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Takasu C, Morine Y, Yoshikawa K, Nakao T, Tokunaga T, Nishi M, Kashihara H, Wada Y, Yoshimoto T, Shimada M. Role of stromal PD-L1 expression in colorectal liver metastasis. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:97. [PMID: 38233811 PMCID: PMC10795256 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11869-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The outcomes of immune checkpoint blockade for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment are unsatisfactory. Furthermore, the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade for liver metastasis of various cancer is poor. Here, we investigated the relationship between stromal programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM). METHODS The present study enrolled 84 CRLM patients who underwent surgery (R0) for CRC. Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze stromal PD-L1 expression in CRLM. RESULTS Stromal PD-L1 was expressed in 52.3% of CRLM samples, which was associated with fewer not optimally resectable metastases (p = 0.04). Stromal PD-L1 also tended to associate with a lower tumor grade (p = 0.08). Stromal PD-L1-positive patients had longer overall survival (p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis identified stromal PD-L1 expression (p = 0.008) and poorer differentiation (p < 0.001) as independent prognostic indicators. Furthermore, stromal PD-L1 expression was correlated to a high number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Stromal PD-L1- and low TIL groups had shorter OS than stromal PD-L1 + and high TIL groups (46.6% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.05) Stromal PD-L1-positive patients had longer disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.03) and time to surgical failure (p = 0.001). Interestingly, stromal PD-L1 expression was positively related to the desmoplastic subtype (p = 0.0002) and inversely related to the replacement subtype of the histological growth pattern (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS Stromal PD-L1 expression may be a significant prognostic marker for CRLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chie Takasu
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan.
| | - Yuji Morine
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Kozo Yoshikawa
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nakao
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takuya Tokunaga
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Masaaki Nishi
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | | | - Yuma Wada
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | | | - Mitsuo Shimada
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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2
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Liu S, Tao Z, Lou J, Li R, Fu X, Xu J, Wang T, Zhang L, Shang W, Mao Y, Wang F. CD4 +CCR8 + Tregs in ovarian cancer: a potential effector Tregs for immune regulation. J Transl Med 2023; 21:803. [PMID: 37950246 PMCID: PMC10638792 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04686-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tregs are key drivers of immunosuppression in solid tumors. As an important chemokine receptor on Tregs, the regulatory effect of CCR8 on tumor immunity has received more and more attention. However, the current research on CCR8 in the immune microenvironment of ovarian cancer has not been clear. METHODS Bioinformatics analysis was used to compare the transcriptome differences between CD4+ T cells in the peripheral circulation and infiltrated in ovarian tumor tissues. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of chemokine receptor-related differential genes on CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood and ovarian tumor tissues. Multiparameter flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion and phenotypic characteristics of CD4+CCR8+ Tregs and CD4+CCR8- Tregs in different sample types. The expression level of CCR8 ligands was detected at multiple levels. To explore the important role of CCR8-CCL1 and CCR8-CCL18 axis in the migration and invasion of CD4+CCR8+ Tregs into ovarian tumor tissues by establishing a chemotaxis system in vitro. RESULTS In this study, significantly different gene expression profiles were found between peripheral circulating CD4+ T cells and infiltrating CD4+ T cells in ovarian tumor tissues, in which chemokine-chemokine receptor signaling pathway was significantly enriched in all three groups of differential genes. The expression level of CCR8 in infiltrating CD4+ T cells of ovarian cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in peripheral blood of healthy controls and ovarian cancer patients, and high expression of CCR8 was significantly correlated with advanced tumor stage and poor differentiation. CD4+CCR8+ Tregs are the main type of infiltrating CD4+ Tregs in ovarian tumor tissues, which have stronger immunosuppressive phenotypes, secrete more inhibitory cytokines and have stronger proliferation ability. The ligands CCL1 and CCL18 corresponding to CCR8 were significantly overexpressed in ovarian tumor tissues, and the CCR8-CCL1 and CCR8-CCL18 axis played a key role in the migration and infiltration of CD4+CCR8+ Tregs into ovarian tumor tissues. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study may help to understand the phenotypic characteristics and recruitment process of Tregs in the tumor, and provide new ideas for improving the immunosuppressive status of the ovarian cancer microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuna Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Ziqi Tao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jianfang Lou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Xin Fu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Juan Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, 225300, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Department of Gynecology, The Affiliated Huaian NO.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, 223300, China
| | - Wenwen Shang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yepeng Mao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 of Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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3
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Dickerson LK, Carter JA, Kohli K, Pillarisetty VG. Emerging interleukin targets in the tumour microenvironment: implications for the treatment of gastrointestinal tumours. Gut 2023:gutjnl-2023-329650. [PMID: 37258094 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The effectiveness of antitumour immunity is dependent on intricate cytokine networks. Interleukins (ILs) are important mediators of complex interactions within the tumour microenvironment, including regulation of tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte proliferation, differentiation, migration and activation. Our evolving and increasingly nuanced understanding of the cell type-specific and heterogeneous effects of IL signalling has presented unique opportunities to fine-tune elaborate IL networks and engineer new targeted immunotherapeutics. In this review, we provide a primer for clinicians on the challenges and potential of IL-based treatment. We specifically detail the roles of IL-2, IL-10, IL-12 and IL-15 in shaping the tumour-immune landscape of gastrointestinal malignancies, paying particular attention to promising preclinical findings, early-stage clinical research and innovative therapeutic approaches that may properly place ILs to the forefront of immunotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason A Carter
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Karan Kohli
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Flatiron Bio, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Venu G Pillarisetty
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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4
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Wagner D, Margonis GA. Gene Alterations, Mediators, and Artificial Intelligence in Colorectal Liver Metastases. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142205. [PMID: 35883648 PMCID: PMC9316659 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Doris Wagner
- Department of General Surgery, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (G.A.M.)
