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Tran RL, Li T, de la Cerda J, Schuler FW, Khaled AS, Pudakalakatti S, Bhattacharya PK, Sinharay S, Pagel MD. Potentiation of immune checkpoint blockade with a pH-sensitizer as monitored in two pre-clinical tumor models with acidoCEST MRI. Br J Cancer 2025; 132:744-753. [PMID: 39994445 PMCID: PMC11997056 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-025-02962-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2025] [Accepted: 02/12/2025] [Indexed: 02/26/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor acidosis causes resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). We hypothesized that a "pH-sensitizer" can increase tumor extracellular pH (pHe) and improve tumor control following ICB. We also hypothesized that pHe measured with acidoCEST MRI can predict improved tumor control with ICB. METHODS We tested the effects of pH-sensitizers on proton efflux rate (PER), cytotoxicity, T cell activation, tumor immunogenicity, tumor growth and survival using 4T1 and B16-F10 tumor cells. We measured in vivo tumor pHe of 4T1 and B16-F10 models with acidoCEST MRI. RESULTS Among the pH-sensitizers tested, someprazole caused the greatest reduction in PER without exhibiting cytotoxicity or reducing T cell activation. Esomeprazole improved 4T1 tumor control with ICB administered one day after the pH-sensitizer. Tumor pHe positively correlated with TCF-1 + CD4 effector and CD8 T cell intratumoral frequencies and predicted improved 4T1 tumor control with ICB. For comparison, esomeprazole had a mild effect on B16-F10 tumor pHe, and worsened tumor control with ICB and increased intratumoral myeloid and dendritic cell (DC) frequencies. CONCLUSIONS A pH-sensitizer can improve tumor control with ICB, and acidoCEST MRI can be used to measure pHe and predict tumor control, but only in the 4T1 model and not the B16-F10 model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee L Tran
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tianzhe Li
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jorge de la Cerda
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - F William Schuler
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alia S Khaled
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Sanhita Sinharay
- Centre for Biosystems Science & Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Mark D Pagel
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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2
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Bida M, Miya TV, Hull R, Dlamini Z. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in melanoma: from prognostic assessment to therapeutic applications. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1497522. [PMID: 39712007 PMCID: PMC11659259 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1497522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2024] [Accepted: 11/04/2024] [Indexed: 12/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, is characterized by unpredictable growth patterns, and its mortality rate has remained alarmingly high over recent decades, despite various treatment approaches. One promising strategy for improving outcomes in melanoma patients lies in the early use of biomarkers to predict prognosis. Biomarkers offer a way to gauge patient outlook early in the disease course, facilitating timely, targeted intervention. In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the immune response's role in melanoma, given the tumor's high immunogenicity and potential responsiveness to immunologic treatments. Researchers are focusing on identifying predictive biomarkers by examining both cancer cell biology and immune interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). This approach has shed light on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), a type of immune cell found within the tumor. TILs have emerged as a promising area of study for their potential to serve as both a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target in melanoma. The presence of TILs in melanoma tissue can often signal a positive immune response to the cancer, with numerous studies suggesting that TILs may improve patient prognosis. This review delves into the prognostic value of TILs in melanoma, assessing how these immune cells influence patient outcomes. It explores the mechanisms through which TILs interact with melanoma cells and the potential clinical applications of leveraging TILs in treatment strategies. While TILs present a hopeful avenue for prognostication and treatment, there are still challenges. These include understanding the full extent of TIL dynamics within the TME and overcoming limitations in TIL-based therapies. Advancements in TIL characterization methods are also critical to refining TIL-based approaches. By addressing these hurdles, TIL-focused research may pave the way for improved diagnostic and therapeutic options, ultimately offering better outcomes for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meshack Bida
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
- SAMRC Precision Oncology Research Unit (PORU), DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Precision Oncology and Cancer Prevention (POCP), Pan African Cancer Research Institute (PACRI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Thabiso Victor Miya
- SAMRC Precision Oncology Research Unit (PORU), DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Precision Oncology and Cancer Prevention (POCP), Pan African Cancer Research Institute (PACRI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Rodney Hull
- SAMRC Precision Oncology Research Unit (PORU), DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Precision Oncology and Cancer Prevention (POCP), Pan African Cancer Research Institute (PACRI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Zodwa Dlamini
- SAMRC Precision Oncology Research Unit (PORU), DSI/NRF SARChI Chair in Precision Oncology and Cancer Prevention (POCP), Pan African Cancer Research Institute (PACRI), University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
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3
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Liang J, Wang D, Zhao Y, Wu Y, Liu X, Xin L, Dai J, Ren H, Zhou HB, Cai H, Dong C. Novel Hsp90-Targeting PROTACs: Enhanced synergy with cisplatin in combination therapy of cervical cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 275:116572. [PMID: 38861809 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
The development of effective drugs for cervical cancer is urgently required because of its high mortality rate and the limited treatment options. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a series of novel and effective Hsp90-targeting PROTACs. These compounds exhibited potent anti-proliferative activity against cervical cancer cells with low IC50 values. Compound lw13 effectively degraded Hsp90 at a concentration of only 0.05 μM. In addition, it can inhibit the metastasis of cancer cells and induce significant cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, lw13 demonstrated remarkable antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo, and has a synergistic effect in combination with cisplatin. Moreover, lw13 can prevent the activation of the HER2/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by indirectly reducing the levels of HER2 and AKT. This study paves the way for cancer treatment and provides valuable insights into the combination therapy of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsen Liang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Dandan Wang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yijin Zhao
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yihe Wu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xuelian Liu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Lilan Xin
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Junhong Dai
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hang Ren
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hai-Bing Zhou
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; State Key Laboratory of Virology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hongbing Cai
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Chune Dong
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; State Key Laboratory of Virology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Hubei Province Engineering and Technology Research Center for Fluorinated Pharmaceuticals, Key Laboratory of Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Drug Discovery (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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4
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Yuan L, An L, Zhu Y, Duan C, Kong W, Jiang P, Yu QQ. Machine Learning in Diagnosis and Prognosis of Lung Cancer by PET-CT. Cancer Manag Res 2024; 16:361-375. [PMID: 38699652 PMCID: PMC11063459 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s451871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
As a disease with high morbidity and high mortality, lung cancer has seriously harmed people's health. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are more important. PET/CT is usually used to obtain the early diagnosis, staging, and curative effect evaluation of tumors, especially lung cancer, due to the heterogeneity of tumors and the differences in artificial image interpretation and other reasons, it also fails to entirely reflect the real situation of tumors. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been applied to all aspects of life. Machine learning (ML) is one of the important ways to realize AI. With the help of the ML method used by PET/CT imaging technology, there are many studies in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. This article summarizes the application progress of ML based on PET/CT in lung cancer, in order to better serve the clinical. In this study, we searched PubMed using machine learning, lung cancer, and PET/CT as keywords to find relevant articles in the past 5 years or more. We found that PET/CT-based ML approaches have achieved significant results in the detection, delineation, classification of pathology, molecular subtyping, staging, and response assessment with survival and prognosis of lung cancer, which can provide clinicians a powerful tool to support and assist in critical daily clinical decisions. However, ML has some shortcomings such as slightly poor repeatability and reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Yuan
- Jining NO.1 People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin An
- Jining NO.1 People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yandong Zhu
- Jining NO.1 People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chongling Duan
- Jining NO.1 People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weixiang Kong
- Jining NO.1 People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pei Jiang
- Translational Pharmaceutical Laboratory, Jining NO.1 People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qing-Qing Yu
- Jining NO.1 People’s Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, People’s Republic of China
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5
