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Zhou L, Duan Y, Fu K, Zhang M, Li K, Yin R. The role of B7-H4 in ovarian cancer immunotherapy: current status, challenges, and perspectives. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1426050. [PMID: 39267740 PMCID: PMC11390377 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1426050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy stands as a critical and auspicious therapeutic approach in the fight against cancer nowadays. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, in particular, have garnered widespread employment and delivered groundbreaking therapeutic outcomes across various malignancies. However, the efficacy is unsatisfactory in the ovarian cancer. The pressing concerns of the substantial non-response rate require immediate attention. The pursuit of novel targets and the formulation of synergistic combination therapy approaches are imperative for addressing this challenge. B7-H4, a member of the B7 family of co-inhibitory molecules, exhibits high expression levels in ovarian cancer, correlating closely with tumor progression, drug resistance, and unfavorable prognosis. B7-H4 has the potential to serve as a valuable biomarker for evaluating the immune response of patients. Recent investigations and preclinical trials focusing on B7-H4 in the context of ovarian cancer immunotherapy highlight its emergence as a promising immunotherapeutic target. This review aims to discuss these findings and anticipate the future prospects of leveraging B7-H4 in ovarian cancer immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanqiong Duan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kaiyu Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengpei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kemin Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rutie Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Deng EZ, Marino GB, Clarke DJB, Diamant I, Resnick AC, Ma W, Wang P, Ma'ayan A. Multiomics2Targets identifies targets from cancer cohorts profiled with transcriptomics, proteomics, and phosphoproteomics. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2024; 4:100839. [PMID: 39127042 PMCID: PMC11384097 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2024.100839] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
The availability of data from profiling of cancer patients with multiomics is rapidly increasing. However, integrative analysis of such data for personalized target identification is not trivial. Multiomics2Targets is a platform that enables users to upload transcriptomics, proteomics, and phosphoproteomics data matrices collected from the same cohort of cancer patients. After uploading the data, Multiomics2Targets produces a report that resembles a research publication. The uploaded matrices are processed, analyzed, and visualized using the tools Enrichr, KEA3, ChEA3, Expression2Kinases, and TargetRanger to identify and prioritize proteins, genes, and transcripts as potential targets. Figures and tables, as well as descriptions of the methods and results, are automatically generated. Reports include an abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, and references and are exportable as citable PDFs and Jupyter Notebooks. Multiomics2Targets is applied to analyze version 3 of the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC3) pan-cancer cohort, identifying potential targets for each CPTAC3 cancer subtype. Multiomics2Targets is available from https://multiomics2targets.maayanlab.cloud/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eden Z Deng
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Giacomo B Marino
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Daniel J B Clarke
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ido Diamant
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Adam C Resnick
- Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Weiping Ma
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1498, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Pei Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1498, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Avi Ma'ayan
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1603, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Gitto SB, Whicker M, Davies G, Kumar S, Kinneer K, Xu H, Lewis A, Mamidi S, Medvedev S, Kim H, Anderton J, Tang EJ, Ferman B, Coats S, Wilkinson RW, Brown E, Powell DJ, Simpkins F. A B7-H4-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate Shows Antitumor Activity in PARPi and Platinum-Resistant Cancers with B7-H4 Expression. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:1567-1581. [PMID: 37882675 PMCID: PMC11034955 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Platinum and PARP inhibitors (PARPi) demonstrate activity in breast and ovarian cancers, but drug resistance ultimately emerges. Here, we examine B7-H4 expression in primary and recurrent high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and the activity of a B7-H4-directed antibody-drug conjugate (B7-H4-ADC), using a pyrrolobenzodiazepine-dimer payload, in PARPi- and platinum-resistant HGSOC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN B7-H4 expression was quantified by flow cytometry and IHC. B7-H4-ADC efficacy was tested against multiple cell lines in vitro and PDX in vivo. The effect of B7-H4-ADC on cell cycle, DNA damage, and apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. RESULTS B7-H4 is overexpressed in 92% of HGSOC tumors at diagnosis (n = 12), persisted in recurrent matched samples after platinum treatment, and was expressed at similar levels across metastatic sites after acquired multi-drug resistance (n = 4). Treatment with B7-H4-ADC resulted in target-specific growth inhibition of multiple ovarian and breast cancer cell lines. In platinum- or PARPi-resistant ovarian cancer cells, B7-H4-ADC significantly decreased viability and colony formation while increasing cell-cycle arrest and DNA damage, ultimately leading to apoptosis. Single-dose B7-H4-ADC led to tumor regression in 65.5% of breast and ovarian PDX models (n = 29), with reduced activity in B7-H4 low or negative models. In PARPi and platinum-resistant HGSOC PDX models, scheduled B7-H4-ADC dosing led to sustained tumor regression and increased survival. CONCLUSIONS These data support B7-H4 as an attractive ADC target for treatment of drug-resistant HGSOC and provide evidence for activity of an ADC with a DNA-damaging payload in this population. See related commentary by Veneziani et al., p. 1434.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B. Gitto
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Margaret Whicker
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | | | - Sushil Kumar
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | | | - Haineng Xu
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | | | | | - Sergey Medvedev
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Hyoung Kim
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | | | - E. Jessica Tang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Benjamin Ferman
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | | | | | - Eric Brown
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Daniel J. Powell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Fiona Simpkins
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
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Raja D, Singh A, Kurra S, Nayak B, Kaushal S, Sharma A, Singh P. Clinical significance of blocking novel immune checkpoint B7-H4 in urothelial carcinoma of bladder as a potential therapeutic target. Med Oncol 2024; 41:74. [PMID: 38376603 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02299-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Urothelial Carcinoma of Bladder is complex disease with high mortality and recurrence rates. Current standard regimes have exhibited anti-tumor activity but still, a proportion of patients are non-responsive or in-eligible to receive such treatments. Immune checkpoints have emerged as potential class of therapeutics to be tested in UCB patients. Clinical trials targeting PD-1/PD-L1 axis have been tested in UCB but still a proportion of patients are non-responsive to it which stresses upon identifying new targets. New immune checkpoint B7-H4 has been shown to negatively regulate T cell activity in cancer and is a poor prognostic factor in various solid tumors. In this study we assessed the novel immune checkpoint B7-H4 status in UCB patients. We observed elevated expression of B7-H4 and PD-L1 on CD8+ T cells in circulation of UCB patients. Relative mRNA expression and immunohistochemistry displayed upregulation in bladder tumor tissue. Increased expression of B7-H4 along with PD-L1 in periphery and tumor of UCB patients highlights involvement of B7-H4 in disease progression. Combinatorial blocking of B7-H4 and PD-L1 enhanced IFN-γ and granzyme B in CD8+ T cells functional T cell immune response in UCB patients. Also, B7-H4 was significantly associated with clinico-pathological parameters. Our findings highlight B7-H4 as potential therapeutic target for treatment of UCB patients in future after further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Raja
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Aishwarya Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Santosh Kurra
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Brusabhanu Nayak
- Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Seema Kaushal
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Alpana Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Prabhjot Singh
- Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
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Bhuia MS, Wilairatana P, Chowdhury R, Rakib AI, Kamli H, Shaikh A, Coutinho HDM, Islam MT. Anticancer Potentials of the Lignan Magnolin: A Systematic Review. Molecules 2023; 28:3671. [PMID: 37175081 PMCID: PMC10180476 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnolin is a naturally occurring, multi-bioactive lignan molecule with inherent anticancer effects. This study aims to summarize the botanical origins and anticancer properties of magnolin. For this, a recent (as of March 2023) literature review was conducted using various academic search engines, including PubMed, Springer Link, Wiley Online, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. All the currently available information about this phytochemical and its role in various cancer types has been gathered and investigated. Magnolin is a compound found in many different plants. It has been demonstrated to have anticancer activity in numerous experimental models by inhibiting the cell cycle (G1 and G2/M phase); inducing apoptosis; and causing antiinvasion, antimetastasis, and antiproliferative effects via the modulation of several pathways. In conclusion, magnolin showed robust anticancer activity against many cancer cell lines by altering several cancer signaling pathways in various non- and pre-clinical experimental models, making it a promising plant-derived chemotherapeutic option for further clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Shimul Bhuia
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh; (M.S.B.)
| | - Polrat Wilairatana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Raihan Chowdhury
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh; (M.S.B.)
| | - Asraful Islam Rakib
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh; (M.S.B.)
| | - Hossam Kamli
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Shaikh
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Henrique D. M. Coutinho
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, Crato 63105-000, CE, Brazil
| | - Muhammad Torequl Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj 8100, Bangladesh; (M.S.B.)
