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Zhu H, Jin RU. The role of the fibroblast in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2024; 40:319-327. [PMID: 38626060 PMCID: PMC11155289 DOI: 10.1097/mog.0000000000001032] [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] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the number one risk factor for developing esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a deadly cancer with limited treatment options that has been increasing in incidence in the US. In this report, we discuss current studies on the role of mesenchyme and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in BE and EAC, and we highlight translational prospects of targeting these cells. RECENT FINDINGS New insights through studies using single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNA seq) have revealed an important emerging role of the mesenchyme in developmental signaling and cancer initiation. BE and EAC share similar stromal gene expression, as functional classifications of nonepithelial cells in BE show a remarkable similarity to EAC CAFs. Several recent sc-RNA seq studies and novel organoid fibroblast co-culture systems have characterized the subgroups of fibroblasts in BE and EAC, and have shown that these cells can directly influence the epithelium to induce BE development and cancer progression. Targeting the CAFs in EAC with may be a promising novel therapeutic strategy. SUMMARY The fibroblasts in the surrounding mesenchyme may have a direct role in influencing altered epithelial plasticity during BE development and progression to EAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huili Zhu
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Xu J, Lu W, Wei X, Zhang B, Yang H, Tu M, Chen X, Wu S, Guo T. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals the aggressive landscape of high-grade serous carcinoma and therapeutic targets in tumor microenvironment. Cancer Lett 2024; 593:216928. [PMID: 38714290 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is characterized by early abdominal metastasis, leading to a dismal prognosis. In this study, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing on 109,573 cells from 34 tumor samples of 18 HGSC patients, including both primary tumors and their metastatic sites. Our analysis revealed a distinct S100A9+ tumor cell subtype present in both primary and metastatic sites, strongly associated with poor overall survival. This subtype exhibited high expression of S100A8, S100A9, ADGRF1, CEACAM6, CST6, NDRG2, MUC4, PI3, SDC1, and C15orf48. Individual knockdown of these ten marker genes, validated through in vitro and in vivo models, significantly inhibited ovarian cancer growth and invasion. Around S100A9+ tumor cells, a population of HK2+_CAF was identified, characterized by activated glycolysis metabolism, correlating with shorter overall survival in patients. Notably, similar to CAFs, immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) subtypes underwent glycolipid metabolism reprogramming via PPARgamma regulation, promoting tumor metastasis. These findings shed light on the mechanisms driving the aggressiveness of HGSC, offering crucial insights for the development of novel therapeutic targets against this formidable cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfen Xu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Weiguo Lu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinyi Wei
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Novel Bioinformatics Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Haihua Yang
- Novel Bioinformatics Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyan Tu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shenglong Wu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tianchen Guo
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
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Devarasou S, Kang M, Shin JH. Biophysical perspectives to understanding cancer-associated fibroblasts. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:021507. [PMID: 38855445 PMCID: PMC11161195 DOI: 10.1063/5.0199024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The understanding of cancer has evolved significantly, with the tumor microenvironment (TME) now recognized as a critical factor influencing the onset and progression of the disease. This broader perspective challenges the traditional view that cancer is primarily caused by mutations, instead emphasizing the dynamic interaction between different cell types and physicochemical factors within the TME. Among these factors, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) command attention for their profound influence on tumor behavior and patient prognoses. Despite their recognized importance, the biophysical and mechanical interactions of CAFs within the TME remain elusive. This review examines the distinctive physical characteristics of CAFs, their morphological attributes, and mechanical interactions within the TME. We discuss the impact of mechanotransduction on CAF function and highlight how these cells communicate mechanically with neighboring cancer cells, thereby shaping the path of tumor development and progression. By concentrating on the biomechanical regulation of CAFs, this review aims to deepen our understanding of their role in the TME and to illuminate new biomechanical-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayadineshraj Devarasou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minwoo Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jennifer H. Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
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Qin Q, Yu R, Eriksson JE, Tsai HI, Zhu H. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma therapy: Challenges and opportunities. Cancer Lett 2024; 591:216859. [PMID: 38615928 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a solid organ malignancy with a high mortality rate. Statistics indicate that its incidence has been increasing as well as the associated deaths. Most patients with PDAC show poor response to therapies making the clinical management of this cancer difficult. Stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to the development of resistance to therapy in PDAC cancer cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most prevalent stromal cells in the TME, promote a desmoplastic response, produce extracellular matrix proteins and cytokines, and directly influence the biological behavior of cancer cells. These multifaceted effects make it difficult to eradicate tumor cells from the body. As a result, CAF-targeting synergistic therapeutic strategies have gained increasing attention in recent years. However, due to the substantial heterogeneity in CAF origin, definition, and function, as well as high plasticity, majority of the available CAF-targeting therapeutic approaches are not effective, and in some cases, they exacerbate disease progression. This review primarily elucidates on the effect of CAFs on therapeutic efficiency of various treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Strategies for CAF targeting therapies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Qin
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Rong Yu
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - John E Eriksson
- Cell Biology, Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, FI-20520 Finland
| | - Hsiang-I Tsai
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China; Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China.
| | - Haitao Zhu
- Institute of Medical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China; Department of Medical Imaging, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China.