| | - Georgios Antonios Margonis
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: (D.W.); (G.A.M.)
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5
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Gao Q, Wang S, Li F, Lian J, Cheng S, Yue D, Zhang Z, Liu S, Ren F, Zhang D, Wang S, Wang L, Zhang Y. High mobility group protein B1 decreases surface localization of PD-1 to augment T-cell activation. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:844-855. [PMID: 35580259 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
High-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) is a danger signaling molecule that has been found to trigger an effective antitumor immune response. However, the mechanisms underlying its antitumor effects are not fully understood. Here, we found that HMGB1 release induced by chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was negatively correlated with PD-1 expression on CD8+ T cells. In vitro analysis indicated that treatment with HMGB1 led to a significant decrease in the level of expression of PD-1 on CD8+ T cells. Further analysis demonstrated that HMGB1 reduced PD-1 expression by inducing dynamin-mediated internalization of the protein, leading to early endocytosis in the cytoplasm, and subsequently degradation in the lysosomes. In a xenograft model, HER2-targeted chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells had enhanced function in the presence of HMGB1. These data identify a role for HMGB1 as a negative regulator of PD-1 signaling in lung cancer cells and the observed antitumor effect of HMGB1 on chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells may provide a theoretical foundation for a new immunotherapy combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Gao
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shumin Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Feng Li
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jingyao Lian
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, China
| | - Shaoyan Cheng
- Biotherapy Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, ZhengZhou, China
| | - Dongli Yue
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shasha Liu
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Feifei Ren
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Daiqun Zhang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | | | - Liping Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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6
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Zhao Q, Wang Y, Zhao B, Chen H, Cai Z, Zheng Y, Zeng Y, Zhang D, Liu X. Neoantigen Immunotherapeutic-Gel Combined with TIM-3 Blockade Effectively Restrains Orthotopic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:2048-2058. [PMID: 35133159 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we integrate the Hepa1-6 liver cancer-specific neoantigen, toll-like receptor 9 agonist and stimulator of interferon genes agonist by silk-hydrogel package, and combine with TIM-3 blockade to elicit robust antitumor immunity for effectively suppressing orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Unlike intradermal injection of simple mixed components with short-term immune protection, the neoantigen immunotherapeutic-gels evoke long-term immune protection to achieve significant prophylactic and therapeutic activity against HCC through only one-shot administration without any side effects. Notably, the synergized immunotherapy by further combining NGC-gels with TIM-3 antibody significantly reduces regulatory T-cells and increases the IFN-γ and IL-12p70 levels in tumor tissues for promoting the infiltration of IFN-γ+CD8+T-cells and 41BB+CD8+T-cells to achieve complete remission (4/7) and prevent pulmonary metastasis in orthotopic HCC, and establish long-term memory against tumor rechallenge with remarkably longer survival time (180 days). Overall, this study provides an attractive and promising synergistic strategy for HCC immunotherapy with possible clinical translation prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfu Zhao
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Yunhao Wang
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Binyu Zhao
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Hengkai Chen
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
| | - Zhixiong Cai
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Mengchao Med-X Center, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
| | - Youshi Zheng
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Mengchao Med-X Center, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
| | - Yongyi Zeng
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Liver Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, People's Republic of China
| | - Da Zhang
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- Mengchao Med-X Center, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025, P. R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Design and Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, P. R. China
- Mengchao Med-X Center, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
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7
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Current progress of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:230695. [PMID: 35075482 PMCID: PMC8821949 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20212304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer worldwide. The onset of the disease is occult and develops rapidly. As a result, the disease is often detected when it is already in advanced stages, resulting in patients losing the best opportunity for liver transplantation and surgical treatment. Therefore, effective treatment of HCC is particularly important in clinical practice. During the past decades, there have been considerable advances in the treatment of HCC, and immunotherapy is increasingly recognized as a promising approach in clinical trials. In this review, an overview of immune checkpoint (ICP) inhibitors (ICIs) and their role in the treatment of liver cancers, particularly advanced HCC, is presented and the recent therapeutic progress with treatment with different ICIs alone or in combination with other methods/therapeutic agents is summarized. In addition, the identification of biomarkers to predict treatment response and the limitations of current ICIs are analyzed, and future directions for ICI treatment are discussed.
