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Huang M, Cha Z, Liu R, Lin M, Gafoor NA, Kong T, Ge F, Chen W. Enhancing immunotherapy outcomes by targeted remodeling of the tumor microenvironment via combined cGAS-STING pathway strategies. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1399926. [PMID: 38817608 PMCID: PMC11137211 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1399926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a groundbreaking advance in the treatment of malignancies such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, showcasing substantial therapeutic benefits. Nonetheless, the efficacy of ICIs is limited to a small subset of patients, primarily benefiting those with "hot" tumors characterized by significant immune infiltration. The challenge of converting "cold" tumors, which exhibit minimal immune activity, into "hot" tumors to enhance their responsiveness to ICIs is a critical and complex area of current research. Central to this endeavor is the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway, a pivotal nexus between innate and adaptive immunity. This pathway's activation promotes the production of type I interferon (IFN) and the recruitment of CD8+ T cells, thereby transforming the tumor microenvironment (TME) from "cold" to "hot". This review comprehensively explores the cGAS-STING pathway's role in reconditioning the TME, detailing the underlying mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity and highlighting the contributions of various immune cells to tumor immunity. Furthermore, we delve into the latest clinical research on STING agonists and their potential in combination therapies, targeting this pathway. The discussion concludes with an examination of the challenges facing the advancement of promising STING agonists in clinical trials and the pressing issues within the cGAS-STING signaling pathway research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqing Huang
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming, China
| | - Zhuocen Cha
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming, China
- Guizhou Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guizhou, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming, China
| | - Mengping Lin
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming, China
| | - Naif Abdul Gafoor
- International Education School of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Tong Kong
- Department of Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming, China
| | - Fei Ge
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wenlin Chen
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Kunming, China
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Luo Z, Wan Z, Ren P, Zhang B, Huang Y, West RE, Huang H, Chen Y, Nolin TD, Xie W, Wang J, Li S, Sun J. In Situ Formation of Fibronectin-Enriched Protein Corona on Epigenetic Nanocarrier for Enhanced Synthetic Lethal Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307940. [PMID: 38482976 PMCID: PMC11109615 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
PARP inhibitors (PARPi)-based synthetic lethal therapy demonstrates limited efficacy for most cancer types that are homologous recombination (HR) proficient. To potentiate the PARPi application, a nanocarrier based on 5-azacytidine (AZA)-conjugated polymer (PAZA) for the codelivery of AZA and a PARP inhibitor, BMN673 (BMN) is developed. AZA conjugation significantly decreased the nanoparticle (NP) size and increased BMN loading. Molecular dynamics simulation and experimental validations shed mechanistic insights into the self-assembly of effective NPs. The small PAZA NPs demonstrated higher efficiency of tumor targeting and penetration than larger NPs, which is mediated by a new mechanism of active targeting that involves the recruitment of fibronectin from serum proteins following systemic administration of PAZA NPs. Furthermore, it is found that PAZA carrier sensitize the HR-proficient nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to BMN, a combination therapy that is more effective at a lower AZA/BMN dosage. To investigate the underlying mechanism, the tumor immune microenvironment and various gene expressions by RNAseq are explored. Moreover, the BMN/PAZA combination increased the immunogenicity and synergized with PD-1 antibody in improving the overall therapeutic effect in an orthotopic model of lung cancer (LLC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangyi Luo
- Center for PharmacogeneticsDepartment of Pharmaceutical ScienceUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Zhuoya Wan
- Center for PharmacogeneticsDepartment of Pharmaceutical ScienceUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Pengfei Ren
- Center for PharmacogeneticsDepartment of Pharmaceutical ScienceUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Bei Zhang
- Center for PharmacogeneticsDepartment of Pharmaceutical ScienceUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Yixian Huang
- Center for PharmacogeneticsDepartment of Pharmaceutical ScienceUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Raymond E. West
- Department of Pharmacy and TherapeuticsUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Haozhe Huang
- Center for PharmacogeneticsDepartment of Pharmaceutical ScienceUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Yuang Chen
- Center for PharmacogeneticsDepartment of Pharmaceutical ScienceUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Thomas D. Nolin
- Department of Pharmacy and TherapeuticsUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Wen Xie
- Center for PharmacogeneticsDepartment of Pharmaceutical ScienceUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Junmei Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Computational Chemical Genomics Screening CenterUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Song Li
- Center for PharmacogeneticsDepartment of Pharmaceutical ScienceUniversity of Pittsburgh School of PharmacyPittsburghPA15213USA
| | - Jingjing Sun
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesCollege of PharmacyUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNE68106USA
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer CenterUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNE68106USA
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Pandey S, Anang V, Schumacher MM. Mitochondria driven innate immune signaling and inflammation in cancer growth, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 386:223-247. [PMID: 38782500 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondria play an important and multifaceted role in cellular function, catering to the cell's energy and biosynthetic requirements. They modulate apoptosis while responding to diverse extracellular and intracellular stresses including reactive oxygen species (ROS), nutrient and oxygen scarcity, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and signaling via surface death receptors. Integral components of mitochondria, such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA), Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), cardiolipin, and formyl peptides serve as major damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). These molecules activate multiple innate immune pathways both in the cytosol [such as Retionoic Acid-Inducible Gene-1 (RIG-1) and Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase (cGAS)] and on the cell surface [including Toll-like receptors (TLRs)]. This activation cascade leads to the release of various cytokines, chemokines, interferons, and other inflammatory molecules and oxidative species. The innate immune pathways further induce chronic inflammation in the tumor microenvironment which either promotes survival and proliferation or promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis and therapeutic resistance in the cancer cell's. Chronic activation of innate inflammatory pathways in tumors also drives immunosuppressive checkpoint expression in the cancer cells and boosts the influx of immune-suppressive populations like Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) and Regulatory T cells (Tregs) in cancer. Thus, sensing of cellular stress by the mitochondria may lead to enhanced tumor growth. In addition to that, the tumor microenvironment also becomes a source of immunosuppressive cytokines. These cytokines exert a debilitating effect on the functioning of immune effector cells, and thus foster immune tolerance and facilitate immune evasion. Here we describe how alteration of the mitochondrial homeostasis and cellular stress drives innate inflammatory pathways in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Pandey
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States.