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Liu Y, Han X, Han Y, Bi J, Wu Y, Xiang D, Zhang Y, Bi W, Xu M, Li J. Integrated transcriptomic analysis systematically reveals the heterogeneity and molecular characterization of cancer-associated fibroblasts in osteosarcoma. Gene 2024; 907:148286. [PMID: 38367852 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteosarcoma (OS), with a peak incidence during the adolescent growth spurt, is correlated with poor prognosis for its high malignancy. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is highly complicated, with frequent interactions between tumor and stromal cells. The cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the TME have been considered to actively involve in the progression, metastasis, and drug resistance of OS. This study aimed to characterize cellular heterogeneity and molecular characterization in CAFs subtypes and explore the potential targeting therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis of OS patients. METHODS The single-cell atlas of human OS tumor lesions were constructed from the GEO database. Then significant marker genes and potential biological functions for each CAFs subtype were identified and explored using the Seurat R package. Next, by performing the survival analyses and constructing the risk scores for CAFs subtypes, we aimed to identify and characterize the prognostic values of specific marker genes and different CAFs subtypes. Furthermore, we explored the therapeutic targets and innovative drugs targeting different CAFs subtypes based on the GDSC database. Finally, prognoses related CAFs subtypes were further validated through immunohistochemistry (IHC) on clinical OS specimens. RESULTS Overall, nine main cell clusters and five subtypes of CAFs were identified. The differentially expressed marker genes for each CAFs clusters were then identified. Moreover, through Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, we defined the CAFs_2 (upregulated CXCL14 and C3), which was closely related to leukocyte migration and chemotaxis, as inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs). Likewise, we defined the CAFs_4 (upregulated CD74, HLA-DRA and HLA-DRB1), which was closely related to antigen process and presentation, as antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs). Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that CAFs_2 and CAFs_4 were correlated with poor clinical prognosis of OS patients. Meanwhile, therapeutic drugs targeting CAFs_2 and CAFs_4, such as 17-AAG/Docetaxel/Bleomycin and PHA-793887/NG-25/KIN001-102, were also explored, respectively. Finally, IHC assay confirmed the abundant CAFs_2 and CAFs_4 subtypes infiltration in the OS microenvironment compared with adjacent tissues. CONCLUSION Our study revealed the diversity, complexity, and heterogeneity of CAFs in OS, and complemented the single-cell atlas in OS TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China; Chinese PLA Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Center, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, China
| | - Xinli Han
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300074, China
| | - Yuchen Han
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China; Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Jingyou Bi
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yanan Wu
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Dongquan Xiang
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yinglong Zhang
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Wenzhi Bi
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300074, China; Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Meng Xu
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China; Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100853, China.
| | - Jianxiong Li
- Senior Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China.
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Onciul R, Brehar FM, Toader C, Covache-Busuioc RA, Glavan LA, Bratu BG, Costin HP, Dumitrascu DI, Serban M, Ciurea AV. Deciphering Glioblastoma: Fundamental and Novel Insights into the Biology and Therapeutic Strategies of Gliomas. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:2402-2443. [PMID: 38534769 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46030153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Gliomas constitute a diverse and complex array of tumors within the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by a wide range of prognostic outcomes and responses to therapeutic interventions. This literature review endeavors to conduct a thorough investigation of gliomas, with a particular emphasis on glioblastoma (GBM), beginning with their classification and epidemiological characteristics, evaluating their relative importance within the CNS tumor spectrum. We examine the immunological context of gliomas, unveiling the intricate immune environment and its ramifications for disease progression and therapeutic strategies. Moreover, we accentuate critical developments in understanding tumor behavior, focusing on recent research breakthroughs in treatment responses and the elucidation of cellular signaling pathways. Analyzing the most novel transcriptomic studies, we investigate the variations in gene expression patterns in glioma cells, assessing the prognostic and therapeutic implications of these genetic alterations. Furthermore, the role of epigenetic modifications in the pathogenesis of gliomas is underscored, suggesting that such changes are fundamental to tumor evolution and possible therapeutic advancements. In the end, this comparative oncological analysis situates GBM within the wider context of neoplasms, delineating both distinct and shared characteristics with other types of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razvan Onciul
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Neurosurgery Department, Emergency University Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Felix-Mircea Brehar
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Emergency Hospital "Bagdasar-Arseni", 041915 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Corneliu Toader
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Vascular Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases, 077160 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Luca-Andrei Glavan
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Gabriel Bratu
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Horia Petre Costin
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - David-Ioan Dumitrascu
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Matei Serban
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Vlad Ciurea
- Department of Neurosurgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Neurosurgery Department, Sanador Clinical Hospital, 010991 Bucharest, Romania
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Zhi Y, Wang Q, Zi M, Zhang S, Ge J, Liu K, Lu L, Fan C, Yan Q, Shi L, Chen P, Fan S, Liao Q, Guo C, Wang F, Gong Z, Xiong W, Zeng Z. Spatial Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Landscapes of Oral Submucous Fibrosis-Derived Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and its Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306515. [PMID: 38229179 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