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8
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Takasu C, Yamashita S, Morine Y, Yoshikawa K, Tokunaga T, Nishi M, Kashihara H, Yoshimoto T, Shimada M. The role of the immunoescape in colorectal cancer liver metastasis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259940. [PMID: 34797860 PMCID: PMC8604373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) indicate the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC), but are less useful for monitoring the efficacy of therapy of CRC liver metastasis (CRLM). This study investigated the effects of immune molecules on the prognosis of CRLM. We enrolled 71 patients with CRLM who underwent curative resection for CRC. We used immunohistochemistry to analyze the expression of PD-1, PD-L1, indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and CD163 (a marker of tumor-associated macrophages [TAMs]) in metastatic tumors. The immune molecules PD-1, PD-L1, IDO, and TAMs were expressed in 32.3%, 47.8%, 45.0%, and 47.9% of metastatic CRC samples, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rates associated with immune molecule-positive groups were significantly better than in the negative groups (PD-1: 87.7% vs 53.2%, p = 0.023; PD-L1: 82.4% vs 42.3%, p = 0.007; IDO: 80.7% vs 43.5%, p = 0.007; TAMs: 82.6% vs 48.0%, p = 0.005). Multivariate analysis revealed PD-1 expression (p = 0.032, hazard ratio: 0.19), IDO expression (p = 0.049, hazard ratio: 0.37), and tumor differentiation (p<0.001, hazard ratio: 0.02) as independent prognostic indicators. PD-1 and TAMs in metastases were associated with less aggressive features such as smaller tumors. Furthermore, TAMs positively and significantly correlated with PD-1 expression (p = 0.011), PD-L1 expression (p = 0.024), and tended to correlate with IDO expression (p = 0.078). PD-1, PD-L1, IDO, and TAMs in CRLM were associated with less aggressive features and better prognosis of patients with CRC, indicating adaptive antitumor immunity vs immune tolerance. These molecules may therefore serve as prognostic markers for CRLM.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptive Immunity
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antigens, CD/genetics
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/genetics
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/metabolism
- B7-H1 Antigen/genetics
- B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Colonic Neoplasms
- Colorectal Neoplasms/complications
- Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism
- Diagnostic Tests, Routine
- Female
- Gene Expression/genetics
- Humans
- Immune Tolerance
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/genetics
- Japan
- Liver/cytology
- Liver Neoplasms
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neoplasm Metastasis/immunology
- Neoplasm Metastasis/physiopathology
- Prognosis
- Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/genetics
- Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism
- Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics
- Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism
- Rectal Neoplasms
- Transcriptome/genetics
- Tumor-Associated Macrophages/immunology
- Tumor-Associated Macrophages/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Chie Takasu
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Shoko Yamashita
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yuji Morine
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Kozo Yoshikawa
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Takuya Tokunaga
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Masaaki Nishi
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | | | | | - Mitsuo Shimada
- Department of Surgery, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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9
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Stamova S, Ott-Rötzer B, Smetak H, Schäffler K, Eder R, Fink I, Hoffmann P, Reichert TE, Beckhove P, Spanier G. Characterization and ex vivo expansion of rare in situ cytokine secreting T cell populations from tumor tissue and blood of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. J Immunol Methods 2021; 496:113086. [PMID: 34146580 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2021.113086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Rare subpopulations of tumor antigen-reactive memory T cells, which actively secrete type-1 effector cytokines, particularly TNF-α in situ, possess anti-tumor activity and prognostic relevance. These cells are relevant for cancer immunotherapy; however, their low frequencies make them difficult to study and novel protocols for their culture and expansion ex vivo are needed. Here, we studied the presence of T cells secreting type-1 cytokines (Cy+T cells) in the blood and tumors of 24 patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) and explored possibilities for their isolation and expansion. More than 90% of OSCC patients contained enriched numbers Cy+T cells in the blood and tumors compared to healthy donors in which these were hardly detectable. The majority of TNF-α+T cells were CD4+ T helper cells while IFN-γ+TIL were predominantly CD8+. Cy+T helper cells in the blood were early-differentiated memory T cells while Cy+TIL and Cy+CD8+T cells showed advanced-differentiated memory T cell phenotypes. We explored different conditions for their in vitro culture and found that Cy+T cells can be efficiently expanded in vitro to similar levels as Cy-T cells and after expansion maintained their TNF-α secreting capacity. However, for optimal expansion they required specific culture conditions to support the maintenance of stem-like and central memory T cell phenotype. In conclusion, we show that Cy+T cells are enriched in OSCC patients and report a novel cell culture protocol optimized to specifically expand and functionally maintain these cells for further functional characterization or for their exploitation in immunotherapy of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slava Stamova
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Birgitta Ott-Rötzer
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Heiko Smetak
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Schäffler
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Eder
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Irina Fink
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Petra Hoffmann
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Torsten E Reichert
- Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Beckhove