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Zhou J, Tian Y, Qu Y, Williams M, Yuan Y, Karvas RM, Sheridan MA, Schulz LC, Ezashi T, Roberts MR, Schust DJ. The immune checkpoint molecule, VTCN1/B7-H4, guides differentiation and suppresses proinflammatory responses and MHC class I expression in an embryonic stem cell-derived model of human trophoblast. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1069395. [PMID: 37008954 PMCID: PMC10062451 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1069395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta acts as a protective barrier to pathogens and other harmful substances present in the maternal circulation throughout pregnancy. Disruption of placental development can lead to complications of pregnancy such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and preterm birth. In previous work, we have shown that expression of the immune checkpoint regulator, B7-H4/VTCN1, is increased upon differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) to an in vitro model of primitive trophoblast (TB), that VTCN1/B7-H4 is expressed in first trimester but not term human placenta and that primitive trophoblast may be uniquely susceptible to certain pathogens. Here we report on the role of VTCN1 in trophoblast lineage development and anti-viral responses and the effects of changes in these processes on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression and peripheral NK cell phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Yuchen Tian
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Ying Qu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Madyson Williams
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Ye Yuan
- Research Department, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, United States
| | - Rowan M. Karvas
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Megan A. Sheridan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Laura C. Schulz
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Research Department, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, United States
| | - Michael R. Roberts
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Danny J. Schust
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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7
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Hwang C, Lee HJ, Na JY, Kim KH, Song YJ, Kim JY, Kim K, Shin DH, Park JY, Kim SY, Lee JH, Choi KU. The stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, cancer stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and B7-H4 expression in ovarian serous carcinoma. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:3. [PMID: 36609273 PMCID: PMC9825048 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-022-01076-z] [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: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND B7-H4 is expressed in various types of cancers and its expression inversely correlates with the degree of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Studies have shown the relationship between B7-H4, cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various cancers. However, very few studies have investigated the relationship between B7-H4, TILs, cancer stemness, and EMT in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The present study aimed to elucidate whether B7-H4 is involved in immune evasion and examine whether B7-H4 is associated with cancer stemness or EMT in ovarian serous carcinoma, the most common type of EOC. The clinical significance of B7-H4 was also investigated to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target. METHODS A total of 145 patients included in this study. The degree of stromal TILs was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides. Immunohistochemical analysis of B7-H4, CSC-related biomarkers (CD24, CD44s, CD133, and ALDH1), and EMT-related biomarkers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin) was performed using tissue microarray. qRT-PCR for VTCN1, CD24, CD44, PROM1, ALDH1, CDH1, CDH2, and VIM genes was performed on 38 frozen tissue samples. The mRNA expression levels were analyzed using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) online analysis tool. RESULTS B7-H4 protein expression positively correlated with the degree of stromal TILs. CD24, CD44s, and CD133 expression showed a positive correlation with B7-H4 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels, but ALDH1 correlated only at the protein level. E-cadherin expression was positively correlated with B7-H4 expression at both the protein and mRNA levels. N-cadherin and vimentin expression was inversely related to B7-H4 expression only at the mRNA level. B7-H4 positive patients were associated with higher tumor grade and lower overall survival rate than B7-H4 negative patients, especially in ovarian serous carcinoma with low stromal TILs. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates that B7-H4 may not be involved in the immune evasion mechanism, but is involved in cancer stemness and mesenchymal-epithelial transition. In addition, B7-H4 may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of ovarian serous carcinoma, especially with low stromal TILs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chungsu Hwang
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Lee
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Ju-Young Na
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Ki Hyung Kim
- grid.412588.20000 0000 8611 7824Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Hospital, 179 Gudeok-Ro, Seo-Gu, Busan, 49241 South Korea
| | - Yong Jung Song
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Jee Yeon Kim
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Kyungbin Kim
- grid.262229.f0000 0001 0719 8572Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University School of Medicine, 179 Gudeok-Ro, Seo-Gu, Busan, 49241 South Korea
| | - Dong Hoon Shin
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Joon Young Park
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - So Young Kim
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Jung Hee Lee
- grid.412591.a0000 0004 0442 9883Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20, Geumo-Ro, Mulguem-Eup, Yangsan-Si, Gyeongsangnam-Do South Korea
| | - Kyung Un Choi
- grid.262229.f0000 0001 0719 8572Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University School of Medicine, 179 Gudeok-Ro, Seo-Gu, Busan, 49241 South Korea
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8
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Cheng H, Zong L, Kong Y, Gu Y, Yang J, Xiang Y. Emerging Targets of Immunotherapy in Gynecologic Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:11869-11882. [PMID: 33239889 PMCID: PMC7681579 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s282530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) have been successfully applied in the treatment of tumors, their efficiency is still not high enough. New immune targets need to be identified in order to seek alternative treatment strategies for patients with refractory tumors. Immune targets can be divided into stimulating and inhibiting molecules according to their function after receptor-ligand binding. We herein present a compendious summary of emerging immune targets in gynecologic tumors. These targets included coinhibitory molecules, such as T cell immunoglobulin-3 (TIM-3), T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT), lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), V-type immunoglobulin domain-containing suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA), and B7-H3 and B7-H4, and co-stimulatory molecules, such as CD27, OX40, 4-1BB, CD40, glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) and inducible co-stimulator (ICOS). In this review, the characteristics and preclinical/clinical progress of gynecological malignancies are briefly discussed. However, the potential mechanisms and interactions of immune targets need to be elucidated in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Liju Zong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujia Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjun Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Xiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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9
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Macpherson AM, Barry SC, Ricciardelli C, Oehler MK. Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and the Immune System: Biology, Interactions, Challenges and Potential Advances for Immunotherapy. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E2967. [PMID: 32937961 PMCID: PMC7564553 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in the understanding of immune function and the interactions with tumour cells have led to the development of various cancer immunotherapies and strategies for specific cancer types. However, despite some stunning successes with some malignancies such as melanomas and lung cancer, most patients receive little or no benefit from immunotherapy, which has been attributed to the tumour microenvironment and immune evasion. Although the US Food and Drug Administration have approved immunotherapies for some cancers, to date, only the anti-angiogenic antibody bevacizumab is approved for the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. Immunotherapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer are still under development and being tested in numerous clinical trials. A detailed understanding of the interactions between cancer and the immune system is vital for optimisation of immunotherapies either alone or when combined with chemotherapy and other therapies. This article, in two main parts, provides an overview of: (1) components of the normal immune system and current knowledge regarding tumour immunology, biology and their interactions; (2) strategies, and targets, together with challenges and potential innovative approaches for cancer immunotherapy, with attention given to epithelial ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Macpherson
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia; (A.M.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Simon C. Barry
- Molecular Immunology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia;
| | - Carmela Ricciardelli
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia; (A.M.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Martin K. Oehler
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Adelaide Medical School, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia; (A.M.M.); (C.R.)
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide 5000, Australia
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10
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B7-H4 is Inversely Correlated With T-Cell Infiltration in Clear Cell but Not Serous or Endometrioid Ovarian Cancer. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2020; 27:515-522. [PMID: 29189263 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000000608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
B7-H4, a tumor-associated cell surface protein, is expressed in endometrioid (EM), serous (SE), and clear cell (CC) ovarian carcinomas. Prior in vitro studies from other groups indicated that elevated B7-H4 expression by tumor cells blocks T-cell activation; therefore, it had been postulated to play a role in shielding cancer cells from immune surveillance and averting apoptotic programs. To test the validity of these hypotheses, the present study was designed to compare the immunohistochemical staining intensity of B7-H4 in tumor cells of ovarian cancers with the number of tumor-infiltrating T cells and macrophages and with the levels of caspase-3 staining in apoptotic debris. Serial tissue sections from EM, SE, and CC carcinomas were analyzed across representative cross-sections of tumor resection specimens, demonstrating different levels of B7-H4 expression, highest in CC cancers. B7-H4 staining in CC tissue sections was significantly correlated with the number of CD3, CD4, and CD8 tumor-infiltrating T cells and with the number of CD14 tumor-infiltrating macrophages, but was not significantly related to caspase-3 staining. These results support the concept that high levels of B7-H4 expression are inversely correlated with tumor T-cell infiltration and with CD14-labeled macrophages but not caspase-3 expression in CC carcinomas. We did not, however, find clear evidence of a relationship between the lower levels of B7-H4 seen in EM and SE carcinomas and T cell or macrophage infiltration. Thus, high levels of B7-H4, as seen in CC carcinomas, is associated with decreased tumor infiltration by T cells and macrophages but the lower levels of expression, as observed in EM and SE carcinomas, appear less likely to play an effective role in protection from immune surveillance. Furthermore, we found no evidence of a correlation between B7-H4 expression and apoptosis. These findings highlight the importance of further investigation of B7-H4 as an immunomodulatory protein, to support the development of novel therapeutic interventions for improved efficacy of treatments for CC carcinoma.
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11
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Circulating Tumor Cells Enumerated by a Centrifugal Microfluidic Device as a Predictive Marker for Monitoring Ovarian Cancer Treatment: A Pilot Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10040249. [PMID: 32340330 PMCID: PMC7236001 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10040249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the size-based isolation and enumeration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) using a centrifugal microfluidic device equipped with a fluid-assisted separation technology (FAST) disc. We further assessed the correlations among CTCs, cancer antigen-125 (CA125) levels, and clinical course of the disease in a prospective analysis of 47 serial blood samples collected at multiple time-points from 13 ovarian cancer patients. CTCs were isolated from whole blood using the FAST disc and were classified as epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)/cytokeratin+, CD45-, and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)+. Mean CTC count at baseline was 20.2; 84.62% of patients had more than one CTC at baseline and had decreased CTCs counts after surgery and chemotherapy. The CTC counts in eight patients with complete responses were <3. CTC counts were correlated with CA125 levels in three patients without recurrence; they were elevated in three patients with recurrence and normal CA125 concentrations. CTC counts and CA125 levels showed high concordance with directional changes (increasing 71.4%; non-increasing 75.0%). CTC counts showed higher associations with clinical status, sensitivity (100.0% vs. 60.0%), positive predictive value (55.6% vs. 42.9%), and negative predictive value (100.0% vs. 87.5%) than CA125 levels. CTC counts were better associated with treatment response and recurrence than CA125 levels.