In South and Southeast Asia, the habit of chewing betel nuts is prevalent, which leads to oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). OSF is a well-established precancerous lesion, and a portion of OSF cases eventually progress to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying the malignant transformation of OSCC from OSF are poorly understood. In this study, the leading-edge techniques of Spatial Transcriptomics (ST) and Spatial Metabolomics (SM) are integrated to obtain spatial location information of cancer cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells, as well as the transcriptomic and metabolomic landscapes in OSF-derived OSCC tissues. This work reveals for the first time that some OSF-derived OSCC cells undergo partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (pEMT) within the in situ carcinoma (ISC) region, eventually acquiring fibroblast-like phenotypes and participating in collagen deposition. Complex interactions among epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment are demonstrated. Most importantly, significant metabolic reprogramming in OSF-derived OSCC, including abnormal polyamine metabolism, potentially playing a pivotal role in promoting tumorigenesis and immune evasion is discovered. The ST and SM data in this study shed new light on deciphering the mechanisms of OSF-derived OSCC. The work also offers invaluable clues for the prevention and treatment of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Qian Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Moxin Zi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Junshang Ge
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Keyue Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Linsong Lu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Chunmei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Qijia Yan
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Pan Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Songqing Fan
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Can Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Fuyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Zhaojian Gong
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
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Natesh NR, Mogha P, Chen A, Antonia SJ, Varghese S. Differential roles of normal and lung cancer-associated fibroblasts in microvascular network formation. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:016120. [PMID: 38524671 PMCID: PMC10959556 DOI: 10.1063/5.0188238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Perfusable microvascular networks offer promising three-dimensional in vitro models to study normal and compromised vascular tissues as well as phenomena such as cancer cell metastasis. Engineering of these microvascular networks generally involves the use of endothelial cells stabilized by fibroblasts to generate robust and stable vasculature. However, fibroblasts are highly heterogenous and may contribute variably to the microvascular structure. Here, we study the effect of normal and cancer-associated lung fibroblasts on the formation and function of perfusable microvascular networks. We examine the influence of cancer-associated fibroblasts on microvascular networks when cultured in direct (juxtacrine) and indirect (paracrine) contacts with endothelial cells, discovering a generative inhibition of microvasculature in juxtacrine co-cultures and a functional inhibition in paracrine co-cultures. Furthermore, we probed the secreted factors differential between cancer-associated fibroblasts and normal human lung fibroblasts, identifying several cytokines putatively influencing the resulting microvasculature morphology and functionality. These findings suggest the potential contribution of cancer-associated fibroblasts in aberrant microvasculature associated with tumors and the plausible application of such in vitro platforms in identifying new therapeutic targets and/or agents that can prevent formation of aberrant vascular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen R. Natesh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, 203 Research Drive, MSRB1 Room No. 381, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Pankaj Mogha
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, 200 Trent Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Alan Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Scott J. Antonia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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Wang W, Li T, Xie Z, Zhao J, Zhang Y, Ruan Y, Han B. Integrating single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data unveils antigen presentation and process-related CAFS and establishes a predictive signature in prostate cancer. J Transl Med 2024; 22:57. [PMID: 38221616 PMCID: PMC10789066 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04807-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are heterogeneous and can influence the progression of prostate cancer in multiple ways; however, their capacity to present and process antigens in PRAD has not been investigated. In this study, antigen presentation and process-related CAFs (APPCAFs) were identified using bioinformatics, and the clinical implications of APPCAF-related signatures in PRAD were investigated. METHODS SMART technology was used to sequence the transcriptome of primary CAFs isolated from patients undergoing different treatments. Differential expression gene (DEG) screening was conducted. A CD4 + T-cell early activation assay was used to assess the activation degree of CD4 + T cells. The datasets of PRAD were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and the list of 431 antigen presentation and process-related genes was obtained from the InnateDB database. Subsequently, APP-related CAFs were identified by nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) based on a single-cell seq (scRNA) matrix. GSVA functional enrichment analyses were performed to depict the biological functions. A risk signature based on APPCAF-related genes (APPCAFRS) was developed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, and the independence of the risk score as a prognostic factor was evaluated by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Furthermore, a biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS)-related nomogram was established, and immune-related characteristics were assessed using the ssGSEA function. The immune treatment response in PRAD was further analyzed by the Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) tool. The expression levels of hub genes in APPCAFRS were verified in cell models. RESULTS There were 134 upregulated and 147 downregulated genes, totaling 281 differentially expressed genes among the primary CAFs. The functions and pathways of 147 downregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in antigen processing and presentation processes, MHC class II protein complex and transport vesicle, MHC class II protein complex binding, and intestinal immune network for IgA production. Androgen withdrawal diminished the activation