- Regensburg Center for Interventional Immunology (RCI), University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Gerrit Spanier
- Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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10
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Zhang JZ, Ma YZ, Gu JL, Huo JG. Clinical research progress of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treatment of primary liver cancer. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2020; 28:605-616. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v28.i14.605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system in China. At present, the main treatments for liver cancer (LC) are surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation, chemotherapy, transarterial chemoembolization, and liver transplantation. Due to the limited treatment options, the overall 5-year survival rate of patients with advanced LC is still low. New treatments are urgently needed to prolong their survival and improve their quality of life. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors reprensented by programmed death receptor-1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 have made breakthrough progress in the treatment of LC, and bring new hope for LC patients. In this paper, the clinical research progress of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of PLC is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Zhi Zhang
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Nanjing University Of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu-Zhu Ma
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Nanjing University Of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jia-Lin Gu
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Nanjing University Of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jie-Ge Huo
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Nanjing University Of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China
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Xiang J, Zhang N, Sun H, Su L, Zhang C, Xu H, Feng J, Wang M, Chen J, Liu L, Shan J, Shen J, Yang Z, Wang G, Zhou H, Prieto J, Ávila MA, Liu C, Qian C. Disruption of SIRT7 Increases the Efficacy of Checkpoint Inhibitor via MEF2D Regulation of Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Gastroenterology 2020; 158:664-678.e24. [PMID: 31678303 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Immune checkpoint inhibitors have some efficacy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), expressed on some cancer cells, binds to the receptor programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1, also called PD1) on T cells to prevent their proliferation and reduce the antigen-tumor immune response. Immune cells that infiltrate some types of HCCs secrete interferon gamma (IFNG). Some HCC cells express myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D), which has been associated with shorter survival times of patients. We studied whether HCC cell expression of MEF2D regulates expression of PD-L1 in response to IFNG. METHODS We analyzed immune cells from 20 fresh HCC tissues by flow cytometry. We analyzed 225 fixed HCC tissues (from 2 cohorts) from patients in China by immunohistochemistry and obtained survival data. We created mice with liver-specific knockout of MEF2D (MEF2DLPC-KO mice). We knocked out or knocked down MEF2D, E1A binding protein p300 (p300), or sirtuin 7 (SIRT7) in SMMC-7721, Huh7, H22, and Hepa1-6 HCC cell lines, some incubated with IFNG. We analyzed liver tissues from mice and cell lines by RNA sequencing, immunoblot, dual luciferase reporter, and chromatin precipitation assays. MEF2D protein acetylation and proteins that interact with MEF2D were identified by coimmunoprecipitation and pull-down assays. H22 cells, with MEF2D knockout or without (controls), were transplanted into BALB/c mice, and some mice were given antibodies to deplete T cells. Mice bearing orthotopic tumors grown from HCC cells, with or without knockout of SIRT7, were given injections of an antibody against PD1. Growth of tumors was measured, and tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. RESULTS In human HCC specimens, we found an inverse correlation between level of MEF2D and numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells; level of MEF2D correlated with percentages of PD1-positive or TIM3-positive CD8+ T cells. Knockout of MEF2D from H22 cells reduced their growth as allograft tumors in immune-competent mice but not in immune-deficient mice or mice with depletion of CD8+ T cells. When MEF2D-knockout cells were injected into immune-competent mice, they formed smaller tumors that had increased infiltration and activation of T cells compared with control HCC cells. In human and mouse HCC cells, MEF2D knockdown or knockout reduced expression of PD-L1. MEF2D bound the promoter region of the CD274 gene (encodes PD-L1) and activated its transcription. Overexpression of p300 in HCC cells, or knockout of SIRT7, promoted acetylation of MEF2D and increased its binding, along with acetylated histones, to the promoter region of CD274. Exposure of HCC cells to IFNG induced expression of p300 and its binding MEF2D, which reduced the interaction between MEF2D and SIRT7. MEF2D-induced expression of PD-L1 upon IFNG exposure was independent of interferon-regulatory factors 1 or 9. In HCC cells not exposed to IFNG, SIRT7 formed a complex with MEF2D that attenuated expression of PD-L1. Knockout of SIRT7 reduced proliferation of HCC cells and growth of tumors in immune-deficient mice. Compared with allograft tumors grown from control HCC cells, in immune-competent mice, tumors grown from SIRT7-knockout HCC cells expressed higher levels of PD-L1 and had reduced infiltration and activation of T cells. In immune-competent mice given antibodies to PD1, allograft tumors grew more slowly from SIRT7-knockout HCC cells than from control HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS Expression of MEF2D by HCC cells increases their expression of PD-L1, which prevents CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. When HCC cells are exposed to IFNG, p300 acetylates MEF2D, causing it to bind the CD274 gene promoter and up-regulate PD-L1 expression. In addition to promoting HCC cell proliferation, SIRT7 reduced acetylation of MEF2D and expression of PD-L1 in HCC cells not exposed to IFNG. Strategies to manipulate this pathway might increase the efficacy of immune therapies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Xiang
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ni Zhang
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Sun
