1
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Takami H, Satomi K, Fukuoka K, Fukushima S, Matsushita Y, Yamasaki K, Nakamura T, Tanaka S, Mukasa A, Saito N, Suzuki T, Yanagisawa T, Nakamura H, Sugiyama K, Tamura K, Maehara T, Nakada M, Nonaka M, Asai A, Yokogami K, Takeshima H, Iuchi T, Kanemura Y, Kobayashi K, Nagane M, Kurozumi K, Yoshimoto K, Matsuda M, Matsumura A, Hirose Y, Tokuyama T, Kumabe T, Narita Y, Shibui S, Nakazato Y, Nishikawa R, Matsutani M, Ichimura K. Low tumor cell content predicts favorable prognosis in germinoma patients. Neurooncol Adv 2021; 3:vdab110. [PMID: 34549182 PMCID: PMC8446917 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdab110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Germinoma preferentially occurs in pediatric and young adult age groups. Although they are responsive to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, the treatment may cause long-term sequelae in their later lives. Here, we searched for clinical and histopathological features to predict the prognosis of germinoma and affect treatment response. Methods A total of 114 germinoma cases were included in the analysis. We investigated the association between clinical factors, tumor cell content, and progression-free survival (PFS). Results The tumor cell content was widely distributed from <5% to 90% in the specimens, with a median value of 50%. Female patients showed higher tumor cell content in the specimens (P = .002). Cases with lesions at atypical sites showed shorter PFS than those with lesions at other sites (P = .03). Patients with a higher tumor cell content (≥50%) showed shorter PFS than those with a lower tumor cell content (<50%) (P = .03). In multivariate analysis, tumor cell content was the only statistically significant prognostic factor (P = .04). Among the 7 cases treated with local radiation and chemotherapy, all 3 cases that recurred (2 outside of the radiation field, 1 unknown) had tumor cell content of ≥50% in the original specimen, whereas all 4 cases without recurrence had tumor cell contents of <50%. Conclusions We found that tumor cell content significantly affected the prognosis of germinomas. Although validation of these results using an independent and larger cohort is necessary, this potentially opens the possibility of leveraging this pathological factor in future clinical trials when stratifying the treatment intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Takami
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaishi Satomi
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Fukuoka
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shintaro Fukushima
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Matsushita
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery and Neuro-oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kai Yamasaki
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Taishi Nakamura
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shota Tanaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akitake Mukasa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Nobuhito Saito
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomonari Suzuki
- Department of Neuro-Oncology/Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takaaki Yanagisawa
- Department of Neuro-Oncology/Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideo Nakamura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Kurume University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Sugiyama
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hiroshima University Faculty of Medicine, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kaoru Tamura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taketoshi Maehara
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsutoshi Nakada
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nonaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Medical University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akio Asai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Medical University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Yokogami
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miyazaki Faculty of Medicine, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Hideo Takeshima
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miyazaki Faculty of Medicine, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Iuchi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yonehiro Kanemura
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Institute for Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keiichi Kobayashi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motoo Nagane
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Kurozumi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Koji Yoshimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyusyu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masahide Matsuda
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Akira Matsumura
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yuichi Hirose
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fujita Health University Hospital, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Tokuyama
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Japanese Red Cross Shizuoka Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Kumabe
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Narita
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuro-oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Soichiro Shibui
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuro-oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Ryo Nishikawa
- Department of Neuro-Oncology/Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Masao Matsutani
- Department of Neuro-Oncology/Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Koichi Ichimura
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
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2
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Takami H, Fukushima S, Aoki K, Satomi K, Narumi K, Hama N, Matsushita Y, Fukuoka K, Yamasaki K, Nakamura T, Mukasa A, Saito N, Suzuki T, Yanagisawa T, Nakamura H, Sugiyama K, Tamura K, Maehara T, Nakada M, Nonaka M, Asai A, Yokogami K, Takeshima H, Iuchi T, Kanemura Y, Kobayashi K, Nagane M, Kurozumi K, Yoshimoto K, Matsuda M, Matsumura A, Hirose Y, Tokuyama T, Kumabe T, Ueki K, Narita Y, Shibui S, Totoki Y, Shibata T, Nakazato Y, Nishikawa R, Matsutani M, Ichimura K. Intratumoural immune cell landscape in germinoma reveals multipotent lineages and exhibits prognostic significance. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2019; 46:111-124. [PMID: 31179566 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Alterations in microenvironments are a hallmark of cancer, and these alterations in germinomas are of particular significance. Germinoma, the most common subtype of central nervous system germ cell tumours, often exhibits massive immune cell infiltration intermingled with tumour cells. The role of these immune cells in germinoma, however, remains unknown. METHODS We investigated the cellular constituents of immune microenvironments and their clinical impacts on prognosis in 100 germinoma cases. RESULTS Patients with germinomas lower in tumour cell content (i.e. higher immune cell infiltration) had a significantly longer progression-free survival time than those with higher tumour cell contents (P = 0.03). Transcriptome analyses and RNA in-situ hybridization indicated that infiltrating immune cells comprised a wide variety of cell types, including lymphocytes and myelocyte-lineage cells. High expression of CD4 was significantly associated with good prognosis, whereas elevated nitric oxide synthase 2 was associated with poor prognosis. PD1 (PDCD1) was expressed by immune cells present in most germinomas (93.8%), and PD-L1 (CD274) expression was found in tumour cells in the majority of germinomas examined (73.5%). CONCLUSIONS The collective data strongly suggest that infiltrating immune cells play an important role in predicting treatment response. Further investigation should lead to additional categorization of germinoma to safely reduce treatment intensity depending on tumour/immune cell balance and to develop possible future immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Takami
