDSCs, intrinsic tumor features (CXCR4, CCL5, arginase) and the contest in which it develops. As CXCR4 is overexpressed in HCC/CRLM tumor/TME cells, CXCR4 inhibitors may be considered for double hit therapy in liver cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Santagata
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Rea
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Castaldo
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Napolitano
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Capiluongo
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Crescenzo D'Alterio
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Trotta
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Ieranò
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Portella
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Fabiana Tatangelo
- Pathology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Vittorio Albino
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Guarino
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Cutolo
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Scala
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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Zhuang Z, Zhou J, Qiu M, Li J, Lin Z, Yi H, Liu X, Huang C, Tang B, Liu B, Li X. The Combination of Anti-CD47 Antibody with CTLA4 Blockade Enhances Anti-Tumor Immunity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer via Normalization of Tumor Vasculature and Reprogramming of the Immune Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:832. [PMID: 38398223 PMCID: PMC10887353 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In solid tumors, the formidable anti-tumor impact resulting from blocking the "don't eat me" signal, arising from CD47-SIRPα interaction, is constrained, especially compared to its efficacy in hematopoietic malignancies. Activating macrophage anti-tumor activity not only necessitates the inhibition of the "don't eat me" signal, but also the activation of the "eat me" (pre-phagocyte) signal. Intriguingly, the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) antibody (Ab) has been identified to stimulate Fc receptor-mediated active phagocytes in the tumor microenvironment, thereby generating "eat me" signals. This study postulates that concurrently targeting CD47 and CTLA4 could intensify the anti-tumor effects by simultaneously blocking the "don't eat me" signal while triggering the "eat me" signal. The experimental data from this investigation confirm that the combined targeting of CD47 and CTLA4 enhances immunity against solid tumors in LLC cell-transplanted tumor-bearing mice. This effect is achieved by reducing myeloid-derived suppressor cell infiltration while increasing the presence of effector memory CD8+ T cells, NK1.1+ CD8+ T cells, and activated natural killer T cells. Meanwhile, combination therapy also alleviated anemia. Mechanistically, the anti-CD47 Ab is shown to upregulate CTLA4 levels in NSCLC cells by regulating Foxp1. Furthermore, targeting CD47 is demonstrated to promote tumor vascular normalization through the heightened infiltration of CD4+ T cells. These findings suggest that the dual targeting of CD47 and CTLA4 exerts anti-tumor effects by orchestrating the "eat me" and "don't eat me" signals, reshaping the immune microenvironment, and fostering tumor vascular normalization. This combined therapeutic approach emerges as a potent strategy for effectively treating solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China; (Z.Z.); (M.Q.); (J.L.); (Z.L.); (H.Y.); (X.L.); (C.H.); (B.T.)
| | - Jinglin Zhou
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, College of Life Science, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus, Fuzhou 350117, China;
| | - Minglian Qiu
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China; (Z.Z.); (M.Q.); (J.L.); (Z.L.); (H.Y.); (X.L.); (C.H.); (B.T.)
| | - Jiamian Li
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China; (Z.Z.); (M.Q.); (J.L.); (Z.L.); (H.Y.); (X.L.); (C.H.); (B.T.)
| | - Zhuangheng Lin
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China; (Z.Z.); (M.Q.); (J.L.); (Z.L.); (H.Y.); (X.L.); (C.H.); (B.T.)
| | - Huihan Yi
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China; (Z.Z.); (M.Q.); (J.L.); (Z.L.); (H.Y.); (X.L.); (C.H.); (B.T.)
| | - Xuerong Liu
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China; (Z.Z.); (M.Q.); (J.L.); (Z.L.); (H.Y.); (X.L.); (C.H.); (B.T.)
| | - Changyu Huang
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China; (Z.Z.); (M.Q.); (J.L.); (Z.L.); (H.Y.); (X.L.); (C.H.); (B.T.)
| | - Binghua Tang
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China; (Z.Z.); (M.Q.); (J.L.); (Z.L.); (H.Y.); (X.L.); (C.H.); (B.T.)
| | - Bo Liu
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China; (Z.Z.); (M.Q.); (J.L.); (Z.L.); (H.Y.); (X.L.); (C.H.); (B.T.)
| | - Xu Li
- Key Laboratory of College of First Clinical Medicine, College of First Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Taijiang Campus, Fuzhou 350001, China; (Z.Z.); (M.Q.); (J.L.); (Z.L.); (H.Y.); (X.L.); (C.H.); (B.T.)
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Zhang N, Yang X, Piao M, Xun Z, Wang Y, Ning C, Zhang X, Zhang L, Wang Y, Wang S, Chao J, Lu Z, Yang X, Wang H, Zhao H. Biomarkers and prognostic factors of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-based therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomark Res 2024; 12:26. [PMID: 38355603 PMCID: PMC10865587 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00535-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic therapies using programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have demonstrated commendable efficacy in some patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, other individuals do not respond favorably. Hence, identifying the biomarkers, the prognostic factors, and their underlying mechanisms is crucial. In this review, we summarized the latest advancements in this field. Within the tumor microenvironment, PD-L1 expression is commonly utilized to predict response. Moreover, the characteristics of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Preclinical studies have identified stimulatory dendritic cells, conventional dendritic cells, and macrophages as potential biomarkers. The emergence of single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics has provided invaluable insights into tumor heterogeneity through the lens of single-cell profiling and spatial distribution. With the widespread adoption of next-generation sequencing, certain genomic characteristics, including tumor mutational burden, copy number alterations, specific genes (TP53, CTNNB1, and GZMB), and signaling pathways (WNT/β-catenin) have been found to correlate with prognosis. Furthermore, clinical features such as tumor size, number, and metastasis status have demonstrated prognostic value. Notably, common indicators such as the Child-Pugh score and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, which are used in patients with liver diseases, have shown potential. Similarly, commonly employed laboratory parameters such as baseline transforming growth factor beta, lactate dehydrogenase, dynamic changes in alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and abnormal prothrombin, CRAFITY score (composed of C-reactive protein and AFP), and immune adverse events have been identified as predictive biomarkers. Novel imaging techniques such as EOB-MRI and PET/CT employing innovative tracers also have potential. Moreover, liquid biopsy has gained widespread use in biomarker studies owing to its non-invasive, convenient, and highly reproducible nature, as well as its dynamic monitoring capabilities. Research on the gut microbiome, including its composition, dynamic changes, and metabolomic analysis, has gained considerable attention. Efficient biomarker discovery relies on continuous updating of treatment strategies. Next, we summarized recent advancements in clinical research on HCC immunotherapy and provided an overview of ongoing clinical trials for contributing to the understanding and improvement of HCC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Mingjian Piao
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ziyu Xun
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yunchao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Cong Ning
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xinmu Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Longhao Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yanyu Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jiashuo Chao
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhenhui Lu
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, No.36 Industrial 8 Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong province, China
| | - Xiaobo Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Hanping Wang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Cao L, Meng X, Zhang Z, Liu Z, He Y. Macrophage heterogeneity and its interactions with stromal cells in tumour microenvironment. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:16. [PMID: 38303024 PMCID: PMC10832170 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01201-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophages and tumour stroma cells account for the main cellular components in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Current advancements in single-cell analysis have revolutionized our understanding of macrophage diversity and macrophage-stroma interactions. Accordingly, this review describes new insight into tumour-associated macrophage (TAM) heterogeneity in terms of tumour type, phenotype, metabolism, and spatial distribution and presents the association between these factors and TAM functional states. Meanwhile, we focus on the immunomodulatory feature of TAMs and highlight the tumour-promoting effect of macrophage-tumour stroma interactions in the immunosuppressive TME. Finally, we summarize recent studies investigating macrophage-targeted therapy and discuss their therapeutic potential in improving immunotherapy by alleviating immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liren Cao
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial & Head and Neck Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, National Center of Stomatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Xiaoyan Meng
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial & Head and Neck Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, National Center of Stomatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial & Head and Neck Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, National Center of Stomatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Zhonglong Liu
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial & Head and Neck Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, National Center of Stomatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Yue He
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial & Head and Neck Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Disease, National Center of Stomatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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11
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Lin J, Rao D, Zhang M, Gao Q. Metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment of liver cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:6. [PMID: 38297372 PMCID: PMC10832230 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01527-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The liver is essential for metabolic homeostasis. The onset of liver cancer is often accompanied by dysregulated liver function, leading to metabolic rearrangements. Overwhelming evidence has illustrated that dysregulated cellular metabolism can, in turn, promote anabolic growth and tumor propagation in a hostile microenvironment. In addition to supporting continuous tumor growth and survival, disrupted metabolic process also creates obstacles for the anticancer immune response and restrains durable clinical remission following immunotherapy. In this review, we elucidate the metabolic communication between liver cancer cells and their surrounding immune cells and discuss how metabolic reprogramming of liver cancer impacts the immune microenvironment and the efficacy of anticancer immunotherapy. We also describe the crucial role of the gut-liver axis in remodeling the metabolic crosstalk of immune surveillance and escape, highlighting novel therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lin
- Center for Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dongning Rao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Mao Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Center for Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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12
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Lv H, Zong Q, Chen C, Lv G, Xiang W, Xing F, Jiang G, Yan B, Sun X, Ma Y, Wang L, Wu Z, Cui X, Wang H, Yang W. TET2-mediated tumor cGAS triggers endothelial STING activation to regulate vasculature remodeling and anti-tumor immunity in liver cancer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6. [PMID: 38177099 PMCID: PMC10766952 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43743-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Induction of tumor vascular normalization is a crucial measure to enhance immunotherapy efficacy. cGAS-STING pathway is vital for anti-tumor immunity, but its role in tumor vasculature is unclear. Herein, using preclinical liver cancer models in Cgas/Sting-deficient male mice, we report that the interdependence between tumor cGAS and host STING mediates vascular normalization and anti-tumor immune response. Mechanistically, TET2 mediated IL-2/STAT5A signaling epigenetically upregulates tumor cGAS expression and produces cGAMP. Subsequently, cGAMP is transported via LRRC8C channels to activate STING in endothelial cells, enhancing recruitment and transendothelial migration of lymphocytes. In vivo studies in male mice also reveal that administration of vitamin C, a promising anti-cancer agent, stimulates TET2 activity, induces tumor vascular normalization and enhances the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 therapy alone or in combination with IL-2. Our findings elucidate a crosstalk between tumor and vascular endothelial cells in the tumor immune microenvironment, providing strategies to enhance the efficacy of combinational immunotherapy for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Lv
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Qianni Zong
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Cian Chen
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Guishuai Lv
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Wei Xiang
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Fuxue Xing
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Guoqing Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225000, China
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225000, China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450000, China
| | - Yue Ma
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Liang Wang
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Zixin Wu
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China
| | - Xiuliang Cui
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China
| | - Hongyang Wang
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China.