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Su
- Department of Oncology, Chinese Traditional Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Chengcheng Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huailong Xu
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Juan Feng
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Center for Precision Medicine of Cancer, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Meiling Wang
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Limei Liu
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Center for Precision Medicine of Cancer, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Juanjuan Shan
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junjie Shen
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guiqin Wang
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haijun Zhou
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jesus Prieto
- Hepatology Program. Cima, University of Navarra; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona; CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Hepatology Program. Cima, University of Navarra; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona; CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Chungang Liu
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- Center of Biotherapy, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Center for Precision Medicine of Cancer, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China.
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Strazza M, Adam K, Smrcka AV, Lerrer S, Mor A. PLCε1 suppresses tumor growth by regulating murine T cell mobilization. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 200:53-60. [PMID: 31867717 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCε1) is a unique member of the phospholipase family, in that it also functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the small GTPase Rap1. It is this function as a Rap1 GEF that gives PLCε1 an essential role in chemokine-mediated T cell adhesion. We have utilized a syngeneic tumor model, MC38 cells in C57BL/6 mice, and observed that tumors grow larger and more quickly in the absence of PLCε1. Single-cell analysis revealed an increased CD4+ /CD8+ ratio in the spleens, lymph nodes and tumors of PLCε1 knock-out tumor-bearing mice. T cells isolated from PLCε1 knock-out mice were less activated by multiple phenotypical parameters than those from wild-type mice. We additionally noted a decrease in expression of the chemokine receptors C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) on CD4+ T cells from the spleens, lymph nodes and tumors of PLCε1 knock-out mice compared to wild-type mice, and diminished migration of PLCε1-depleted CD3+ T cells towards stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α. Based on these results, we conclude that PLCε1 is a potential regulator of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, functioning, at least in part, at the level of T cell trafficking and recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Strazza
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - K Adam
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - A V Smrcka
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - S Lerrer
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - A Mor
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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13
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Albonici L, Giganti MG, Modesti A, Manzari V, Bei R. Multifaceted Role of the Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) in the Antitumor Immune Response and Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20122970. [PMID: 31216652 PMCID: PMC6627047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20122970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The sharing of molecules function that affects both tumor growth and neoangiogenesis with cells of the immune system creates a mutual interplay that impairs the host’s immune response against tumor progression. Increasing evidence shows that tumors are able to create an immunosuppressive microenvironment by recruiting specific immune cells. Moreover, molecules produced by tumor and inflammatory cells in the tumor microenvironment create an immunosuppressive milieu able to inhibit the development of an efficient immune response against cancer cells and thus fostering tumor growth and progression. In addition, the immunoediting could select cancer cells that are less immunogenic or more resistant to lysis. In this review, we summarize recent findings regarding the immunomodulatory effects and cancer progression of the angiogenic growth factor namely placental growth factor (PlGF) and address the biological complex effects of this cytokine. Different pathways of the innate and adaptive immune response in which, directly or indirectly, PlGF is involved in promoting tumor immune escape and metastasis will be described. PlGF is important for building up vascular structures and functions. Although PlGF effects on vascular and tumor growth have been widely summarized, its functions in modulating the immune intra-tumoral microenvironment have been less highlighted. In agreement with PlGF functions, different antitumor strategies can be envisioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Albonici
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Gabriella Giganti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Andrea Modesti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Vittorio Manzari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
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Joerger M, Güller U, Bastian S, Driessen C, von Moos R. Prolonged tumor response associated with sequential immune checkpoint inhibitor combination treatment and regorafenib in a patient with advanced pretreated hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastrointest Oncol 2019; 10:373-378. [PMID: 31032109 DOI: 10.21037/jgo.2018.11.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Besides sorafenib, regorafenib and lenvatinib, recent data have shown clinical activity of the PD-1 monoclonal antibody nivolumab. We present the case of a sorafenib-refractory patient probably experiencing progressive disease during immune checkpoint inhibitor combination treatment with the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody nivolumab and the anti-GITR monoclonal antibody BMS-986156 within a clinical phase-1 trial followed by a prolonged tumor response according to RECIST v.1.1 during third-line treatment with the multi-kinase inhibitor regorafenib. Prolonged tumor response may solely be induced by third-line regorafenib monotherapy or may represent late treatment response to combination immunotherapy. Data from this clinical case report support future exploration of combination treatment of the oral multi-kinase inhibitor regorafenib with PD-(L)1 targeted monoclonal antibodies in patients with advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Joerger