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Knopf P, Stowbur D, Hoffmann SHL, Hermann N, Maurer A, Bucher V, Poxleitner M, Tako B, Sonanini D, Krishnamachary B, Sinharay S, Fehrenbacher B, Gonzalez-Menendez I, Reckmann F, Bomze D, Flatz L, Kramer D, Schaller M, Forchhammer S, Bhujwalla ZM, Quintanilla-Martinez L, Schulze-Osthoff K, Pagel MD, Fransen MF, Röcken M, Martins AF, Pichler BJ, Ghoreschi K, Kneilling M. Acidosis-mediated increase in IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression on cancer cells as an immune escape mechanism in solid tumors. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:207. [PMID: 38102680 PMCID: PMC10722725 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01900-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapy, yet the efficacy of these treatments is often limited by the heterogeneous and hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors. In the TME, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on cancer cells is mainly regulated by Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which induces T cell exhaustion and enables tumor immune evasion. In this study, we demonstrate that acidosis, a common characteristic of solid tumors, significantly increases IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression on aggressive cancer cells, thus promoting immune escape. Using preclinical models, we found that acidosis enhances the genomic expression and phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), and the translation of STAT1 mRNA by eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (elF4F), resulting in an increased PD-L1 expression. We observed this effect in murine and human anti-PD-L1-responsive tumor cell lines, but not in anti-PD-L1-nonresponsive tumor cell lines. In vivo studies fully validated our in vitro findings and revealed that neutralizing the acidic extracellular tumor pH by sodium bicarbonate treatment suppresses IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression and promotes immune cell infiltration in responsive tumors and thus reduces tumor growth. However, this effect was not observed in anti-PD-L1-nonresponsive tumors. In vivo experiments in tumor-bearing IFN-γ-/- mice validated the dependency on immune cell-derived IFN-γ for acidosis-mediated cancer cell PD-L1 induction and tumor immune escape. Thus, acidosis and IFN-γ-induced elevation of PD-L1 expression on cancer cells represent a previously unknown immune escape mechanism that may serve as a novel biomarker for anti-PD-L1/PD-1 treatment response. These findings have important implications for the development of new strategies to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Knopf
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dimitri Stowbur
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sabrina H L Hoffmann
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Natalie Hermann
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Maurer
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Valentina Bucher
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marilena Poxleitner
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bredi Tako
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dominik Sonanini
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Balaji Krishnamachary
- Division of Cancer Imaging Research, The Russell H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sanhita Sinharay
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1881 East Rd, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | | | - Irene Gonzalez-Menendez
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Felix Reckmann
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - David Bomze
- Department of Dermatology, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Lukas Flatz
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniela Kramer
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Schaller
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Zaver M Bhujwalla
- Division of Cancer Imaging Research, The Russell H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leticia Quintanilla-Martinez
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tübingen University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Schulze-Osthoff
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Tübingen, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark D Pagel
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1881 East Rd, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Marieke F Fransen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Martin Röcken
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Tübingen, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - André F Martins
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Tübingen, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bernd J Pichler
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Tübingen, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kamran Ghoreschi
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manfred Kneilling
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", Röntgenweg 13, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany.
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6
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Lu S, Sun X, Zhou Z, Tang H, Xiao R, Lv Q, Wang B, Qu J, Yu J, Sun F, Deng Z, Tian Y, Li C, Yang Z, Yang P, Rao B. Mechanism of Bazhen decoction in the treatment of colorectal cancer based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1235575. [PMID: 37799727 PMCID: PMC10548240 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1235575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Bazhen Decoction (BZD) is a common adjuvant therapy drug for colorectal cancer (CRC), although its anti-tumor mechanism is unknown. This study aims to explore the core components, key targets, and potential mechanisms of BZD treatment for CRC. Methods The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) was employed to acquire the BZD's active ingredient and targets. Meanwhile, the Drugbank, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), DisGeNET, and GeneCards databases were used to retrieve pertinent targets for CRC. The Venn plot was used to obtain intersection targets. Cytoscape software was used to construct an "herb-ingredient-target" network and identify core targets. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using R language software. Molecular docking of key ingredients and core targets of drugs was accomplished using PyMol and Autodock Vina software. Cell and animal research confirmed Bazhen Decoction efficacy and mechanism in treating colorectal cancer. Results BZD comprises 173 effective active ingredients. Using four databases, 761 targets related to CRC were identified. The intersection of BZD and CRC yielded 98 targets, which were utilized to construct the "herb-ingredient-target" network. The four key effector components with the most targets were quercetin, kaempferol, licochalcone A, and naringenin. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealed that the core targets of BZD in treating CRC were AKT1, MYC, CASP3, ESR1, EGFR, HIF-1A, VEGFR, JUN, INS, and STAT3. The findings from molecular docking suggest that the core ingredient exhibits favorable binding potential with the core target. Furthermore, the GO and KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrates that BZD can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to CRC, like the T cell receptor, PI3K-Akt, apoptosis, P53, and VEGF signaling pathway. In vitro, studies have shown that BZD dose-dependently inhibits colon cancer cell growth and invasion and promotes apoptosis. Animal experiments have shown that BZD treatment can reverse abnormal expression of PI3K, AKT, MYC, EGFR, HIF-1A, VEGFR, JUN, STAT3, CASP3, and TP53 genes. BZD also increases the ratio of CD4+ T cells to CD8+ T cells in the spleen and tumor tissues, boosting IFN-γ expression, essential for anti-tumor immunity. Furthermore, BZD has the potential to downregulate the PD-1 expression on T cell surfaces, indicating its ability to effectively restore T cell function by inhibiting immune checkpoints. The results of HE staining suggest that BZD exhibits favorable safety profiles. Conclusion BZD treats CRC through multiple components, targets, and metabolic pathways. BZD can reverse the abnormal expression of genes such as PI3K, AKT, MYC, EGFR, HIF-1A, VEGFR, JUN, STAT3, CASP3, and TP53, and suppresses the progression of colorectal cancer by regulating signaling pathways such as PI3K-AKT, P53, and VEGF. Furthermore, BZD can increase the number of T cells and promote T cell activation in tumor-bearing mice, enhancing the immune function against colorectal cancer. Among them, quercetin, kaempferol, licochalcone A, naringenin, and formaronetin are more highly predictive components related to the T cell activation in colorectal cancer mice. This study is of great significance for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs. It highlights the importance of network pharmacology-based approaches in studying complex traditional Chinese medicine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Lu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
| | - Xibo Sun
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Zhongbao Zhou
- Department of Urology, Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huazhen Tang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
| | - Ruixue Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Qingchen Lv
- Medical Laboratory College, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxiu Qu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxuan Yu
- First Clinical Medical College, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Fang Sun
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoya Deng
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuying Tian
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Cong Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhenpeng Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Penghui Yang
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Benqiang Rao
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Foods for Special Medical Purpose (FSMP) for State Market Regulation, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery/Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Cancer Metabolism and Nutrition, Beijing, China
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7
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Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Response in Lip Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051478. [PMID: 36900270 PMCID: PMC10001350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play a significant role in cancer progression and prognosis of patients. The tumor microenvironment (TME) may affect the anti-tumor immune response. We examined the TIL and tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) density in the invading front and inner tumor stroma, and the lymphocyte subpopulation (CD8, CD4, FOXP3) density in 60 squamous cell carcinomas of the lip. Analysis was performed in parallel with markers of hypoxia (hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF1α), lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA)) and angiogenesis. Low TIL density in the invading tumor front was related with larger tumor size (p = 0.05), deep invasion (p = 0.01), high smooth-muscle actin (SMA) expression (p = 0.01), and high HIF1α and LDH5 expression (p = 0.04). FOXP3+ TILs infiltration and FOXP3+/CD8+ ratios were higher in inner tumor areas, linked with LDH5 expression, and higher MIB1 proliferation index (p = 0.03) and SMA expression (p = 0.001). Dense CD4+ lymphocytic infiltration in the invading front is related to high tumor-budding (TB) (p = 0.04) and angiogenesis (p = 0.04 and p = 0.006, respectively). Low CD8+ TIL density, high CD20+ B-cell density, high FOXP3+/CD8+ ratio and high CD68+ macrophage presence characterized tumors with local invasion (p = 0.02, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.006, respectively). High angiogenic activity was linked with high CD4+, FOXP3+, and low CD8+ TIL density (p = 0.05, 0.01 and 0.01, respectively), as well as high CD68+ macrophage presence (p = 0.003). LDH5 expression was linked with high CD4+ and FOXP3+ TIL density (p = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Further research is needed to explore the prognostic and therapeutic value of TME/TIL interactions.