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - S Fukushima
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Aoki
- Division of Gene and Immune Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Satomi
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Narumi
- Division of Gene and Immune Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - N Hama
- Division of Cancer Genomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Matsushita
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Fukuoka
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - K Yamasaki
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - T Nakamura
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - A Mukasa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - N Saito
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Suzuki
- Department of Neuro-Oncology/Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - T Yanagisawa
- Division of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - H Nakamura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Kurume University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - K Sugiyama
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - K Tamura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Maehara
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Nakada
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - M Nonaka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Medical University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - A Asai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Medical University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - K Yokogami
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - H Takeshima
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - T Iuchi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chiba Cancer Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Y Kanemura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka National Hospital, National Hospital Organization, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Institute for Clinical Research, Osaka National Hospital, National Hospital Organization, Osaka, Japan
| | - K Kobayashi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Nagane
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Kurozumi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Okayama, Japan
| | - K Yoshimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyusyu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - M Matsuda
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - A Matsumura
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Y Hirose
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fujita Health University Hospital, Aichi, Japan
| | - T Tokuyama
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - T Kumabe
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - K Ueki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dokkyo Medical Univeristy, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Y Narita
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - S Shibui
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Totoki
- Division of Cancer Genomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - T Shibata
- Division of Cancer Genomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Nakazato
- Department of Pathology, Hidaka Hospital, Gunma, Japan
| | - R Nishikawa
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - M Matsutani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - K Ichimura
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
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Chovanec M, Mardiak J, Mego M. Immune mechanisms and possible immune therapy in testicular germ cell tumours. Andrology 2019; 7:479-486. [PMID: 31169364 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs) are the only universally curable solid malignancy. The long-term cure rate of >95% is attributed to the extraordinary sensitivity to cisplatin-based treatment but a proportion of patients die due to a progression of the chemotherapy-refractory disease. While treatment of a variety of solid cancers was significantly improved with recent immune therapies, the immunology and immunotherapy remained underinvestigated in GCTs. OBJECTIVES In this narrative review, we summarize evidence about immune-related mechanisms and possible immune therapies in GCTs and provide insights and implications for future research and clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE to identify original and review articles reporting on immune mechanisms and immunotherapy in GCTs. Review articles were further searched for additional original articles. RESULTS Clear link of immune surveillance and the presence of GCT have been identified with several novel immune-related prognostic biomarkers published recently. Several case reports, case series, and preliminary results from phase I-II studies are emerging to report on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. DISCUSSION Newly discovered immune biomarkers provide an evidence supporting the role of immune environment in the GCT biology. While these discoveries provide only an initial insight into the immunobiology, strong correlation with prognosis is evident. This provided a premise to investigate the treatment efficacy of novel immunotherapy. Some efficacy of these treatments has been reported in clinical setting; however, the results of published studies with immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy seem to be disappointing. CONCLUSION Immune-related mechanisms and efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in GCTs should be further investigated in preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Chovanec
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - J Mardiak
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - M Mego
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Translational Research Unit at 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
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4
