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Weidemann S, Gorbokon N, Lennartz M, Hube-Magg C, Fraune C, Bernreuther C, Clauditz TS, Jacobsen F, Jansen K, Schmalfeldt B, Wölber L, Paluchowski P, Berkes E, Heilenkötter U, Sauter G, Uhlig R, Wilczak W, Steurer S, Simon R, Krech T, Marx A, Burandt E, Lebok P. High Homogeneity of Mesothelin Expression in Primary and Metastatic Ovarian Cancer. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2023; 31:77-83. [PMID: 36728364 PMCID: PMC9928564 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000001097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
To study the extent of heterogeneity of mesothelin overexpression in primary ovarian cancers and their peritoneal and lymph node metastases, a tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed from multiple sites of 220 ovarian cancers and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. One tissue core each was taken from up to 18 different tumor blocks per cancer, resulting in a total of 2460 tissue spots from 423 tumor sites (188 primary cancers, 162 peritoneal carcinosis, and 73 lymph node metastases). Positive mesothelin expression was found in 2041 of the 2342 (87%) arrayed tissue spots and in 372 of the 392 (95%) tumor sites that were interpretable for mesothelin immunohistochemistry. Intratumoral heterogeneity was found in 23% of 168 primary cancer sites interpretable for mesothelin and decreased to 12% in 154 peritoneal carcinosis and to 6% in 71 lymph node metastases ( P <0.0001). Heterogeneity between the primary tumor and matched peritoneal carcinosis was found in 16% of 102 cancers with interpretable mesothelin results. In these cancers, the mesothelin status switched from positive in the primary tumor to negative in the peritoneal carcinosis (3 cancers) in or vice versa (2 cancers), or a mixture of positive and negative peritoneal carcinoses was found (11 cancers). No such switch was seen between the mesothelin-interpretable primary tumors and their nodal metastases of 59 cancers, and only 1 mesothelin-positive tumor had a mixture of positive and negative lymph node metastases. In conclusion, mesothelin expression is frequent and highly homogeneous in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sören Weidemann
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Natalia Gorbokon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | | | | | - Christoph Fraune
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | | | - Till S. Clauditz
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Frank Jacobsen
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Kristina Jansen
- General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery Department and Clinic
| | | | - Linn Wölber
- Department of Gynecology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | | | - Enikö Berkes
- Department of Gynecology, Regio Clinic Itzehoe, Itzehoe
| | | | - Guido Sauter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Ria Uhlig
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Waldemar Wilczak
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Stefan Steurer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Till Krech
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
- Clinical Center Osnabrueck, Institute of Pathology, Osnabrueck
| | - Andreas Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
- Department of Pathology, Academic Hospital Fuerth, Fuerth, Germany
| | - Eike Burandt
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Patrick Lebok
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
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Schoutrop E, Moyano-Galceran L, Lheureux S, Mattsson J, Lehti K, Dahlstrand H, Magalhaes I. Molecular, cellular and systemic aspects of epithelial ovarian cancer and its tumor microenvironment. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:207-223. [PMID: 35395389 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer encompasses a heterogeneous group of malignancies that involve the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the peritoneal cavity. Despite major advances made within the field of cancer, the majority of patients with ovarian cancer are still being diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease due to lack of effective screening tools. The overall survival of these patients has, therefore, not substantially improved over the past decades. Most patients undergo debulking surgery and treatment with chemotherapy, but often micrometastases remain and acquire resistance to the therapy, eventually leading to disease recurrence. Here, we summarize the current knowledge in epithelial ovarian cancer development and metastatic progression. For the most common subtypes, we focus further on the properties and functions of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, including the extracellular matrix. Current and future treatment modalities are discussed and finally we provide an overview of the different experimental models used to develop novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Schoutrop
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lidia Moyano-Galceran
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stephanie Lheureux
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonas Mattsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Gloria and Seymour Epstein Chair in Cell Therapy and Transplantation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kaisa Lehti
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Hanna Dahlstrand
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Medical unit Pelvic Cancer, Theme Cancer, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Isabelle Magalhaes