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Brummel K, Eerkens AL, de Bruyn M, Nijman HW. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes: from prognosis to treatment selection. Br J Cancer 2023; 128:451-458. [PMID: 36564565 PMCID: PMC9938191 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02119-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are considered crucial in anti-tumour immunity. Accordingly, the presence of TILs contains prognostic and predictive value. In 2011, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prognostic value of TILs across cancer types. Since then, the advent of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has renewed interest in the analysis of TILs. In this review, we first describe how our understanding of the prognostic value of TIL has changed over the last decade. New insights on novel TIL subsets are discussed and give a broader view on the prognostic effect of TILs in cancer. Apart from prognostic value, evidence on the predictive significance of TILs in the immune therapy era are discussed, as well as new techniques, such as machine learning that strive to incorporate these predictive capacities within clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Brummel
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anneke L Eerkens
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marco de Bruyn
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans W Nijman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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9
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Chen X, Mao D, Li D, Li W, Wei H, Deng C, Chen H, Zhang C. Identification and validation of a PD-L1-related signature from mass spectrometry in gastric cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023:10.1007/s00432-022-04529-6. [PMID: 36592213 PMCID: PMC10356661 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04529-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the guidelines, PD-L1 expression is a critical indicator for guiding immunotherapy application. According to certain studies, regardless of PD-L1 expression, immunotherapy could be advantageous for individuals with gastric cancer. Therefore, new scoring systems or biomarkers are required to enhance treatment strategies. METHODS Mass spectrometry and machine learning were used to search for strongly related PD-L1 genes, and the NMF approach was then used to separate gastric cancer patients into two categories. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two subtypes identified in this investigation were utilized to develop the UBscore predictive model, which was verified by the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Coimmunoprecipitation, protein expression, and natural killing (NK) cell coculture experiments were conducted to validate the findings. RESULTS A total of 123 proteins were identified as PD-L1 interactors that are substantially enriched in the proteasome complex at the mRNA level. Using random forest, 30 UPS genes were discovered in the GSE66229 cohort, and ANAPC7 was experimentally verified as one of 123 PD-L1 interactors. Depending on the expression of PD-L1 and ANAPC7, patients were separated into two subgroups with vastly distinct immune infiltration. Low UBscore was related to increased tumor mutation burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). In addition, chemotherapy medications were more effective in individuals with a low UBscore. Finally, we discovered that ANAPC7 might lead to the incidence of immunological escape when cocultured with NK-92 cells. CONCLUSION According to our analysis of the PD-L1-related signature in GC, the UBscore played a crucial role in prognosis and had a strong relationship with TMB, MSI, and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity. This research lays the groundwork for improving GC patient prognosis and treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiancong Chen
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Deli Mao
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dongsheng Li
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongfa Wei
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Cuncan Deng
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hengxing Chen
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Changhua Zhang
- Digestive Diseases Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
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Zhang W, Yan Y, Peng J, Thakur A, Bai N, Yang K, Xu Z. Decoding Roles of Exosomal lncRNAs in Tumor-Immune Regulation and Therapeutic Potential. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:286. [PMID: 36612282 PMCID: PMC9818565 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are nanovesicles secreted into biofluids by various cell types and have been implicated in different physiological and pathological processes. Interestingly, a plethora of studies emphasized the mediating role of exosomes in the bidirectional communication between donor and recipient cells. Among the various cargoes of exosomes, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as crucial regulators between cancer cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that can interfere with innate and adaptive immune responses to affect the therapeutic efficiency. Recently, a few major studies have focused on the exosomal lncRNA-mediated interaction between cancer cells and immune cells infiltrated into TME. Nevertheless, a dearth of studies pertains to the immune regulating role of exosomal lncRNAs in cancer and is still in the early stages. Comprehensive mechanisms of exosomal lncRNAs in tumor immunity are not well understood. Herein, we provide an overview of the immunomodulatory function of exosomal lncRNAs in cancer and treatment resistance. In addition, we also summarize the potential therapeutic strategies toward exosomal lncRNAs in TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqin Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Changde Hospital, Changde 415000, China
| | - Yuanliang Yan
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Jinwu Peng
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Abhimanyu Thakur
- Ben May Department for Cancer Research, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ning Bai
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Keda Yang
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Zhijie Xu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
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Xu JQ, Fu YL, Zhang J, Zhang KY, Ma J, Tang JY, Zhang ZW, Zhou ZY. Targeting glycolysis in non-small cell lung cancer: Promises and challenges. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1037341. [PMID: 36532721 PMCID: PMC9748442 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1037341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic disturbance, particularly of glucose metabolism, is a hallmark of tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cancer cells tend to reprogram a majority of glucose metabolism reactions into glycolysis, even in oxygen-rich environments. Although glycolysis is not an efficient means of ATP production compared to oxidative phosphorylation, the inhibition of tumor glycolysis directly impedes cell survival and growth. This review focuses on research advances in glycolysis in NSCLC and systematically provides an overview of the key enzymes, biomarkers, non-coding RNAs, and signaling pathways that modulate the glycolysis process and, consequently, tumor growth and metastasis in NSCLC. Current medications, therapeutic approaches, and natural products that affect glycolysis in NSCLC are also summarized. We found that the identification of appropriate targets and biomarkers in glycolysis, specifically for NSCLC treatment, is still a challenge at present. However, LDHB, PDK1, MCT2, GLUT1, and PFKM might be promising targets in the treatment of NSCLC or its specific subtypes, and DPPA4, NQO1, GAPDH/MT-CO1, PGC-1α, OTUB2, ISLR, Barx2, OTUB2, and RFP180 might be prognostic predictors of NSCLC. In addition, natural products may serve as promising therapeutic approaches targeting multiple steps in glycolysis metabolism, since natural products always present multi-target properties. The development of metabolic intervention that targets glycolysis, alone or in combination with current therapy, is a potential therapeutic approach in NSCLC treatment. The aim of this review is to describe research patterns and interests concerning the metabolic treatment of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qi Xu
- Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Li Fu
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen (Fu Tian) Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai-Yu Zhang
- Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-Yi Tang
- Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen (Fu Tian) Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhong-Yan Zhou
- Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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12
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Prognostic and Predictive Relevance of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Squamous Cell Head-Neck Cancer Patients Treated with Radical Radiotherapy/Chemo-Radiotherapy. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:4274-4284. [PMID: 35735451 PMCID: PMC9222114 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29060342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Microenvironmental conditions control the entrance and thriving of cytotoxic lymphocytes in tumors, allowing or preventing immune-mediated cancer cell death. We investigated the role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density in the outcome of radiotherapy in a series of squamous cell head−neck tumors (HNSCC). Moreover, we assessed the link between markers of hypoxia and TIL density. One-hundred twenty-one patients with HNSCC treated prospectively with radical radiotherapy/chemo-radiotherapy were analyzed. The assessment of TIL density was performed on hematoxylin and eosin biopsy sections before radiotherapy. TIL density ranged from 0.8 to 150 lymphocytes per ×40 optical field (median 27.5). Using the median value, patients were grouped into two categories of low and high TIL density. Early T-stage tumors had a significantly higher TIL density (p < 0.003), but we found no association with N-stage. Overexpression of HIF1α, HIF2α, and CA9 was significantly linked with poor infiltration by TILs (p < 0.03). A significant association of high TIL density with better disease-specific overall survival and improved locoregional relapse-free survival was noted (p = 0.008 and 0.02, respectively), which was also confirmed in multivariate analysis. It is concluded that HNSCC phenotypes that allow for the intratumoral accumulation of lymphocytes have a better outcome following radical radiotherapy/chemo-radiotherapy. Intratumoral-activated HIF- and CA9-related pathways characterize immunologically cold tumors and may be used as targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Wu Q, You L, Nepovimova E, Heger Z, Wu W, Kuca K, Adam V. Hypoxia-inducible factors: master regulators of hypoxic tumor immune escape. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:77. [PMID: 35659268 PMCID: PMC9166526 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01292-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia, a common feature of the tumor microenvironment in various types of cancers, weakens cytotoxic T cell function and causes recruitment of regulatory T cells, thereby reducing tumoral immunogenicity. Studies have demonstrated that hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) 1 and 2 alpha (HIF1A and HIF2A) are involved in tumor immune escape. Under hypoxia, activation of HIF1A induces a series of signaling events, including through programmed death receptor-1/programmed death ligand-1. Moreover, hypoxia triggers shedding of complex class I chain-associated molecules through nitric oxide signaling impairment to disrupt immune surveillance by natural killer cells. The HIF-1-galactose-3-O-sulfotransferase 1-sulfatide axis enhances tumor immune escape via increased tumor cell-platelet binding. HIF2A upregulates stem cell factor expression to recruit tumor-infiltrating mast cells and increase levels of cytokines interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β, resulting in an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Additionally, HIF1A upregulates expression of tumor-associated long noncoding RNAs and suppresses immune cell function, enabling tumor immune escape. Overall, elucidating the underlying mechanisms by which HIFs promote evasion of tumor immune surveillance will allow for targeting HIF in tumor treatment. This review discusses the current knowledge of how hypoxia and HIFs facilitate tumor immune escape, with evidence to date implicating HIF1A as a molecular target in such immune escape. This review provides further insight into the mechanism of tumor immune escape, and strategies for tumor immunotherapy are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Wu
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, China.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Li You
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434025, China
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Heger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, 613 00, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, 602 00, Czech Republic
| | - Wenda Wu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China. .,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, 613 00, Czech Republic. .,Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, 602 00, Czech Republic.