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Klein B, Schuppe HC, Bergmann M, Hedger MP, Loveland BE, Loveland KL. An in vitro model demonstrates the potential of neoplastic human germ cells to influence the tumour microenvironment. Andrology 2017; 5:763-770. [PMID: 28544640 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) typically contain high numbers of infiltrating immune cells, yet the functional nature and consequences of interactions between GCNIS (germ cell neoplasia in situ) or seminoma cells and immune cells remain unknown. A co-culture model using the seminoma-derived TCam-2 cell line and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC, n = 7 healthy donors) was established to investigate how tumour and immune cells each contribute to the cytokine microenvironment associated with TGCT. Three different co-culture approaches were employed: direct contact during culture to simulate in situ cellular interactions occurring within seminomas (n = 9); indirect contact using well inserts to mimic GCNIS, in which a basement membrane separates the neoplastic germ cells and immune cells (n = 3); and PBMC stimulation prior to direct contact during culture to overcome the potential lack of immune cell activation (n = 3). Transcript levels for key cytokines in PBMC and TCam-2 cell fractions were determined using RT-qPCR. TCam-2 cell fractions showed an immediate increase (within 24 h) in several cytokine mRNAs after direct contact with PBMC, whereas immune cell fractions did not. The high levels of interleukin-6 (IL6) mRNA and protein associated with TCam-2 cells implicate this cytokine as important to seminoma physiology. Use of PBMCs from different donors revealed a robust, repeatable pattern of changes in TCam-2 and PBMC cytokine mRNAs, independent of potential inter-donor variation in immune cell responsiveness. This in vitro model recapitulated previous data from clinical TGCT biopsies, revealing similar cytokine expression profiles and indicating its suitability for exploring the in vivo circumstances of TGCT. Despite the limitations of using a cell line to mimic in vivo events, these results indicate how neoplastic germ cells can directly shape the surrounding tumour microenvironment, including by influencing local immune responses. IL6 production by seminoma cells may be a practical target for early diagnosis and/or treatment of TGCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Klein
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - H-C Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - M Bergmann
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - M P Hedger
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | - K L Loveland
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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5
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Klein B, Haggeney T, Fietz D, Indumathy S, Loveland KL, Hedger M, Kliesch S, Weidner W, Bergmann M, Schuppe HC. Specific immune cell and cytokine characteristics of human testicular germ cell neoplasia. Hum Reprod 2016; 31:2192-202. [PMID: 27609978 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dew211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Which immune cells and cytokine profiles are characteristic for testicular germ cell neoplasia and what consequences does this have for the understanding of the related testicular immunopathology? SUMMARY ANSWER The unique immune environment of testicular germ cell neoplasia comprises B cells and dendritic cells as well as high transcript levels of IL-6 and other B cell supporting or T helper cell type 1 (Th1)-driven cytokines and thus differs profoundly from normal testis or inflammatory lesions associated with hypospermatogenesis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY T cells are known to be the major component of inflammatory infiltrates associated with either hypospermatogenesis or testicular cancer. It has previously been reported that B cells are only involved within infiltrates of seminoma samples, but this has not been investigated further. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Immunohistochemical characterisation (IHC) of infiltrating immune cells and RT-qPCR-based analysis of corresponding cytokine microenvironments was performed on different testicular pathologies. Testicular biopsies, obtained from men undergoing andrological work-up of infertility or taken during surgery for testicular cancer, were used in this study. Samples were grouped as follows: (i) normal spermatogenesis (n = 18), (ii) hypospermatogenesis associated with lymphocytic infiltrates (n = 10), (iii) samples showing neoplasia [germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS, n = 26) and seminoma, n = 18]. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS IHC was performed using antibodies against T cells (CD3+), B cells (CD20cy+), dendritic cells (CD11c+), macrophages (CD68+) and mast cells (mast cell tryptase+). Degree and compartmental localisation of immune cells throughout all groups analysed was evaluated semi-quantitatively. RT-qPCR on RNA extracted from cryo-preserved tissue samples was performed to analyse mRNA cytokine expression, specifically levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17a, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α (pro-inflammatory), IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (anti-inflammatory), IL-2, IL-12a, IL-12b, interferon (IFN)-γ (Th1-driven), IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-23a (Th2-driven), CXCL-13, CXCL-10 and CCL-5 (chemokines). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE This is the first study showing a direct linkage between the distribution pattern of immune cells in hypospermatogenesis versus testicular cancer and analysis of a wide range of 17 related cyto- and chemokines. A fundamental difference between testicular inflammation patterns associated with different testicular inflammatory conditions either containing or lacking neoplastic cells was demonstrated. In hypospermatogenesis, T cells were detected, whereas B cells and dendritic cells were almost absent. Within GCNIS and seminoma, in addition to T cells, high numbers of dendritic cells and B cells were found, the latter additionally organised in cell clusters, whereas mast cells were absent. Transcripts encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α), anti-inflammatory cytokines (TGF-β1), Th1-driven cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ) as well as chemokines (CXCL-13, CXCL-10 and CCL-5) were all significantly increased in testicular germ cell neoplasia (P ≤ 0.01), suggesting the presence of a pro-tumorigenic environment. In contrast, Th2-related cytokines (IL-5, IL-13 and IL-23a) characterised the environment within samples showing normal spermatogenesis as well as hypospermatogenesis. One of the most important outcomes is the pivotal role of IL-6 in testicular cancer that opens potential novel diagnostic and/or immune-therapeutic perspective for testis cancer. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Testicular tissue composed of immune cells as well as other somatic cells and germ cells does not allow identification of specific cytokine sources or single cell types, being responsible for establishing the overall cytokine environment. In this study, laser-assisted microdissection did not reach the required efficiency for RT-qPCR analyses. Therefore, in vitro models would be suggested for addressing the above-mentioned issue. Conclusions about cytokine levels in testes with GCNIS are based on a small number of samples. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The unique B cell presence and the significantly increased expression level of IL-6 in testicular germ cell neoplasia (P < 0.001) strengthen its special role in this disease. In line with current knowledge on other types of cancer, these results underline the relevance of further investigating the potential of IL-6 as early biomarker and target for therapeutic intervention in testicular germ cell neoplasia. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This study (and B.K. in person) was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) as part of the International Research Training Group between Justus Liebig University of Giessen and Monash University, Melbourne (GRK 1871/1) on 'Molecular pathogenesis on male reproductive disorders'. T.H., H.-C.S. and M.B. were supported by the LOEWE focus group 'MIBIE' (male infertility during infection & inflammation)-an excellence initiative of the German state government of Hessen. From the Australian side, K.L. was supported by NHMRC grants (Fellowship, ID1079646 and Project, ID1081987); K.L., S.I. and M.H. received scholarship (S.I.) and research funding (K.L., M.H.) from Monash University. The project also drew support from the Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program. The authors have no competing interests to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Klein
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 98, 35392 Giessen, Germany Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Thomas Haggeney
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 98, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 98, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sivanjah Indumathy
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Wright Street, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Wright Street, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Mark Hedger
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Wright Street, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Muenster, Domagkstrasse 11, 48129 Muenster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weidner
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim Str. 7, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 98, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim Str. 7, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Zhao D, Chen P, Yang H, Wu Y, Zeng X, Zhao Y, Wen Y, Zhao X, Liu X, Wei Y, Li Y. Live attenuated measles virus vaccine induces apoptosis and promotes tumor regression in lung cancer. Oncol Rep 2012; 29:199-204. [PMID: 23129111 DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.2109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the treatment of lung carcinoma has improved, at least 65% of patients with this tumor succumb to progressive disease. Measles virus oncolytic therapy has been reported to be effective in reducing tumor burden in immunocompetent or nude mice; however, its potential to reduce tumor burden in lung carcinoma remains to be determined. Herein, we report the potent antitumor effects of a live attenuated measles vaccine virus Hu-191 strain (MV) against lung carcinoma. Immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells were treated with MV (1x104 to 1x106 CCID50/ml) once every other day for 10 days. Our results showed that treatment with MV effectively suppressed tumor growth and significantly prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing animals. Histological examination revealed that the antitumor effects of MV therapy may result from increased induction of apoptosis, tumor necrosis and elevated lymphocyte infiltration. Our data suggest that MV, one of the widely used vaccines in China, has the ability to inhibit the growth of mouse lung carcinoma and may prove useful in the further exploration of the application of this approach in the treatment of human advanced lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danhua Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
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7
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Mei K, Wang L, Tian L, Yu J, Zhang Z, Wei Y. Antitumor efficacy of combination of interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 gene with gemcitabine, a study in murine model. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2008; 27:63. [PMID: 18983688 PMCID: PMC2586014 DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-27-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2008] [Accepted: 11/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) is a potent inhibitor of tumor angiogenesis. It has been reported that the antiangiogenic therapy combined with chemotherapy has synergistic effects. Methods To elucidate the mechanisms of IP-10 gene combined with a chemotherapy agent, we intramuscularly injected pBLAST-IP-10 expression plasmid combined with gemcitabine into tumor-bearing mice. Results The proliferation of endothelial cells was effectively inhibited by IP-10 combined with gemcitabine in vitro. Treatment with pBLAST-IP-10 twice a week for 4 weeks combined with gemcitabine 10 mg/kg (once a week) resulted in sustained high level of IP-10 protein in serum, inhibition of tumor growth and prolongation of the survival of tumor-bearing mice. Compared with administration of IP-10 plasmid or gemcitabine alone, the angiogenesis in tumors were apparently inhibited, and the numbers of apoptotic cells and lymphocytes in tumor increased in the combination therapy group. Conclusion Our data indicate that the gene therapy of antiangiogenesis by intramuscular delivery of plasmid DNA encoding IP-10 combined with gemcitabine has synergistic effects on tomor by inhibiting the proliferation of endothelail cells, inducing the apoptosis of tumor cells, and recruiting lymphocytes to tumor in murine models. The present findings provided evidence of antitumor effects of genetherapy combined with chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Mei
- 1Department of Oncology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
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8
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Peng XC, Yang L, Yang LP, Mao YQ, Yang HS, Liu JY, Zhang DM, Chen LJ, Wei YQ. Efficient inhibition of murine breast cancer growth and metastasis by gene transferred mouse survivin Thr34-->Ala mutant. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2008; 27:46. [PMID: 18816410 PMCID: PMC2569909 DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-27-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2008] [Accepted: 09/25/2008] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastasis in breast cancer is a vital concern in treatment because most women with primary breast cancer have micrometastases to distant sites at diagnosis. As a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, survivin has been proposed as an attractive target for new anticancer interventions. In this study, we investigated the role of the plasmid encoding the phosphorylation-defective mouse survivin threonine 34-->alanine mutant (Msurvivin T34A plasmid) in suppressing both murine primary breast carcinomas and pulmonary metastases. METHODS In vitro study, induction of apoptosis by Msurvivin T34A plasmid complexed with cationic liposome (DOTAP/Chol) was examined by PI staining fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometric analysis. The anti-tumor and anti-metastases activity of Msurvivin T34A plasmid complexed with cationic liposome (DOTAP/Chol) was evaluated in female BALB/c mice bearing 4T1 s.c. tumors. Mice were treated twice weekly with i.v. administration of Msurvivin T34A plasmid complexed with cationic liposome (DOTAP/Chol), PORF-9 null plasmid complexed with cationic liposome (DOTAP/Chol), 0.9% NaCl solution for 4 weeks. Tumor volume was observed. After sacrificed, tumor net weight was measured and Lung metastatic nodules of each group were counted. Assessment of apoptotic cells by TUNEL assay was conducted in tumor tissue. Microvessel density within tumor tissue was determined by CD31 immunohistochemistry. Alginate-encapsulated tumor cells test was conducted to evaluate the effect on angiogenesis. By experiment of cytotoxicity T lymphocytes, we test whether Msurvivin T34A plasmid complexed with cationic liposome (DOTAP/Chol) can induce specific cell immune response. RESULTS Administration of Msurvivin T34A plasmid complexed with cationic liposome (DOTAP/Chol) resulted in significant inhibition in the growth and metastases of 4T1 tumor model. These anti-tumor and anti-metastases responses were associated with triggering the apoptosis of tumor cells directly, inhibiting angiogenesis and inducing specific cellular immune response. CONCLUSION The present findings suggest that the Msurvivin T34A plasmid complexed with cationic liposome may provide an effective approach to inhibit the growth and metastases of a highly metastatic mouse breast cancer model with minimal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Chen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Keyuan Road 4, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Li Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Keyuan Road 4, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Li-Ping Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Keyuan Road 4, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yong-Qiu Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Keyuan Road 4, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Han-Shuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Keyuan Road 4, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ji-Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Keyuan Road 4, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Dong-Mei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Keyuan Road 4, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - li-Juan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Keyuan Road 4, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yu-Quan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Keyuan Road 4, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
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9
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Zhao J, Wen Y, Li Q, Wang Y, Wu H, Xu J, Chen X, Wu Y, Fan L, Yang H, Liu T, Ding Z, Du X, Diao P, Li J, Wu H, Kan B, Lei S, Deng H, Mao Y, Zhao X, Wei Y. A promising cancer gene therapy agent based on the matrix protein of vesicular stomatitis virus. FASEB J 2008; 22:4272-80. [PMID: 18716030 DOI: 10.1096/fj.08-110049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ju‐mei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- Pharmacological Department of Medical CollegeYan'an UniversityYan'anshanxiChina
| | - Yan‐jun Wen
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Qiu Li
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yong‐sheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Hong‐bo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jian‐rong Xu
- College of Life ScienceSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xian‐cheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ling‐yu Fan
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Han‐shuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Tao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Zhen‐yu Ding
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xiao‐bo Du
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Peng Diao
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Jiong Li
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Hong‐bing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Bing Kan
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Song Lei
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Hong‐xin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yong‐qiu Mao
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xia Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yu‐quan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of BiotherapyWest China Hospital, and Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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10
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Wu Y, Li ZY, Zhao X, Kan B, Wei YQ. Inhibition of Ovarian Tumor Growth by Gene Therapy with Recombinant Soluble Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2. Hum Gene Ther 2006; 17:941-8. [PMID: 16972762 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2006.17.941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The growth and persistence of solid tumors and their metastases are angiogenesis dependent. Targeting angiogenesis represents a new strategy for the development of antitumor therapies. The extracellular immunoglobulin- like domain of VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1), soluble VEGFR-2, may form a heterodimeric complex with a wild-type VEGF receptor and function as a dominant negative receptor. We assessed the effects of sFlk-1 on SKOV3 cell growth and proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, we investigated the effectiveness of recombinant soluble Flk-1 adenovirus on inhibition of tumor growth in an ovarian tumor (SKOV3) nude murine model, combined with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP). Nude mice bearing SKOV3 tumors received adsFlk- 1 (recombinant soluble Flk-1 adenovirus) and DDP, respectively or in combination, and tumor growth inhibition, microvessel density, and apoptosis in tumor tissue were assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. Our data revealed that sFlk-1 had little effect on tumor cell growth in vitro, whereas ad-sFlk-1 administration could inhibit tumor growth significantly (p < 0.05) in the nude murine model, accompanied by angiogenesis suppression and apoptosis induction, and augmented efficiency was observed in combination with DDP as well. The present findings suggest that gene therapy with ad-sFlk-1 is an efficient antiangiogenesis strategy, which may be important in further exploration and possible translation into a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
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11