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12
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Podojil JR, Glaser AP, Baker D, Courtois ET, Fantini D, Yu Y, Eaton V, Sivajothi S, Chiang M, Das A, McLaughlin KA, Robson P, Miller SD, Meeks JJ. Antibody targeting of B7-H4 enhances the immune response in urothelial carcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1744897. [PMID: 32363111 PMCID: PMC7185218 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1744897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with locally advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma have a low survival rate (median 15.7 months, 13.1-17.8), with only a 23% response rate to monotherapy treatment with anti-PDL1 checkpoint immunotherapy. To identify new therapeutic targets, we profiled the immune regulatory signatures during murine cancer development using the BBN carcinogen and identified an increase in the expression of the T cell inhibitory protein B7-H4 (VTCN1, B7S1, B7X). B7-H4 expression temporally correlated with decreased lymphocyte infiltration. While the increase in B7-H4 expression within the bladder by CD11b+ monocytes is shared with human cancers, B7-H4 expression has not been previously identified in other murine cancer models. Higher expression of B7-H4 was associated with worse survival in muscle-invasive bladder cancer in humans, and increased B7-H4 expression was identified in luminal and luminal-papillary subtypes of bladder cancer. Evaluation of B7-H4 by single-cell RNA-Seq and immune mass cytometry of human bladder tumors found that B7-H4 is expressed in both the epithelium of urothelial carcinoma and CD68+ macrophages within the tumor. To investigate the function of B7-H4, treatment of human monocyte and T cell co-cultures with a B7-H4 blocking antibody resulted in enhanced IFN-γ secretion by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Additionally, anti-B7-H4 antibody treatment of BBN-carcinogen bladder cancers resulted in decreased tumor size, increased CD8+ T cell infiltration within the bladder, and a complimentary decrease in tumor-infiltrating T regulatory cells (Tregs). Furthermore, treatment with a combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-B7-H4 antibodies resulted in a significant reduction in tumor stage, a reduction in tumor size, and an increased level of tumor necrosis. These findings suggest that antibodies targeting B7-H4 may be a viable strategy for bladder cancers unresponsive to PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R. Podojil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander P. Glaser
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Dylan Baker
- Single Cell Biology Laboratory, The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Elise T. Courtois
- Single Cell Biology Laboratory, The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Damiano Fantini
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yanni Yu
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Valerie Eaton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Santhosh Sivajothi
- Single Cell Biology Laboratory, The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Mingyi Chiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Arighno Das
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kimberly A. McLaughlin
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Paul Robson
- Single Cell Biology Laboratory, The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Stephen D. Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joshua J. Meeks
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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13
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Zhou L, Ruan M, Liu Y, Zhu Y, Fu D, Wu K, Zhang Q. B7H4 expression in tumor cells impairs CD8 T cell responses and tumor immunity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:163-174. [PMID: 31848656 PMCID: PMC7000514 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02451-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
B7 homolog 4 (B7H4) is considered a negative regulator of immune responses, but the immunoregulatory role of B7H4 in the tumor microenvironment is not clear. Here, we assessed B7H4 expression cell types in human breast cancer tissues and addressed its potential mechanisms in the CD8 T cell immune response. The results from flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that B7H4 was highly expressed in 26 out of 30 (86.7%) breast invasive ductal carcinomas, and B7H4 surface expression on tumor cells was inversely correlated with CD8 T lymphocytes infiltration (p < 0.0001). In vivo, B7H4-overexpressing tumor cells showed enhanced tumor growth in immunocompetent mice with impaired CD8 T cell infiltration of the tumor. Further investigation showed that activation and expansion of CD8 T cells within the lymph nodes were suppressed in B7H4-overexpessing tumor-bearing mice. An in vitro killing assay showed that the cytotoxicity of CD8 T cells was inhibited in B7H4-overexpressing tumor cells. These findings suggest that B7H4 in tumor cells is a negative regulator of CD8 T cell activation, expansion and cytotoxicity, indicating that tumor cell-associated B7H4 might be a target for T cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhou
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, No. 1 Xuefu North Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Mei Ruan
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, No. 1 Xuefu North Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, No. 1 Xuefu North Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Yanyang Zhu
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, No. 1 Xuefu North Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Deqiang Fu
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, No. 1 Xuefu North Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China
| | - Kunlin Wu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chating Middle Road, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Qiuyu Zhang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, No. 1 Xuefu North Road, Shangjie Town, Minhou County, Fuzhou, 350122, China.
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14
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Wang JY, Wang WP. B7-H4, a promising target for immunotherapy. Cell Immunol 2019; 347:104008. [PMID: 31733822 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2019.104008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The coinhibitory molecule B7-H4, an important member of the B7 family, is abnormally expressed in tumors, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. B7-H4 negatively regulates T cell immune response and promotes immune escape by inhibiting the proliferation, cytokine secretion, and cell cycle of T cells. Moreover, B7-H4 plays an extremely important role in tumorigenesis and tumor development including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, anti-apoptosis, etc. In addition, B7-H4 has the other biological functions, such as protection against type 1 diabetes (T1D) and islet cell transplantation. Therefore, B7-H4 has been identified as a novel marker or a therapeutic target for the treatment of tumors, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplantation. Here, we summarized the expression profiles, physiological and pathological functions, and regulatory mechanisms of B7-H4, the signaling pathways involved, as well as B7-H4-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yu Wang
- Center for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Wei-Peng Wang
- Center for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
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15
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Pourmaleki M, Young JH, Socci ND, Chiang S, Edelweiss M, Li Y, Zhang M, Roshal L, Chi DS, Busam KJ, Mellinghoff IK, Hollmann TJ. Extramammary Paget disease shows differential expression of B7 family members B7-H3, B7-H4, PD-L1, PD-L2 and cancer/testis antigens NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A. Oncotarget 2019; 10:6152-6167. [PMID: 31692889 PMCID: PMC6817453 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare cutaneous adenocarcinoma of the anogenital region most commonly treated with surgical excision. Surgical margin clearance is often problematic and recurrence rates remain high indicating the need for additional therapeutic options. Topical immunomodulators have been used with reported success suggesting EMPD may respond to other immunotherapies. This study investigates EMPD protein expression of targetable B7 family members and cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) B7-H3, B7-H4, PD-L1, PD-L2, MAGE-A, and NY-ESO-1 and components of antigen presenting machinery B2M and MHC-I. Fifty-seven specimens from 48 patients (31 female and 17 male), representing in situ, invasive, and metastatic disease of primary and secondary origin were stained and scored (627 total slides). The percentage of cases expressing each immune regulatory molecule in the in situ followed by invasive tumor components was: B7-H3 (94, 90), B7-H4 (82, 78), PD-L1 (6, 10), MAGE-A (39, 50), NY-ESO-1 (16, 20), B2M (100, 89), and MHC-I (78, 79). PD-L2 was negative in all cases. There was high correlation between marker expression within the in situ and invasive tumor components of the same case. B7-H4 was preferentially expressed in primary cutaneous EMPD. Co-expression of B7 family members B7-H3 and B7-H4 was found within the in situ and invasive tumor components of 74% and 48% of cases, respectively. These findings provide an initial characterization of EMPD tumor cell expression of B7-H3, B7-H4, PD-L1, PD-L2, MAGE-A, and NY-ESO-1 and indicate the potential for new immunotherapeutic options for patients with EMPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Pourmaleki
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jonathan H Young
- Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Present address: School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Nicholas D Socci
- Bioinformatics Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah Chiang
- Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Marcia Edelweiss
- Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yanyun Li
- Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mianlei Zhang
- Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lev Roshal
- Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Dennis S Chi
- Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Klaus J Busam
- Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ingo K Mellinghoff
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Travis J Hollmann
- Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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16
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MacGregor HL, Garcia-Batres C, Sayad A, Elia A, Berman HK, Toker A, Katz SR, Shaw PA, Clarke BA, Crome SQ, Robert-Tissot C, Bernardini MQ, Nguyen LT, Ohashi PS. Tumor cell expression of B7-H4 correlates with higher frequencies of tumor-infiltrating APCs and higher CXCL17 expression in human epithelial ovarian cancer. Oncoimmunology 2019; 8:e1665460. [PMID: 31741762 PMCID: PMC6844312 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1665460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
B7-H4, an immune suppressive member of the B7 family, is highly expressed in a wide variety of human malignancies making it an attractive immunotherapeutic target. However, the association between B7-H4 expression in the tumor microenvironment and the immune infiltrate has not been comprehensively examined. To evaluate the immune tumor microenvironment, we analyzed epithelial ovarian tumors from 28 patients using flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, functional, and genomic analyses. We determined B7-H4 expression patterns and compared the immune infiltrates of tumors with high and low surface expression of B7-H4. Frequencies and phenotypes of tumor and immune cells were determined using multiple flow cytometry panels. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze cellular infiltration and location. Publicly available datasets were interrogated to determine intratumoral cytokine and chemokine expression. We found that B7-H4 was predominantly expressed by tumor cells in the epithelial ovarian tumor microenvironment. Surface expression of B7-H4 on tumor cells was correlated with higher levels of infiltrating mature antigen-presenting cells. Further, expression of CXCL17, a monocyte and dendritic cell chemoattractant, correlated strongly with B7-H4 expression. T cells expressed activation markers, but T cells expressing a combination of markers associated with T cell activation/exhaustion phenotype were not prevalent. Overall, our data suggest that B7-H4 is associated with a pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L. MacGregor
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carlos Garcia-Batres
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Azin Sayad
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Elia
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hal K. Berman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aras Toker
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah Rachel Katz
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patricia A. Shaw
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Blaise A. Clarke
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah Q. Crome
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Celine Robert-Tissot