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Tumor draining lymph nodes, immune response, and radiotherapy: Towards a revisal of therapeutic principles. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188704. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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15
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Expression of CD47 and SIRPα Macrophage Immune-Checkpoint Pathway in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071801. [PMID: 35406573 PMCID: PMC8997641 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells escape macrophage phagocytosis by exploiting the CD47/SIRPα axis. We found that extensive membranous CD47 expression by cancer cells characterized 29/98 cases. SIRPα and CD68 were expressed by tumor-associated macrophages (Μφ, TAMs). A high CD68Mφ-score was linked with improved overall survival. High expression, however, of SIRPα by CD68+ TAMs was linked with CD47 expression by cancer cells, low TIL-score, and poor prognosis. A direct association of CD47 expression by cancer cells and the % FOXP3+ TILs was also noted. The CD47/SIRPα axis is a sound target for adjuvant immunotherapy policies, aiming to improve the cure rates in operable NSCLC. Abstract Background: Cancer cells escape macrophage phagocytosis by expressing the CD47 integrin-associated protein that binds to the SIRPα ligand (signal regulatory protein alpha) expressed by macrophages. Immunotherapy targeting this pathway is under clinical development. Methods: We investigated the expression of CD47/SIRPα molecules in a series of 98 NSCLCs, in parallel with the infiltration of tumor stroma by CD68+ macrophages, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and PD-L1/PD-1 molecules. Results: Extensive membranous CD47 expression by cancer cells characterized 29/98 cases. SIRPα and CD68 were expressed, to a varying extent, by tumor-associated macrophages (Μφ, TAMs). A high CD68Mφ-score in inner tumor areas was linked with improved overall survival (p = 0.005); and this was independent of the stage (p = 0.02, hazard ratio 0.4). In contrast, high SIRPα expression by CD68+ TAMs (SIRPα/CD68-ratio) was linked with CD47 expression by cancer cells, low TIL-score, and poor prognosis (p = 0.02). A direct association of CD47 expression by cancer cells and the % FOXP3+ TILs (p = 0.01, r = 0.25) was also noted. Conclusions: TAMs play an important role in the prognosis of operable NSCLC. As SIRPα+ macrophages adversely affect prognosis, it is suggested that the CD47/SIRPα axis is a sound target for adjuvant immunotherapy policies, aiming to improve the cure rates in operable NSCLC.
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Koukourakis IM, Giatromanolaki A, Mitrakas A, Koukourakis MI. Loss of HLA-class-I expression in non-small-cell lung cancer: Association with prognosis and anaerobic metabolism. Cell Immunol 2022; 373:104495. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2022.104495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Yang D, Ma X, Song P. A prognostic model of non small cell lung cancer based on TCGA and ImmPort databases. Sci Rep 2022; 12:437. [PMID: 35013450 PMCID: PMC8748945 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04268-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioinformatics methods are used to construct an immune gene prognosis assessment model for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to screen biomarkers that affect the occurrence and prognosis of NSCLC. The transcriptomic data and clinicopathological data of NSCLC and cancer-adjacent normal tissues were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the immune-related genes were obtained from the IMMPORT database (http://www.immport.org/); then, the differentially expressed immune genes were screened out. Based on these genes, an immune gene prognosis model was constructed. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Further, the correlations among the risk score, clinicopathological characteristics, tumor microenvironment, and the prognosis of NSCLC were analyzed. A total of 193 differentially expressed immune genes related to NSCLC were screened based on the "wilcox.test" in R language, and Cox single factor analysis showed that 19 differentially expressed immune genes were associated with the prognosis of NSCLC (P < 0.05). After including 19 differentially expressed immune genes with P < 0.05 into the Cox multivariate analysis, an immune gene prognosis model of NSCLC was constructed (it included 13 differentially expressed immune genes). Based on the risk score, the samples were divided into the high-risk and low-risk groups. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve results showed that the 5-year overall survival rate in the high-risk group was 32.4%, and the 5-year overall survival rate in the low-risk group was 53.7%. The receiver operating characteristic model curve confirmed that the prediction model had a certain accuracy (AUC = 0.673). After incorporating multiple variables into the Cox regression analysis, the results showed that the immune gene prognostic risk score was an independent predictor of the prognosis of NSCLC patients. There was a certain correlation between the risk score and degree of neutrophil infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. The NSCLC immune gene prognosis assessment model was constructed based on bioinformatics methods, and it can be used to calculate the prognostic risk score of NSCLC patients. Further, this model is expected to provide help for clinical judgment of the prognosis of NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongliang Yang
- Department of General Education, Cangzhou Medical College, Cangzhou, 061001, China
| | - Xiaobin Ma
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 252200, China
| | - Peng Song
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 252200, China.
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Jiang Y, Wang K, Lu X, Wang Y, Chen J. Cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived exosomes promote lung cancer progression by OIP5-AS1/ miR-142-5p/ PD-L1 axis. Mol Immunol 2021; 140:47-58. [PMID: 34653794 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most important stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TEM) and have been reported to regulate various cancer development. Exosomes are considered important elements involved in intercellular communication and TME regulation, while the potential function of CAFs in lung cancer immunosuppressive microenvironments remains unknown. CAFs-derived exosomes (CAFs-exo) and normal fibroblasts (NFs)-derived exosomes (NFs-exo) were isolated by ultra-centrifugation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and western blot analysis. A549 cells were co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Flow cytometry assay was performed to detect the killing role of PBMCs on A549 cells. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assays were used to analyze the relationship among microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and target gene. BALB/c mice were used to construct the lung cancer model by subcutaneous injection. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) was up-regulated in lung cancer tissues and cells. PD-L1 also up-regulated in CAFs cell medium-mediated A549 cells. CAFs decreased PBMCs induced-cell apoptosis through increasing PD-L1 in A549 cells. Moreover, CAFs transferred exosomes to lung cancer cells to suppress the killing effect of PBMCs through up-regulating PD-L1. Using microarray assays, opa-interacting protein 5 antisense RNA 1 (OIP5-AS1) level was highly expressed in CAFs-exos. After treatment by CAFs-exos, miR-142-5p level was significantly down-regulated in A549 cells. OIP5-AS1 served as a sponge to target miR-142-5p and negatively regulated miR-142-5p expression in lung cancer cells. In addition, PD-L1 was a direct target of miR-142-5p. CAFs derived exosomal OIP5-AS1 reduced PBMCs induced-cell apoptosis and promoted tumor growth through decreasing miR-142-5p and up-regulating PD-L1. CAFs-derived exosomes suppressed the role of PBMCs induced-killing of lung cancer cells and promoted lung cancer progression by OIP5-AS1/ miR-142-5p/ PD-L1 axis, which provided a potential opportunity for diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Jiang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Suqian, Suqian, 223800, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoning Lu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Suqian, Suqian, 223800, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongliang Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Suqian, Suqian, 223800, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianle Chen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226000, Jiangsu, China.