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China.
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hepato-biliary Tumor Biology, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Key Laboratory of Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Wen Yang
- International Co-operation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 200438, China.
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Naval Medical University (Second Military Medical University), Shanghai, 201805, China.
- Cancer Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hepato-biliary Tumor Biology, Shanghai, 200438, China.
- Key Laboratory of Signaling Regulation and Targeting Therapy of Liver Cancer, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, 200438, China.
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Mempel TR, Lill JK, Altenburger LM. How chemokines organize the tumour microenvironment. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:28-50. [PMID: 38066335 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00635-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
For our immune system to contain or eliminate malignant solid tumours, both myeloid and lymphoid haematopoietic cells must not only extravasate from the bloodstream into the tumour tissue but also further migrate to various specialized niches of the tumour microenvironment to functionally interact with each other, with non-haematopoietic stromal cells and, ultimately, with cancer cells. These interactions regulate local immune cell survival, proliferative expansion, differentiation and their execution of pro-tumour or antitumour effector functions, which collectively determine the outcome of spontaneous or therapeutically induced antitumour immune responses. None of these interactions occur randomly but are orchestrated and critically depend on migratory guidance cues provided by chemokines, a large family of chemotactic cytokines, and their receptors. Understanding the functional organization of the tumour immune microenvironment inevitably requires knowledge of the multifaceted roles of chemokines in the recruitment and positioning of its cellular constituents. Gaining such knowledge will not only generate new insights into the mechanisms underlying antitumour immunity or immune tolerance but also inform the development of biomarkers (or 'biopatterns') based on spatial tumour tissue analyses, as well as novel strategies to therapeutically engineer immune responses in patients with cancer. Here we will discuss recent observations on the role of chemokines in the tumour microenvironment in the context of our knowledge of their physiological functions in development, homeostasis and antimicrobial responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten R Mempel
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Julia K Lill
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lukas M Altenburger
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Agirre-Lizaso A, Huici-Izagirre M, Urretabizkaia-Garmendia J, Rodrigues PM, Banales JM, Perugorria MJ. Targeting the Heterogeneous Tumour-Associated Macrophages in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4977. [PMID: 37894344 PMCID: PMC10605535 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and aggressive cancer that comprises a complex tumour microenvironment (TME). Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are one of the most abundant immune cells present in the TME, and play a key role both in the development and in the progression of HCC. Thus, TAM-based immunotherapy has been presented as a promising strategy to complement the currently available therapies for HCC treatment. Among the novel approaches focusing on TAMs, reprogramming their functional state has emerged as a promising option for targeting TAMs as an immunotherapy in combination with the currently available treatment options. Nevertheless, a further understanding of the immunobiology of TAMs is still required. This review synthesizes current insights into the heterogeneous nature of TAMs in HCC and describes the mechanisms behind their pro-tumoural polarization focusing the attention on their interaction with HCC cells. Furthermore, this review underscores the potential involvement of TAMs' reprogramming in HCC therapy and highlights the urgency of advancing our understanding of these cells within the dynamic landscape of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloña Agirre-Lizaso
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (A.A.-L.); (M.H.-I.); (J.U.-G.); (P.M.R.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Maider Huici-Izagirre
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (A.A.-L.); (M.H.-I.); (J.U.-G.); (P.M.R.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Josu Urretabizkaia-Garmendia
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (A.A.-L.); (M.H.-I.); (J.U.-G.); (P.M.R.); (J.M.B.)
| | - Pedro M. Rodrigues
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (A.A.-L.); (M.H.-I.); (J.U.-G.); (P.M.R.); (J.M.B.)
- Centre for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Jesus M. Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (A.A.-L.); (M.H.-I.); (J.U.-G.); (P.M.R.); (J.M.B.)
- Centre for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria J. Perugorria
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (A.A.-L.); (M.H.-I.); (J.U.-G.); (P.M.R.); (J.M.B.)
- Centre for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
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Zhang H, Yue X, Chen Z, Liu C, Wu W, Zhang N, Liu Z, Yang L, Jiang Q, Cheng Q, Luo P, Liu G. Define cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment: new opportunities in cancer immunotherapy and advances in clinical trials. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:159. [PMID: 37784082 PMCID: PMC10544417 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01860-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite centuries since the discovery and study of cancer, cancer is still a lethal and intractable health issue worldwide. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained much attention as a pivotal component of the tumor microenvironment. The versatility and sophisticated mechanisms of CAFs in facilitating cancer progression have been elucidated extensively, including promoting cancer angiogenesis and metastasis, inducing drug resistance, reshaping the extracellular matrix, and developing an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Owing to their robust tumor-promoting function, CAFs are considered a promising target for oncotherapy. However, CAFs are a highly heterogeneous group of cells. Some subpopulations exert an inhibitory role in tumor growth, which implies that CAF-targeting approaches must be more precise and individualized. This review comprehensively summarize the origin, phenotypical, and functional heterogeneity of CAFs. More importantly, we underscore advances in strategies and clinical trials to target CAF in various cancers, and we also summarize progressions of CAF in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinghai Yue
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Wantao Wu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Guodong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Zhang A, Ji Q, Sheng X, Wu H. mRNA vaccine in gastrointestinal tumors: Immunomodulatory effects and immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115361. [PMID: 37660645 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal tumors remain a significant healthcare burden worldwide, necessitating the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. mRNA vaccines have emerged as a promising approach in cancer immunotherapy, harnessing the immune system's potential to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. mRNA vaccines offer several advantages, including their ability to elicit both innate and adaptive immune responses, ease of production, and adaptability to different tumor types. In the context of gastrointestinal tumors, mRNA vaccines hold great potential as a therapeutic strategy. In this review, we will delve into the immunomodulatory mechanisms and immunotherapy strategies of mRNA vaccines in gastrointestinal tumors. Additionally, we will discuss the challenges and ongoing research efforts in optimizing mRNA vaccine development, delivery, and stability. By understanding the potential of mRNA vaccines in addressing the unmet medical need of gastrointestinal tumors, we aim to pave the way for improved treatment strategies and better patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Qingming Ji
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Xia Sheng
- Department of Cadre Ward, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Hui Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
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17
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Chen S, Du Y, Guan XY, Yan Q. The current status of tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cells in sorafenib resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1204513. [PMID: 37576900 PMCID: PMC10412930 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1204513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous and aggressive liver cancer that presents limited treatment options. Despite being the standard therapy for advanced HCC, sorafenib frequently encounters resistance, emphasizing the need to uncover the underlying mechanisms and develop effective treatments. This comprehensive review highlights the crucial interplay between the tumor microenvironment, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the context of sorafenib resistance. The tumor microenvironment, encompassing hypoxia, immune cells, stromal cells, and exosomes, exerts a significant impact on HCC progression and therapy response. Hypoxic conditions and immune cell infiltration create an immunosuppressive milieu, shielding tumor cells from immune surveillance and hindering therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, the presence of CSCs emerges as a prominent contributor to sorafenib resistance, with CD133+ CSCs implicated in drug resistance and tumor initiation. Moreover, CSCs undergo EMT, a process intimately linked to tumor progression, CSC activation, and further promotion of sorafenib resistance, metastasis, and tumor-initiating capacity. Elucidating the correlation between the tumor microenvironment, CSCs, and sorafenib resistance holds paramount importance in the quest to develop reliable biomarkers capable of predicting therapeutic response. Novel therapeutic strategies must consider the influence of the tumor microenvironment and CSC activation to effectively overcome sorafenib resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaqing Du
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qian Yan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery (Colorectal Surgery), The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Hamada Y, Tanoue K, Kita Y, Tanabe K, Hokonohara K, Wada M, Hozaka Y, Oi H, Nakayama C, Higashi M, Arigami T, Mori S, Ohtsuka T. Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors promote antitumor responses via tumor microenvironment immunosuppression in advanced colorectal cancer. Scand J Gastroenterol 2023; 58:1009-1020. [PMID: 36987919 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2023.2194011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to investigate changes in the tumor immune environment of patients who underwent therapy with a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor for advanced colorectal cancer. METHODS Patients (n = 135) with T3 or T4 colorectal cancer were included in this retrospective study. They were classified as follows: patients who had not received preoperative treatment (UPFRONT group, n = 54), who had received FOLFOX as preoperative chemotherapy (FOLFOX group, n = 55), and who had undergone resection after combination FOLFOX and bevacizumab as unresectable colorectal cancer (B-MAB group, n = 26). The number of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), FOXP3+ lymphocytes (including regulatory T cells (Tregs)), CD163+ monocytes (including M2-type tumor-associated macrophages (TAM-M2 type)), and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)+ lymphocytes was evaluated immunohistochemically in the cancer cell area (CC) and stromal cell area (ST) of surgical specimens, and compared among the three groups. RESULTS The CTL population did not differ among the three groups in both areas. In the B-MAB group, the numbers of PD-1+ cells in the ST, FOXP3+ lymphocytes in both areas, and CD163+monocytes in the ST was lower than that in the other two groups, and a correlation with the histological therapeutic effect was observed. CONCLUSIONS In advanced colorectal cancer, VEGF inhibitors may decrease the number of PD-1+ cells and inhibit the infiltration of FOXP3+ lymphocytes and CD163+monocytes into the tumor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Hamada
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kiyonori Tanoue
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Kita
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kan Tanabe
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Kentaro Hokonohara
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masumi Wada
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yuto Hozaka
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Oi
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Chieri Nakayama
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Michiyo Higashi
- Department of Pathology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Takaaki Arigami
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Mori
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Takao Ohtsuka
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