effect of CAFs on T cells. NMF clustering of CAFs was performed by APPRGs, and pseudotime analysis yielded the antigen presentation and process-related CAF subtype CTSK + MRC2 + CAF-C1. CTSK + MRC2 + CAF-C1 cells exhibited ligand‒receptor connections with epithelial cells and T cells. Additionally, we found a strong association between CTSK + MRC2 + CAF-C1 cells and inflammatory CAFs. Through differential gene expression analysis of the CTSK + MRC2 + CAF-C1 and NoneAPP-CAF-C2 subgroups, 55 significant DEGs were identified, namely, APPCAFRGs. Based on the expression profiles of APPCAFRGs, we divided the TCGA-PRAD cohort into two clusters using NMF consistent cluster analysis, with the genetic coefficient serving as the evaluation index. Four APPCAFRGs, THBS2, DPT, COL5A1, and MARCKS, were used to develop a prognostic signature capable of predicting BCR occurrence in PRAD patients. Subsequently, a nomogram with stability and accuracy in predicting BCR was constructed based on Gleason grade (p = n.s.), PSA (p < 0.001), T stage (p < 0.05), and risk score (p < 0.01). The analysis of immune infiltration showed a positive correlation between the abundance of resting memory CD4 + T cells, M1 macrophages, resting dendritic cells, and the risk score. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of THBS2, DPT, COL5A1, and MARCKS in the cell models were consistent with the results of the bioinformatics analysis. CONCLUSIONS APPCAFRS based on four potential APPCAFRGs was developed, and their interaction with the immune microenvironment may play a crucial role in the progression to castration resistance of PRAD. This novel approach provides valuable insights into the pathogenesis of PRAD and offers unexplored targets for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Wang
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Tiewen Li
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Zhiwen Xie
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yuan Ruan
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China.
| | - Bangmin Han
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200080, China.
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10
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Papadas A, Huang Y, Cicala A, Dou Y, Fields M, Gibbons A, Hong D, Lagal DJ, Quintana V, Rizo A, Zomalan B, Asimakopoulos F. Emerging roles for tumor stroma in antigen presentation and anti-cancer immunity. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:2017-2028. [PMID: 38031753 PMCID: PMC10754280 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221083] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Advances in immunotherapy in the last decade have revolutionized treatment paradigms across multiple cancer diagnoses. However, only a minority of patients derive durable benefit and progress with traditional approaches, such as cancer vaccines, remains unsatisfactory. A key to overcoming these barriers resides with a deeper understanding of tumor antigen presentation and the complex and dynamic heterogeneity of tumor-infiltrating antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Reminiscent of the 'second touch' hypothesis proposed by Klaus Ley for CD4+ T cell differentiation, the acquisition of full effector potential by lymph node- primed CD8+ T cells requires a second round of co-stimulation at the site where the antigen originated, i.e. the tumor bed. The tumor stroma holds a prime role in this process by hosting specialized APC niches, apparently distinct from tertiary lymphoid structures, that support second antigenic touch encounters and CD8+ T cell effector proliferation and differentiation. We propose that APC within second-touch niches become licensed for co-stimulation through stromal-derived instructive signals emulating embryonic or wound-healing provisional matrix remodeling. These immunostimulatory roles of stroma contrast with its widely accepted view as a physical and functional 'immune barrier'. Stromal control of antigen presentation makes evolutionary sense as the host stroma-tumor interface constitutes the prime line of homeostatic 'defense' against the emerging tumor. In this review, we outline how stroma-derived signals and cells regulate tumor antigen presentation and T-cell effector differentiation in the tumor bed. The re-definition of tumor stroma as immune rheostat rather than as inflexible immune barrier harbors significant untapped therapeutic opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Papadas
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Yun Huang
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Alexander Cicala
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Yaling Dou
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Matteo Fields
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alicia Gibbons
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Duncan Hong
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Daniel J. Lagal
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Victoria Quintana
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Alejandro Rizo
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Brolyn Zomalan
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Fotis Asimakopoulos
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
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11
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Wang G, Zhang H, Shen X, Jin W, Wang X, Zhou Z. Characterization of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and development of a CAF-based risk model for triple-negative breast cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:294. [PMID: 38007443 PMCID: PMC10676599 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03152-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast Cancer (TNBC) is a highly malignant cancer with unclear pathogenesis. Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) vitally influence tumor onset and progression. Thus, this research aimed to identify distinct subgroups of CAF using single-cell and TNBC-related information from the GEO and TCGA databases, respectively. The primary aim was to establish a novel predictive model based on the CAF features and their clinical relevance. Moreover, the CAFs were analyzed for their immune characteristics, response to immunotherapy, and sensitivity to different drugs. The developed predictive model demonstrated significant effectiveness in determining the prognosis of patients with TNBC, TME, and the immune landscape of the tumor. Of note, the expression of GPR34 was significantly higher in TNBC tissues compared to that in other breast cancer (non-TNBC) tissues, indicating that GPR34 plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of TNBC. In summary, this research has yielded a novel predictive model for TNBC that holds promise for the accurate prediction of prognosis and response to immunotherapy in patients with TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganggang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Xiaowei Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenzhi Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China.
| | - Zhijie Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399, China.