- Department of Medical Oncology & Hematology, Cantonal Hospital, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Ulrich Güller
- Department of Medical Oncology & Hematology, Cantonal Hospital, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Sara Bastian
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, Chur, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Driessen
- Department of Medical Oncology & Hematology, Cantonal Hospital, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Roger von Moos
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, Chur, Switzerland
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Ding W, Xu X, Qian Y, Xue W, Wang Y, Du J, Jin L, Tan Y. Prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e13301. [PMID: 30557978 PMCID: PMC6320107 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000013301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the prognostic role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for survival is still controversial. A meta-analysis was performed to investigate the prognostic effect of TILs in HCC. METHODS We identify studies from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to evaluate the prognostic value of TILs in patients with HCC. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate overall survival and disease-free survival. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated employing fixed-effect or random-effect models depending on the heterogeneity of the included trials. RESULTS A total of 7905 patients from 46 observational studies were enrolled. For TILs subsets, the density of CD8+, FOXP3+, CD3+, and Granzyme B+ lymphocytes was significantly associated with improved survival (P < .05). The density of FOXP3+ TILs in intratumor (IT) was the most significant prognostic marker (pooled HR = 1.894; 95% CI = 1.659-2.164; P < .001). Patients with high infiltration of CD8+ TILs in IT (pooled HR = 0.676; 95% CI = 0.540-0.845; P = .001) or in margin of tumor (MT) (pooled HR = 0.577; 95% CI = 0.437-0.760; P < .001) had better OS. The pooled analysis revealed that high density of Granzyme B+ T-lymphocytes in IT was statistically significant associated with better OS (pooled HR = 0.621; 95% CI = 0.516-0.748; P < .001) and DFS (pooled HR = 0.678; 95% CI = 0.563-0.815; P < .001). It was interesting that high density of CD3+ in IT foreboded worse OS (pooled HR = 1.008; 95% CI = 1.000-1.015; P = .037), but better DFS (pooled HR = 0.596; 95% CI = 0.374-0.948; P = .029). CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that some TIL subsets could serve as prognostic biomarkers in HCC. High-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to determine if these TILs could serve as targets for immunotherapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province
| | - Xuezhong Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province
| | - Yan Qian
- Department of respiration, Changzhou Second People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Wenbo Xue
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province
| | - Yibo Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province
| | - Jianguo Du
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province
| | - Lei Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province
| | - Yulin Tan
- Department of General Surgery, Wujin Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province
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Chen Y, E CY, Gong ZW, Liu S, Wang ZX, Yang YS, Zhang XW. Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T-cell therapy for liver cancer. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2018; 17:301-309. [PMID: 29861325 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T-cell (CAR-T) therapy is a newly developed immunotherapy used in the treatment of cancers. Because CAR-T therapy has shown great success in treating CD19-positive hematological malignancies, its application has been explored in the treatment of solid tumors, such as liver cancer. In this review, we discuss the immune characteristics of liver cancer, the obstacles encountered during the application of CAR-T therapy, and preclinical and clinical progress in the use of CAR-T therapy in patients with liver cancer. DATA SOURCES The data on CAR-T therapy related to liver cancers were collected by searching PubMed and the Web of Science databases prior to December 2017 with the keywords "chimeric antigen receptor", "CAR-T", "liver cancer", "hepatocellular carcinoma", and "solid tumor". Additional articles were identified by manual search of references found in the primary articles. The data for clinical trials were collected by searching ClinicalTrials.gov. RESULTS The liver has a tolerogenic nature in the intrahepatic milieu and its tumor microenvironment significantly affects tumor progression. The obstacles that reduce the efficacy of CAR-T therapy in solid tumors include a lack of specific tumor antigens, limited trafficking and penetration of CAR-T cells to tumor sites, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To overcome these obstacles, several strategies have emerged. In addition, several strategies have been developed to manage the side effects of CAR-T, including enhancing the selectivity of CARs and controlling CAR-T activity. To date, no clinical trials of CAR-T therapy against HCC have been completed. However, preclinical studies in vitro and in vivo have shown potent antitumor efficacy. Glypican-3, mucin-1, epithelial cell adhesion molecule, carcinoembryonic antigen, and other targets are currently being studied. CONCLUSIONS The application of CAR-T therapy for liver cancer is just beginning to be explored and more research is needed. However, we are optimistic that CAR-T therapy will offer a new approach for the treatment of liver cancers in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Chang-Yong E
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhi-Wen Gong
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Shui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Zhen-Xiao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Yong-Sheng Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China
| | - Xue-Wen Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China.