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19
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Hsu YC, Chen CH, Huang HF, Lee YT, Wu MC, Su CW, Chou HC, Wang LF, Lee HS, Lin SW, Hsu PN, Wu YM, Sheu JC, Weng MT. Therapeutic Effects of Anti-PD1 Immunotherapy on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Under Administration of Tacrolimus. Transplantation 2023; 107:1492-1501. [PMID: 36380450 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver transplantation (LT) is the treatment of choice for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recurrence of HCC after LT occurs in 10% to 20% of cases. Preclinical studies to evaluate immune checkpoint inhibitors in conjunction with immunosuppressant treatment in transplant recipients have been lacking. Here, we evaluated the efficacy, safety, and mechanism of programmed cell death-1 (PD1) blockade under tacrolimus treatment in transplant recipients. METHODS We used a murine allogeneic skin transplantation model and murine syngeneic subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC models and measured the tumor volume and the change in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes under PD1 blockade and tacrolimus treatment. RESULTS Tacrolimus treatment prolonged allograft survival in the allogeneic transplantation model and enhanced tumor growth in both subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC models. PD1 blockade suppressed tumor growth and lung metastasis in correlation with the number of infiltrating CD8 + T cells. Under tacrolimus treatment, PD1 blockade still resulted in an antitumor effect accompanied by a significant increase in tumor-infiltrating CD8 + T cells, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and natural killer T cells. Tacrolimus treatment rescued the acceleration of transplant rejection induced by PD1 blockade in the allogeneic transplantation model. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that treatment with high-dose tacrolimus in conjunction with PD1 blockade has an antitumor effect and reduces transplant rejection in mouse models of allograft skin transplantation and HCC. Thus, these results suggest that a clinical trial of PD1 inhibitors for HCC in LT merits consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chen Hsu
- Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chien-Hung Chen
- Department of Medicine, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hui-Fu Huang
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ying-Te Lee
- Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Meng-Chuan Wu
- Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chien-Wen Su
- Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Huei-Chi Chou
- Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Li-Fang Wang
- Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hsuan-Shu Lee
- Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shu-Wha Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ping-Ning Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yao-Ming Wu
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Jin-Chuan Sheu
- Liver Disease Prevention and Treatment Research Foundation, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Meng-Tzu Weng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Republic of China
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20
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Xiao L, Wang Q, Peng H. Tumor-associated macrophages: new insights on their metabolic regulation and their influence in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1157291. [PMID: 37426676 PMCID: PMC10325569 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1157291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a dynamic and heterogeneous cell population of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that plays an essential role in tumor formation and progression. Cancer cells have a high metabolic demand for their rapid proliferation, survival, and progression. A comprehensive interpretation of pro-tumoral and antitumoral metabolic changes in TAMs is crucial for comprehending immune evasion mechanisms in cancer. The metabolic reprogramming of TAMs is a novel method for enhancing their antitumor effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent research on metabolic alterations of TAMs caused by TME, focusing primarily on glucose, amino acid, and fatty acid metabolism. In addition, this review discusses antitumor immunotherapies that influence the activity of TAMs by limiting their recruitment, triggering their depletion, and re-educate them, as well as metabolic profiles leading to an antitumoral phenotype. We highlighted the metabolic modulational roles of TAMs and their potential to enhance immunotherapy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hongling Peng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Development and Related Diseases of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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21
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He Y, Zhan L, Shi J, Xiao M, Zuo R, Wang C, Liu Z, Gong W, Chen L, Luo Y, Zhang S, Wang Y, Chen L, Guo H. The Combination of R848 with Sorafenib Enhances Antitumor Effects by Reprogramming the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Facilitating Vascular Normalization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2207650. [PMID: 37083239 PMCID: PMC10288281 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Novel promising strategies for combination with sorafenib are urgently needed to enhance its clinical benefit and overcome toxicity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). the molecular and immunomodulatory antitumor effects of sorafenib alone and in combination with the new immunotherapeutic agent R848 are presented. Syngeneic HCC mouse model is presented to explore the antitumor effect and safety of three sorafenib doses alone, R848 alone, or their combination in vivo. R848 significantly enhances the sorafenib antitumor activity at a low subclinical dose with no obvious toxic side effects. Furthermore, the combination therapy reprograms the tumor immune microenvironment by increasing antitumor macrophages and neutrophils and preventing immunosuppressive signaling. Combination treatment promotes classical M1 macrophage-to-FTH1high M1 macrophage transition. The close interaction between neutrophils/classical M1 macrophages and dendritic cells promotes tumor antigen presentation to T cells, inducing cytotoxic CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Additionally, low-dose sorafenib, alone or combined with R848, normalizes the tumor vasculature, generating a positive feedback loop to support the antitumor immune environment. Therefore, the combination therapy reprograms the HCC immune microenvironment and normalizes the vasculature, improving the therapeutic benefit of low-dose sorafenib and minimizing toxicity, suggesting a promising novel immunotherapy (R848) and targeted therapy (tyrosine kinase inhibitors) combination strategy for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao He
- Department of Tumor Cell BiologyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
- National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin300060China
| | - Linlin Zhan
- Department of Tumor Cell BiologyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
- National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin300060China
| | - Jian Shi
- Institute of Precision MedicineThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhou510080China
| | - Manyu Xiao
- School of PharmacyMinzu University of ChinaBeijing10081China
| | - Ran Zuo
- Department of Tumor Cell BiologyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
- National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin300060China
| | - Chengmeng Wang
- Department of Tumor Cell BiologyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
- National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin300060China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- Department of Tumor Cell BiologyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
- National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin300060China
| | - Wenchen Gong
- National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin300060China
- Department of PathologyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Liwei Chen
- Department of Tumor Cell BiologyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
- National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin300060China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Tumor Cell BiologyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
- National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin300060China
| | - Shaojun Zhang
- Medical Research InstituteGuangdong Provincial People's HospitalGuangdong Academy of Medical SciencesGuangzhou510080China
| | - Youwei Wang
- Institute of Medical Engineering & Translational MedicineTianjin UniversityTianjin300072China
| | - Lu Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin300060China
- Department of Hepatobiliary CancerLiver Cancer Research CenterTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
| | - Hua Guo
- Department of Tumor Cell BiologyTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalTianjin300060China
- National Clinical Research Center for CancerKey Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin300060China
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22
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Papadakos SP, Arvanitakis K, Stergiou IE, Lekakis V, Davakis S, Christodoulou MI, Germanidis G, Theocharis S. The Role of TLR4 in the Immunotherapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Can We Teach an Old Dog New Tricks? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2795. [PMID: 37345131 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Immunotherapy has emerged as the mainstay treatment option for unresectable HCC. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a crucial role in the innate immune response by recognizing and responding primarily to bacterial lipopolysaccharides. In addition to its role in the innate immune system, TLR4 has also been implicated in adaptive immunity, including specific anti-tumor immune responses. In particular, the TLR4 signaling pathway seems to be involved in the regulation of several cancer hallmarks, such as the continuous activation of cellular pathways that promote cell division and growth, the inhibition of programmed cell death, the promotion of several invasion and metastatic mechanisms, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and epigenetic modifications. Emerging evidence further suggests that TLR4 signaling holds promise as a potential immunotherapeutic target in HCC. The aim of this review was to explore the multilayer aspects of the TLR4 signaling pathway, regarding its role in liver diseases and HCC, as well as its potential utilization as an immunotherapy target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros P Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Arvanitakis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Basic and Translational Research Unit (BTRU), Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education (BRESU), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioanna E Stergiou
- Pathophysiology Department, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Lekakis
- Department of Gastroenterology, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Spyridon Davakis
- First Department of Surgery, Laiko General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria-Ioanna Christodoulou
- Tumor Immunology and Biomarkers Laboratory, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 2404, Cyprus
| | - Georgios Germanidis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Basic and Translational Research Unit (BTRU), Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education (BRESU), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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23
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Wei S, Wei F, Li M, Yang Y, Zhang J, Li C, Wang J. Target immune components to circumvent sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114798. [PMID: 37121146 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, has been approved for cancer treatment for decades, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although sorafenib produced substantial clinical benefits in the initial stage, a large proportion of cancer patients acquired drug resistance in subsequent treatment, which always disturbs clinical physicians. Cumulative evidence unraveled the underlying mechanism of sorafenib, but few reports focused on the role of immune subpopulations, since the immunological rationale of sorafenib resistance has not yet been defined. Here, we reviewed the immunoregulatory effects of sorafenib on the tumor microenvironment and emphasized the potential immunological mechanisms of therapeutic resistance to sorafenib. Moreover, we also summarized the clinical outcomes and ongoing trials in combination of sorafenib with immunotherapy, highlighted the immunotherapeutic strategies to improve sorafenib efficacy, and put forward several prospective questions aimed at guiding future research in overcoming sorafenib resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhua Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Fenghua Wei
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yuhan Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- R & D Management Department, China National Biotec Group, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Chunxiao Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Junjie Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China.