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12
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Zhang X, Feng R, Guo J, Pan L, Yao Y, Gao J. Integrated single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing analysis identifies a neoadjuvant chemotherapy-related gene signature for predicting survival and therapy in breast cancer. BMC Med Genomics 2023; 16:300. [PMID: 37996875 PMCID: PMC10666338 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-023-01727-0] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is a well-established treatment modality for locally advanced breast cancer (BC). However, it can also result in severe toxicities while controlling tumors. Therefore, reliable predictive biomarkers are urgently needed to objectively and accurately predict NAC response. In this study, we integrated single-cell and bulk RNA-seq data to identify nine genes associated with the prognostic response to NAC: NDRG1, CXCL14, HOXB2, NAT1, EVL, FBP1, MAGED2, AR and CIRBP. Furthermore, we constructed a prognostic risk model specifically linked to NAC. The clinical independence and generalizability of this model were effectively demonstrated. Additionally, we explore the underlying cancer hallmarks and microenvironment features of this NAC response-related risk score, and further assess the potential impact of risk score on drug response. In summary, our study constructed and validated a nine-gene signature associated with NAC prognosis, which was accomplished through the integration of single-cell and bulk RNA data. The results of our study are of crucial significance in the prediction of the efficacy of NAC in BC, and may have implications for the clinical management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Zhang
- General Surgery Department, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030032, China.
| | - Ran Feng
- General Surgery Department, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030032, China
| | - Junbin Guo
- Yangquan Coal Industry (Group) General Hospital, Yangquan, Shanxi, 045008, China
| | - Lihui Pan
- General Surgery Department, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030032, China
| | - Yarong Yao
- General Surgery Department, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030032, China
| | - Jinnan Gao
- General Surgery Department, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030032, China
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13
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Zhang S, Yang H, Wang M, Mantovani D, Yang K, Witte F, Tan L, Yue B, Qu X. Immunomodulatory biomaterials against bacterial infections: Progress, challenges, and future perspectives. Innovation (N Y) 2023; 4:100503. [PMID: 37732016 PMCID: PMC10507240 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2023.100503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infectious diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Even with the use of multiple antibiotic treatment strategies, 4.95 million people died from drug-resistant bacterial infections in 2019. By 2050, the number of deaths will reach 10 million annually. The increasing mortality may be partly due to bacterial heterogeneity in the infection microenvironment, such as drug-resistant bacteria, biofilms, persister cells, intracellular bacteria, and small colony variants. In addition, the complexity of the immune microenvironment at different stages of infection makes biomaterials with direct antimicrobial activity unsatisfactory for the long-term treatment of chronic bacterial infections. The increasing mortality may be partly attributed to the biomaterials failing to modulate the active antimicrobial action of immune cells. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective alternatives to treat bacterial infections. Accordingly, the development of immunomodulatory antimicrobial biomaterials has recently received considerable interest; however, a comprehensive review of their research progress is lacking. In this review, we focus mainly on the research progress and future perspectives of immunomodulatory antimicrobial biomaterials used at different stages of infection. First, we describe the characteristics of the immune microenvironment in the acute and chronic phases of bacterial infections. Then, we highlight the immunomodulatory strategies for antimicrobial biomaterials at different stages of infection and their corresponding advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, we discuss biomaterial-mediated bacterial vaccines' potential applications and challenges for activating innate and adaptive immune memory. This review will serve as a reference for future studies to develop next-generation immunomodulatory biomaterials and accelerate their translation into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shutao Zhang
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Hongtao Yang
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Minqi Wang
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Diego Mantovani
- Laboratory for Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Canada Research Chair I in Biomaterials and Bioengineering for the Innovation in Surgery, Department of Min-Met-Materials Engineering, Research Center of CHU de Quebec, Division of Regenerative Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Ke Yang
- Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Frank Witte
- Department of Prosthodontics, Geriatric Dentistry and Craniomandibular Disorders, Charite Medical University, Assmannshauser Strasse 4–6, 14197 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lili Tan
- Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Bing Yue
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Xinhua Qu
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
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14
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Zhao M, Yan CY, Wei YN, Zhao XH. Breaking the mold: Overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Antiviral Res 2023; 219:105720. [PMID: 37748652 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade-based therapies are effective against a sorts of cancers. However, drug resistance is a problem that cannot be ignored. This review intends to elucidate the mechanisms underlying drug tolerance induced by PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, as well as to outline proposed mechanism-based combination therapies and small molecule drugs that target intrinsic immunity and immune checkpoints. According to the differences of patients and types of cancer, the optimization of individualized combination therapy will help to enhance PD-1/PD-L1-mediated immunoregulation, reduce chemotherapy resistance, and provide new ideas for chemotherapy-resistant cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglu Zhao
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, PR China
| | - Chun-Yan Yan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, PR China
| | - Ya-Nan Wei
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, PR China
| | - Xi-He Zhao
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110022, PR China.