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marcus Q. Bernardini
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Linh T. Nguyen
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamela S. Ohashi
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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17
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Chakrabarti R, Kapse B, Mukherjee G. Soluble immune checkpoint molecules: Serum markers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2019; 2:e1160. [PMID: 32721130 PMCID: PMC7941475 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the recent advances in the understanding of the interaction of the immune system with developing tumor, it has become imperative to consider the immunological parameters for both cancer diagnosis and disease prognosis. Additionally, in the era of emerging immunotherapeutic strategies in cancer, it is very important to follow the treatment outcome and also to predict the correct immunotherapeutic strategy in individual patients. There being enormous heterogeneity among tumors at different sites or between primary and metastatic tumors in the same individual, or interpatient heterogeneity, it is very important to study the tumor-immune interaction in the tumor microenvironment and beyond. Importantly, molecular tools and markers identified for such studies must be suitable for monitoring in a noninvasive manner. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have shown that the immune checkpoint molecules play a key role in the development and progression of tumors. In-depth studies of these molecules have led to the development of most of the cancer immunotherapeutic reagents that are currently either in clinical use or under different phases of clinical trials. Interestingly, many of these cell surface molecules undergo alternative splicing to produce soluble isoforms, which can be tracked in the serum of patients. CONCLUSIONS Several studies demonstrate that the serum levels of these soluble isoforms could be used as noninvasive markers for cancer diagnosis and disease prognosis or to predict patient response to specific therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rituparna Chakrabarti
- School of Medical Science and TechnologyIndian Institute of Technology KharagpurKharagpurIndia
| | - Bhavya Kapse
- Department of BiotechnologyIndian Institute of Technology KharagpurKharagpurIndia
| | - Gayatri Mukherjee
- School of Medical Science and TechnologyIndian Institute of Technology KharagpurKharagpurIndia
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18
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Alvi E, Gupta R, Borok RZ, Escobar-Hoyos L, Shroyer KR. Overview of established and emerging immunohistochemical biomarkers and their role in correlative studies in MRI. J Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 51:341-354. [PMID: 31041822 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical practice in radiology and pathology requires professional expertise and many years of training to visually evaluate and interpret abnormal phenotypic features in medical images and tissue sections to generate diagnoses that guide patient management and treatment. Recent advances in digital image analysis methods and machine learning have led to significant interest in extracting additional information from medical and digital whole-slide images in radiology and pathology, respectively. This has led to significant interest and research in radiomics and pathomics to correlate phenotypic features of disease with image analytics in order to identify image-based biomarkers. The expanding role of big data in radiology and pathology parallels the development and role of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the daily practice of pathology. IHC methods were initially developed to provide additional information to help classify tumors and then transformed into an indispensable tool to guide treatment in many types of cancer. IHC markers are used in daily practice to identify specific types of cells and highlight their distributions in tissues in order to distinguish benign from neoplastic cells, determine tumor origin, subclassify neoplasms, and support and confirm diagnoses. In this regard, radiomics, pathomics, and IHC methods are very similar since they enable the extraction of image-based features to characterize various properties of diseases. Due to the dramatic advancements in recent radiomics research, we provide a brief overview of the role of established and emerging IHC biomarkers in various tumor types that have been correlated with radiologic biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy, predict prognosis, guide patient management, and select treatment strategies. Level of Evidence: 5 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:341-354.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emaan Alvi
- Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Rajarsi Gupta
- Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Raphael Z Borok
- Department of Pathology, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Downers Grove, Illinois, USA
| | - Luisa Escobar-Hoyos
- Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Biology, Genetic Toxicology and Cytogenetics Research Group, School of Natural Sciences and Education, Universidad Del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
| | - Kenneth R Shroyer
- Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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19
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Ye Y, Wang JJ, Li SL, Wang SY, Jing FH. Does B7-H4 expression correlate with clinicopathologic characteristics and survival in ovarian cancer?: A systematic review and PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e11821. [PMID: 30095655 PMCID: PMC6133395 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000011821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have shown that B7-H4 expression is significantly increased in ovarian cancer. However, the role of B7-H4 expression in ovarian cancer remains unclear, and some studies reporting conflicting results. A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic significance of B7-H4 in ovarian cancer. METHODS Eligible studies were searched in the PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. The included studies assessed the relationship between B7-H4 expression and clinicopathologic features or prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer through September 2017. A total of 1045 patients in 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Stata software version 12.0 was used to analyze the data. We used an odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the risk or hazard association. RESULTS B7-H4 expression in ovarian cancer patients was significantly increased (OR: 4.20, 95% CI: 2.85-6.18, Z = 6.91, P < .05), and heterogeneity was low between studies (I = 8.2%, P = .366). With respect to the clinicopathologic features, no relation was detected between B7-H4 expression and International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetricsstages stages (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.64-1.03, Z = 1.70, P = .09), pathologic grade (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.72-1.16, Z = 0.76, P = .45), tumor metastasis (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.90-1.74, Z = 1.34, P = .18), or histologic type (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.85-1.60, Z = 0.96, P = .34) in ovarian cancer. Furthermore, B7-H4 expression was significantly associated with a worse progression-free survival (PFS) (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.17-1.45, Z = 4.79, P < .05). CONCLUSION B7-H4 expression was related to ovarian cancer, but not to patients' clinicopathologic characteristics. High B7-H4 expression was negatively correlated with survival outcome, suggesting that B7-H4 plays an essential role in poor prognosis in ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Ye
- Department of Laboratory Medicine
| | | | | | - Sheng-Yu Wang
- Department of Respiration, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Song X, Shao Y, Gu W, Xu C, Mao H, Pei H, Jiang J. Prognostic role of high B7-H4 expression in patients with solid tumors: a meta-analysis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:76523-76533. [PMID: 27058425 PMCID: PMC5363528 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, many studies have shown that B7-H4 exhibits altered expression in various cancers. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic role of B7-H4 expression in solid tumors. RESULTS Data from 18 observational studies and 2467 patients were summarized. An elevated baseline B7-H4 was significantly associated with worse OS (pooled HR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.56-2.06). Differences across subgroups of tumor type, patients' ethnicity, analysis type, HR obtain method and cut-off value were not significant (PD = 0.313, PD = 0.716, PD = 0.896, PD = 0.290 and PD = 0.153, respectively). Furthermore, patients with high B7-H4 had a significantly shorter DFS (pooled HR = 2.12; 95%CI = 1.45-3.09). MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library (last update by November 26, 2015) to identify studies assessing the effect of B7-H4 on survival of cancer patients. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated using fixed-effects models and random-effects models respectively. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis clarified that high B7-H4 expression in tissue was significantly associated with poor survival in patients with solid tumors. Future clinical studies are warranted to determine whether B7-H4 blockade has a favorable effect on disease recurrence and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Song
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingjie Shao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, People's Republic of China
| | - Wendong Gu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Xu
- Department of Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, People's Republic of China
| | - Huihui Mao
- Department of Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, People's Republic of China
| | - Honglei Pei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingting Jiang
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, People's Republic of China
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Chen C, Zhu WD, Xie F, Huang JA. Nuclear localization of B7-H4 in pulmonary adenocarcinomas presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule. Oncotarget 2018; 7:58563-58568. [PMID: 27438152 PMCID: PMC5295452 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Although the pathogenicity of B7-H4 in cancer is well established, its role in pulmonary adenocarcinoma, especially lesions presenting as solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs), remains unclear. METHODS 40 cases of pulmonary adenocarcinoma presenting with SPN were enrolled during year 2012-2015. The B7-H4 expression and its subcellular distribution in pulmonary adenocarcinoma presenting with SPN were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, further its correlation with Ki-67 expression and CT feature. In vitro, the B7-H4 expression in the cytoplasmic and nucleus fractions of lung cancer cell lines was determinate by western blotting. RESULTS Immunostaining revealed B7-H4 in the cytoplasm of cells from all 40 SPN samples studied. No surface localization of B7-H4 was detected, but in 18 samples the nuclear membranes were B7-H4-positive. Moreover, patients with more poorly differentiated and invasive adenocarcinomas showed greater localization of B7-H4 to the nuclear membrane. The percentage of lesions with ground-glass opacity was significantly greater among samples negative for nuclear membrane B7-H4. Most importantly, there was a statistically significant relationships between the Ki-67 index and B7-H4 positivity of the nuclear membrane. This suggests tumors exhibiting higher nuclear membrane B7-H4 have greater proliferative potential. Western blotting confirmed both cytoplasmic and nuclear B7-H4 localization in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our study provides a new insight into the tumorigenicity of B7-H4 in lung adenocarcinoma. We suggest that in pulmonary adenocarcinoma presenting with SPN, nuclear membrane localization of B7-H4 within the tumor cells is associated with increased malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chen
- Respiratory Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Wei-Dong Zhu
- Pathology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Fang Xie
- Pathology Department, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Jian-An Huang
- Respiratory Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
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Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in ovarian cancer and the potential roles of cancer stem cells – An updated review. Exp Cell Res 2018; 362:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Abstract