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24
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Steele MM, Jaiswal A, Delclaux I, Dryg ID, Murugan D, Femel J, Son S, du Bois H, Hill C, Leachman SA, Chang YH, Coussens LM, Anandasabapathy N, Lund AW. T cell egress via lymphatic vessels is tuned by antigen encounter and limits tumor control. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:664-675. [PMID: 36849745 PMCID: PMC10998279 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01443-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Antigen-specific CD8+ T cell accumulation in tumors is a prerequisite for effective immunotherapy, and yet the mechanisms of lymphocyte transit are not well defined. Here we show that tumor-associated lymphatic vessels control T cell exit from tumors via the chemokine CXCL12, and intratumoral antigen encounter tunes CXCR4 expression by effector CD8+ T cells. Only high-affinity antigen downregulates CXCR4 and upregulates the CXCL12 decoy receptor, ACKR3, thereby reducing CXCL12 sensitivity and promoting T cell retention. A diverse repertoire of functional tumor-specific CD8+ T cells, therefore, exit the tumor, which limits the pool of CD8+ T cells available to exert tumor control. CXCR4 inhibition or loss of lymphatic-specific CXCL12 boosts T cell retention and enhances tumor control. These data indicate that strategies to limit T cell egress might be an approach to boost the quantity and quality of intratumoral T cells and thereby response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Steele
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology and Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Abhinav Jaiswal
- Department of Dermatology, Microbiology and Immunology, Meyer Cancer Center, Englander Institute of Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ines Delclaux
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ian D Dryg
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dhaarini Murugan
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology and Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Julia Femel
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology and Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sunny Son
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Haley du Bois
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cameron Hill
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sancy A Leachman
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Young H Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- OHSU Center for Spatial Systems Biomedicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Lisa M Coussens
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology and Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Niroshana Anandasabapathy
- Department of Dermatology, Microbiology and Immunology, Meyer Cancer Center, Englander Institute of Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amanda W Lund
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology and Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
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25
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Guo W, Huai Q, Zhou B, Guo L, Sun L, Xue X, Tan F, Xue Q, Gao S, He J. Comprehensive analysis of the immunological implication and prognostic value of CXCR4 in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:1029-1045. [PMID: 36308553 PMCID: PMC10025233 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03298-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
CXCR4 (C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4) is the most commonly expressed of all chemokine receptors in malignant tumors. However, studies on CXCR4 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor immune microenvironment, including those determining its immune efficacy and prognostic potential, are still scarce. Therefore, in this study, we determined the ability of CXCR4 to predict immunotherapy response and prognosis in NSCLC using immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR, respectively, in two independent cohorts from the National Cancer Center of China. We analyzed transcriptome sequencing data and clinical information from multiple public databases to assess immune cell infiltration in NSCLC and constructed immune risk prognostic signatures based on CXCR4-related immunomodulators. We found that immune cell infiltration is significant differences in NSCLC tissues and is moderately correlated with CXCR4 expression. High CXCR4 expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis in NSCLC patients and a higher response rate to immunotherapy. The ROC curve showed that CXCR4 expression exhibited excellent performance in predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in NSCLC. We identified 30 CXCR4-related immunomodulators in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and constructed immune prognostic signatures based on CXCR4-related immunomodulators and CXCR4-related mutant genes. The signature-based prognostic risk score showed good performance in predicting patient prognosis in both LUAD and LUSC; high risk scores were significantly associated with poor prognosis (P < 0.0001) and was established as an independent prognostic factor by multivariate Cox regression. We postulate that CXCR4 is a potential predictive marker of immunotherapy efficacy in NSCLC and should be used in clinical settings. Moreover, the constructed signatures may be valuable in predicting patient prognosis in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Panjiayuannanli No 17, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Therapy Research for Lung Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qilin Huai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Panjiayuannanli No 17, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Bolun Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Panjiayuannanli No 17, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemin Xue
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Fengwei Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Panjiayuannanli No 17, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Therapy Research for Lung Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Xue
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Panjiayuannanli No 17, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Therapy Research for Lung Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shugeng Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Panjiayuannanli No 17, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
- Key Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Therapy Research for Lung Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Panjiayuannanli No 17, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, China.
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Ding L, Wang N, Wang Q, Fan X, Xin Y, Wang S. Midkine inhibition enhances anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in sorafenib-treated hepatocellular carcinoma via preventing immunosuppressive MDSCs infiltration. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:92. [PMID: 36906597 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01392-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib, a multiple-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the standard of care for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but provides limited benefits. Emerging evidences suggest that prolonged sorafenib treatment induces an immunosuppressive HCC microenvironment, but the underling mechanism is undetermined. In the present study, the potential function of midkine, a heparin-binding growth factor/cytokine, was evaluated in sorafenib-treated HCC tumors. Infiltrating immune cells of orthotopic HCC tumors were measured by flow cytometry. Differentially expressed genes in sorafenib-treated HCC tumors were evaluated by transcriptome RNA sequencing. The potential function of midkine were evaluated by western blot, T cell suppression assay, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and tumor xenograft model. We found that sorafenib treatment increased intratumoral hypoxia and altered HCC microenvironment towards an immune-resistant state in orthotopic HCC tumors. Sorafenib treatment promoted midkine expression and secretion by HCC cells. Moreover, forced midkine expression stimulated immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) accumulation in HCC microenvironment, while knockdown of midkine exhibited opposite effects. Furthermore, midkine overexpression promoted CD11b+CD33+HLA-DR- MDSCs expansion from human PBMCs, while midkine depletion suppressed this effect. PD-1 blockade showed no obvious inhibition on tumor growth of sorafenib-treated HCC tumors, but the inhibitory effect was greatly enhanced by midkine knockdown. Besides, midkine overexpression promoted multiple pathways activation and IL-10 production by MDSCs. Our data elucidated a novel role of midkine in the immunosuppressive microenvironment of sorafenib-treated HCC tumors. Mikdine might be a potential target for the combination of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in HCC patients.