| | - Vandana Anang
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
| | - Michelle M Schumacher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States; Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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Mecca M, Picerno S, Cortellino S. The Killer's Web: Interconnection between Inflammation, Epigenetics and Nutrition in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2750. [PMID: 38473997 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a key contributor to both the initiation and progression of tumors, and it can be triggered by genetic instability within tumors, as well as by lifestyle and dietary factors. The inflammatory response plays a critical role in the genetic and epigenetic reprogramming of tumor cells, as well as in the cells that comprise the tumor microenvironment. Cells in the microenvironment acquire a phenotype that promotes immune evasion, progression, and metastasis. We will review the mechanisms and pathways involved in the interaction between tumors, inflammation, and nutrition, the limitations of current therapies, and discuss potential future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisabel Mecca
- Laboratory of Preclinical and Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata (IRCCS-CROB), 85028 Rionero in Vulture, PZ, Italy
| | - Simona Picerno
- Laboratory of Preclinical and Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata (IRCCS-CROB), 85028 Rionero in Vulture, PZ, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cortellino
- Laboratory of Preclinical and Translational Research, Responsible Research Hospital, 86100 Campobasso, CB, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM), Clinical and Translational Oncology, 80138 Naples, NA, Italy
- S.H.R.O. Italia Foundation ETS, 10060 Candiolo, TO, Italy
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Lee CM, Hwang Y, Jeong JW, Kim M, Lee J, Bae SJ, Ahn SG, Fang S. BRCA1 mutation promotes sprouting angiogenesis in inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblast of triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:5. [PMID: 38182557 PMCID: PMC10770063 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01768-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with inferior outcomes owing to its low treatment response and high invasiveness. Based on abundant cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and frequent mutation of breast cancer-associated 1 (BRCA1) in TNBC, the characteristics of CAFs in TNBC patients with BRCA1 mutation compared to wild-type were investigated using single-cell analysis. Intriguingly, we observed that characteristics of inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) were enriched in patients with BRCA1 mutation compared to the wild-type. iCAFs in patients with BRCA1 mutation exhibited outgoing signals to endothelial cells (ECs) clusters, including chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). During CXCL signaling, the atypical chemokine receptor 1 (ACKR1) mainly interacts with CXCL family members in tumor endothelial cells (TECs). ACKR1-high TECs also showed high expression levels of angiogenesis-related genes, such as ANGPT2, MMP1, and SELE, which might lead to EC migration. Furthermore, iCAFs showed VEGF signals for FLT1 and KDR in TECs, which showed high co-expression with tip cell marker genes, including ZEB1 and MAFF, involved in sprouting angiogenesis. Moreover, BRCA1 mutation patients with relatively abundant iCAFs and tip cell gene expression exhibited a limited response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, including cisplatin and bevacizumab. Importantly, our study observed the intricate link between iCAFs-mediated angiogenesis and chemoresistance in TNBC with BRCA1 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chae Min Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeseong Hwang
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Woong Jeong
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Minki Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Janghee Lee
- Department of Surgery, Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Dongtan, 18450, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University Graduate School, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Soong June Bae
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Breast Cancer Precision Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Gwe Ahn
- Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
- Institute for Breast Cancer Precision Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sungsoon Fang
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Chronic Intractable Disease for Systems Medicine Research Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Severance Institute for Vascular and Metabolic Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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Classen S, Petersen C, Borgmann K. Crosstalk between immune checkpoint and DNA damage response inhibitors for radiosensitization of tumors. Strahlenther Onkol 2023; 199:1152-1163. [PMID: 37420037 PMCID: PMC10674014 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02103-8] [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: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This review article is intended to provide a perspective overview of potential strategies to overcome radiation resistance of tumors through the combined use of immune checkpoint and DNA repair inhibitors. METHODS A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the terms ("DNA repair* and DNA damage response* and intracellular immune response* and immune checkpoint inhibition* and radio*") until January 31, 2023. Articles were