Observations noting the presence of white blood cell infiltrates within tumors date back more than a century, however the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating tumor immunity continue to be elucidated. The recent successful use of monoclonal antibodies to block immune regulatory pathways to enhance tumor-specific immune responses for the treatment of cancer has encouraged the identification of additional immune regulatory receptor/ligand pathways. Over the past several years, a growing body of data has identified B7-H4 (VTCN1/B7x/B7S1) as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. The potential clinical significance of B7-H4 is supported by the high levels of B7-H4 expression found in numerous tumor tissues and correlation of the level of expression on tumor cells with adverse clinical and pathologic features, including tumor aggressiveness. The biological activity of B7-H4 has been associated with decreased inflammatory CD4+ T-cell responses and a correlation between B7-H4-expressing tumor-associated macrophages and FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) within the tumor microenvironment. Since B7-H4 is expressed on tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages in various cancer types, therapeutic blockade of B7-H4 could favorably alter the tumor microenvironment allowing for antigen-specific clearance tumor cells. The present review highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting B7-H4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Podojil
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Stephen D Miller
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Shen L, Qian Y, Wu W, Weng T, Wang FXC, Hong B, Wu Z, Wang Q, Sang Y, Zhang H, Zhou X, Yao H. B7-H4 is a prognostic biomarker for poor survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Hum Pathol 2017; 66:79-85. [PMID: 28600225 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2017.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
B7-H4 belongs to the immune costimulatory B7 family and is thought to negatively regulate T-cell-mediated immunity, and may contribute an important role in tumor immune evasion. Although the expression of B7-H4 has been observed in human pancreatic cancer, the prognostic significance of this expression is poorly understood. This present study explored the prognostic value of B7-H4 in pancreatic cancer. Patients with pancreatic cancer and healthy controls were recruited at the Second Affiliated Hospital to Zhejiang University from January 2011 to December 2014. Expression of B7-H4 was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that B7-H4 was expressed in 100% (188/188) of the pancreatic cancer tumor tissue samples, while only in 68% (17/25) of normal pancreatic tissue samples. Furthermore, the expression levels of B7-H4 in pancreatic cancer patients were significantly higher than in controls (P<.01). A significant difference in B7-H4 expression was observed between patients with late tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (III and IV) and early TNM stage (I and II) (P<.01). The expression of B7-H4 was associated with distant metastasis (P<.01) and differentiation (P<.01). In addition, B7-H4 expression (P<.01), distant metastasis (P<.01), TNM stage (P<.01), differentiation (P<.01) and chemotherapy treatment (P<.05) were indicators of poor overall survival time. Multivariate survival analysis indicated that B7-H4 expression, distant metastasis, and chemotherapy treatment (P<.05) were independent prognostic indicators of poor overall survival. In conclusion, B7-H4 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer, and is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. B7-H4 may represent an immunotherapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingwei Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Yun Qian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Weigen Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Tianhao Weng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Frederick X C Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Texas at Dallas, TX 79106, USA
| | - Bo Hong
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Zhigang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Yiwen Sang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Xinhui Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
| | - Hangping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
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MacGregor HL, Ohashi PS. Molecular Pathways: Evaluating the Potential for B7-H4 as an Immunoregulatory Target. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:2934-2941. [PMID: 28325750 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-2440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
With the clinical success of CTLA-4 and PD-1 blockade in treating malignancies, there is tremendous interest in finding new ways to augment antitumor responses by targeting other inhibitory molecules. In this review, we describe one such molecule. B7-H4, a member of the B7 family of immunoregulatory proteins, inhibits T cell proliferation and cytokine production through ligation of an unknown receptor expressed by activated T cells. Notably, B7-H4 protein expression is observed in a high proportion of patients' tumors across a wide variety of malignancies. This high expression by tumors in combination with its low or absent protein expression in normal tissues makes B7-H4 an attractive immunotherapeutic target. Preclinical investigation into B7-H4-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, antibody-mediated blockade of B7-H4, and anti-B7-H4 drug conjugates has shown antitumor efficacy in mouse models. The first clinical trials have been completed to assess the safety and efficacy of a B7-H4 fusion protein in ameliorating rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Cancer Res; 23(12); 2934-41. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L MacGregor
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamela S Ohashi
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Smith JB, Lanitis E, Dangaj D, Buza E, Poussin M, Stashwick C, Scholler N, Powell DJ. Tumor Regression and Delayed Onset Toxicity Following B7-H4 CAR T Cell Therapy. Mol Ther 2016; 24:1987-1999. [PMID: 27439899 PMCID: PMC5154474 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2016.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
B7-H4 protein is frequently overexpressed in ovarian cancer. Here, we engineered T cells with novel B7-H4-specific chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that recognized both human and murine B7-H4 to test the hypothesis that B7-H4 CAR T cell therapy can be applied safely in preclinical models. B7-H4 CAR T cells specifically secreted IFN-γ and lysed B7-H4(+) targets. In vivo, B7-H4 CAR T cells displayed antitumor reactivity against B7-H4(+) human ovarian tumor xenografts. Unexpectedly, B7-H4 CAR T cell treatment reproducibly showed delayed, lethal toxicity 6-8 weeks after therapy. Comprehensive assessment of murine B7-H4 protein distribution uncovered expression in ductal and mucosal epithelial cells in normal tissues. Postmortem analysis revealed the presence of widespread histologic lesions that correlated with B7-H4(+) expression, and were inconsistent with graft versus host disease. Lastly, expression patterns of B7-H4 protein in normal human tissue were comparable to distribution in mice, advancing our understanding of B7-H4. We conclude that B7-H4 CAR therapy mediates control of cancer outgrowth. However, long-term engraftment of B7-H4 CAR T cells mediates lethal, off-tumor toxicity that is likely due to wide expression of B7-H4 in healthy mouse organs. This model system provides a unique opportunity for preclinical evaluation of safety approaches that limit CAR-mediated toxicity after tumor destruction in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenessa B Smith
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Evripidis Lanitis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Denarda Dangaj
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth Buza
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mathilde Poussin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Caitlin Stashwick
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Lancaster General Health, Penn Medicine, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nathalie Scholler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; SRI Biosciences, Menlo Park, California, USA
| | - Daniel J Powell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ovarian Cancer Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Yuan L, Dong L, Yu G, Fan W, Zhang L, Wang P, Hu X, Zhao M. Aberrant expression of B7‑H4 may contribute to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:5015-5024. [PMID: 27840912 PMCID: PMC5355751 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to determine the effect of B7‑H4 on the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the expression levels of B7‑H4 were evaluated using reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry in HL‑7702 and Huh7 cells. B7‑H4 protein expression levels were analyzed using western blotting and immunohistochemistry in HCC tissues collected from patients and from a mouse tumor model. Soluble B7‑H4 (sB7‑H4), interferon‑γ (IFN‑γ), and interleukin‑4 (IL‑4) in blood serum were assessed using ELISA in patients with HCC and mice injected with tumor cells. B7‑H4 was expressed in HCC cell lines, mouse tumor tissues and HCC patient tissues. However, B7‑H4 was not detected in HL‑7702 cells or normal human liver tissues. The expression level of B7‑H4 was positively correlated with tumor‑node‑metastasis (TNM) stage, lymph node metastasis, and differentiation degree in patients with HCC. sB7‑H4 levels in blood serum samples collected from patients with HCC and tumorigenic mice were higher compared with healthy controls. Expression levels of IFN‑γ were reduced, and IL‑4 levels were increased in blood serum samples of patients with HCC and tumorigenic mice compared with healthy controls. sB7‑H4 expression levels were negatively correlated with IFN‑γ levels, and with the ratio of IFN‑γ to IL‑4. Additionally, sB7‑H4 was positively correlated with IL‑4 levels in mouse tumor tissues, serum samples obtained from tumorigenic mice and human HCC patients. Notably, the levels of sB7‑H4 and IL‑4 were positively correlated and IFN‑γ was negatively correlated with the TNM stage of patients with HCC. In addition, sB7‑H4 and IL‑4 expression levels increased and levels of IFN‑γ and the ratio of IFN‑γ/IL‑4 decreased as a function of time post tumor implantation in the mouse model. The present study determined that aberrant expression of B7‑H4 contributed to HCC development. B7‑H4 may be a potential target for therapy and diagnosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Yuan
- Department of Radiology, Binzhou Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
| | - Lijie Dong
- Department of Radiology, Binzhou Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
| | - Guohua Yu
- Department of Pathology, Yu Huang Ding Hospital, Yantai, Shandong 264000, P.R. China
| | - Wanfeng Fan
- Department of Radiology, Binzhou Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Binzhou Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
| | - Peiyuan Wang
- Department of Radiology, Binzhou Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
| | - Xuemei Hu
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Mingdong Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Binzhou Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, P.R. China
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Wang L, Heng X, Lu Y, Cai Z, Yi Q, Che F. Could B7-H4 serve as a target to activate anti-cancer immunity? Int Immunopharmacol 2016; 38:97-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Liang L, Jiang Y, Chen JS, Niu N, Piao J, Ning J, Zu Y, Zhang J, Liu J. B7-H4 expression in ovarian serous carcinoma: a study of 306 cases. Hum Pathol 2016; 57:1-6. [PMID: 27349304 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The B7 family of immune costimulatory ligands is a group of cell surface proteins that bind to the surface receptors of lymphocytes to fine-tune immune responses. The aberrant expression of these proteins plays a key role in tumor immune evasion. Immunotherapy targeting certain B7 family members, including programmed death ligand 1, has proven quite effective in suppressing tumor growth. However, why such therapy works in only a subgroup of tumors is unclear. We hypothesized that other B7 family members, either alone or in concert with programmed death ligand 1, play a crucial role in tumor pathogenesis and progression. We therefore examined the expression of a newly discovered B7 family member, B7-H4, in 306 cases of ovarian serous carcinoma by immunohistochemistry. We found that 91% (267/293) of the high-grade ovarian serous carcinomas and 69% (9/13) of the low-grade ovarian serous carcinomas expressed B7-H4. The difference between B7-H4 expression in high-grade and low-grade ovarian serous carcinoma was statistically significant (P=.002). Moreover, B7-H4 protein expression in high-grade serous carcinoma was associated with tumor stage (P<.01) but not overall survival or disease-free survival. In conclusion, B7-H4 is frequently expressed in ovarian serous carcinomas, especially high-grade serous carcinomas, and may represent a novel immunotherapeutic target in this cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA 77030
| | - Yi Jiang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA 77030; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China 210029
| | - Jun-Song Chen
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA 77030
| | - Na Niu
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA 77030
| | - Jin Piao
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA 77030
| | - Jing Ning
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA 77030
| | - Youli Zu
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA 77030.