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Gao Y, Peng Q, Li S, Zheng K, Gong Y, Xue Y, Liu Y, Lu J, Zhang Y, Shi X. YAP1 suppression inhibits autophagy and improves the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Exp Cell Res 2023; 424:113486. [PMID: 36693491 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but some patients with HCC do not experience clinical benefits. Autophagy promotes tumor progression and participates in drug resistance. Previous studies have revealed that suppressing the expression level of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) improves anti-PD-1 therapy efficacy. Therefore, the relationship between YAP1 expression and autophagy activity during anti-PD-1 treatment was investigated in this study. A positive correlation was found between the expression level of YAP1 and LC3B by analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), UALCAN databases, and HCC tissue microarray. Meanwhile, YAP1 expression and autophagy constituted positive feedback, in which YAP1 inhibition decreased the autophagy activity in liver tumor cells by hepatocyte-specific Yap1 knockout mice. Further, anti-PD-1 treatment increased autophagy and YAP1 expression levels in the cancer tissues from DEN/TCPOBOP-induced liver cancer mice. Finally, Yap1 knockout suppressed autophagy and improved anti-PD-1 therapy efficacy in hepatocyte-specific Yap1 knockout mice with liver tumors. These results suggested that YAP1 suppression was sensitized to anti-PD-1 treatment and inhibited autophagy activity in liver tumor cells. YAP1 is a promising target for improving the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in HCC.
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Oura K, Morishita A, Hamaya S, Fujita K, Masaki T. The Roles of Epigenetic Regulation and the Tumor Microenvironment in the Mechanism of Resistance to Systemic Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032805. [PMID: 36769116 PMCID: PMC9917861 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major histologic type with a poor prognosis owing to the difficulty in early detection, the chemotherapy resistance, and the high recurrence rate of the disease. Despite recent advancements in HCC prevention and diagnosis, over 50% of patients are diagnosed at Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage B or C. Systemic therapies are recommended for unresectable HCC (uHCC) with major vascular invasion, extrahepatic metastases, or intrahepatic lesions that have a limited response to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, but the treatment outcome tends to be unsatisfactory due to acquired drug resistance. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the resistance to systemic therapies and the appropriate response strategies to solve this issue will contribute to improved outcomes in the multidisciplinary treatment of uHCC. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the mechanisms of resistance to drugs such as sorafenib, regorafenib, and lenvatinib in molecularly targeted therapy, with a focus on epigenetic regulation and the tumor microenvironment and outline the approaches to improve the therapeutic outcome for patients with advanced HCC.
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Li L, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Hu H, Mao HQ, Selaru FM. A combination therapy of bortezomib, CXCR4 inhibitor, and checkpoint inhibitor is effective in cholangiocarcinoma in vivo. iScience 2023; 26:106095. [PMID: 36843847 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a biliary tree malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Tumor microenvironment (TME), including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has been shown to be involved in drug resistance. To model the interactions between cancer cells and the TME, we established CCA complex patient-derived organoids (cPDOs) to include epithelial PDO (ePDOs) and matched CAFs. While ePDOs were sensitive to bortezomib, we found the matched cPDOs were relatively resistant. Mechanistically, this resistance was correlated with over-expression of CXCR4 in the CAF component of cPDOs. In accord with the role of CXCR4 in the resistance to bortezomib, we found that a CXCR4 inhibitor can reverse the resistance to bortezomib in vivo. Furthermore, we found that the inhibition of CXCR4 allowed bortezomib to sensitize CCA to anti-PD1 treatment, with a significant reduction of tumor burden and long-term overall survival. This novel cancer/stroma/immune triple treatment holds great promise for the treatment of CCA.
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Chiang HC, Lee YC, Chang TT, Lin YJ, Wu HT, Wang CT, Chen CY, Chen PJ, Hsieh MT, Lin SH, Chen SH, Chuang CH, Wu IC, Hong TC, Wu JS, Han MZ, Chen WT, Chiang CM, Hung KK, Kuo HY. Real-World Effectiveness of Sorafenib versus Lenvatinib Combined with PD-1 Inhibitors in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15. [PMID: 36765812 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitors (MTKIs) exert a synergistic effect and are effective in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, precise data regarding the real-world clinical applications of these combination therapies in uHCC are lacking. This study compared the treatment efficacy of sorafenib versus lenvatinib in combination with programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitors in patients with uHCC in a clinical setting. Among 208 patients with uHCC treated with PD-1 inhibitors, 88 were administered with ICIs in combination with sorafenib or lenvatinib. The treatment response and survival outcomes were evaluated. Predictors of survival were assessed by multivariate analysis. A total of 49 patients were treated with PD-1 inhibitors combined with sorafenib, and 39 patients were treated with PD-1 inhibitors combined with lenvatinib. The lenvatinib group exhibited a stronger objective response rate (ORR) (20.51% vs. 16.33%) and had a higher disease control rate (41.03% vs. 28.57%) than did the sorafenib group. The median overall survival was longer in the lenvatinib group than the sorafenib group (13.1 vs. 7.8 months; hazard ratio = 0.39, p = 0.017). The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was similar. PD-1 inhibitors combined with lenvatinib can be a feasible treatment strategy for HCC patients receiving MTKI-based combination therapy. PD-1 inhibitors combined with lenvatinib resulted in more favorable survival outcomes without increased toxic effects compared with PD-1 inhibitors with sorafenib. Additional larger-scale and prospective studies should be conducted to verify the study results.
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31
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Xu Y, Hao X, Ren Y, Xu Q, Liu X, Song S, Wang Y. Research progress of abnormal lactate metabolism and lactate modification in immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1063423. [PMID: 36686771 PMCID: PMC9853001 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1063423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors meet their energy, biosynthesis, and redox demands through metabolic reprogramming. This metabolic abnormality results in elevated levels of metabolites, particularly lactate, in the tumor microenvironment. Immune cell reprogramming and cellular plasticity mediated by lactate and lactylation increase immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment and are emerging as key factors in regulating tumor development, metastasis, and the effectiveness of immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Reprogramming of glucose metabolism and the "Warburg effect" in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lead to the massive production and accumulation of lactate, so lactate modification in tumor tissue is likely to be abnormal as well. This article reviews the immune regulation of abnormal lactate metabolism and lactate modification in hepatocellular carcinoma and the therapeutic strategy of targeting lactate-immunotherapy, which will help to better guide the medication and treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Xu
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, China
| | - Xiaodong Hao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yidan Ren
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qinchen Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shuliang Song
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, China,*Correspondence: Shuliang Song, ; Yunshan Wang,
| | - Yunshan Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China,*Correspondence: Shuliang Song, ; Yunshan Wang,
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Shintani Y, Kimura T, Funaki S, Ose N, Kanou T, Fukui E. Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15. [PMID: 36672284 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The most common lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with an overall 5-year survival rate of around 20% because NSCLC is a metastatic disease. A better understanding of the mechanism underlying lung cancer metastasis is therefore urgently needed. The tumor microenvironment involves different types of stromal cells and functions as key components in the progression of NSCLC. Through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), in which epithelial cells lose their polarity and acquire mesenchymal potential, cancer cells acquire metastatic abilities, as well as cancer stem-cell-like potential. We previously reported that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) interact with lung cancer cells to allow for the acquisition of malignancy and treatment resistance by paracrine loops via EMT signals in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, CAFs regulate the cytotoxic activity of immune cells via various cytokines and chemokines, creating a microenvironment of immune tolerance. Regulation of CAFs can therefore affect immune responses. Recent research has shown several roles of CAFs in NSCLC tumorigenesis, owing to their heterogeneity, so molecular markers of CAFs should be elucidated to better classify tumor-promoting subtypes and facilitate the establishment of CAF-specific targeted therapies. CAF-targeted cancer treatments may suppress EMT and regulate the niche of cancer stem cells and the immunosuppressive network and thus may prove useful for NSCLC treatment through multiple mechanisms.