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Crompton JG, Klemen N, Kammula US. Metastasectomy for Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes: An Emerging Operative Indication in Surgical Oncology. Ann Surg Oncol 2018; 25:565-572. [PMID: 29188500 PMCID: PMC5758677 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-017-6266-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is an emerging immunotherapy for metastatic cancer. Surgeons play a central role in ACT treatments by performing resection of tumors from which TILs are isolated. It is important that surgeons have familiarity with this emerging treatment method because it is increasingly performed for an expanding variety of solid tumors at institutions around the world. This report offers a brief introduction to ACT for cancer, highlights historical milestones in its development, and provides patient selection and operative considerations for surgeons called upon to perform metastasectomy for the purpose of isolating TILs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Crompton
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Klemen
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Udai S Kammula
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Obeid JM, Kunk PR, Zaydfudim VM, Bullock TN, Slingluff CL, Rahma OE. Immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients: is it ready for prime time? Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:161-174. [PMID: 29052780 PMCID: PMC11028155 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-017-2082-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Current treatment options for patients with intermediate and advanced HCC are limited, and there is an unmet need for novel therapeutic approaches. HCC is an attractive target for immunomodulation therapy, since it arises in an inflammatory milieu due to hepatitis B and C infections and cirrhosis. However, a major barrier to the development and success of immunotherapy in patients with HCC is the liver's inherent immunosuppressive function. Recent advances in the field of cancer immunology allowed further characterization of immune cell subsets and function, and created new opportunities for therapeutic modulation of the immune system. In this review, we present the different immune cell subsets involved in potential immune modulation of HCC, discuss their function and clinical relevance, review the variety of immune therapeutic agents currently under investigation in clinical trials, and outline future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Obeid
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Paul R Kunk
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Timothy N Bullock
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Craig L Slingluff
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Osama E Rahma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School, 450 Brookline Avenue, M1B13, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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Guo H, Tsung K. Tumor reductive therapies and antitumor immunity. Oncotarget 2017; 8:55736-55749. [PMID: 28903456 PMCID: PMC5589695 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor reductive therapy is to reduce tumor burden through direct killing of tumor cells. So far, there is no report on the connection between antitumor immunity and tumor reductive therapies. In the last few years, a new category of cancer treatment, immunotherapy, emerged and they are categorized separately from classic cytotoxic treatments (chemo and radiation therapy). The most prominent examples include cellular therapies (LAK and CAR-T) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 and CTLA-4). Recent advances in clinical immunotherapy and our understanding of the mechanism behind them revealed that these therapies have a closer relationship with classic cancer treatments than we thought. In many cases, the effectiveness of classic therapies is heavily influenced by the status of the underlying antitumor-immunity. On the other hand, immunotherapies have shown better outcome when combined with tumor reductive therapies, not only due to the combined effects of tumor killing by each therapy but also because of a synergy between the two. Many clinical observations can be explained once we start to look at these classic therapies from an immunity standpoint. We have seen their direct effect on tumor antigen in vivo that they impact antitumor immunity more than we have realized. In turn, antitumor immunity contributes to tumor control and destruction as well. This review will take the immunological view of the classic therapies and summarize historical as well as recent findings in animal and clinical studies to make the argument that most of the cancer treatments exert their ultimate efficacy through antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqin Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kangla Tsung
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Yan X, Jiao SC, Zhang GQ, Guan Y, Wang JL. Tumor-associated immune factors are associated with recurrence and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Gene Ther 2017; 24:57-63. [PMID: 28084319 PMCID: PMC5339429 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2016.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic interaction between tumor cells and the microenvironment is critical for tumorigenesis, and cancer immunosurveillance plays an important role in the tumor evolution. In some tumors (such as esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer), studies have shown that the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has a significant relationship with the prognosis, but there is little research on the prognosis of TILs and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been performed. Therefore, it is necessary to discover the relationship between the TILs and cytokines with NSCLC prognosis and metastasis in patients. Tumor samples were carefully examined for tissue preservation and complete follow-up. A total of 107 tumor samples from NSCLC patients with radical surgical resection were enrolled for the analysis. All samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry for detection of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3), cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein-4, cyclooxygenase2 (COX-2), transforming growth factor β 1, interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interleukin-12 receptor and hypoxia inducible factor 1a (HIF-1a). The number, function and location of the targets were analyzed to determine their correlation with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Immunhistochemical results from 107 samples indicated that the FoxP3+ regulatory TIL (HR=1.336, P=0.031), IL-2 (HR=0.595, P=0.007) and HIF-1a (HR=1.510, P=0.002) levels in tumor cells closely correlated with DFS in a COX analysis model. FoxP3+ regulatory TILs (HR=1.566, P=0.002) significantly correlated with OS and tumor node metastasis staging. The patients were divided into two groups due to the coexpression pattern of the IL-2, FoxP3+ and HIF-1a. The high-risk group had an overall worse survival than those at low risk. We confirmed that Foxp3 expression in lymphocyte and IL-2 expression in tumor cells were associated with recurrence or transfer. Furthermore, we also observed that HIF-1a expression significantly correlated with DFS and OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Yan