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15
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Ma C, Yang C, Peng A, Sun T, Ji X, Mi J, Wei L, Shen S, Feng Q. Pan-cancer spatially resolved single-cell analysis reveals the crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:170. [PMID: 37833788 PMCID: PMC10571470 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01876-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogeneous cell population that plays a crucial role in remodeling the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, through the integrated analysis of spatial and single-cell transcriptomics data across six common cancer types, we identified four distinct functional subgroups of CAFs and described their spatial distribution characteristics. Additionally, the analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from three additional common cancer types and two newly generated scRNA-seq datasets of rare cancer types, namely epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), expanded our understanding of CAF heterogeneity. Cell-cell interaction analysis conducted within the spatial context highlighted the pivotal roles of matrix CAFs (mCAFs) in tumor angiogenesis and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) in shaping the immunosuppressive microenvironment. In patients with breast cancer (BRCA) undergoing anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, iCAFs demonstrated heightened capacity in facilitating cancer cell proliferation, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and contributing to the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Furthermore, a scoring system based on iCAFs showed a significant correlation with immune therapy response in melanoma patients. Lastly, we provided a web interface ( https://chenxisd.shinyapps.io/pancaf/ ) for the research community to investigate CAFs in the context of pan-cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Ma
- Department of Human Microbiome and Periodontology and Implantology and Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University and Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Chengzhe Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Institute of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ai Peng
- Department of Human Microbiome and Periodontology and Implantology and Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University and Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Tianyong Sun
- Department of Human Microbiome and Periodontology and Implantology and Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University and Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Xiaoli Ji
- Department of Stomatology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, No.105 Jiefang Road, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Mi
- Department of Human Microbiome and Periodontology and Implantology and Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University and Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Li Wei
- Department of Human Microbiome and Periodontology and Implantology and Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University and Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Song Shen
- Department of Human Microbiome and Periodontology and Implantology and Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University and Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Qiang Feng
- Department of Human Microbiome and Periodontology and Implantology and Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University and Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration and Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Jinan, 250012, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
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16
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Liu T, Long K, Zhu Z, Song Y, Chen C, Xu G, Ke X. Roles of circRNAs in regulating the tumor microenvironment. Med Oncol 2023; 40:329. [PMID: 37819576 PMCID: PMC10567871 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02194-4] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
CircRNAs, a type of non-coding RNA widely present in eukaryotic cells, have emerged as a prominent focus in tumor research. However, the functions of most circRNAs remain largely unexplored. Known circRNAs exert their regulatory roles through various mechanisms, including acting as microRNA sponges, binding to RNA-binding proteins, and functioning as transcription factors to modulate protein translation and coding. Tumor growth is not solely driven by gene mutations but also influenced by diverse constituent cells and growth factors within the tumor microenvironment (TME). As crucial regulators within the TME, circRNAs are involved in governing tumor growth and metastasis. This review highlights the role of circRNAs in regulating angiogenesis, matrix remodeling, and immunosuppression within the TME. Additionally, we discuss current research on hypoxia-induced circRNAs production and commensal microorganisms' impact on the TME to elucidate how circRNAs influence tumor growth while emphasizing the significance of modulating the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563000, Guizhou, China
| | - Kaijun Long
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563000, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhengfeng Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563000, Guizhou, China
| | - Yongxiang Song
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563000, Guizhou, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563000, Guizhou, China.
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563000, Guizhou, China.
| | - Xixian Ke
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563000, Guizhou, China.