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China 710032.
| | - Jinsong Liu
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA 77030.
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Xu CH, Wang W, Wang YC, Lin Y, Zhang XW. Diagnosis value of serum soluble B7-H4 expression in non-small cell lung cancer. CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL 2016; 12:134-139. [PMID: 27216449 DOI: 10.1111/crj.12499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION B7-H4, a member of the inhibitory B7 family, can restrain T cell proliferation, activation, cytokine secretion, and may be involved in immune evasion in cancer patients. OBJECTIVES This aim of the study was to determine the expression level of soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) in circulation and to subsequently evaluate the clinical significance of circulating sB7-H4 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS Serum specimens from 128 patients with NSCLC, 100 healthy volunteers (HV), and 80 patients with benign lung diseases (BLD) were collected. The concentrations of sB7-H4 were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Serum sB7-H4 levels in patients with NSCLC were significantly higher than those in patients with BLD (P < 0.05), or those in HV (P < 0.05). Using a cutoff of 27.8 ng/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of sB7-H4 in differentiating between patients with NSCLC and patients with BLD, and between patients with NSCLC and HV was, 46.9% and 92.5%, and 54.7% and 95.0%, respectively. An area under the curve (AUC) for NSCLC resulting from sB7-H4 (0.863), which was significantly better than any other tumour markers tested including CA125 (0.763), and CEA (0.775). CONCLUSION In conclusion, assessment of serum sB7-H4 levels could be considered as a diagnostic biomarker for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Hua Xu
- Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and Imaging, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and Imaging, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Yu Chao Wang
- Clinical Center of Nanjing Respiratory Diseases and Imaging, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nanjing Chest Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Xiu Wei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nanjing Jiangning Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211100, China
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Xu C, Qian L, Yu L, Zhang X, Wang Q. Evaluation of serum and pleural levels of soluble B7-H4 in lung cancer patients with pleural effusion. Biomarkers 2016; 20:271-4. [PMID: 26301886 DOI: 10.3109/1354750x.2015.1068858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic value of sB7-H4 and CEA in both serum and pleural effusion of lung cancer patients. METHODS Levels of sB7-H4 and CEA in 90 patients with malignant pleural effusion due to lung cancer and 58 patients with benign pleural effusion were measured by ELISA. RESULTS The sB7-H4 and CEA levels in pleural effusion, serum and their ratio (F/S) were higher in lung cancer group than that in benign group (p < 0.01). The diagnostic efficiency of sB7-H4 combined CEA was superior to either sB7-H4 or CEA. CONCLUSIONS Measurement of sB7-H4 and CEA might be useful diagnostic value for malignant effusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhua Xu
- a Department of Respiratory Medicine , Nanjing Chest Hospital , Nanjing , Jiangsu , P.R. China
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33
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ZHAO XIN, GUO FEI, LI ZHONGHU, JIANG PENG, DENG XIANG, TIAN FENG, LI XIAOWU, WANG SHUGUANG. Aberrant expression of B7-H4 correlates with poor prognosis and suppresses tumor-infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes in human cholangiocarcinoma. Oncol Rep 2016; 36:419-27. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Xu M, Zhang B, Zhang M, Liu Y, Yin FL, Liu X, Zhuo SC. Clinical relevance of expression of B7-H1 and B7-H4 in ovarian cancer. Oncol Lett 2016; 11:2815-2819. [PMID: 27073557 PMCID: PMC4812522 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.4301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of B7-H1 and B7-H4 in ovarian neoplasm tissues and to examine their clinical relevance. A total of 112 ovarian biopsies were collected from patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and 10 were taken from ovarian benign neoplasms. The samples were processed in paraffin tissue chips, and subjected to immunohistochemical staining and analysis. Associations of B7-H1 and B7-H4 expression with patients' clinical parameters, such as histological typing, cell grading, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging, tumor size, and metastatic status, were examined by statistical analysis. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Independent prognostic factors were evaluated using the Cox regression model. The results showed an extremely low or negative expression of B7-H1 and B7-H4 in the 10 benign ovarian neoplasm tissues (control): By contrast, a positive expression of B7-H1 and B7-H4 was observed in 55.4% (62/112) and 37.5% (42/112) of the EOC tissues, respectively. The differences between the two groups were significant. In addition, the co-expression of B7-H1 and B7-H4 was found in 31.3% (35/112) of the EOC cases. Furthermore, the progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly lower in EOC patients with a high expression of B7-H1 and B7-H4 (χ2=45.60 and 37.99, respectively). These results demonstrated that the expression of B7-H1 and B7-H4 in EOC tissues was significantly associated with poor prognosis and high relapse rate of EOC. The findings suggest that B7-H1 and B7-H4 is a negative prognostic marker for EOC and a potential immunotherapeutic target for patients with EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Hospital of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| | - Bei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Hospital of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Hospital of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Hospital of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| | - Feng-Ling Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Hospital of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Pathology, Central Hospital of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Chao Zhuo
- Department of Pathology, Central Hospital of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
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Huang C, Zhou L, Chang X, Pang X, Zhang H, Zhang S. B7-H3, B7-H4, Foxp3 and IL-2 expression in cervical cancer: Associations with patient outcome and clinical significance. Oncol Rep 2016; 35:2183-90. [PMID: 26848032 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the expression of B7-H3, B7-H4, Foxp3 and IL-2 in cervical cancer tissues, and evaluate the corresponding clinical significance. The expression of B7-H3, B7-H4, Foxp3 and IL-2 in 108 cervical cancer specimens was detected using immunohistochemistry, and their relationship with clinicopathologic parameters was determined. B7-H3, B7-H4 and Foxp3 had high levels of expression in cervical cancer cells (72.22, 80.56, and 91.56%, respectively). B7-H3 levels were only significantly associated with tumor size (P=0.013), while B7-H4, Foxp3 and IL-2 levels were significantly associated with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (P=0.023, 0.014 and 0.036, respectively) and tumor size (P=0.045, 0.010 and 0.021, respectively). Their expression levels were not correlated with age, histologic type, differentiation and lymph node metastasis (all P>0.05). Cox regression multivariate analysis confirmed that B7-H3 or B7-H4 overexpression was an independent prognostic factor. In addition, there were significant positive relationships between the expression of B7-H3 and B7-H4 with Foxp3 (P<0.001). In contrast, the expression of B7-H3 and B7-H4 was negatively correlated with IL-2 (P<0.05). B7-H3, B7-H4 and Foxp3 may be useful biomarkers in patients with cervical cancer for predicting treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglin Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohan Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoao Pang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Huijie Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
| | - Shulan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, P.R. China
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Xu H, Chen X, Tao M, Chen K, Chen C, Xu G, Li W, Yuan S, Mao Y. B7-H3 and B7-H4 are independent predictors of a poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. Oncol Lett 2016; 11:1841-1846. [PMID: 26998087 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.4128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
B7-H3 and B7-H4 belong to the peripheral membrane protein B7 family and are hypothesized to regulate immunity. These proteins are expressed in human pancreatic cancer (PC), but their prognostic significance is poorly understood. The present study examined the association between B7-H3 and B7-H4 expression and the overall survival time in patients with PC that underwent surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital to Zhengzhou University between April 2000 and January 2009. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that B7-H3 and B7-H4 were expressed in 35 (88%) and 30 (75%) tumor tissue samples, respectively, which were obtained from 40 patients with PC. Statistical analysis revealed that B7-H3 expression was associated with an early tumor-node-metastasis stage (stage I and II; P<0.01), and B7-H4 expression was associated with tumors located in the body and tail of the pancreas (P<0.01) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.02). In addition, using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, the present study demonstrated a positive correlation between B7-H3 expression and B7-H4 expression (r=0.37; P=0.02) in tumor samples. B7-H4 expression (P=0.01), tumors located in the pancreatic body and tail (P<0.01), lymph node metastasis (P=0.02) and combined B7-H3 and B7-H4 expression (P<0.01) were indicators of a poor overall survival time. However, solitary B7-H4 expression (P=0.03) and combined B7-H3 and B7-H4 expression (P=0.04) remained significant prognostic factors following adjustment for other prognostic factors in a multivariate Cox's proportional hazards regression model. Therefore, the present results indicate that solitary B7-H4 expression and a combination of B7-H3 and B7-H4 expression are independent predictors of a poor prognosis in patients with PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215007, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215007, P.R. China; Department of Hematology and Oncology, Central Hospital of Zhabei District, Shanghai 200070, P.R. China
| | - Min Tao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215007, P.R. China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215007, P.R. China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450014, P.R. China
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450014, P.R. China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215007, P.R. China
| | - Suxu Yuan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215007, P.R. China
| | - Yixiang Mao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215007, P.R. China
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The increase of circulating PD-L1-expressing CD68(+) macrophage in ovarian cancer. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:5031-7. [PMID: 26541760 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4066-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have been characterized as a critical population of immunosuppressive cells in a variety of tumor types. PD-L1 (also termed B7-H1) has been described to exert co-inhibitory and immune regulatory functions. Here, in ovarian cancer, PD-L1 is selectively overexpressed on some TAM compared that of benign ovarian disease. When expanding the data in peripheral blood, the proportion of PD-L1(+)CD68(+) cell among CD68(+) cells and the intensity of PD-L1 staining on CD68(+) cell in healthy group were similar to that observed in ovarian cyst group; instead, these two measures were significantly higher in ovarian cancer group, thereafter related to TNM stage. Interestingly, intracellular levels of IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in PD-L1(+)CD68(+) macrophage were higher than those in PD-L1(-)CD68(+) macrophage, especially IL-6 expression. Based on the PD-L1 receptor PD-1 expression on tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic cells, our data supported that expression of PD-L1 on TAM promoted apoptosis of T cells via interaction with PD-1 on CD8(+)T cells. Taken together, these results suggested that PD-L1-expressing macrophage represents a novel suppressor cell population in ovarian cancer, which contributes immune escape of ovarian cancer.