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Barnestein R, Galland L, Kalfeist L, Ghiringhelli F, Ladoire S, Limagne E. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment modulation by chemotherapies and targeted therapies to enhance immunotherapy effectiveness. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2120676. [PMID: 36117524 PMCID: PMC9481153 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2120676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid clinical development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the standard of care in cancer management has evolved rapidly. However, immunotherapy is not currently beneficial for all patients. In addition to intrinsic tumor factors, other etiologies of resistance to ICIs arise from the complex interplay between cancer and its microenvironment. Recognition of the essential role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer progression has led to a shift from a tumor-cell-centered view of cancer development, to the concept of a complex tumor ecosystem that supports tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. The expansion of immunosuppressive cells represents a cardinal strategy deployed by tumor cells to escape detection and elimination by the immune system. Regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and type-2 tumor-associated macrophages (TAM2) are major components of these inhibitory cellular networks, with the ability to suppress innate and adaptive anticancer immunity. They therefore represent major impediments to anticancer therapies, particularly immune-based interventions. Recent work has provided evidence that, beyond their direct cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, several conventional chemotherapeutic (CT) drugs and agents used in targeted therapies (TT) can promote the elimination or inactivation of suppressive immune cells, resulting in enhanced antitumor immunity. In this review, we will analyze findings pertaining to this concept, discuss the possible molecular bases underlying the selective targeting of these immunosuppressive cells by antineoplastic agents (CT and/or TT), and consider current challenges and future prospects related to the integration of these molecules into more efficient anticancer strategies, in the era of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robby Barnestein
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
| | - Loïck Galland
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Center, Dijon, France
| | - Laura Kalfeist
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
- Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, Dijon, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
| | - François Ghiringhelli
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Center, Dijon, France
- Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, Dijon, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
| | - Sylvain Ladoire
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Center, Dijon, France
- Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, Dijon, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
| | - Emeric Limagne
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Center, Dijon, France
- Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, Dijon, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
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Khanam A, Kottilil S. New Therapeutics for HCC: Does Tumor Immune Microenvironment Matter? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010437. [PMID: 36613878 PMCID: PMC9820509 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of liver cancer is continuously rising where hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains the most common form of liver cancer accounting for approximately 80-90% of the cases. HCC is strongly prejudiced by the tumor microenvironment and being an inflammation-associated condition, the contribution of various immune mechanisms is critical in its development, progression, and metastasis. The tumor immune microenvironment is initially inflammatory which is subsequently replenished by the immunosuppressive cells contributing to tumor immune escape. Regardless of substantial advancement in systemic therapy, HCC has poor prognosis and outcomes attributed to the drug resistance, recurrence, and its metastatic behavior. Therefore, currently, new immunotherapeutic strategies are extensively targeted in preclinical and clinical settings in order to elicit robust HCC-specific immune responses and appear to be quite effective, extending current treatment alternatives. Understanding the complex interplay between the tumor and the immune cells and its microenvironment will provide new insights into designing novel immunotherapeutics to overcome existing treatment hurdles. In this review, we have provided a recent update on immunological mechanisms associated with HCC and discussed potential advancement in immunotherapies for HCC treatment.
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Li Q, Han J, Yang Y, Chen Y. PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1070961. [PMID: 36601120 PMCID: PMC9806143 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1070961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high prevalence and mortality rate worldwide. Sorafenib monotherapy has been the standard of first-line treatment for advanced HCC for a long time, but there are still many shortcomings. In recent years, with the deepening of research on tumor immune microenvironment, researchers have begun to explore new approaches in immunotherapy, and the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has brought fundamental changes to the treatment of HCC. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is an immune checkpoint molecule that plays an important role in down-regulating immune system function and promoting tolerance. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL-1) is involved in tumor immune evasion by binding to PD-1, resulting in failure of treatment. Currently, immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis has achieved unprecedented success in HCC, but it also faces great challenges, with its low remission rate still to be solved. For most patients with HCC, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is not the only rate limiting factor of antitumor immunity, and blocking only the PD-1/PD-L1 axis is not enough to stimulate an effective antitumor immune response; thus, combination therapy may be a better option. In this study, changes in the immune microenvironment of HCC patients were reviewed to clarify the feasibility of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, and a series of monotherapy and combination therapy clinical trials were summarized to verify the safety and efficacy of this newly developed treatment in patients with advanced HCC. Furthermore, we focused on hyperprogressive disease and drug resistance to gain a better understanding of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade as a promising treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yonglin Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China,*Correspondence: Yonglin Yang, ; Yu Chen,
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Yonglin Yang, ; Yu Chen,
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Eulberg D, Frömming A, Lapid K, Mangasarian A, Barak A. The prospect of tumor microenvironment-modulating therapeutical strategies. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1070243. [PMID: 36568151 PMCID: PMC9772844 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1070243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple mechanisms promote tumor prosperity, which does not only depend on cell-autonomous, inherent abnormal characteristics of the malignant cells that facilitate rapid cell division and tumor expansion. The neoplastic tissue is embedded in a supportive and dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME) that nurtures and protects the malignant cells, maintaining and perpetuating malignant cell expansion. The TME consists of different elements, such as atypical vasculature, various innate and adaptive immune cells with immunosuppressive or pro-inflammatory properties, altered extracellular matrix (ECM), activated stromal cells, and a wide range of secreted/stroma-tethered bioactive molecules that contribute to malignancy, directly or indirectly. In this review, we describe the various TME components and provide examples of anti-cancer therapies and novel drugs under development that aim to target these components rather than the intrinsic processes within the malignant cells. Combinatory TME-modulating therapeutic strategies may be required to overcome the resistance to current treatment options and prevent tumor recurrence.
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Abedi Kiasari B, Abbasi A, Ghasemi Darestani N, Adabi N, Moradian A, Yazdani Y, Sadat Hosseini G, Gholami N, Janati S. Combination therapy with nivolumab (anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody): A new era in tumor immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109365. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Zhang J, Han H, Wang L, Wang W, Yang M, Qin Y. Overcoming the therapeutic resistance of hepatomas by targeting the tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:988956. [DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.988956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of primary liver cancers and is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Multifactorial drug resistance is regarded as the major cause of treatment failure in HCC. Accumulating evidence shows that the constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME), including cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor vasculature, immune cells, physical factors, cytokines, and exosomes may explain the therapeutic resistance mechanisms in HCC. In recent years, anti-angiogenic drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown satisfactory results in HCC patients. However, due to enhanced communication between the tumor and TME, the effect of heterogeneity of the microenvironment on therapeutic resistance is particularly complicated, which suggests a more challenging research direction. In addition, it has been reported that the three-dimensional (3D) organoid model derived from patient biopsies is more intuitive to fully understand the role of the TME in acquired resistance. Therefore, in this review, we have focused not only on the mechanisms and targets of therapeutic resistance related to the contents of the TME in HCC but also provide a comprehensive description of 3D models and how they contribute to the exploration of HCC therapies.
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Hao S, Xu S, Li L, Li Y, Zhao M, Chen J, Zhu S, Xie Y, Jiang H, Zhu J, Wu M. Tumour inhibitory activity on pancreatic cancer by bispecific nanobody targeting PD-L1 and CXCR4. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1092. [PMID: 36284271 PMCID: PMC9594910 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10165-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Antibodies and derivative drugs targeting immune checkpoints have been approved for the treatment of several malignancies, but there are fewer responses in patients with pancreatic cancer. Here, we designed a nanobody molecule with bi-targeting on PD-L1 and CXCR4, as both targets are overexpressed in many cancer cells and play important roles in tumorigenesis. We characterized the biochemical and anti-tumour activities of the bispecific nanobodies in vitro and in vivo. Methods: A nanobody molecule was designed and constructed. The nanobody sequences targeting PD-L1 and CXCR4 were linked by the (G4S)3 flexible peptide to construct the anti-PD-L1/CXCR4 bispecific nanobody. The bispecific nanobody was expressed in E. coli cells and purified by affinity chromatography. The purified nanobody was biochemically characterized by mass spectrometry, Western blotting and flow cytometry to confirm the molecule and its association with both PD-L1 and CXCR4. The biological function of the nanobody and its anti-tumour effects were examined by an in vitro tumour cell-killing assay and in vivo tumour inhibition in mouse xenograft models. Results: A novel anti-PD-L1/CXCR4 bispecific nanobody was designed, constructed and characterized. The molecule specifically bound to two targets on the surface of human cancer cells and inhibited CXCL12-induced Jurkat cell migration. The bispecific nanobody increased the level of IFN-γ secreted by T-cell activation. The cytotoxicity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) against pancreatic cancer cells was enhanced by the molecule in combination with IL-2. In a human pancreatic cancer xenograft model, the anti-PD-L1/CXCR4 nanobody markedly inhibited tumour growth and was superior to the combo-treatment by anti-PD-L1 nanobody and anti-CXCR4 nanobody or treatment with atezolizumab as a positive control. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining of xenograft tumours showed that the anti-tumour effects were associated with the inhibition of angiogenesis and the infiltration of immune cells. Conclusion: These results clearly revealed that the anti-PD-L1/CXCR4 bispecific nanobody exerted anti-tumour efficacy in vitro and inhibited tumour growth in vivo. This agent can be further developed as a therapeutic reagent to treat human pancreatic cancer by simultaneously blocking two critical targets. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-10165-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Hao
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuyi Xu
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liangzhu Li
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaxian Li
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meiqi Zhao
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junsheng Chen
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shunying Zhu
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yueqing Xie
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc, 7320 Executive Way, 21704 Frederick, MD USA
| | - Hua Jiang
- Jecho Laboratories, Inc, 7320 Executive Way, 21704 Frederick, MD USA
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China ,Jecho Laboratories, Inc, 7320 Executive Way, 21704 Frederick, MD USA
| | - Mingyuan Wu
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240 Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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Duda DG, Jain RK. Revisiting Antiangiogenic Multikinase Inhibitors in the Era of Immune Checkpoint Blockade: The Case of Sorafenib. Cancer Res 2022; 82:3665-3667. [PMID: 36245248 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The successful development of multikinase inhibitors over the last two decades has revolutionized the management of many malignant cancers. Agents such as the antiangiogenic kinase inhibitor sorafenib have certain advantages such as a broad spectrum of activity against cancer cells, vascular endothelial cells, and pericytes, and are the mainstay of treatment in diseases such as advanced renal or liver cancer. The more recent emergence of immunotherapy-using immune checkpoint blockade-in some of the same diseases has raised important questions about the treatment interaction with antiangiogenic drugs, seven such combinations have been approved for lung, liver, kidney, and endometrial cancers, and multiple combination therapies are being aggressively pursued in the clinic. Thus, revealing mechanisms of action of antiangiogenic kinase inhibitors in combination with immune checkpoint blockade is critical to improving the treatment outcome further. This Landmark commentary on sorafenib in cancer therapy highlights these important questions. See related article by Wilhelm et al., Cancer Res 2004;64:7099-109.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan G Duda
- Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rakesh K Jain
- Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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41
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Zhou Z, Hu Y, Wu Y, Qi Q, Wang J, Chen L, Wang F. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma-current situation and outlook. Mol Immunol 2022; 151:218-30. [PMID: 36179604 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most severe malignant tumors that threaten human health, and its incidence is still on the rise recently. In spite of the current emerging treatment strategies, the overall prognosis of liver cancer remains worrying. Currently, immunotherapy has become a new research-active spot. The emergence of immune checkpoints and targeted immune cell therapy can significantly improve the prognosis of HCC. To a large extent, the effect of this immunotherapy depends on the tumor immune microenvironment (TME), an intricate system in which cancer cells and other non-cancer cells display various interactions. Understanding the immunosuppressive situation of these cells, along with the malignant behavior of cancer cells, can assist us to design new therapeutic approaches against tumors. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the TME of HCC for further improvement of clinical treatment. This review discussed the functions of several immunosuppressive cells and exosomes in the latest research progress of HCC, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) interacted actively to facilitate tumor progression. It further describes the treatment methods targeting them and the potential that needs to be explored in the future.