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17
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Campomenosi P, Mortara L, Bassani B, Valli R, Porta G, Bruno A, Acquati F. The Potential Role of the T2 Ribonucleases in TME-Based Cancer Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2160. [PMID: 37626657 PMCID: PMC10452627 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing innovative anticancer therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is a complex and dynamic milieu surrounding the tumor mass, consisting of various cellular and molecular components, including those from the host organism, endowed with the ability to significantly influence cancer development and progression. Processes such as angiogenesis, immune evasion, and metastasis are crucial targets in the search for novel anticancer drugs. Thus, identifying molecules with "multi-tasking" properties that can counteract cancer cell growth at multiple levels represents a relevant but still unmet clinical need. Extensive research over the past two decades has revealed a consistent anticancer activity for several members of the T2 ribonuclease family, found in evolutionarily distant species. Initially, it was believed that T2 ribonucleases mainly acted as anticancer agents in a cell-autonomous manner. However, further investigation uncovered a complex and independent mechanism of action that operates at a non-cell-autonomous level, affecting crucial processes in TME-induced tumor growth, such as angiogenesis, evasion of immune surveillance, and immune cell polarization. Here, we review and discuss the remarkable properties of ribonucleases from the T2 family in the context of "multilevel" oncosuppression acting on the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Campomenosi
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy;
- Genomic Medicine Research Center, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy; (R.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Lorenzo Mortara
- Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Monte Generoso 71, 21100 Varese, Italy;
| | - Barbara Bassani
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity, Unit of Molecular Pathology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, Via G. Fantoli 16/15, 20138 Milan, Italy;
| | - Roberto Valli
- Genomic Medicine Research Center, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy; (R.V.); (G.P.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Giovanni Porta
- Genomic Medicine Research Center, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy; (R.V.); (G.P.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Antonino Bruno
- Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Monte Generoso 71, 21100 Varese, Italy;
- Laboratory of Innate Immunity, Unit of Molecular Pathology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) MultiMedica, Via G. Fantoli 16/15, 20138 Milan, Italy;
| | - Francesco Acquati
- Genomic Medicine Research Center, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy; (R.V.); (G.P.)
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy
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18
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Pleshkan VV, Zinovyeva MV, Antonova DV, Alekseenko IV. Spheroids of FAP-Positive Cell Lines as a Model for Screening Drugs That Affect FAP Expression. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2017. [PMID: 37509656 PMCID: PMC10377737 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11072017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein has a unique expression profile that manifests mainly in wounds and tumors, which anticipates it as an encouraging and selective target for anticancer therapy. However, research of the therapeutic potential of FAP is limited both by legal restraints when working in vivo and by the difficulty of obtaining standardized primary cultures of FAP-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts due to their high heterogeneity. We found that 3D spheroids of FAP-positive cell lines could serve as robust and convenient models of FAP expression, in contrast to monolayers. By exposing such spheroids to various factors and compounds, it is possible to study changes in FAP expression, which are easily detected by confocal microscopy. FAP expression increases under the influence of the TGFβ, does not depend on pH, and decreases during hypoxia and starvation. We believe that the proposed model could be used to organize large-scale high-throughput screening of drugs that target FAP expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor V Pleshkan
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina V Zinovyeva
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dina V Antonova
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V Alekseenko
- Gene Immunooncotherapy Group, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", 123182 Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Oncogynecology and Mammology, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Named after Academician V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, 117198 Moscow, Russia
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O’Connor RA, Martinez BR, Koppensteiner L, Mathieson L, Akram AR. Cancer-associated fibroblasts drive CXCL13 production in activated T cells via TGF-beta. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1221532. [PMID: 37520560 PMCID: PMC10373066 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1221532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tumour-reactive T cells producing the B-cell attractant chemokine CXCL13, in solid tumours, promote development of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and are associated with improved prognosis and responsiveness to checkpoint immunotherapy. Cancer associated fibroblasts are the dominant stromal cell type in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) where they co-localise with T cells and can influence T cell activation and exhaustion. We questioned whether CAF directly promote CXCL13-production during T cell activation. Methods We characterised surface markers, cytokine production and transcription factor expression in CXCL13-producing T cells in NSCLC tumours and paired non-cancerous lung samples using flow cytometry. We then assessed the influence of human NSCLC-derived primary CAF lines on T cells from healthy donors and NSCLC patients during activation in vitro measuring CXCL13 production and expression of cell-surface markers and transcription factors by flow cytometry. Results CAFs significantly increased the production of CXCL13 by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. CAF-induced CXCL13-producing cells lacked expression of CXCR5 and BCL6 and displayed a T peripheral helper cell phenotype. Furthermore, we demonstrate CXCL13 production by T cells is induced by TGF-β and limited by IL-2. CAF provide TGF-β during T cell activation and reduce availability of IL-2 both directly (by reducing the capacity for IL-2 production) and indirectly, by expanding a population of activated Treg. Inhibition of TGF-β signalling prevented both CAF-driven upregulation of CXCL13 and Treg expansion. Discussion Promoting CXCL13 production represents a newly described immune-regulatory function of CAF with the potential to shape the immune infiltrate of the tumour microenvironment both by altering the effector-function of tumour infiltrating T-cells and their capacity to attract B cells and promote TLS formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. O’Connor
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Begoña Roman Martinez
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lilian Koppensteiner
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Layla Mathieson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ahsan R. Akram
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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20
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Budi HS, Farhood B. Targeting oral tumor microenvironment for effective therapy. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:101. [PMID: 37221555 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02943-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral cancers are among the common head and neck malignancies. Different anticancer therapy modalities such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and also targeted molecular therapy may be prescribed for targeting oral malignancies. Traditionally, it has been assumed that targeting malignant cells alone by anticancer modalities such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy suppresses tumor growth. In the last decade, a large number of experiments have confirmed the pivotal role of other cells and secreted molecules in the tumor microenvironment (TME) on tumor progression. Extracellular matrix and immunosuppressive cells such as tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs) play key roles in the progression of tumors like oral cancers and resistance to therapy. On the other hand, infiltrated CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells are key anti-tumor cells that suppress the proliferation of malignant cells. Modulation of extracellular matrix and immunosuppressive cells, and also stimulation of anticancer immunity have been suggested to treat oral malignancies more effectively. Furthermore, the administration of some adjuvants or combination therapy modalities may suppress oral malignancies more effectively. In this review, we discuss various interactions between oral cancer cells and TME. Furthermore, we also review the basic mechanisms within oral TME that may cause resistance to therapy. Potential targets and approaches for overcoming the resistance of oral cancers to various anticancer modalities will also be reviewed. The findings for targeting cells and potential therapeutic targets in clinical studies will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Setia Budi
- Department of Oral Biology, Dental Pharmacology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.