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Schoutrop E, Renken S, Micallef Nilsson I, Hahn P, Poiret T, Kiessling R, Wickström SL, Mattsson J, Magalhaes I. Trogocytosis and fratricide killing impede MSLN-directed CAR T cell functionality. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2093426. [PMID: 35898704 PMCID: PMC9313125 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2093426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful translation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for the treatment of solid tumors has proved to be troublesome, mainly due to the complex tumor microenvironment promoting T cell dysfunction and antigen heterogeneity. Mesothelin (MSLN) has emerged as an attractive target for CAR T cell therapy of several solid malignancies, including ovarian cancer. To improve clinical response rates with MSLN-CAR T cells, a better understanding of the mechanisms impacting CAR T cell functionality in vitro is crucial. Here, we demonstrated superior cytolytic capacity of CD28-costimulated MSLN-CAR T cells (M28z) relative to 4–1BB-costimulated MSLN-CAR T cells (MBBz). Furthermore, CD28-costimulated MSLN CAR T cells displayed enhanced cytolytic capacity against tumor spheroids with heterogeneous MSLN expression compared to MBBz CAR T cells. In this study, we identified CAR-mediated trogocytosis as a potential impeding factor for successful MSLN-CAR T cell therapy due to fratricide killing and contributing to tumor antigen heterogeneity. Moreover, we link antigen-dependent upregulation of LAG-3 with reduced CAR T cell functionality. Taken together, our study highlights the therapeutic potential and bottlenecks of MSLN-CAR T cells, providing a rationale for combinatorial treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Schoutrop
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Renken
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Paula Hahn
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Poiret
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rolf Kiessling
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Cancer, Patient Area Head and Neck, Lung and Skin, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stina L Wickström
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Cancer, Patient Area Head and Neck, Lung and Skin, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Mattsson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Gloria and Seymour Epstein Chair in Cell Therapy and Transplantation, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Isabelle Magalhaes
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Giordano G, Ferioli E, Tafuni A. The Role of Mesothelin Expression in Serous Ovarian Carcinoma: Impacts on Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092283. [PMID: 35565412 PMCID: PMC9103848 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesothelin (MSLN) is a protein expressed in the mesothelial cell lining of the pleura, peritoneum, and pericardium; its biological functions in normal cells are still unknown. Experimental studies using knockout mice have suggested that this molecule does not play an important role in development and reproduction. In contrast, it has been observed that this molecule is produced in abnormal amounts in several malignant neoplasms, such as mesotheliomas and pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Many molecular studies have also demonstrated that mesothelin is overexpressed in HSOCs. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of mesothelin and focus on its role in clinical and pathological diagnoses, as well as its impact on the prognosis of HSOC. Moreover, regarding the binding of MSLN to the ovarian cancer antigen CA125, which has been demonstrated in many studies, we also report on signal transduction pathways that may play an important role in the spread and neoplastic progression of this lethal neoplasm. Given that mesothelin is overexpressed in many solid tumours and has antigenic properties, this molecule could be considered an antigenic target for the treatment of many malignancies. Consequently, we also review the literature to report on mesothelin-targeting therapies for HSOC that have been recently investigated in many clinical studies.
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Mesothelin Expression in Human Tumors: A Tissue Microarray Study on 12,679 Tumors. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9040397. [PMID: 33917081 PMCID: PMC8067734 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9040397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesothelin (MSLN) represents an attractive molecule for targeted cancer therapies. To identify tumors that might benefit from such therapies, tissue microarrays including 15,050 tumors from 122 different tumor types and 76 healthy organs were analyzed for MSLN expression by immunohistochemistry. Sixty-six (54%) tumor types showed at least occasional weak staining, including 50 (41%) tumor types with at least one strongly positive sample. Highest prevalence of MSLN positivity had ovarian carcinomas (serous 97%, clear cell 83%, endometrioid 77%, mucinous 71%, carcinosarcoma 65%), pancreatic adenocarcinoma (ductal 75%, ampullary 81%), endometrial carcinomas (clear cell 71%, serous 57%, carcinosarcoma 50%, endometrioid 45%), malignant mesothelioma (69%), and adenocarcinoma of the lung (55%). MSLN was rare in cancers of the breast (7% of 1138), kidney (7% of 807), thyroid gland (1% of 638), soft tissues (0.3% of 931), and prostate (0 of 481). High expression was linked to advanced pathological tumor (pT) stage (p < 0.0001) and metastasis (p < 0.0001) in 1619 colorectal adenocarcinomas, but unrelated to parameters of malignancy in 1072 breast-, 386 ovarian-, 174 lung-, 757 kidney-, 171 endometrial-, 373 gastric-, and 925 bladder carcinomas. In summary, numerous important cancer types with high-level MSLN expression might benefit from future anti-MSLN therapies, but MSLN’s prognostic relevance appears to be limited.
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