manually selected based on their relevance to the topics analyzed. RESULTS Modern radiotherapy offers a wide range of options for tumor treatment. Radiation-resistant subpopulations of the tumor pose a particular challenge for complete cure. This is due to the enhanced activation of molecular defense mechanisms that prevent cell death because of DNA damage. Novel approaches to enhance tumor cure are provided by immune checkpoint inhibitors, but their effectiveness, especially in tumors without increased mutational burden, also remains limited. Combining inhibitors of both immune checkpoints and DNA damage response with radiation may be an attractive option to augment existing therapies and is the subject of the data summarized here. CONCLUSION The combination of tested inhibitors of DNA damage and immune responses in preclinical models opens additional attractive options for the radiosensitization of tumors and represents a promising application for future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Classen
- Laboratory of Radiobiology and Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Center of Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Cordula Petersen
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Borgmann
- Laboratory of Radiobiology and Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Center of Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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Nian L, Xiaohua L, Rongcheng L, Song-Bai L. Types of DNA damage and research progress. NUCLEOSIDES, NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023:1-21. [PMID: 37948546 DOI: 10.1080/15257770.2023.2277194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
DNA damage is a modification in the structure of DNA under the influence of endogenous or exogenous factors. DNA damage can cause different types of diseases and is closely related to genetic mutations, cancer, and aging. The cause of the corresponding reaction process is essential for the study of related cancers and other genetically related diseases. Therefore, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the various types of DNA damage. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advances in the types of DNA damage and associated reaction processes, including damage to DNA bases, nucleotides, and strands, as well as the biological implications of the damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Nian
- School of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, China
| | - Li Xiaohua
- Thyroid and breast surgery, Wuzhong People's Hospital of Suzhou City, Suzhou, China
| | - Li Rongcheng
- School of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, China
| | - Liu Song-Bai
- School of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, China
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Lau HSH, Tan VKM, Tan BKT, Sim Y, Quist J, Thike AA, Tan PH, Pervaiz S, Grigoriadis A, Sabapathy K. Adipose-enriched peri-tumoral stroma, in contrast to myofibroblast-enriched stroma, prognosticates poorer survival in breast cancers. NPJ Breast Cancer 2023; 9:84. [PMID: 37863888 PMCID: PMC10589339 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-023-00590-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite our understanding of the genetic basis of intra-tumoral heterogeneity, the role of stromal heterogeneity arising from an altered tumor microenvironment in affecting tumorigenesis is poorly understood. In particular, extensive study on the peri-tumoral stroma in the morphologically normal tissues surrounding the tumor is lacking. Here, we examine the heterogeneity in tumors and peri-tumoral stroma from 8 ER+/PR+/HER2- invasive breast carcinomas, through multi-region transcriptomic profiling by microarray. We describe the regional heterogeneity observed at the intrinsic molecular subtype, pathway enrichment, and cell type composition levels within each tumor and its peri-tumoral region, up to 7 cm from the tumor margins. Moreover, we identify a pro-inflammatory adipose-enriched peri-tumoral subtype which was significantly associated with poorer overall survival in breast cancer patients, in contrast to an adaptive immune cell- and myofibroblast-enriched subtype. These data together suggest that peri-tumoral heterogeneity may be an important determinant of the evolution and treatment of breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Si Hui Lau
- Divisions of Cellular & Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 168583, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
- Cancer Bioinformatics, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Veronique Kiak Mien Tan
- Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
- Department of Breast Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 168753, Singapore
| | - Benita Kiat Tee Tan
- Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
- Department of Breast Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 168753, Singapore
- Department of General Surgery, Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, 544886, Singapore
| | - Yirong Sim
- Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
- Department of Breast Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 168753, Singapore
| | - Jelmar Quist
- Cancer Bioinformatics, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Aye Aye Thike
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Puay Hoon Tan
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Shazib Pervaiz
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore
| | - Anita Grigoriadis
- Cancer Bioinformatics, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kanaga Sabapathy
- Divisions of Cellular & Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 168583, Singapore.