| | - Bagher Farhood
- Department of Medical Physics and Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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21
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Sulaiman R, De P, Aske JC, Lin X, Dale A, Gaster K, Espaillat LR, Starks D, Dey N. A CAF-Based Two-Cell Hybrid Co-Culture Model to Test Drug Resistance in Endometrial Cancers. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051326. [PMID: 37238998 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancers presents a challenge due to the development of resistance to treatments. The knowledge regarding the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in determining the disease's progression and treatment outcome has evolved in recent years. As a TME component, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are essential in developing drug-induced resistance in various solid tumors, including endometrial cancers. Hence, an unmet need exists to test the role of endometrial CAF in overcoming the roadblock of resistance in endometrial cancers. We present a novel tumor-TME two-cell ex vivo model to test CAF's role in resisting the anti-tumor drug, paclitaxel. Endometrial CAFs, both NCAFs (tumor-adjacent normal-tissue-derived CAFs) and TCAFs (tumor-tissue-derived CAFs) were validated by their expression markers. Both TCAFs and NCAFs expressed positive markers of CAF, including SMA, FAP, and S100A4, in varying degrees depending on the patients, while they consistently lacked the negative marker of CAF, EpCAM, as tested via flow cytometry and ICC. CAFs expressed TE-7 and immune marker, PD-L1, via ICC. CAFs better resisted the growth inhibitory effect of paclitaxel on endometrial tumor cells in 2D and 3D formats compared to the resistance of the tumoricidal effect of paclitaxel in the absence of CAFs. TCAF resisted the growth inhibitory effect of paclitaxel on endometrial AN3CA and RL-95-2 cells in an HyCC 3D format. Since NCAF similarly resisted the growth inhibitor action of paclitaxel, we tested NCAF and TCAF from the same patient to demonstrate the protective action of NCAF and TCAF in resisting the tumoricidal effect of paclitaxel in AN3CA in both 2D and 3D matrigel formats. Using this hybrid co-culture CAF and tumor cells, we established a patient-specific, laboratory-friendly, cost-effective, and time-sensitive model system to test drug resistance. The model will help test the role of CAFs in developing drug resistance and contribute to understanding tumor cell-CAF dialogue in gynecological cancers and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raed Sulaiman
- Department of Pathology, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Pradip De
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Dakota SSOM, USD, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
- Viecure, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, USA
| | - Jennifer C Aske
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Xiaoqian Lin
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Adam Dale
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Kris Gaster
- Assistant VP Outpatient Cancer Clinics, Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Luis Rojas Espaillat
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - David Starks
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Nandini Dey
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Dakota SSOM, USD, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
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22
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Badve SS, Gökmen-Polar Y. Targeting the Tumor-Tumor Microenvironment Crosstalk. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:447-457. [PMID: 37395003 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2230362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer development and progression is a complex process influenced by co-evolution of the cancer cells and their microenvironment. However, traditional anti-cancer therapy is mostly targeted toward cancer cells. To improve the efficacy of cancer drugs, the complex interactions between the tumor (T) and the tumor microenvironment (TME) should be considered while developing therapeutics. AREAS COVERED The present review article will discuss the components of T-TME as well as the potential to co-target these two distinct elements. We document that these approaches have resulted in success in preventing tumor progression and metastasis, albeit in animal models in some cases. Lastly, it is important to consider the tissue context and tumor type as these could significantly modify the role of these molecules/pathways and hence the overall likelihood of response. Furthermore, we discuss the potential strategies to target the components of tumor microenvironment in anti-cancer therapy. PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov was searched through May 2023. EXPERT OPINION The tumor-tumor microenvironment cross talk and heterogeneity are major mechanisms conferring resistance to standard of care. Better understanding of the tissue specific T-TME interactions and dual targeting has the promise of improving cancer control and clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil S Badve
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yesim Gökmen-Polar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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