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Yao B, He QM, Tian L, Xiao F, Jiang Y, Zhang R, Li G, Zhang L, Hou JM, Wang L, Cheng XC, Wen YJ, Kan B, Li J, Zhao X, Hu B, Zhou Q, Zhang L, Wei YQ. Enhanced Antitumor Effect of the Combination of Tumstatin Gene Therapy and Gemcitabine in Murine Models. Hum Gene Ther 2005; 16:1075-86. [PMID: 16149906 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2005.16.1075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting tumor endothelium is an important strategy for cancer therapy. We evaluated the effectiveness of gene therapy, that is, intramuscular delivery of plasmid DNA encoding tumstatin (pSecTag2B-tum), combined with gemcitabine administration in vitro and in vivo, using colon carcinoma (CT26) and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) murine models. The in vitro growth-inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of gemcitabine and/or tumstatin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mouse endothelial cells (SVEC4-10), respectively, were assessed. in vitro, conditioned medium from pSecTag2B-tum-transfected COS cells inhibited the growth of endothelial cells but not of CT26 or LLC cells, whereas gemcitabine inhibited the growth of both endothelial cells and CT26 and LLC cells. Mice bearing subcutaneously established CT26 or LLC tumors received pSecTag2B-tum alone or in combination with gemcitabine to assess tumor growth inhibition. in vivo, combined treatment with pSecTag2B-tum and gemcitabine significantly decreased tumor growth through increased inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and increased tumor cell apoptosis compared with either agent alone. Enhanced antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity of the combination therapy on tumor-associated endothelial cells was calculated to be significant. This study suggests that combined treatment by the intramuscular delivery of plasmid DNA encoding tumstatin and gemcitabine augments tumor growth inhibition by suppressing angiogenesis and enhancing apoptosis in murine models. A combination of these agents could be used in future studies and translated into the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yao
- National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, People's Republic of China
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12
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Yao B, He QM, Tian L, Xiao F, Jiang Y, Zhang R, Li G, Zhang L, Hou JM, Wang L, Cheng XC, Wen YJ, Kan B, Li J, Zhao X, Hu B, Zhou Q, Zhang L, Wei YQ. Enhanced Antitumor Effect of the Combination of Tumstatin Gene Therapy and Gemcitabine in Murine Models. Hum Gene Ther 2005. [DOI: 10.1089/hum.2005.16.ft-109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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13
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Grieco V, Rondena M, Romussi S, Stefanello D, Finazzi M. Immunohistochemical characterization of the leucocytic infiltrate associated with canine seminomas. J Comp Pathol 2004; 130:278-84. [PMID: 15053930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2003.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2003] [Accepted: 12/03/2003] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Both canine and human seminomas are typically associated with leucocytic infiltration, the role of which remains poorly understood. In this study, leucocytes infiltrating 10 canine seminomas were characterized. Monoclonal antibodies directed against CD18, CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD21, CD3, CD4, CD8 and Major Histocompatibility Complex class I and II (MHC I and MHC II) were also employed. Infiltrating leucocytes were located around vessels, adjacent to the thin fibrous septa between neoplastic lobules, and were also scattered singly amongst neoplastic cells. The more profuse infiltrates often had the appearance of follicular aggregates. Immunohistochemically, all the samples showed generally similar results. Most of the infiltrating cells were positive for CD18 and CD11a. Infiltrating cells were mainly T lymphocytes (CD3+), particularly of the CD8+ subset. B lymphocytes (CD21+) were detectable in almost all infiltrates; in the follicular aggregates they were centrally located, whereas T lymphocytes (CD3+) lined the periphery. CD11c+ cells were always more numerous than CD11b+ cells, demonstrating that if macrophages and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were well represented, monocytes and granulocytes were practically absent. Almost all of the infiltrating cells were positive for both MHC I and MHC II antigens and, in nine samples, a large number of neoplastic cells expressing MHC I were detected. A few neoplastic cells expressing MHC II were observed in seven cases. The presence of CD8+ lymphocytes, together with the large number of both infiltrating and neoplastic cells expressing MHC I, suggests that the lymphocytes mediate a cytotoxic reaction against the neoplastic cells. This hypothesis may underlie the favourable prognosis frequently associated with canine seminomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Grieco
- Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Sezione di Anatomia Patologica Veterinaria e Patologia Aviare, Facolta di Medicina veterinaria, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
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14
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Xiao F, Wei Y, Yang L, Zhao X, Tian L, Ding Z, Yuan S, Lou Y, Liu F, Wen Y, Li J, Deng H, Kang B, Mao Y, Lei S, He Q, Su J, Lu Y, Niu T, Hou J, Huang MJ. A gene therapy for cancer based on the angiogenesis inhibitor, vasostatin. Gene Ther 2002; 9:1207-13. [PMID: 12215887 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3301788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2002] [Accepted: 04/19/2002] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The growth and persistence of solid tumors and their metastasis are angiogenesis-dependent. Vasostatin, the N-terminal domain of calreticulin inclusive of amino acids 1-180, is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor. To investigate whether intramuscular administration of vasostatin gene has the antitumor activity in mouse tumor models, we constructed a plasmid DNA encoding vasostatin and a control vector. Production and secretion of vasostatin protein by COS cells transfected with the plasmid DNA encoding vasostatin (pSecTag2B-vaso) were confirmed by Western blot analysis and ELISA. Conditioned medium from vasostatin-transfected COS cells apparently inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and mouse endothelial cell (SVEC4-10) proliferation, compared with conditioned medium from the COS cells transfected with control vector or non-transfected cells. Treatment with pSecTag2B-vaso twice weekly for 4 weeks resulted in the inhibition of tumor growth and the prolongation of the survival of tumor-bearing mice. The sustained high level of vasostatin protein in serum could be identified in ELISA. Angiogenesis was apparently inhibited in tumor by immunohistochemical analysis. Angiogenesis was also inhibited in the chicken embryo CAM assay and mouse corneal micropocket assay. The increased apoptotic cells were found within the tumor tissues from the mice treated with plasmid DNA encoding vasostatin. Taken together, the data in the present study indicate that the cancer gene therapy by the intramuscular delivery of plasmid DNA encoding vasostatin, is effective in the inhibition of the systemic angiogenesis and tumor growth in murine models. The present findings also provide further evidence of the anti-tumor effects of the vasostatin, and may be of importance for the further exploration of the application of this molecule in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy of Human Diseases, Ministry of Education, PR China and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Sichuan, The People's Republic of China