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
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Veeramuthu K, Ahuja V, Annadurai P, Gideon DA, Sundarrajan B, Rusu ME, Annadurai V, Dhandayuthapani K. Chemical Profiling and Biological Activity of Psydrax dicoccos Gaertn. Molecules 2023; 28:7101. [PMID: 37894581 PMCID: PMC10609380 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207101] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in women with a mortality rate of 6.6%. Adverse effects of synthetic drugs have directed research toward safer alternatives such as natural compounds. This study focused on Psydrax dicoccos Gaertn, an evergreen tree abundantly distributed in Tamil Nadu (India) for its possible application against breast cancer cells. P. dicoccos leaf methanol extract, found within a wide range of phytochemicals, demonstrated cytotoxic effects against MCF7 breast cancer cells at IC50 of 34 μg/mL. The extract exhibited good antioxidant activities against DPPH• (62%) and ABTS•+ (80%), as well as concentration-dependent (100-800 μg/mL) anti-inflammatory potential of 18-60% compared to standards, ascorbic acid or aspirin, respectively. Moreover, even low extract concentrations (10 μg/mL) inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (1.9 ± 0.6 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.3 ± 0.7 mm), thus showing high antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential. GC-MS and LC-MS analyses identified 31 and 16 components, respectively, of which selected compounds were used to evaluate the interaction between key receptors (AKT-1, COX-2, and HER-2) of breast cancer based on binding energy (ΔG) and inhibition constant (Ki). The results indicate that bioactive compounds from P. dicoccos have potential against breast cancer cells, but further evaluations are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamaraj Veeramuthu
- Thanthai Periyar Government Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620023, Tamil Nadu, India; (K.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Vishal Ahuja
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India;
- University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
| | - Pushparaj Annadurai
- C.P.R. Environmental Education Center, 1 Eldams Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600018, Tamil Nadu, India;
| | - Daniel A. Gideon
- Department of Biochemistry, St. Joseph College, Bangalore 560025, Karnataka, India;
| | - Balamurugan Sundarrajan
- Thanthai Periyar Government Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620023, Tamil Nadu, India; (K.V.); (B.S.)
| | - Marius Emil Rusu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vinothkanna Annadurai
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China;
| | - Kandavel Dhandayuthapani
- Department of Botany, Government Arts College for Men, Nandanam, University of Madras, Chennai 600035, Tamil Nadu, India
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Xu C, Mi Z, Dong Z, Chen X, Ji G, Kang H, Li K, Zhao B, Wang F. Platelet-Derived Exosomes Alleviate Knee Osteoarthritis by Attenuating Cartilage Degeneration and Subchondral Bone Loss. Am J Sports Med 2023; 51:2975-2985. [PMID: 37551685 DOI: 10.1177/03635465231188122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent chronic degenerative joint disease among the aged population. However, current treatments for OA are limited to alleviating symptoms, with no therapies that prevent and regenerate cartilage deterioration. PURPOSE To assess the effects of platelet-derived exosomes (Plt-exos) on OA and then to explore the potential molecular mechanism. STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. METHODS Exosomes derived from human apheresis platelets were isolated and identified. The effects of Plt-exos in protecting chondrocytes under interleukin 1β stimulation were evaluated by analyzing the proliferation and migration in human primary chondrocytes. RNA sequencing was later performed in vitro for primary chondrocytes to reveal the underlying mechanisms of Plt-exo treatment. Anterior cruciate ligament transection was used to construct an OA mice model, and intra-articular injection of Plt-exos was given once a week for 6 weeks. Mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after the last injection. Histologic and immunohistochemistry staining and micro-computed tomography analysis were performed to assess alterations of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. RESULTS Plt-exos significantly promoted proliferation and migration of chondrocytes within a dose-dependent manner, as well as dramatically promoted cartilage regeneration and attenuated abnormal tibial subchondral bone remodeling, thus slowing the progression of OA. After being treated with Plt-exos, 1797 genes were differentially expressed in chondrocytes (923 upregulated and 874 downregulated genes). Functional enrichment results and hub genes were mainly involved in anti-inflammatory effects, mediating cell adhesion, stimulating cartilage repair, promoting anabolism, and inhibiting catabolism. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that Plt-exos promoted chondrocyte proliferation and migration in vitro, as well as attenuated cartilage degeneration, improved the microarchitecture of subchondral bone, and retarded OA progression in vivo. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Our study illustrated that the administered Plt-exos could alleviate knee OA by attenuating cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone loss, possibly serving as a novel promising treatment for OA in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyue Xu
- Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Ziyue Mi
- Clinical Transfusion Research Center, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhenyue Dong
- Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaobo Chen
- Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Gang Ji
- Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Huijun Kang
- Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Kehan Li
- Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Zorea J, Motro Y, Mazor RD, Carmi YK, Shulman Z, Mahajna J, Moran-Gilad J, Elkabets M. TRAF3 suppression encourages B cell recruitment and prolongs survival of microbiome-intact mice with ovarian cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:107. [PMID: 37121997 PMCID: PMC10150478 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02680-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer (OC) is known for exhibiting low response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors that activate T cells. However, immunotherapies that activate B cells have not yet been extensively explored and may be a potential target, as B cells that secrete immunoglobulins have been associated with better outcomes in OC. Although the secretion of immunoglobulins is often mediated by the microbiome, it is still unclear what role they play in limiting the progression of OC. METHODS We conducted an in-vivo CRISPR screen of immunodeficient (NSG) and immune-intact wild type (WT) C57/BL6 mice to identify tumor-derived immune-escape mechanisms in a BRAC1- and TP53-deficient murine ID8 OC cell line (designated ITB1). To confirm gene expression and signaling pathway activation in ITB1 cells, we employed western blot, qPCR, immunofluorescent staining, and flow cytometry. Flow cytometry was also used to identify immune cell populations in the peritoneum of ITB1-bearing mice. To determine the presence of IgA-coated bacteria in the peritoneum of ITB1-bearing mice and the ascites of OC patients, we employed 16S sequencing. Testing for differences was done by using Deseq2 test and two-way ANOVA test. Sequence variants (ASVs) were produced in Qiime2 and analyzed by microeco and phyloseq R packages. RESULTS We identified tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) as a tumor-derived immune suppressive mediator in ITB1 cells. Knockout of TRAF3 (TRAF3KO) activated the type-I interferon pathway and increased MHC-I expression. TRAF3KO tumors exhibited a growth delay in WT mice vs. NSG mice, which was correlated with increased B cell infiltration and activation compared to ITB1 tumors. B cells were found to be involved in the progression of TRAF3KO tumors, and B-cell surface-bound and secreted IgA levels were significantly higher in the ascites of TRAF3KO tumors compared to ITB1. The presence of commensal microbiota was necessary for B-cell activation and for delaying the progression of TRAF3KO tumors in WT mice. Lastly, we observed unique profiles of IgA-coated bacteria in the ascites of OC-bearing mice or the ascites of OC patients. CONCLUSIONS TRAF3 is a tumor-derived immune-suppressive modulator that influences B-cell infiltration and activation, making it a potential target for enhancing anti-tumor B-cell responses in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Zorea
- Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Yair Motro
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Roei D Mazor
- Department of Systems Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yifat Koren Carmi
- Department of Nutrition and Natural Products, Migal-Galilee Research Institute, 11016, Kiryat Shemona, Israel
| | - Ziv Shulman
- Department of Systems Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jamal Mahajna
- Department of Nutrition and Natural Products, Migal-Galilee Research Institute, 11016, Kiryat Shemona, Israel
| | - Jacob Moran-Gilad
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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12
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Emens LA, Loi S. Immunotherapy Approaches for Breast Cancer Patients in 2023. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2023; 13:13/4/a041332. [PMID: 37011999 PMCID: PMC10071416 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy, particularly agents targeting the immunoregulatory PD-1/PD-L1 axis, harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer, with unique potential for a durable treatment effect due to immunologic memory. The PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab improves event-free survival and is a new standard of care for high-risk, early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), regardless of tumor PD-L1 expression. For metastatic TNBC, pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy is a new standard of care for the first-line therapy of PD-L1+ metastatic TNBC, with improvement in overall survival. The PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab combined with nab-paclitaxel is also approved outside the United States for the first-line treatment of metastatic PD-L1+ TNBC. Current research focuses on refining the use of immunotherapy in TNBC by defining informative predictive biomarkers, developing immunotherapy in early and advanced HER2-driven and luminal breast cancers, and overcoming primary and secondary resistance to immunotherapy through unique immune-based strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leisha A Emens
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh/UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, USA
- Ankyra Therapeutics, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, USA
| | - Sherene Loi
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
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13
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Shakfa N, Li D, Conseil G, Lightbody ED, Wilson-Sanchez J, Hamade A, Chenard S, Jawa NA, Laight BJ, Afriyie-Asante A, Tyryshkin K, Koebel M, Koti M. Cancer cell genotype associated tumor immune microenvironment exhibits differential response to therapeutic STING pathway activation in high-grade serous ovarian cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-006170. [PMID: 37015760 PMCID: PMC10083863 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundHigh-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy characterized by resistance to chemotherapy and high rates of recurrence. HGSC tumors display a high prevalence of tumor suppressor gene loss. Given the type 1 interferon regulatory function ofBRCA1andPTENgenes and their associated contrasting T-cell infiltrated and non-infiltrated tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) states, respectively, in this study we investigated the potential of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway activation in improving overall survival via enhancing chemotherapy response, specifically in tumors with PTEN deficiency.MethodsExpression of PTEN protein was evaluated in tissue microarrays generated using pretreatment tumors collected from a cohort of 110 patients with HGSC. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining was performed to determine spatial profiles and density of selected lymphoid and myeloid cells. In vivo studies using the syngeneic murine HGSC cell lines, ID8-Trp53–/–;Pten–/–and ID8-Trp53–/–;Brca1–/–, were conducted to characterize the TIME and response to carboplatin chemotherapy in combination with exogenous STING activation therapy.ResultsPatient tumors with absence of PTEN protein exhibited a significantly decreased disease specific survival and intraepithelial CD68+ macrophage infiltration as compared with intact PTEN expression. In vivo studies demonstrated thatPten-deficient ovarian cancer cells establish an immunosuppressed TIME characterized by increased proportions of M2-like macrophages, GR1+MDSCs in the ascites, and reduced effector CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell function compared withBrca1-deficient cells; further, tumors from mice injected withPten-deficient ID8 cells exhibited an aggressive behavior due to suppressive macrophage dominance in the malignant ascites. In combination with chemotherapy, exogenous STING activation resulted in longer overall survival in mice injected withPten-deficient ID8 cells, reprogrammed intraperitoneal M2-like macrophages derived fromPten-deficient ascites to M1-like phenotype and rescued CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell activation.ConclusionsThis study reveals the importance of considering the influence of cancer cell intrinsic genetic alterations on the TIME for therapeutic selection. We establish the rationale for the optimal incorporation of interferon activating therapies as a novel combination strategy in PTEN-deficient HGSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Shakfa
- Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Deyang Li
- Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gwenaelle Conseil
- Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Juliette Wilson-Sanchez
- Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ali Hamade
- Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen Chenard
- Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natasha A Jawa
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies & School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian J Laight
- Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Kathrin Tyryshkin
- Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Martin Koebel
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Madhuri Koti
- Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Queen's Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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14
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cGAS-STING signalling in cancer: striking a balance with chromosomal instability. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:539-555. [PMID: 36876871 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of cancer that drives tumour evolution. It is now recognised that CIN in cancer leads to the constitutive production of misplaced DNA in the form of micronuclei and chromatin bridges. These structures are detected by the nucleic acid sensor cGAS, leading to the production of the second messenger 2'3'-cGAMP and activation of the critical hub of innate immune signalling STING. Activation of this immune pathway should instigate the influx and activation of immune cells, resulting in the eradication of cancer cells. That this does not universally occur in the context of CIN remains an unanswered paradox in cancer. Instead, CIN-high cancers are notably adept at immune evasion and are highly metastatic with typically poor outcomes. In this review, we discuss the diverse facets of the cGAS-STING signalling pathway, including emerging roles in homeostatic processes and their intersection with genome stability regulation, its role as a driver of chronic pro-tumour inflammation, and crosstalk with the tumour microenvironment, which may collectively underlie its apparent maintenance in cancers. A better understanding of the mechanisms whereby this immune surveillance pathway is commandeered by chromosomally unstable cancers is critical to the identification of new vulnerabilities for therapeutic exploitation.
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15
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Zhao Y, Simon M, Seluanov A, Gorbunova V. DNA damage and repair in age-related inflammation. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:75-89. [PMID: 35831609 PMCID: PMC10106081 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-022-00751-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genomic instability is an important driver of ageing. The accumulation of DNA damage is believed to contribute to ageing by inducing cell death, senescence and tissue dysfunction. However, emerging evidence shows that inflammation is another major consequence of DNA damage. Inflammation is a hallmark of ageing and the driver of multiple age-related diseases. Here, we review the evidence linking DNA damage, inflammation and ageing, highlighting how premature ageing syndromes are associated with inflammation. We discuss the mechanisms by which DNA damage induces inflammation, such as through activation of the cGAS-STING axis and NF-κB activation by ATM. The triggers for activation of these signalling cascades are the age-related accumulation of DNA damage, activation of transposons, cellular senescence and the accumulation of persistent R-loops. We also discuss how epigenetic changes triggered by DNA damage can lead to inflammation and ageing via redistribution of heterochromatin factors. Finally, we discuss potential interventions against age-related inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Department of Physiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Matthew Simon
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Andrei Seluanov
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. .,Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. .,Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
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16
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van Weverwijk A, de Visser KE. Mechanisms driving the immunoregulatory function of cancer cells. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:193-215. [PMID: 36717668 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00544-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Tumours display an astonishing variation in the spatial distribution, composition and activation state of immune cells, which impacts their progression and response to immunotherapy. Shedding light on the mechanisms that govern the diversity and function of immune cells in the tumour microenvironment will pave the way for the development of more tailored immunomodulatory strategies for the benefit of patients with cancer. Cancer cells, by virtue of their paracrine and juxtacrine communication mechanisms, are key contributors to intertumour heterogeneity in immune contextures. In this Review, we discuss how cancer cell-intrinsic features, including (epi)genetic aberrations, signalling pathway deregulation and altered metabolism, play a key role in orchestrating the composition and functional state of the immune landscape, and influence the therapeutic benefit of immunomodulatory strategies. Moreover, we highlight how targeting cancer cell-intrinsic parameters or their downstream immunoregulatory pathways is a viable strategy to manipulate the tumour immune milieu in favour of antitumour immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette van Weverwijk
- Division of Tumour Biology & Immunology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Karin E de Visser
- Division of Tumour Biology & Immunology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands.