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Kikuchi H, Matsui A, Morita S, Amoozgar Z, Inoue K, Ruan Z, Staiculescu D, Wong JSL, Huang P, Yau T, Jain RK, Duda DG. Increased CD8+ T-cell Infiltration and Efficacy for Multikinase Inhibitors After PD-1 Blockade in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Natl Cancer Inst 2022; 114:1301-1305. [PMID: 35288743 PMCID: PMC9468280 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djac051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade combined with antiangiogenic therapy induces vascular normalization and antitumor immunity and is efficacious in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); but whether and how initial immunotherapy affects the efficacy of subsequent antiangiogenic therapy are unknown. We evaluated a cohort of HCC patients (n = 25) who received the pan-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor multikinase inhibitor sorafenib after initial therapy with an antiprogrammed cell death protein (PD)-1 antibody and found superior outcomes in these patients (12% overall response rate to sorafenib and a median overall survival of 12.1 months). To prove this potential benefit, we examined the impact of an anti-PD-1 antibody on response to subsequent sorafenib treatment in orthotopic models of murine HCC. Prior anti-PD-1 antibody treatment amplified HCC response to sorafenib therapy and increased survival (n = 8-9 mice per group, hazard ratio = 0.28, 95% confidence interval = 0.09 to 0.91; 2-sided P = .04). Anti-PD-1 therapy showed angioprotective effects on HCC vessels to subsequent sorafenib treatment, which enhanced the benefit of this therapy sequence in a CD8+ T-cell-dependent manner. This priming approach using immunotherapy provides an immediately translatable strategy for effective HCC treatment while reducing drug exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Kikuchi
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aya Matsui
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Satoru Morita
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zohreh Amoozgar
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Koetsu Inoue
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhiping Ruan
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Staiculescu
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Sum-Lung Wong
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Peigen Huang
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas Yau
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rakesh K Jain
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dan G Duda
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories for Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Muñoz NM, Dupuis C, Williams M, Dixon K, McWatters A, Zhang J, Pavuluri S, Rao A, Duda DG, Kaseb A, Sheth RA. Immune modulation by molecularly targeted photothermal ablation in a mouse model of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14449. [PMID: 36002545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15948-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a promising new treatment approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but there are numerous barriers to immunotherapy in HCC, including an immunosuppressive microenvironment and the "immunotolerance" of the liver. Hyperthermia treatment modalities are standard of care for early stage HCC, and hyperthermia is known to have immunomodulatory effects. We have developed a molecularly targeted photothermal ablation (MTPA) technology that provides thermally tunable, tumor-specific heat generation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphologic and immunologic effects of MTPA in an immunotherapy-resistant syngeneic mouse model of HCC in a background of toxin-induced cirrhosis. We found that the anatomic, cellular, and molecular features of this model recapitulate the characteristics of advanced human HCC. MTPA as a monotherapy and in combination with immune checkpoint therapy significantly increased intratumoral CD3+ and activated CD8+ T cells while decreasing regulatory T cells relative to control or immune checkpoint therapy alone based on immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and single cell RNA sequencing data. Furthermore, we identified evidence of MTPA's influence on systemic tumor immunity, with suppression of remote tumor growth following treatment of orthotopic tumors. The results of this study suggest that tumor-specific hyperthermia may help overcome resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy in advanced HCC.
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Tian X, Yan T, Liu F, Liu Q, Zhao J, Xiong H, Jiang S. Link of sorafenib resistance with the tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: Mechanistic insights. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:991052. [PMID: 36071839 PMCID: PMC9441942 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.991052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic properties, is the first-line treatment for patients with late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the therapeutic effect remains limited due to sorafenib resistance. Only about 30% of HCC patients respond well to the treatment, and the resistance almost inevitably happens within 6 months. Thus, it is critical to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and identify effective approaches to improve the therapeutic outcome. According to recent studies, tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune escape play critical roles in tumor occurrence, metastasis and anti-cancer drug resistance. The relevant mechanisms were focusing on hypoxia, tumor-associated immune-suppressive cells, and immunosuppressive molecules. In this review, we focus on sorafenib resistance and its relationship with liver cancer immune microenvironment, highlighting the importance of breaking sorafenib resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchen Tian
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tinghao Yan
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Huabao Xiong
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Basic Medical School, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Huabao Xiong, ; Shulong Jiang,
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Huabao Xiong, ; Shulong Jiang,
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Ren Y, Pan F, Kan X, Wang J, Han P, Yan J, Li L, Sun P, Liu CY, Bao Q, Yang L, Zheng C. Multimodal Imaging Response after the Singular or Combination Treatments of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitor and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:3664-3672. [PMID: 35976154 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to dynamically assess tumor changes after variable treatments with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor and/or immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) using multimodal imaging of MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mice model. Based on different treatments, 24 mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (isotype-matched IgG antibody 10 mg/kg), VEGF inhibitor (sorafenib 50 mg/kg), ICI (anti-PD-L1 antibody 10 mg/kg), and combination groups (sorafenib 50 mg/kg + anti-PD-L1 antibody 10 mg/kg). Quantitative imaging assessments, including volume transfer constant (Ktrans), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), lactate/choline ratio, and the maximum standardized 18F-FDG uptake value ratio of tumor to muscle (SUVtumor/SUVmuscle ratio), were acquired at different time points (before treatment and 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment). Quantitative data were presented as the mean ± standard errors and two-way repeated-measure ANOVA tests were performed for intergroup and intertime point comparisons. After 21 days from the initiation of therapies, combination group showed the lowest tumor volume and weight, followed by ICI, VEGF inhibitor, and control group, with no significance between the VEGF inhibitor and control groups. In addition, Ktrans values significantly decreased, and the lactate/choline ratio and SUVtumor/SUVmuscle ratio were significantly elevated in the VEGF inhibitor group. ADC significantly increased in the ICI and combination groups, with no significant differences in ADC observed between the control and VEGF inhibitor groups, which showed a similar dynamic change to the tumor volume. Furthermore, Ktrans, lactate/choline ratio, and ADC were significantly correlated with CD31+ area, hypoxyprobe+ area, and apoptosis, respectively. Our results suggest that the singular treatment and combination of the VEGF inhibitor and ICI treatments for HCC present different multimodal imaging changes in accordance with the specific histopathological features. These findings might facilitate the formulation of better treatment response criteria; besides, we find ADC is probably an indicator easily to obtain for treatment response evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiao Ren
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Feng Pan
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xuefeng Kan
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jiazheng Wang
- Clinical & Technical Solutions, Philips Healthcare, Beijing 100600, China
| | - Ping Han
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jingjie Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathmatics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Wuhan 430071, China.,Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Lingli Li
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Peng Sun
- Clinical & Technical Solutions, Philips Healthcare, Beijing 100600, China
| | - Chao-Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathmatics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Qingjia Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathmatics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Lian Yang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan 430022, China
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Sun H, Xing C, Jiang S, Yu K, Dai S, Kong H, Jin Y, Shan Y, Yang W, Wang Z, Xiao J, Wang H, Wang W, Li Z, Shi K. Long term complete response of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma to glypican-3 specific chimeric antigen receptor T-Cells plus sorafenib, a case report. Front Immunol 2022; 13:963031. [PMID: 36059488 PMCID: PMC9428446 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.963031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical efficacy of current therapies for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are unsatisfactory. In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have been developed for solid tumors including advanced HCC (aHCC), but limited progress has been made. Glypican-3 is a promising immunotherapeutic target for HCC since it is specifically highly expressed in HCC. A previous study indicated that GPC3-targeted CAR T-(CAR-GPC3) cells were well-tolerated and had prolonged survival for HCC patients and that Sorafenib could increase the antitumor activities of CAR-GPC3 T-cells against HCC in mouse models. Here, we report a patient with aHCC who achieved a complete response (CR) and a long survival period after the combination therapy of CAR-GPC3 T-cell plus sorafenib.A 60-year-old Asian male diagnosed with hepatitis B virus (HBV) related HCC developed liver recurrence and lung metastasis after liver tumor resection and trans-arterial chemoembolization therapy. The patient also previously received microwave ablation therapy for lung metastasis. After the enrollment, the patient underwent leukapheresis for CAR-GPC3 T-cells manufacturing. Seven days after leukapheresis, the patient started to receive 400 mg of Sorafenib twice daily. The patient received 4 cycles of CAR-GPC3 T cells (CT011) treatment and each cycle was divided into two infusions. Prior to each cycle of CT011 treatment, lymphodepletion was performed. The lymphodepletion regimen was cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2/day for 2 to 3 days, and fludarabine 20-25 mg/m2/day for 3 to 4 days. A total of 4×109 CAR-GPC3 T cells were infused. The CT011 plus Sorafenib combination therapy was well tolerated. All the ≥ grade 3 AEs were hematological toxicities which were deemed an expected event caused by the preconditioning regimen. This patient obtained partial responses from the 3rd month and achieved CR in the 12th month after the first cycle of CT011 infusion according to the RECIST1.1 assessment. The tumor had no progression for more than 36 months and maintained the CR status for more than 24 months after the first infusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Sun