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15
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Bart J, Groen HJM, van der Graaf WTA, Hollema H, Hendrikse NH, Vaalburg W, Sleijfer DT, de Vries EGE. An oncological view on the blood-testis barrier. Lancet Oncol 2002; 3:357-63. [PMID: 12107023 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(02)00776-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The function of the blood-testis barrier is to protect germ cells from harmful influences; thus, it also impedes the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to the testis. The barrier has three components: first, a physicochemical barrier consisting of continuous capillaries, Sertoli cells in the tubular wall, connected together with narrow tight junctions, and a myoid-cell layer around the seminiferous tubule. Second, an efflux-pump barrier that contains P-glycoprotein in the luminal capillary endothelium and on the myoid-cell layer; and multidrug-resistance associated protein 1 located basolaterally on Sertoli cells. Third, an immunological barrier, consisting of Fas ligand on Sertoli cells. Inhibition of P-glycoprotein function offers the opportunity to increase the delivery of cytotoxic drugs to the testis. In the future, visualisation of function in the blood-testis barrier may also be helpful to identify groups of patients in whom testis conservation is safe or to select drugs that are less harmful to fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost Bart
- Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and PET Center, University Hospital Groningen, Netherlands
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16
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Saint F, Leroy X, Graziana JP, Moukassa D, Gosselin B, Biserte J, Chopin D, Rigot JM. Dendritic Cell Infiltration In A Patient With Seminomatous Germ Cell Tumor Of The Testis: Is There A Relationship With Infertility And Tumor Stage? J Urol 2002. [DOI: 10.1016/s0022-5347(05)65170-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Saint
- From the Departments of Urology and Pathology, CHRU Lille, Lille and Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Xavier Leroy
- From the Departments of Urology and Pathology, CHRU Lille, Lille and Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Jean Pierre Graziana
- From the Departments of Urology and Pathology, CHRU Lille, Lille and Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Donatien Moukassa
- From the Departments of Urology and Pathology, CHRU Lille, Lille and Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Bernard Gosselin
- From the Departments of Urology and Pathology, CHRU Lille, Lille and Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Jacques Biserte
- From the Departments of Urology and Pathology, CHRU Lille, Lille and Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Dominique Chopin
- From the Departments of Urology and Pathology, CHRU Lille, Lille and Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Jean Marc Rigot
- From the Departments of Urology and Pathology, CHRU Lille, Lille and Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France
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17
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Dendritic Cell Infiltration In A Patient With Seminomatous Germ Cell Tumor Of The Testis: Is There A Relationship With Infertility And Tumor Stage? J Urol 2002. [DOI: 10.1097/00005392-200204000-00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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18
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Abstract
This review summarizes and discusses a new vaccine strategy based on xenogeneic homologous molecules by the breaking of immune tolerance against the growth factors or their receptors associated with tumor growth in a cross-reaction between the xenogeneic homologs and self-molecules. The xenogeneic vaccine may circumvent the fact that few tumor-specific antigens have been identified in human solid tumors and that the host usually shows immune tolerance to self-molecules as antigens. It may be of importance for the further exploration of the applications of xenogeneic homologous genes identified in human and other animal genome sequence projects in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Quan Wei
- Center for Biotherapy of Cancer and Cancer Research Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PRC.
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19
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Yakirevich E, Lefel O, Sova Y, Stein A, Cohen O, Izhak OB, Resnick MB. Activated status of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and apoptosis in testicular seminoma. J Pathol 2002; 196:67-75. [PMID: 11748644 DOI: 10.1002/path.996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Testicular seminoma is characterized by a prominent lymphoid infiltrate and an excellent prognosis. Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) infiltrating seminoma tumour nests constitute a major subset of the lymphoid infiltrate. The objective of this study was to determine whether CTLs express markers of cytotoxic potential and activity and whether the number of activated CTLs correlates with the extent of apoptosis in testicular seminomas, as opposed to non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumours (NSTGCTs). Twenty cases of pure seminoma as well as 20 cases of NSTGCTs including 16 mixed germ cell tumours (MGCTs) were studied. Immunohistochemistry for the cytotoxic markers TIA-1 (cytotoxic potential) and granzyme B (cytotoxic activity) and the T-cell markers CD3 and CD8 was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections. The apoptotic index (AI) was determined by the TUNEL method. The number of CD3(+), CD8(+), TIA-1(+), and granzyme B(+) cells in tumour cell nests was markedly increased in testicular seminomas, compared with NSTGCTs (p<0.01). Activated granzyme B(+) cells numbered 25.6+/-5.2 per high power field in seminomas and 8.9+/-3.2, 8.1+/-3.9, and 0.4+/-0.2 for embryonal carcinomas, yolk sac tumours, and immature teratomas, respectively. Double immunohistochemical staining for granzyme B and CD8 revealed that 82.6+/-8.5% of granzyme B-expressing cells were CD8(+). The tumour cell AI was significantly increased in embryonal carcinoma, compared with the seminoma, yolk sac tumour, and immature teratoma subgroups (6.7+/-1.3, 2.3+/-0.3, 3.0+/-1.1, and 2.3+/-1.1, respectively, p<0.001). TUNEL/CD3 double immunostaining revealed that a significant proportion of the apoptotic seminomatous tumour cells were in direct contact with one or more CD3(+) lymphocytes (47.2+/-6.2%). The number of activated granzyme B(+) CTLs showed a strong linear correlation with the AI in the seminoma group (r=0.71, p<0.0001) but not in other subgroups. TUNEL/granzyme B double immunolabelling revealed that a proportion of activated granzyme B(+) lymphocytes (20%) were often seen in close contact with apoptotic tumour cells. The presence of increased numbers of activated cytotoxic lymphocytes in testicular seminomas suggests that apoptotic tumour cell death in this neoplasm may be triggered by cytotoxic granule effectors. This phenomenon may be one of the key host immune mechanisms leading to the excellent prognosis in this tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny Yakirevich