- Medical Oncology Department, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - S-C Jiao
- Medical Oncology Department, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - G-Q Zhang
- Medical Oncology Department, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Y Guan
- Medical Oncology Department, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - J-L Wang
- Medical Oncology Department, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Immunosuppression in liver tumors: opening the portal to effective immunotherapy. Cancer Gene Ther 2016; 24:114-120. [DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2016.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Tumor-associated GM-CSF overexpression induces immunoinhibitory molecules via STAT3 in myeloid-suppressor cells infiltrating liver metastases. Cancer Gene Ther 2016; 23:188-98. [PMID: 27199222 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2016.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Assumptions that liver immune cells and immunosuppressive pathways are similar to their counterparts in other spaces have led to gaps in our understanding of intrahepatic neoplasm aggressiveness. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are potent inhibitors of antitumor immunity and pose a major obstacle to solid tumor treatment. Liver MDSCs (L-MDSCs) associated with liver metastases (LM) are particularly problematic by contributing to intrahepatic immunosuppression that promotes tumor progression. L-MDSCs have been reported to expand in response to granulocyte-macrophages colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and suppress antitumor immunity in LM. To extend these findings, we examined mechanisms of intrahepatic immunosuppression exploited by L-MDSCs. We found that the majority of L-MDSCs co-expressed GM-CSF receptor (GM-CSF-R), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), while demonstrating high levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) activation. GM-CSF-secreting tumor cells induced STAT3 phosphorylation in L-MDSCs in addition to expression of IDO and PD-L1. GM-CSF or GM-CSF-R blockade markedly reduced L-MDSC IDO and PD-L1 expression, implicating tumor-derived GM-CSF in supporting L-MDSC-immunoinhibitory molecule expression. Small-molecule inhibitors of Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) and STAT3 also dramatically diminished IDO and PD-L1 expression in L-MDSCs. We determined that STAT3 exerts transcriptional control over L-MDSC IDO and PD-L1 expression by binding to the IDO1 and PD-L1 promoters. Our data suggest that the GM-CSF/JAK2/STAT3 axis in L-MDSCs drives immunosuppression in a model of LM and blockade of this pathway may enable rescue of intrahepatic antitumor immunity.
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Mina M, Boldrini R, Citti A, Romania P, D'Alicandro V, De Ioris M, Castellano A, Furlanello C, Locatelli F, Fruci D. Tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes improve clinical outcome of therapy-resistant neuroblastoma. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e1019981. [PMID: 26405592 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1019981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma grows within an intricate network of different cell types including epithelial, stromal and immune cells. The presence of tumor-infiltrating T cells is considered an important prognostic indicator in many cancers, but the role of these cells in neuroblastoma remains to be elucidated. Herein, we examined the relationship between the type, density and organization of infiltrating T cells and clinical outcome within a large collection of neuroblastoma samples by quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining. We found that infiltrating T cells have a prognostic value greater than, and independent of, the criteria currently used to stage neuroblastoma. A variable in situ structural organization and different concurrent infiltration of T-cell subsets were detected in tumors with various outcomes. Low-risk neuroblastomas were characterized by a higher number of proliferating T cells and a more structured T-cell organization, which was gradually lost in tumors with poor prognosis. We defined an immunoscore based on the presence of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ infiltrating T cells that associates with favorable clinical outcome in MYCN-amplified tumors, improving patient survival when combined with the v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene neuroblastoma derived homolog (MYCN) status. These findings support the hypothesis that infiltrating T cells influence the behavior of neuroblastoma and might be of clinical importance for the treatment of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renata Boldrini
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department; IRCCS; Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù , Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Citti
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department; IRCCS; Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù , Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Romania
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department; IRCCS; Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù , Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio D'Alicandro
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department; IRCCS; Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù , Rome, Italy
| | - Maretta De Ioris
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department; IRCCS; Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù , Rome, Italy
| | - Aurora Castellano
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department; IRCCS; Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù , Rome, Italy
| | | | - Franco Locatelli
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department; IRCCS; Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù , Rome, Italy ; University of Pavia ; Pavia, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department; IRCCS; Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù , Rome, Italy
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