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Mahoney KM, Rennert PD, Freeman GJ. Combination cancer immunotherapy and new immunomodulatory targets. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2015; 14:561-84. [PMID: 26228759 DOI: 10.1038/nrd4591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 946] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Targeting immune checkpoints such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1), programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PDL1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) has achieved noteworthy benefit in multiple cancers by blocking immunoinhibitory signals and enabling patients to produce an effective antitumour response. Inhibitors of CTLA4, PD1 or PDL1 administered as single agents have resulted in durable tumour regression in some patients, and combinations of PD1 and CTLA4 inhibitors may enhance antitumour benefit. Numerous additional immunomodulatory pathways as well as inhibitory factors expressed or secreted by myeloid and stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment are potential targets for synergizing with immune checkpoint blockade. Given the breadth of potential targets in the immune system, critical questions to address include which combinations should move forward in development and which patients will benefit from these treatments. This Review discusses the leading drug targets that are expressed on tumour cells and in the tumour microenvironment that allow enhancement of the antitumour immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen M Mahoney
- 1] Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. [2] Division of Haematology and Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. [3]
| | - Paul D Rennert
- 1] SugarCone Biotech, Holliston, Massachusetts 01746, USA. [2] Videre Biotherapeutics, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472, USA. [3]
| | - Gordon J Freeman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
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Mach P, Gellhaus A, Wicherek L, Schmidt B, Kimmig R, Kasimir-Bauer S, Köninger A. Changes in the Blood Serum Levels of the Costimulatory Soluble B7-H4 Molecule in Pregnant Women During the Peripartal Phase. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 74:209-15. [PMID: 25907449 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM B7-H4, a transmembrane protein that negatively regulates T lymphocytes, seems to play a role in the suppression of the im\mune response at the maternal-fetal interface. The aim of this study was to compare the blood serum concentration levels of soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) prepartal and postpartal in both women who experienced spontaneous onset of labor and those who underwent elective cesarian section. METHOD OF STUDY Blood was obtained from 30 prepartal and postpartal women who delivered at the University Hospital of Essen between 2011 and 2012. These patients were further divided into two subgroups depending on the advancement of labor. The sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels of the women in the groups were then determined by ELISA (BIOZOL, Eching, Germany). RESULTS In women who underwent elective cesarian section, a significant increase in sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels occurred postpartal, while in women who experienced spontaneous onset of labor, no differences between prepartal and postpartal concentration levels were observed. The sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels on the day after delivery in the women who experienced spontaneous labor and those who underwent elective cesarian section were comparable; however, higher blood serum concentration levels of sB7-H4 were observed prepartal in women with spontaneous onset of labor compared to those found in the women about to undergo elective cesarian section. CONCLUSION These changes in sB7-H4 blood serum concentration levels suggest that this protein is involved in immunological changes associated with the spontaneous onset of labor and post-delivery homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Mach
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lukasz Wicherek
- Department of Gynecology and Oncology and Gynecological Nursing, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Boerge Schmidt
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology (IMIBE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sabine Kasimir-Bauer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Angela Köninger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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40
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Xu CH, Cao L, Zhang XW, Yan J, Yu LK. Prognostic value of soluble H7-B4 in pleural effusion associated with lung cancer. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:4397-403. [PMID: 25636447 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3079-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
B7-H4, a member of the inhibitory B7 family, can restrain T cell proliferation, activation, and cytokine secretion and may be involved in immune evasion in cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of pleural effusion levels of soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) in lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Pleural effusion samples were collected from 98 lung cancer patients with malignant effusion and from 60 patients with nonmalignant pleural effusion. Pleural effusion concentrations of sB7-H4 were measured using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Malignant effusion exhibited higher sB7-H4 levels than those in nonmalignant effusion (P < 0.01). Lung cancer patients with pleural effusion sB7-H4 levels below 35.8 ng/ml had a longer overall survival than those with higher levels (P < 0.05). By multivariate analysis, pleural effusion sB7-H4 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with MPE. In conclusion, measurement of sB7-H4 might be a useful diagnostic and prognostic value for MPE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hua Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nanjing Chest Hospital, 215 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China
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41
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Shin DS, Ribas A. The evolution of checkpoint blockade as a cancer therapy: what's here, what's next? Curr Opin Immunol 2015; 33:23-35. [PMID: 25621841 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2015.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Unleashing the immune system to fight cancer has become one of the main treatment modalities since the anti-CTLA-4 antibody, ipilimumab was approved for patients with advanced melanoma in 2011. Pembrolizumab and nivolumab, two anti-PD-1 antibodies recently approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma, are being actively investigated for the treatment of multiple caners including lung, breast, bladder and renal cancers along with other anti-PD-1/L1 antibodies. Early results of combining of anti-CTLA-4 antibody and anti-PD-1 antibody treatment for advanced melanoma patients are showing impressive response rates with manageable toxicity profiles. There are several other checkpoint molecules that are likely potential inhibitory targets. The outcome of blocking some of these negative immune regulators, such as LAG-3 or TIM-3, is being pursued in the clinic or about to enter clinical development. Blockade of these molecules is demonstrating promising preclinical activity alone or when combined with anti-PD-1/L1. Future studies will define bio-markers of these therapies and how to target them alone or in combination with other immunotherapies, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and small molecule inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sanghoon Shin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical-Oncology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1782, USA; Department of Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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42
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Rahbar R, Lin A, Ghazarian M, Yau HL, Paramathas S, Lang PA, Schildknecht A, Elford AR, Garcia-Batres C, Martin B, Berman HK, Leong WL, McCready DR, Reedijk M, Done SJ, Miller N, Youngson B, Suh WK, Mak TW, Ohashi PS. B7-H4 expression by nonhematopoietic cells in the tumor microenvironment promotes antitumor immunity. Cancer Immunol Res 2014; 3:184-95. [PMID: 25527357 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-14-0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The B7 family plays a critical role in both positive and negative regulation of immune responses by engaging a variety of receptors on lymphocytes. Importantly, blocking coinhibitory molecules using antibodies specific for CTLA-4 and PD-1 enhances tumor immunity in a subset of patients. Therefore, it is critical to understand the role of different B7 family members since they may be suitable therapeutic targets. B7-H4 is another member that inhibits T-cell function, and it is also upregulated on a variety of tumors and has been proposed to promote tumor growth. Here, we investigate the role of B7-H4 in tumor development and show that B7-H4 expression inhibits tumor growth in two mouse models. Furthermore, we show that B7-H4 expression is required for antitumor immune responses in a mouse model of mammary tumorigenesis. We found that the expression levels of B7-H4 correlate with MHC class I expression in both mouse and human samples. We show that IFNγ upregulates B7-H4 expression on mouse embryo fibroblasts and that the upregulation of B7-H4 on tumors is dependent on T cells. Notably, patients with breast cancer with increased B7-H4 expression show a prolonged time to recurrence. These studies demonstrate a positive role for B7-H4 in promoting antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramtin Rahbar
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Albert Lin
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Magar Ghazarian
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helen-Loo Yau
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sangeetha Paramathas
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philipp A Lang
- Department of Molecular Medicine II, Heinrich Heine University Dösseldorf, Dösseldorf, Germany
| | - Anita Schildknecht
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alisha R Elford
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carlos Garcia-Batres
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bernard Martin
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hal K Berman
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wey L Leong
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David R McCready
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Reedijk
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan J Done
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Naomi Miller
- Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bruce Youngson
- Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Woong-Kyung Suh
- Immune Regulation Laboratory, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal (IRCM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tak W Mak
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamela S Ohashi
- Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Zhao LW, Li C, Zhang RL, Xue HG, Zhang FX, Zhang F, Gai XD. B7-H1 and B7-H4 expression in colorectal carcinoma: correlation with tumor FOXP3(+) regulatory T-cell infiltration. Acta Histochem 2014; 116:1163-8. [PMID: 25053455 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2014.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Revised: 06/08/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