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Han Y, Liu D, Li L. Increased expression of TAZ and associated upregulation of PD-L1 in cervical cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:592. [PMID: 34736474 PMCID: PMC8567592 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02287-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As an important component of the Hippo pathway, WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (TAZ), is a transcriptional coactivator that is responsible for the progression of various types of cancers. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptors in activated T cells and their ligand programming death force 1 (PD-L1) are the main checkpoint signals that control T cell activity. Studies have shown high levels of PD-L1 in various cancers and that PD-L1/PD-1 signals to evade T-cell immunity. Recent data have demonstrated that TAZ can regulate the characteristics of cancer cells via PD-L1. Cervical cancer is a common gynecological disease worldwide. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effects of TAZ and PD-L1 on cervical cancer. METHODS Hela cervical cancer cells were transfected with TAZ plasmid or TAZ siRNA or PD-L1 siRNA by using Lipofectamine 2000. The relationship between TAZ and PD-L1 in cervical cancer cells was determined by qRT-PCR and western blotting. The functional roles of TAZ were confirmed via CCK-8, Transwell and flow cytometry assays. Western blotting was utilized to observe the expression of BCL-2 and Caspase-3. The clinicopathological correlation of TAZ and PD-L1 was evaluated via relevant databases. RESULT TAZ is upregulated in cervical cancer and induces the growth and metastasis of cervical cancer cells by targeting PD-L1and inhibiting the ratio of apoptotic of cancer cells. High TAZ and PD-L1 expression was observed in different stage, grade, histological patterns, and ages of cervical cancer groups compared with normal cervix groups. Furthermore, high TAZ expression was positively correlated with the infiltration levels of immune cells and the expression of PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Han
- Department of Pathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1, Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan.
| | - Dandan Liu
- The Fourth Medical Center of The General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Lianhong Li
- Pathology Department of Dalian Medical University, Liaoning, 116044, China
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20
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Zeng J, He SL, Li LJ, Wang C. Hsp90 up-regulates PD-L1 to promote HPV-positive cervical cancer via HER2/PI3K/AKT pathway. Mol Med 2021; 27:130. [PMID: 34666670 PMCID: PMC8524852 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00384-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HPV16 is the predominant cancer-causing strain that is responsible for over 50% of all cervical cancers. In this study, we aim to investigate the therapeutic effect of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) knockdown on HPV16+ cervical cancer progression and the underlying mechanism. METHODS The transcript and protein expression of Hsp90 in normal cervical and HPV16+ cervical cancer tissues and cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot. Hsp90 knockdown clones were established using HPV16+ cervical cancer cell line Caski and SiHa cells. The effect of Hsp90 knockdown on HER2/PI3K/AKT pathway and PD-L1 expression was characterized using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation and migration were determined using MTT and transwell assays. Using mouse xenograft tumor model, the impact of Hsp90 knockdown and PD-L1 overexpression on tumor progression was evaluated. RESULTS Hsp90 expression was up-regulated in HPV16+ cervical cancer tissues and cells. Knockdown of Hsp90 inhibited proliferation and migration of Caski and SiHa cells. PD-L1 expression in cervical cancer tissues was positively correlated with Hsp90 expression, and Hsp90 regulated PD-L1 expression via HER2/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The results of mouse xenograft tumor model demonstrated Hsp90 knockdown suppressed tumor formation and overexpression of PD-L1 simultaneously eliminated the cancer-suppressive effect of Hsp90 knockdown. CONCLUSION In this study, we demonstrated a promising tumor-suppressive effect of Hsp90 knockdown in HPV16+ cervical cancers, and investigated the underlying molecular pathway. Our results suggested that Hsp90 knockdown holds great therapeutic potential in treating HPV16+ cervical cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zeng
- Pharmacy Intravenous Admixture Services, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Si-Li He
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, No.138, Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Jie Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, No.138, Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, No.138, Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.
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Khalyfa A, Qiao Z, Raju M, Shyu CR, Coghill L, Ericsson A, Gozal D. Monocarboxylate Transporter-2 Expression Restricts Tumor Growth in a Murine Model of Lung Cancer: A Multi-Omic Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910616. [PMID: 34638954 PMCID: PMC8508890 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Monocarboxylate transporter 2 (MCT2) is a major high-affinity pyruvate transporter encoded by the SLC16A7 gene, and is associated with glucose metabolism and cancer. Changes in the gut microbiota and host immune system are associated with many diseases, including cancer. Using conditionally expressed MCT2 in mice and the TC1 lung carcinoma model, we examined the effects of MCT2 on lung cancer tumor growth and local invasion, while also evaluating potential effects on fecal microbiome, plasma metabolome, and bulk RNA-sequencing of tumor macrophages. Conditional MCT2 mice were generated in our laboratory using MCT2loxP mouse intercrossed with mCre-Tg mouse to generate MCT2loxP/loxP; Cre+ mouse (MCT2 KO). Male MCT2 KO mice (8 weeks old) were treated with tamoxifen (0.18 mg/g BW) KO or vehicle (CO), and then injected with mouse lung carcinoma TC1 cells (10 × 105/mouse) in the left flank. Body weight, tumor size and weight, and local tumor invasion were assessed. Fecal DNA samples were extracted using PowerFecal kits and bacterial 16S rRNA amplicons were also performed. Fecal and plasma samples were used for GC−MS Polar, as well as non-targeted UHPLC-MS/MS, and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) were subjected to bulk RNAseq. Tamoxifen-treated MCT2 KO mice showed significantly higher tumor weight and size, as well as evidence of local invasion beyond the capsule compared with the controls. PCoA and hierarchical clustering analyses of the fecal and plasma metabolomics, as well as microbiota, revealed a distinct separation between the two groups. KO TAMs showed distinct metabolic pathways including the Acetyl-coA metabolic process, activation of immune response, b-cell activation and differentiation, cAMP-mediated signaling, glucose and glutamate processes, and T-cell differentiation and response to oxidative stress. Multi-Omic approaches reveal a substantial role for MCT2 in the host response to TC1 lung carcinoma that may involve alterations in the gut and systemic metabolome, along with TAM-related metabolic pathway. These findings provide initial opportunities for potential delineation of oncometabolic immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelnaby Khalyfa
- Department of Child Health and the Child Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA;
- Correspondence: (A.K.); (D.G.); Tel.: +1-573-884-7685 (A.K. & D.G.)
| | - Zhuanhong Qiao
- Department of Child Health and the Child Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA;
| | - Murugesan Raju
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Mizzou, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.R.); (L.C.)
| | - Chi-Ren Shyu
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 64110, USA;
| | - Lyndon Coghill
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Mizzou, Columbia, MO 65212, USA; (M.R.); (L.C.)
| | - Aaron Ericsson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and Metagenomics Core, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA;
| | - David Gozal
- Department of Child Health and the Child Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, USA;
- Correspondence: (A.K.); (D.G.); Tel.: +1-573-884-7685 (A.K. & D.G.)