- Department of Pathology, The Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center and the Technion Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
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20
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Bols B, Jensen L, Jensen A, Braendstrup O. Immunopathology of in situ seminoma. Int J Exp Pathol 2000; 81:211-7. [PMID: 10971742 PMCID: PMC2517725 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2613.2000.00151.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/1999] [Accepted: 03/23/2000] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study of the seminomatous human testis the composition, activity and apoptosis of lymphocytes infiltrating the immune-privileged seminiferous tubules with in situ seminoma were studied by immunohistochemistry and DNA fragmentation detection. Likewise the lymphocytes infiltrating the invasive seminomas were studied. The study showed equal numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and B cells, about 30% of the cells. Very few T gamma/delta and NK cells were present. The activity in terms of IL-2-R, FasL and perforin expression was low. Apoptosis of the lymphocytic cells was limited. No differences were observed between the lymphocytes in seminiferous tubules with in situ seminoma and the lymphocytes in invasive tumours. The study suggests that either specifically committed lymphocytes are not present or, if present, immune-suppressing mechanisms in addition to FasL may be working.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Bols
- Department of Pathology, Glostrup Hospital, Denmark
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21
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Abstract
Germ cell tumors of the testis are the most frequent testicular neoplasms, with seminoma predominating. The pathologist must be able to discriminate between seminoma and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors as well as sex cord-stromal tumors and metastatic lesions. Appropriate therapy and accurate prognostic information are dependent on the proper classification of testicular neoplasia. Characteristic histologic features, serum markers, and immunohistochemistry are helpful in this regard. Sex cord-stromal tumors comprise a small minority of testicular neoplasms. It remains critically important not to confuse these neoplasms with testicular germ cell or metastatic tumors, and, again, recognition of the characteristic histologic features, immunohistochemical findings, and clinical information is diagnostic. The urologist can provide the pathologist with key clinical information in the attempt to make a correct diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Cheville
- Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
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Cope NJ, McCullagh P, Sarsfield PT. Tumour responding accessory cells in testicular seminoma: an immunohistochemical study. Histopathology 1999; 34:510-6. [PMID: 10383695 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.1999.00683.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the role of accessory cells (and other chronic inflammatory cells) in the host immune response to testicular seminoma by defining their immunophenotypic characteristics and topographical arrangement. METHODS AND RESULTS A panel of antibodies applicable to paraffin-embedded tissues was employed to characterize the host chronic inflammatory response in eight cases of classical testicular seminoma. The antibodies were directed against CD45RO, CD20, CD68, acid cysteine proteinase inhibitor (ACPI), MAC387, muramidase (MUR), S100 protein, Factor XIIIa, CD21 and HLA Class II. In all cases the majority of the inflammatory cells were T-lymphocytes situated mainly in areas of apparent tumour destruction. Large numbers of macrophages/dendritic cells which had not been evident by conventional light microscopy were also demonstrated. In particular, an immunophenotypically distinct population of accessory cells showing a specific pattern of distribution was revealed. It clearly rimmed islands of tumour and showed strong positive staining for CD68, MAC387 and HLA Class II. CONCLUSION The study has identified an immunophenotypically distinct population of accessory cells showing a characteristic topographical arrangement. It is proposed that it represents a subpopulation of macrophages which are responding directly to the tumour and are likely to play a part in influencing tumour dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Cope
- Departments of Histopathology, Royal Devon & Exeter Healthcare NHS Trust, Exeter, UK
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Zhao X, Wei YQ, Kariya Y, Teshigawara K, Uchida A. Accumulation of gamma/delta T cells in human dysgerminoma and seminoma: roles in autologous tumor killing and granuloma formation. Immunol Invest 1995; 24:607-18. [PMID: 7622197 DOI: 10.3109/08820139509066861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The precise biological function of a subset of T cells bearing gamma/delta T cell receptor (TCR) remains poorly understood. The present study demonstrated the presence of gamma/delta T cells in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of human patients with dysgerminoma and seminoma when determined by flow cytometry and in situ immunohistochemical staining. TIL contained a high percentage of gamma/delta T cells, ranging from 17.3 to 35.1%. gamma/delta T cells often accumulated within the granulomatous inflammation of tumor tissues. The majority of gamma/delta T cells were V gamma 9/V delta 2+ cells. Freshly isolated PBL, TIL and purified gamma/delta T cells showed autologous tumor killing (ATK) activity, which could be inhibited by monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against V delta 2. Furthermore, two gamma/delta T cell clones established from TIL showed cytotoxicity against autologous and allogeneic dysgerminoma, while they had low or no lytic effects on other cell types including carcinomas of ovary and tumor cell lines such as K562, Daudi and Molt-4. Lysis of autologous tumor cells by the clone was inhibited completely by anti-V delta 2 mAb and partially by mAb against CD3, LFA-1 alpha and ICAM-1 molecules, while it was resistant to anti-CD8, anti-HLA-ABC and anti-HLA-DR mAb. Supernatants produced by gamma/delta T cell clones induced adhesion, aggregation and increased DNA synthesis of monocytes and some characteristics of activated macrophages or epithelioid cells. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interferon (IFN)-gamma were detected in the supernatants of gamma/delta T cell clone. These results suggest that gamma/delta T cells accumulating in dysgerminoma and seminoma exhibit ATK activity through V gamma 9/delta 2 TCR and these gamma/delta T cells also play a role in the formation of granulomatous inflammation, which is associated with human dysgerminoma and seminoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Zhao
- Department of Late Effect Studies, Kyoto University, Japan
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