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chongyun Xing
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Songfu Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Kang Yu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shengjie Dai
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hongru Kong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yuepeng Jin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yunfeng Shan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wenjun Yang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- CARsgen Therapeutics Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- CARsgen Therapeutics Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | | | - Wei Wang
- CARsgen Therapeutics Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Zonghai Li
- CARsgen Therapeutics Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Keqing Shi
- Translational Medicine Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Keqing Shi,
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Ren X, He X, Xu C, Han D, Cheng S. Functional Tumor Targeting Nano-Systems for Reprogramming Circulating Tumor Cells with In Situ Evaluation on Therapeutic Efficiency at the Single-Cell Level. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2022; 9:e2105806. [PMID: 35595716 PMCID: PMC9313495 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity is primarily responsible for treatment resistance and cancer relapses. Being critically important to address this issue, the timely evaluation of the appropriateness of therapeutic actions at the single-cell level is still facing challenges. By using multi-functionalized nano-systems with the delivery vector composed of histone for plasmids loading, hyaluronic acid for tumor targeting, and a fusion peptide for C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) targeting as well as nuclear localization, the reprogramming of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with in situ detection on biomarkers at the single-cell level is realized. By efficient co-delivery of the genome editing plasmid for CXCR4 knockout and molecular beacons for detection of upregulated mRNA biomarkers into CTCs in unprocessed whole blood, the therapeutic outcomes of genome editing at the single-cell level can be in situ evaluated. The single-cell analysis shows that CXCR4 in CTCs of cancer patients is efficiently downregulated, resulting in upregulated anticancer biomarkers such as p53 and p21. The study provides a facile strategy for in-depth profiling of cancer cell responses to therapeutic actions at single-cell resolution to evaluate the outcomes of treatments timely and conveniently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao‐He Ren
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of EducationDepartment of ChemistryWuhan UniversityWuhan430072P. R. China
| | - Xiao‐Yan He
- School of Life SciencesAnhui Medical UniversityHefei230032P. R. China
| | - Chang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of EducationDepartment of ChemistryWuhan UniversityWuhan430072P. R. China
| | - Di Han
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of EducationDepartment of ChemistryWuhan UniversityWuhan430072P. R. China
| | - Si‐Xue Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers of Ministry of EducationDepartment of ChemistryWuhan UniversityWuhan430072P. R. China
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Martín-Otal C, Navarro F, Casares N, Lasarte-Cía A, Sánchez-Moreno I, Hervás-Stubbs S, Lozano T, Lasarte JJ. Impact of tumor microenvironment on adoptive T cell transfer activity. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol 2022; 370:1-31. [PMID: 35798502 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in immunotherapy have revolutionized the treatment of cancer. The use of adoptive cell therapies (ACT) such as those based on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) or genetically modified cells (transgenic TCR lymphocytes or CAR-T cells), has shown impressive results in the treatment of several types of cancers. However, cancer cells can exploit mechanisms to escape from immunosurveillance resulting in many patients not responding to these therapies or respond only transiently. The failure of immunotherapy to achieve long-term tumor control is multifactorial. On the one hand, only a limited percentage of the transferred lymphocytes is capable of circulating through the bloodstream, interacting and crossing the tumor endothelium to infiltrate the tumor. Metabolic competition, excessive glucose consumption, the high level of lactic acid secretion and the extracellular pH acidification, the shortage of essential amino acids, the hypoxic conditions or the accumulation of fatty acids in the tumor microenvironment (TME), greatly hinder the anti-tumor activity of the immune cells in ACT therapy strategies. Therefore, there is a new trend in immunotherapy research that seeks to unravel the fundamental biology that underpins the response to therapy and identifies new approaches to better amplify the efficacy of immunotherapies. In this review we address important aspects that may significantly affect the efficacy of ACT, indicating also the therapeutic alternatives that are currently being implemented to overcome these drawbacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Martín-Otal
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Flor Navarro
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Noelia Casares
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Aritz Lasarte-Cía
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Inés Sánchez-Moreno
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Hervás-Stubbs
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Teresa Lozano
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Juan José Lasarte
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
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Melo V, Bremer E, Martin JD. Towards Immunotherapy-Induced Normalization of the Tumor Microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:908389. [PMID: 35712656 PMCID: PMC9196132 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.908389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies modulate the function of immune cells to eradicate cancer cells through various mechanisms. These therapies are successful across a spectrum of cancers, but they are curative only in a subset of patients. Indeed, a major obstacle to the success of immunotherapies is the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising the stromal component and immune infiltrate of tumors. Importantly, the TME in most solid cancers is characterized by sparsely perfused blood vessels resulting from so-called pathological angiogenesis. In brief, dysregulated development of new vessels results in leaky tumor blood vessels that inefficiently deliver oxygen and other nutrients. Moreover, the occurrence of dysregulated fibrosis around the lesion, known as pathological desmoplasia, further compresses tumor blood vessels and impairs blood flow. TME normalization is a clinically tested treatment strategy to reverse these tumor blood vessel abnormalities resulting in stimulated antitumor immunity and enhanced immunotherapy efficacy. TME normalization includes vascular normalization to reduce vessel leakiness and reprogramming of cancer-associated fibroblast to decompress vessels. How immunotherapies themselves normalize the TME is poorly understood. In this review, we summarize current concepts and progress in TME normalization. Then, we review observations of immunotherapy-induced TME normalization and discuss the considerations for combining vascular normalizing and immunotherapies. If TME could be more completely normalized, immunotherapies could be more effective in more patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicio Melo
- Department of Hematology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Edwin Bremer
- Department of Hematology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Yan T, Yu L, Zhang N, Peng C, Su G, Jing Y, Zhang L, Wu T, Cheng J, Guo Q, Shi X, Lu Y. The advanced development of molecular targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Biol Med 2022. [PMID: 35699406 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2021.0661.pmid:35699406;pmcid:pmc9257319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common malignant tumors in China, severely threatens the life and health of patients. In recent years, precision medicine, clinical diagnoses, treatments, and innovative research have led to important breakthroughs in HCC care. The discovery of new biomarkers and the promotion of liquid biopsy technologies have greatly facilitated the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Progress in targeted therapy and immunotherapy has provided more choices for precise HCC treatment. Multiomics technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, have enabled deeper understanding of the occurrence and development mechanisms, heterogeneity, and genetic mutation characteristics of HCC. The continued promotion and accurate typing of HCC, accurate guidance of treatment, and accurate prognostication have provided more treatment opportunities and prolonged survival timelines for patients with HCC. Innovative HCC research providing an in-depth understanding of the biological characteristics of HCC will be translated into accurate clinical practices for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yan
- Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Lingxiang Yu
- The Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Senior Department of Hepatology, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Caiyun Peng
- Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Guodong Su
- Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yi Jing
- Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Linzhi Zhang
- Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Jiamin Cheng
- Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Qian Guo
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | | | - Yinying Lu
- Comprehensive Liver Cancer Center, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, the 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China
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