B7-H1 and B7-H4 are newly discovered members of the B7-CD28 family. They can inhibit T cell activation and proliferation and regulate T cell immune response negatively. Both B7-H1 and B7-H4 are expressed in many tumors and are classified as co-inhibitors of cell-mediated immunity. FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in the maintenance of tumor immunity tolerance. However, the implication of B7-H1 and B7-H4 expression and their interaction with Tregs infiltration in colorectal cancer are unknown. The present study aimed to determine the expression of B7-H1 and B7-H4 as well as Tregs infiltration in colorectal cancer and to explore the clinical and pathological implication of suppressor immune cells and molecules. Frozen sections and immunohistochemical assay were undertaken to assess B7-H1, B7-H4 expression and Tregs infiltration in fresh specimens collected from 56 patients with colorectal carcinoma. The results showed that expression of B7-H1 and B7-H4 in colorectal carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than in adjacent normal mucosa (P<0.001). B7-H1 expression was positively correlated to the infiltration depth, lymph node metastasis and advanced Duke's stage (P<0.05, P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively), whereas B7-H4 expression was positively related to the infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). Furthermore, Tregs infiltration was more frequent in tumor tissue than in adjacent normal mucosa and was associated with poor differentiation and positive lymph node metastasis (P<0.01, and P<0.01, respectively). The statistical analysis indicated a significant correlation between Tregs infiltration and B7-H1 or B7-H4 expression respectively. These results suggest that over-expression of B7-H1 and B7-H4 has stronger prognostic significance and promote tumor tolerance, and they might contribute to Tregs development in the colorectal carcinoma tolerogenic milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-wei Zhao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beihua University, Jilin, Jilin 132013, People's Republic of China; Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin Medical College, Jilin, Jilin 132013, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beihua University, Jilin, Jilin 132013, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui-lan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beihua University, Jilin, Jilin 132013, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao-gang Xue
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Beihua University, Jilin, Jilin 132013, People's Republic of China
| | - Fu-xi Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Beihua University, Jilin, Jilin 132013, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beihua University, Jilin, Jilin 132013, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-dong Gai
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beihua University, Jilin, Jilin 132013, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang N, Fang P, Gu ZJ. Preparation and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibody Against Human B7-H4 Molecule. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2014; 33:270-4. [DOI: 10.1089/mab.2013.0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Peng Fang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zong-Jiang Gu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Geng Y, Wang H, Lu C, Li Q, Xu B, Jiang J, Wu C. Expression of costimulatory molecules B7-H1, B7-H4 and Foxp3+ Tregs in gastric cancer and its clinical significance. Int J Clin Oncol 2014; 20:273-81. [PMID: 24804867 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-014-0701-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Immune escape plays an important role in tumor progression. In the present study, the expression of B7-H1, B7-H4 and Foxp3 involved in immune escape in gastric carcinoma was investigated and the corresponding clinical significance was evaluated. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of B7-H1, B7-H4 and Foxp3 in 100 gastric cancer specimens, and 30 paracarcinoma tissues were used as the control. RESULTS Both B7-H1 and B7-H4 showed high expression levels in gastric cancer tissues (65.0 and 71.0 %, respectively), and the expressions of B7-H1 and B7-H4 were positively correlated with the depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage (P < 0.05). The number of Foxp3(+) Tregs was much higher in gastric cancer tissues than control tissues, which was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Similarly, a positive correlation between B7-H1 or B7-H4 expression and the number of Foxp3(+) Tregs was observed. The median overall survival rate of patients with high expression of B7-H1, B7-H4 and Foxp3 was significantly poorer than that of patients with low expression of these proteins (P < 0.05). Cox regression multivariate analysis confirmed that lymph node metastasis, AJCC stage, and B7-H1 and Foxp3 overexpression were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION B7-H1, B7-H4 and Foxp3 were overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues. B7-H1 and Foxp3 are negative prognostic factors for patients with gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Geng
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian Street, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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Abstract
B7-H4 is a ligand in the B7 costimulatory family, executing suppressive function on the immune system in many diseases, such as cancer, allograft rejection, and autoimmune diseases. The receptor for this molecule has yet to be clarified. The engagement of B7-H4 inhibits proliferation of immune cells by stopping the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and leads to apoptosis via the Fas/FasL pathway consequently accelerating tumor progression and alleviating allograft rejection. The pathogenic role of B7-H4 in tumors has been widely established, but few studies have focused on its function in other disorders. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of B7-H4 biology in disease settings other than tumors and document the beneficial values to treat those diseases by targeting this molecule and related signaling pathways.
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47
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B7-H4 as a potential target for immunotherapy for gynecologic cancers: a closer look. Gynecol Oncol 2014; 134:181-189. [PMID: 24657487 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.03.553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
B7-H4 is a transmembrane protein that binds an unknown receptor on activated T cells resulting in inhibition of T-cell effector function via cell cycle arrest, decreased proliferation, and reduced IL-2 production. B7-H4 is up-regulated on the surface of cancer cells and immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in a variety of human cancers. Notably, B7-H4 expression levels inversely correlate with patient survival in ovarian cancer, making B7-H4 an attractive candidate for therapeutic intervention. Here, we summarize the experimental data and methodologies that have revealed B7-H4's mRNA and protein expression and function in both mice and humans since its discovery in 2003, with a specific focus on B7-H4's role in ovarian cancer. We also underscore the discrepancies in published data due to high variability in methodology and use of different antibodies, most of which are not commercially available. Finally, since B7-H4 is expressed on tumor cells and TAMs in various cancer types, directing therapeutics against B7-H4 could have tremendous synergistic outcomes in favorably altering the tumor micro-environment and eliminating cancer cells. We highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting B7-H4, both by comparing other negative immune modulators such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 and by identifying novel methods to target B7-H4 directly or indirectly to overcome B7-H4-mediated T-cell inhibition.
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48
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES B7-H4 is a negative coregulatory molecule known to be involved in immune response. We study here B7-H4 expression and its possible role in diabetes and cancer development. METHODS Formalin-fixed, paraffin-processed pancreas samples from patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), insulinoma, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and normal organ donors were studied by bright-field and multifluorescence immunohistochemistry to examine B7-H4 expression and its colocalization with islet endocrine hormones. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot assay were used to examine B7-H4 mRNA and protein expression in the islet and exocrine tissues from normal donors and pancreatic cancer cell lines. RESULTS B7-H4 protein expression in islet β cells is decreased in T1D and PDAC, but increased in insulinoma patients when compared to normal controls; the changes in B7-H4 expression are concomitant with insulin expression on the islet β cells. The insulin/B7-H4 colocalization on the β cells, expressed in colocalization coefficient Pearson r, is also changed in these islets. CONCLUSIONS Our observation of altered B7-H4 expression, concomitant with insulin expression, in the pancreatic islets of T1D, PDAC, and insulinoma patients when compared to normal controls suggests that B7-H4 pathway might play an important role in maintenance of β-cell function, but its exact role remains to be explored.
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Leung F, Diamandis EP, Kulasingam V. Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers. Adv Clin Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801401-1.00002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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50
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Liu W, Shibata K, Koya Y, Kajiyama H, Senga T, Yamashita M, Kikkawa F. B7-H4 overexpression correlates with a poor prognosis for cervical cancer patients. Mol Clin Oncol 2013; 2:219-225. [PMID: 24649336 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2013.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is a major global public health care concern and the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy among females worldwide. B7-H4 is an immunoregulatory protein that has been shown to be overexpressed in several types of cancer and is often associated with more advanced disease and poor prognosis. We investigated whether B7-H4 is a prognostic maker for cervical cancer by detecting its expression in cervical cancer specimens. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from cervical cancer were evaluated for B7-H4 expression by immunohistochemistry with free R software analysis. The intensity of B7-H4 immunoexpression was evaluated according to age, histological type, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) and lymph node status. We investigated the distribution and expression of B7-H4 in 102 cervical cancer specimens and determined the association between its expression and clinicopathological characteristics, including patient outcomes. Of the 102 specimens, 31 were found to be negative for B7-H4 immunoexpression, whereas 71 were B7-H4-positive. When classified by negative vs. positive expression, B7-H4 was not found to be associated with any of the clinicopathological parameters investigated. A positive B7-H4 expression significantly predicted poor overall survival (OS) when compared to negative expression (P<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, positive B7-H4 expression was identified as an independent prognostic factor for OS (P<0.05). Our data suggested that positive B7-H4 expression may be a useful biomarker in patients with cervical cancer likely to have an unfavorable clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Liu
- Bell Research Center for Reproductive Health and Cancer, Kishokai Medical Corporation, Nagoya, Aichi 458-0801, Japan
| | - Kiyosumi Shibata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Koya
- Bio-Databases Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 458-0801, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kajiyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Takeshi Senga
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Mamoru Yamashita
- Bell Research Center for Reproductive Health and Cancer, Kishokai Medical Corporation, Nagoya, Aichi 458-0801, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Kikkawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
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