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Giatromanolaki A, Harris AL, Koukourakis MI. The prognostic and therapeutic implications of distinct patterns of argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1) and arginase-2 (ARG2) expression by cancer cells and tumor stroma in non-small-cell lung cancer. Cancer Metab 2021; 9:28. [PMID: 34344457 PMCID: PMC8336070 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-021-00264-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Arginine (Arg) is essential for cancer cell growth and also for the activation of T cells. Thus, therapies aiming to reduce Arg utilization by cancer may prove detrimental for the immune response. Methods We examined the expression of two major enzymes involved in arginine depletion and replenishment, namely arginase ARG2 and argininosuccinate synthase ASS1, respectively, in a series of 98 NSCLCs. Their association with immune infiltrates and the postoperative outcome were also studied. Results ARG2 was expressed mainly by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) (58/98 cases; 59.2%), while ASS1 by cancer cells (75/98 cases; 76.5%). ASS1 and ARG2 expression patterns were not related to hypoxia markers. Auxotrophy, implied by the lack of expression of ASS1 in cancer cells, was associated with high angiogenesis (p < 0.02). ASS1 expression by cancer cells was associated with a high density of iNOS-expressing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (iNOS+TILs). ARG2 expression by CAFs was inversely related to the TIL-density and linked with poorer prognosis (p = 0.02). Patients with ASS1 expression by cancer cells had a better prognosis especially when CAFs did not express ARG2 (p = 0.004). Conclusions ARG2 and ASS1 enzymes are extensively expressed in NSCLC stroma and cancer cells, respectively. Auxotrophic tumors have a poor prognosis, potentially by utilizing Arg, thus reducing Arg-dependent TIL anti-tumor activity. ASS1 expression in cancer cells would allow Arg fueling of iNOS+TILs and enhance anti-tumor immunity. However, upregulation of ARG2 in CAFs may divert Arg from TILs, allowing immune escape. Identification of these three distinct phenotypes may be useful in the individualization of Arg-targeting therapies and immunotherapy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40170-021-00264-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, PO BOX 12, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.,Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, PO BOX 12, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Adrian L Harris
- Cancer Research UK, Molecular Oncology Laboratories, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael I Koukourakis
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, PO BOX 12, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece. .,Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, PO BOX 12, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
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Hypoxia in Lung Cancer Management: A Translational Approach. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143421. [PMID: 34298636 PMCID: PMC8307602 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hypoxia is a common feature of lung cancers. Nonetheless, no guidelines have been established to integrate hypoxia-associated biomarkers in patient management. Here, we discuss the current knowledge and provide translational novel considerations regarding its clinical detection and targeting to improve the outcome of patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma of all stages. Abstract Lung cancer represents the first cause of death by cancer worldwide and remains a challenging public health issue. Hypoxia, as a relevant biomarker, has raised high expectations for clinical practice. Here, we review clinical and pathological features related to hypoxic lung tumours. Secondly, we expound on the main current techniques to evaluate hypoxic status in NSCLC focusing on positive emission tomography. We present existing alternative experimental approaches such as the examination of circulating markers and highlight the interest in non-invasive markers. Finally, we evaluate the relevance of investigating hypoxia in lung cancer management as a companion biomarker at various lung cancer stages. Hypoxia could support the identification of patients with higher risks of NSCLC. Moreover, the presence of hypoxia in treated tumours could help clinicians predict a worse prognosis for patients with resected NSCLC and may help identify patients who would benefit potentially from adjuvant therapies. Globally, the large quantity of translational data incites experimental and clinical studies to implement the characterisation of hypoxia in clinical NSCLC management.
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Identification of a novel glycolysis-related gene signature for predicting the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:12896-12918. [PMID: 33952718 PMCID: PMC8148463 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Glycolysis ensures energy supply to cancer cells, thereby facilitating tumor progression. Here, we identified glycolysis-related genes that could predict the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. We examined 198 glycolysis-related genes that showed differential expression in metastatic and non-metastatic osteosarcoma samples in the TARGET database, and identified three genes (P4HA1, ABCB6, and STC2) for the establishment of a risk signature. Based on the signature, patients in the high-risk group had poor outcomes. An independent Gene Expression Omnibus database GSE21257 was selected as the validation cohort. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed and the accuracy of predicting the 1- and 3-year survival rates was shown by the areas under the curve. The results were 0.884 and 0.790 in the TARGET database, and 0.740 and 0.759 in the GSE21257, respectively. Furthermore, we applied ESTIMATE algorithm and performed single sample gene set enrichment analysis to compare tumor immunity between high- and low-risk groups. We found that the low-risk group had higher immune scores and immune infiltration levels than the high-risk group. Finally, we chose P4HA1 as a representative gene to verify the function of risk genes in vitro and in vivo and found that P4HA1 could promote the metastasis of osteosarcoma cells. Our study established a novel glycolysis-related risk signature that could predict the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma.
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25
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LDH Isotyping for Checkpoint Inhibitor Response Prediction in Patients with Metastatic Melanoma. IMMUNO 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno1020005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels are inversely related with response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with metastatic melanoma. LDH is a key regulator of glycolysis, a pathway known to be upregulated in malignant tumors and to negatively affect antitumor immunity. We hypothesized that LDH isotype distribution in peripheral blood better reflects tumor glycolytic activity than total LDH levels and might therefore contribute to immunotherapy response prediction. LDH isotyping was performed in blood of 40 patients with metastatic melanoma and elevated LDH levels, of which 22 were treated with ipilimumab plus nivolumab. LDH-1 levels were decreased in 57.5% of patients. The percentage of LDH-2, -3 and -4, on the other hand, was elevated in 35%, 67.5% and 37.5% of patients, respectively. There was no difference in LDH isotype distribution between patients with versus patients without clinical benefit of ICIs, except for a numerically lower percentage of LDH-1 in patients without clinical benefit (median 13.3% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.1295). The percentage of LDH-1 correlated with total LDH levels and tumor burden and is therefore not likely to have strong, independent predictive value for response to ICIs. In conclusion, LDH isotyping does not contribute to ICI response prediction in melanoma patients with elevated LDH levels.
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Koukourakis MI, Giatromanolaki A. Lymphopenia and intratumoral lymphocytic balance in the era of cancer immuno-radiotherapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 159:103226. [PMID: 33482348 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The immune response has been recognized as a major tumor-eradication component of radiotherapy. OBJECTIVE This review studies, under a clinical perspective, two contrasting effects of radiotherapy, namely immunosuppression and radiovaccination. MATERIALS AND METHODS We critically reviewed the available clinical and experimental experience on radiotherapy-induced lymphopenia. RESULTS Radiation-induced tumor damage promotes radio-vaccination, enhances cytotoxic immune responses, and potentiates immunotherapy. Nevertheless, radiotherapy induces systemic and intratumoral lymphopenia. The above effects are directly related to radiotherapy fractionation and field size/location, and tumor characteristics. DISCUSSION Hypofractionated stereotactic and accelerated irradiation better promotes radio-vaccination and produces less severe lymphopenia. Adopting cytoprotective policies and combining lympho-stimulatory agents or agents blocking regulatory lymphocyte activity are awaited to unmask the radio-vaccination effect, enhancing the efficacy immuno-radiotherapy. CONCLUSION Radiation-induced lymphopenia and immunosuppression are important issues that should be considered in the design of immuno-radiotherapy clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael I Koukourakis
- Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece.