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17
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Jia B, Xia P, Dong J, Feng W, Wang W, Liu E, Jiang G, Qin Y. Genetic testing and prognosis of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1086908. [PMID: 36741696 PMCID: PMC9891294 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1086908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (SHC) is a rare epithelial malignancy with high invasiveness and poor prognosis. However, the molecular characteristics and main driver genes for SHC have not been determined. The aim of this study is to explore the potentially actionable mutations of driver genes, which may provide more therapeutic options for SHC. Methods In this study, DNA extraction and library preparation were performed using tumor tissues from 28 SHC patients. Then we used Miseq platform (Illumina) to sequence the target-enriched library, and we aligned and processed the sequencing data. The gene groups were tested for SNVs/Indels/CNVs. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) was assessed by the 425-cancer-relevant gene panel. Multivariate analysis of COX's model was used for survival analysis (OS) of patients' clinical characteristics. Result The median overall survival (OS) of the patients was only 4.4 months. TP53, TERT, and KRAS were the top three frequently mutated genes, with frequencies of 89.3%, 64.3%, and 21.4%, respectively. A considerable number of patients carried mutations in genes involved in the TP53 pathway (96%) and DNA Damage Repair (DDR) pathway (21%). Multiple potentially actionable mutations, such as NTRK1 fusions and BRCA1/2 mutations, were identified in SHCs. Conclusions This study shows a landscape of gene mutations in SHC. SHC has high mutation rates in TP53 pathway and DDR pathway. The potentially actionable mutations of driver genes may provide more therapeutic options for SHC. Survival analysis found that age, smoking, drinking, and tumor diameter may be independent prognostic predictors of SHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Jia
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Peiyi Xia
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Junqiang Dong
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenhao Feng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenjia Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Enjie Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Guozhong Jiang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,*Correspondence: Guozhong Jiang, ; Yanru Qin,
| | - Yanru Qin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China,*Correspondence: Guozhong Jiang, ; Yanru Qin,
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18
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López-Otín C, Pietrocola F, Roiz-Valle D, Galluzzi L, Kroemer G. Meta-hallmarks of aging and cancer. Cell Metab 2023; 35:12-35. [PMID: 36599298 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Both aging and cancer are characterized by a series of partially overlapping "hallmarks" that we subject here to a meta-analysis. Several hallmarks of aging (i.e., genomic instability, epigenetic alterations, chronic inflammation, and dysbiosis) are very similar to specific cancer hallmarks and hence constitute common "meta-hallmarks," while other features of aging (i.e., telomere attrition and stem cell exhaustion) act likely to suppress oncogenesis and hence can be viewed as preponderantly "antagonistic hallmarks." Disabled macroautophagy and cellular senescence are two hallmarks of aging that exert context-dependent oncosuppressive and pro-tumorigenic effects. Similarly, the equivalence or antagonism between aging-associated deregulated nutrient-sensing and cancer-relevant alterations of cellular metabolism is complex. The agonistic and antagonistic relationship between the processes that drive aging and cancer has bearings for the age-related increase and oldest age-related decrease of cancer morbidity and mortality, as well as for the therapeutic management of malignant disease in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos López-Otín
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Universitario de Oncología (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Federico Pietrocola
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - David Roiz-Valle
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Universitario de Oncología (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA; Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Université de Paris Cité, Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1138, Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France; Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France; Institut du Cancer Paris CARPEM, Department of Biology, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France.
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19
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van der Wiel AMA, Schuitmaker L, Cong Y, Theys J, Van Hoeck A, Vens C, Lambin P, Yaromina A, Dubois LJ. Homologous Recombination Deficiency Scar: Mutations and Beyond-Implications for Precision Oncology. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174157. [PMID: 36077694 PMCID: PMC9454578 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) is a prevalent in approximately 17% of tumors and is associated with enhanced sensitivity to anticancer therapies inducing double-strand DNA breaks. Accurate detection of HRD would therefore allow improved patient selection and outcome of conventional and targeted anticancer therapies. However, current clinical assessment of HRD mainly relies on determining germline BRCA1/2 mutational status and is insufficient for adequate patient stratification as mechanisms of HRD occurrence extend beyond functional BRCA1/2 loss. HRD, regardless of BRCA1/2 status, is associated with specific forms of genomic and mutational signatures termed HRD scar. Detection of this HRD scar might therefore be a more reliable biomarker for HRD. This review discusses and compares different methods of assessing HRD and HRD scar, their advances into the clinic, and their potential implications for precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M. A. van der Wiel
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lesley Schuitmaker
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ying Cong
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Theys
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arne Van Hoeck
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Oncode Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Conchita Vens
- Institute of Cancer Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, Scotland, UK
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Philippe Lambin
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ala Yaromina
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ludwig J. Dubois
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW—School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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20
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Huertas-Caro CA, Ramirez MA, Gonzalez-Torres HJ, Sanabria-Salas MC, Serrano-Gómez SJ. Immune Lymphocyte Infiltrate and its Prognostic Value in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:910976. [PMID: 35924147 PMCID: PMC9342669 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.910976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) occurs more frequently in young (<50 years) non-Hispanic black and Hispanic/Latina women. It is considered the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, although, recently, immune infiltrate has been associated with long-term survival, lower risk of death and recurrence, and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this review was to evaluate the clinical impact of the immune infiltrate in TNBC by discussing whether its prognostic value varies across different populations. A comprehensive systematic search in databases such as PubMed and Web of Science was conducted to include papers focused on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in TNBC in different population groups and that were published before January 2021. TNBC patients with higher levels of TILs had longer overall survival and disease-free survival times compared with TNBC patients with low TIL levels. Similar results were observed for CD4+, CD8+ TIL populations. On the other hand, patients with high TIL levels showed a higher rate of pathological complete response regardless of the population group (Asian, European, and American). These results altogether suggest that TIL subpopulations might have a prognostic role in TNBC, but the underlying mechanism needs to be elucidated. Although the prognosis value of TILs was not found different between the population groups analyzed in the revised literature, further studies including underrepresented populations with different genetic ancestries are still necessary to conclude in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mayra Alejandra Ramirez
- Grupo de investigación en biología del cáncer, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Henry J. Gonzalez-Torres
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | | | - Silvia J. Serrano-Gómez
- Grupo de apoyo y seguimiento para la investigación, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, Colombia
- *Correspondence: Silvia J. Serrano-Gómez,
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21
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Zhu Q, Wang J, Yu H, Hu Q, Bateman NW, Long M, Rosario S, Schultz E, Dalgard CL, Wilkerson MD, Sukumar G, Huang RY, Kaur J, Lele SB, Zsiros E, Villella J, Lugade A, Moysich K, Conrads TP, Maxwell GL, Odunsi K. Whole-Genome Sequencing Identifies PPARGC1A as a Putative Modifier of Cancer Risk in BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2350. [PMID: 35625955 PMCID: PMC9139302 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
While BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are known to confer the largest risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, the incomplete penetrance of the mutations and the substantial variability in age at cancer onset among carriers suggest additional factors modifying the risk of cancer in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. To identify genetic modifiers of BRCA1/2, we carried out a whole-genome sequencing study of 66 ovarian cancer patients that were enriched with BRCA carriers, followed by validation using data from the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes Consortium. We found PPARGC1A, a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and function, to be highly mutated in BRCA carriers, and patients with both PPARGC1A and BRCA1/2 mutations were diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer at significantly younger ages, while the mutation status of each gene alone did not significantly associate with age of onset. Our study suggests PPARGC1A as a possible BRCA modifier gene. Upon further validation, this finding can help improve cancer risk prediction and provide personalized preventive care for BRCA carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Zhu
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.W.); (H.Y.); (Q.H.); (M.L.); (S.R.); (E.S.)
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.W.); (H.Y.); (Q.H.); (M.L.); (S.R.); (E.S.)
| | - Han Yu
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.W.); (H.Y.); (Q.H.); (M.L.); (S.R.); (E.S.)
| | - Qiang Hu
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.W.); (H.Y.); (Q.H.); (M.L.); (S.R.); (E.S.)
| | - Nicholas W. Bateman
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA; (N.W.B.); (T.P.C.); (G.L.M.)
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., 6720A Rockledge Dr., Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA;
| | - Mark Long
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.W.); (H.Y.); (Q.H.); (M.L.); (S.R.); (E.S.)
| | - Spencer Rosario
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.W.); (H.Y.); (Q.H.); (M.L.); (S.R.); (E.S.)
| | - Emily Schultz
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.W.); (H.Y.); (Q.H.); (M.L.); (S.R.); (E.S.)
| | - Clifton L. Dalgard
- The American Genome Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (C.L.D.); (M.D.W.)
- Department of Anatomy Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Matthew D. Wilkerson
- The American Genome Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; (C.L.D.); (M.D.W.)
- Department of Anatomy Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Gauthaman Sukumar
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., 6720A Rockledge Dr., Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA;
- Department of Anatomy Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Ruea-Yea Huang
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (R.-Y.H.); (A.L.)
| | - Jasmine Kaur
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.K.); (S.B.L.); (E.Z.)
| | - Shashikant B. Lele
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.K.); (S.B.L.); (E.Z.)
| | - Emese Zsiros
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.K.); (S.B.L.); (E.Z.)
| | - Jeannine Villella
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Lenox Hill Hospital/Northwell Health Cancer Institute, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New York, NY 11549, USA;
| | - Amit Lugade
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (R.-Y.H.); (A.L.)
| | - Kirsten Moysich
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA;
| | - Thomas P. Conrads
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA; (N.W.B.); (T.P.C.); (G.L.M.)
- Women’s Health Integrated Research Center, Women’s Service Line, Inova Health System, 3289 Woodburn Rd, Annandale, VA 22003, USA
| | - George L. Maxwell
- Gynecologic Cancer Center of Excellence, Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Uniformed Services University and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA; (N.W.B.); (T.P.C.); (G.L.M.)
- Women’s Health Integrated Research Center, Women’s Service Line, Inova Health System, 3289 Woodburn Rd, Annandale, VA 22003, USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (R.-Y.H.); (A.L.)
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA; (J.K.); (S.B.L.); (E.Z.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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