| | - Alexandra Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece
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Jiang X, Zhao W, Zhu F, Wu H, Ding X, Bai J, Zhang X, Qian M. Ligustilide inhibits the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer via glycolytic metabolism. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 410:115336. [PMID: 33212065 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. The abnormal activation of glycolytic metabolism and PTEN/AKT signaling in NSCLC cells are highly correlated with their proliferation abilities and viability. Ligustilide is one of the major bioactive components of multiple Chinese traditional medicine including Angelica sinensis and Ligusticum. Ligustilide exposure inhibits the proliferation and viability of multiple cancer cell lines in vitro. However, the impact of ligustilide to the progression of NSCLC and its detailed pharmacological mechanisms remain unclear. In this research, CCK-8 and colony formation assay were performed to demonstrate ligustilide treatment inhibited the viability and proliferation ability of NSCLC cells in vitro. Caspase-3/-7 activity assay and nucleosome ELISA assay were utilized to show ligustilide promoted the apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Metabolic analysis and qRT-PCR assay were used to demonstrated that ligustilide dampened aerobic glycolysis of NSCLC cells. Nude mice were exposed to 5 mg/kg ligustilide and ligustilide inhibited orthotopic NSCLC growth in vivo. qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to substantiate the regulatory function of ligustilide to PTEN/AKT signaling in NSCLC cells. Overall, this study revealed that ligustilide regulated the proliferation, apoptosis and aerobic glycolysis of NSCLC cells through PTEN/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufeng Jiang
- Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Wuxi 214016, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wei Zhao
- Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Wuxi 214016, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Wuxi 214016, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Wu
- Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Wuxi 214016, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Ding
- Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Wuxi 214016, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinmei Bai
- Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Wuxi 214016, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Wuxi 214016, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meifang Qian
- Wuxi Fifth People's Hospital, Wuxi 214016, Jiangsu, China
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iNOS Expression by Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes, PD-L1 and Prognosis in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113276. [PMID: 33167430 PMCID: PMC7694334 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The role of Inducible Nitric Oxygen Synthase (iNOS) in the progression of human malignancies is obscure. We studied the expression patterns of iNOS in non-small-cell lung cancer. iNOS was expressed by cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts. None of these patterns, however, are related to stage or prognosis. Extensive infiltration of the tumor stroma by iNOS-expressing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (iNOS+TILs) occurred in 48% of cases. This was related to low Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF1α) and better overall survival. Expression of Programmed death-ligand 1 PD-L1, however, mitigates the beneficial effect of the presence of iNOS+TIL. An important role of iNOS in anti-neoplastic lymphocyte biology has been brought forward, supporting iNOS+TILs as putative immune response markers. Abstract Background: Inducible Nitric Oxygen Synthase (iNOS) promotes the generation of NO in tissues. Its role in tumor progression and immune response is unclear. Methods: The immunohistochemical expression patterns of iNOS were studied in a series of 98 tissue samples of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), in parallel with the expression of hypoxia and anaerobic metabolism markers, PD-L1 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Results: iNOS is expressed by cancer cells in 19/98 (19.4%), while extensive expression by cancer-associated fibroblasts occurs in 8/98 (8.2%) cases. None of these patterns relate to stage or prognosis. Extensive infiltration of the tumor stroma by iNOS-expressing TILs (iNOS+TILs) occurs in 47/98 (48%) cases. This is related to low Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF1α), high PD-L1 expression and a better overall survival (p = 0.002). Expression of PD-L1, however, mitigates the beneficial effect of the presence of iNOS+TIL. Conclusions: Extensive expression of iNOS by TILs occurs in approximately 50% of NSCLCs, and this is significantly related to an improved overall survival. This brings forward the role of iNOS in anti-neoplastic lymphocyte biology, supporting iNOS+TILs as a putative marker of immune response. The value of this biomarker as a predictive and treatment-guiding tool for tumor immunotherapy demands further investigation.
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Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis IM, Chatzipantelis P, Kouroupi M, Balaska K, Koukourakis MI. Rectal cancer induces a regulatory lymphocytic phenotype in the tumor-draining lymph nodes to promote cancer cell installation. Immunol Res 2020; 68:363-372. [PMID: 33150567 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-020-09161-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) are critical organs, where activation of B cells and T cells is orchestrated. Effector or regulatory anti-tumor immune responses are reflected by the composition of the lymphocytic and monocytic cell population of the node. Aside from the migratory cancer cell abilities, immune cell phenotypic changes in the TDLNs may define nodal invasion by cancer. We assessed the qualitative and quantitative differences between lymphocytic phenotypes in regional TDLNs, in 20 node-negative and 20 node-positive patients (involved and uninvolved nodes) with rectal adenocarcinomas. Benign reactive nodes were also analyzed. CD8+ cells, the main source of cytotoxic T cells, were increased in all TDLNs and, even stronger, in the involved nodes. The percentage of CD4+ cells were significantly increased in negative and uninvolved nodes, while the CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly lower in involved TDLNs. CD25+ and FOXP3+ regulatory lymphocytes, however, prevailed in involved nodes, while uninvolved and negative nodes had a low presence of these regulatory cells. CD20+ B cells were also more abundant in involved nodes. PD-1+ lymphocytes were localized in the germinal centers. A significantly lower percentage of PD-1+ lymphocytes were noted in involved nodes. The development of a regulatory lymphocytic phenotype in the TDLNs appears as an important mechanism that allows cancer cell installation into the nodal environment. As negative/uninvolved TDLNs had a less severe immunosuppression, it is postulated that secreted molecules by cancer cells gradually attenuate the anti-tumor defenses of the TDLNs allowing the subsequent intra-nodal growth of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Giatromanolaki
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
| | - Ioannis M Koukourakis
- Department of Radiotherapy / Oncology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Paschalis Chatzipantelis
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Maria Kouroupi
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Konstantina Balaska
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Michael I Koukourakis
- Department of Radiotherapy / Oncology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Mu W, Jiang L, Zhang J, Shi Y, Gray JE, Tunali I, Gao C, Sun Y, Tian J, Zhao X, Sun X, Gillies RJ, Schabath MB. Non-invasive decision support for NSCLC treatment using PET/CT radiomics. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5228. [PMID: 33067442 PMCID: PMC7567795 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19116-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Two major treatment strategies employed in non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC, are tyrosine kinase inhibitors, TKIs, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, ICIs. The choice of strategy is based on heterogeneous biomarkers that can dynamically change during therapy. Thus, there is a compelling need to identify comprehensive biomarkers that can be used longitudinally to help guide therapy choice. Herein, we report a 18F-FDG-PET/CT-based deep learning model, which demonstrates high accuracy in EGFR mutation status prediction across patient cohorts from different institutions. A deep learning score (EGFR-DLS) was significantly and positively associated with longer progression free survival (PFS) in patients treated with EGFR-TKIs, while EGFR-DLS is significantly and negatively associated with higher durable clinical benefit, reduced hyperprogression, and longer PFS among patients treated with ICIs. Thus, the EGFR-DLS provides a non-invasive method for precise quantification of EGFR mutation status in NSCLC patients, which is promising to identify NSCLC patients sensitive to EGFR-TKI or ICI-treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Mu
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Lei Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - JianYuan Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Baoding No.1 Central Hospital, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jhanelle E Gray
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Ilke Tunali
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Chao Gao
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRC), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- TOF-PET/CT/MR center, the Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yingying Sun
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRC), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- TOF-PET/CT/MR center, the Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jie Tian
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, School of Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinming Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China.
| | - Xilin Sun
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRC), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
- TOF-PET/CT/MR center, the Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Robert J Gillies
- Department of Cancer Physiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Matthew B Schabath
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
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Wang S, You H, Yu S. Long non-coding RNA HOXA-AS2 promotes the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and programmed death-ligand 1, and regulates nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression via miR-519. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:245. [PMID: 32973958 PMCID: PMC7509505 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare malignancy arising from the nasopharyngeal epithelium and belongs to the group of head and neck cancer types, which are usually associated with viral and/or environmental influences, as well as heredity causes. A recent study reported that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOXA cluster antisense RNA 2 (HOXA-AS2) may be a prognostic biomarker in NPC; however, the specific mechanisms underlying NCP progression are yet to be determined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the biological role of HOXA-AS2 in NPC. In the present study, the gene expression levels of HOXA-AS2, miR-519, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) were detected using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis and western blotting. Bioinformatics analysis and a dual luciferase reporter assay were performed to predict and confirm the direct interactions between HOXA-AS2 and microRNA (miR)-519, as well as between miR-519 and HIF-1α. A MTT assay was used to detect the cell viability, while cell migratory and invasive abilities were assessed using wound healing and Transwell assays. HOXA-AS2 and HIF-1α were found to be significantly upregulated in NPC tumor tissues, as well as in NPC cell lines. The overexpression of HOXA-AS2 significantly enhanced NPC progression, including the cell proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities. HOXA-AS2 was identified to directly bind to miR-519, whereas a miR-519 inhibitor significantly rescued the HOXA-AS2 knockdown-attenuated progression of NPC. Moreover, miR-519 could bind to HIF-1α and PD-L1. Overexpression of HIF-1α and PD-L1 significantly promoted NPC progression and partially recovered the phenotype of NPC cells attenuated by HOXA-AS2 knockdown. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that HOXA-AS2/miR-519/HIF-1α and/or HOXA-AS2/miR-519/PD-L1 may be a novel mechanism regulating the progression of NPC, which may facilitate the development of targeted clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyong Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 261041, P.R. China
| | - Huizeng You
- Department of Otolaryngology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Weifang, Shandong 261041, P.R. China
| | - Sa Yu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Zhuji, Zhejiang 311800, P.R. China
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Gillette MA, Satpathy S, Cao S, Dhanasekaran SM, Vasaikar SV, Krug K, Petralia F, Li Y, Liang WW, Reva B, Krek A, Ji J, Song X, Liu W, Hong R, Yao L, Blumenberg L, Savage SR, Wendl MC, Wen B, Li K, Tang LC, MacMullan MA, Avanessian SC, Kane MH, Newton CJ, Cornwell M, Kothadia RB, Ma W, Yoo S, Mannan R, Vats P, Kumar-Sinha C, Kawaler EA, Omelchenko T, Colaprico A, Geffen Y, Maruvka YE, da Veiga Leprevost F, Wiznerowicz M, Gümüş ZH, Veluswamy RR, Hostetter G, Heiman DI, Wyczalkowski MA, Hiltke T, Mesri M, Kinsinger CR, Boja ES, Omenn GS, Chinnaiyan AM, Rodriguez H, Li QK, Jewell SD, Thiagarajan M, Getz G, Zhang B, Fenyö D, Ruggles KV, Cieslik MP, Robles AI, Clauser KR, Govindan R, Wang P, Nesvizhskii AI, Ding L, Mani DR, Carr SA. Proteogenomic Characterization Reveals Therapeutic Vulnerabilities in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Cell 2020; 182:200-225.e35. [PMID: 32649874 PMCID: PMC7373300 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 479] [Impact Index Per Article: 95.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
To explore the biology of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and identify new therapeutic opportunities, we performed comprehensive proteogenomic characterization of 110 tumors and 101 matched normal adjacent tissues (NATs) incorporating genomics, epigenomics, deep-scale proteomics, phosphoproteomics, and acetylproteomics. Multi-omics clustering revealed four subgroups defined by key driver mutations, country, and gender. Proteomic and phosphoproteomic data illuminated biology downstream of copy number aberrations, somatic mutations, and fusions and identified therapeutic vulnerabilities associated with driver events involving KRAS, EGFR, and ALK. Immune subtyping revealed a complex landscape, reinforced the association of STK11 with immune-cold behavior, and underscored a potential immunosuppressive role of neutrophil degranulation. Smoking-associated LUADs showed correlation with other environmental exposure signatures and a field effect in NATs. Matched NATs allowed identification of differentially expressed proteins with potential diagnostic and therapeutic utility. This proteogenomics dataset represents a unique public resource for researchers and clinicians seeking to better understand and treat lung adenocarcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Gillette
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Shankha Satpathy
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
| | - Song Cao
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | - Suhas V Vasaikar
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Karsten Krug
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Francesca Petralia
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yize Li
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Wen-Wei Liang
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Boris Reva
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Azra Krek
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jiayi Ji
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy; Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Song
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy; Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Wenke Liu
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Runyu Hong
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lijun Yao
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Lili Blumenberg
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sara R Savage
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Michael C Wendl
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Bo Wen
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kai Li
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Lauren C Tang
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Melanie A MacMullan
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA; Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Shayan C Avanessian
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - M Harry Kane
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | | | - MacIntosh Cornwell
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ramani B Kothadia
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Weiping Ma
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Seungyeul Yoo
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Rahul Mannan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Pankaj Vats
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | | | - Emily A Kawaler
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Tatiana Omelchenko
- Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Antonio Colaprico
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Yifat Geffen
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Yosef E Maruvka
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | | | - Maciej Wiznerowicz
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, 61-701, Poland; International Institute for Molecular Oncology, Poznań, 60-203, Poland
| | - Zeynep H Gümüş
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Rajwanth R Veluswamy
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - David I Heiman
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Matthew A Wyczalkowski
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tara Hiltke
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Mehdi Mesri
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Christopher R Kinsinger
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Emily S Boja
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Gilbert S Omenn
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Arul M Chinnaiyan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Henry Rodriguez
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Qing Kay Li
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Scott D Jewell
- Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Mathangi Thiagarajan
- Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Gad Getz
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David Fenyö
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kelly V Ruggles
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Marcin P Cieslik
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Ana I Robles
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Karl R Clauser
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Ramaswamy Govindan
- Division of Oncology and Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Pei Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Alexey I Nesvizhskii
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Medicine and Genetics, Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - D R Mani
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Steven A Carr
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
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Finelli C. Obesity and immunotherapy: the surprisingly positive association! Immunotherapy 2020; 12:541-544. [PMID: 32345093 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2019-0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Finelli
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale Cav. R. Apicella - ASL Napoli 3 Sud, Via di Massa, 1, 80040 Pollena (Napoli), Italy
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Tumor microenvironment, immune response and post-radiotherapy tumor clearance. Clin Transl Oncol 2020; 22:2196-2205. [PMID: 32445035 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-020-02378-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for many cancer patients. Residual tumor leads to local recurrence after a period of an equilibrium created between proliferating, quiescent and dying cancer cells. The tumor microenvironment is a main obstacle for the efficacy of radiotherapy, as impaired blood flow leads to hypoxia, acidity and reduced accessibility of radiosensitizers. Eradication of remnant disease is an intractable clinical quest. After more than a century of research, anti-tumor immunity has gained a dominant position in oncology research and therapy. Immune cells play a significant role in the eradication of tumors during and after the completion of radiotherapy. The tumor equilibrium reached in the irradiated tumor may shift towards cancer cell eradication if the immune response is appropriately modulated. In the modern immunotherapy era, clinical trials are urged to standardize immunotherapy schemes that could be safely applied to improve clearance of the post-radiotherapy remnant disease.
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35
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Sun L, Zhang Z, Yao Y, Li WY, Gu J. Analysis of expression differences of immune genes in non-small cell lung cancer based on TCGA and ImmPort data sets and the application of a prognostic model. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:550. [PMID: 32411773 PMCID: PMC7214889 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2020.04.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background There has been little investigation carried out into the activity of immune-related genes in the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our study set out to analyze the correlation between the differential expression of immune genes and NSCLC prognosis by screening the differential expression of immune genes. Based on the immune genes identified, we aimed to construct a prognostic risk model and explore some novel molecules which have predictive potential for therapeutic effect and prognosis in lung cancer. Methods Immune gene transcriptome data and clinical data of NSCLC samples were extracted from TCGA database, and transcription factors in the ImmPort dataset were obtained. The data were divided into two groups: normal tissues and tumor tissues. The expression levels of immune genes were compared using the edgeR algorithm, and then differential expression analysis was performed. The survival analysis was carried out by combining differential immune genes with clinical survival time, so that the immune genes influencing the prognosis of NSCLC could be determined. A risk score was calculated based on the expression levels of the immune genes related to the prognosis of NSCLC and their corresponding coefficients to construct a prognostic risk model. This model was used to calculate patient risk scores and perform clinical correlation analysis. The selected molecules were further verified by clinical samples. Results By comparing NSCLC tissues with normal tissues, a total of 6,778 differentially expressed genes were found (P<0.05), of which 490 were differential immune-related genes. Survival analysis determined 28 differential immune genes to be associated with prognosis (P<0.05). We calculated the patient risk value based on the immune gene prognosis model. The survival curve was drawn according to the patient risk score and showed that the survival prognosis was significantly different for the high-risk and the low-risk groups (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.723, which represented a relatively high true-positive rate. All of the results proved the reliability of our immune gene risk prognostic model. After drawing the risk curve, S100A16, IGKV4, S100P, ANGPTL4, SEMA4B, and LGR4 were found to be the high-risk immune genes in NSCLC. Clinical correlation analysis of survival-related differential immune genes revealed that in patients with lymph node metastasis, ANGPTL4 was positively correlated with T stage, S100a16 and SEMA4B were upregulated, and VIPR1 was downregulated. Further analysis revealed that VIPR1 was decreased in metastatic lung cancer compared to non-metastatic lung cancer. Furthermore, the real-time PCR detection of the clinical samples showed that S100A16 expression in lung cancer was increased, while VIPR1 expression in lung cancer was downregulated, which was consistent with the results of our bioinformatics analysis. Conclusions Based on big data from the TCGA and ImmPort databases, our study analyzed the relationship between differential expression of immune-related genes and clinical data, and constructed a prognostic model based on the immune genes identified. Two novel molecules, S100A16 and VIPR1, were verified to possibly have significant biological function in NSCLC. Our research may provide us with new insight into the immune genes by which the malignant biological behavior of NSCLC is mediated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yao Yao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Wen-Ya Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Jia Gu
- Department of Otolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
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