Tissue-resident memory T cells in breast cancer control and immunotherapy responses

Liver metastases of colorectal cancer contain different subsets of tissue-resident memory CD8 T cells correlated with a distinct risk of relapse following surgery

Tissue-resident memory (TRM) T cells have emerged as key players in cancer immunosurveillance, and their presence has been linked to a favorable clinical outcome in solid cancer patients. Liver metastases exhibit a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, however, the role and clinical impact of TRM cell infiltration in colorectal cancer remain elusive. The expression of several tissue residency and activation biomarkers has been investigated on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes isolated from 26 patients' colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRC liver metastases) and compared to 16 peripheral blood samples of patients with CRC liver metastases. Cytokine production was also evaluated in in vitro-activated TRM and non-TRM cells. The prognostic value of TRM cells was also assessed in a well-defined cohort of CRC liver metastases. Here we identified two subsets of TRM cells expressing CD103 and/or CD69 showing significantly higher expression of tissue residency and activation biomarkers. CD103+CD69+ TRM cells subset showed almost exclusive expression of tumor reactivity biomarkers PD-1 and CD39. Supporting this observation, CD103+CD69+ TRM cells showed a more oligoclonal TCR repertoire. Both TRM subsets presented higher cytotoxic and functional capacity compared to non-TRM cells. Our study shows that only the presence of CD103+CD69+ TRM cells is associated with longer recurrence-free survival of colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases. Taken together, our work demonstrates the existence of a phenotypic heterogeneity of TRM cells in colorectal cancer liver metastases. In this study, we identified a population of CD103+CD69+ TRM cells exhibiting the characteristics of tumor reactivity and correlated with better patients' prognosis, with potential implications in optimal therapeutic strategies determination.

A potential therapeutic molecule target: lncRNA AK023507 inhibits the metastasis of breast cancer by regulating the WNT/DOCK4/β-catenin axis

PURPOSE

Breast cancer (BC) has become the most common malignant tumor in women worldwide. This study was carried out to find and validate a novel molecular therapeutic target for BC.

METHODS

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) AK023507 was selected as the study objects through microarray analysis. The function of lncRNA AK023507 was verified by various cell function experiments in vitro, subcutaneous tumorigenesis experiments, and lung metastasis model experiments in vivo. The RNA pull-down experiment and Western blot experiment were used to confirm the mechanism regulation pathway and the recovery experiment was used to verify it. TCGA datasets were used for clinical and immune function prediction analysis.

RESULTS

In vitro cell function tests and in vivo experiments suggested that overexpression of lncRNA AK023507 inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of BC cells. The RNA pull-down experiment and Western blot analysis validated that lncRNA AK023507 interacted with the dedicator of cytokinesis 4 (DOCK4) protein. Analysis of public databases predicted that DOCK4 is a potential prognostic risk factor associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and central memory T cell (TCM) cellular immune infiltration.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA AK023507 inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of BC by regulating the DOCK4/β-catenin axis. This discovery will provide new potential therapeutic targets for BC.

Optimization of Immunotherapy Strategies Based on Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity of Tumour-Associated Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells

Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRMs) reside in peripheral tissues and provide rapid immune defence against local infection and tumours. Tumour-associated TRMs share common tissue-resident features and formation mechanisms, representing some unique subsets of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). However, differences in the tumour microenvironment(TME) and tumour evolution stage result in TRMs exhibiting temporal and spatial heterogeneity of phenotype and function not only at different stages, before and after treatment, but also between tumours originating from different tissues, primary and metastatic cancer, and tumour and adjacent normal tissue. The infiltration of TRMs is often associated with immunotherapy response and favourable prognosis; however, due to different definitions, it has been shown that some subtypes of TRMs can also have a negative impact. Therefore, it is crucial to precisely characterise the TRM subpopulations that can influence the therapeutic efficacy and clinical prognosis of various solid tumours. Here, we review the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of tumour-associated TRMs, as well as the differences in their impact on clinical outcomes. We also explore the relationship between TRMs and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and TIL therapy, providing insights into potential new targets and strategies for immunotherapy.

Minimally invasive diagnosis of precancerous cervical lesions using single-cell peripheral immune atlas

Cervical cancer remains a major global health concern for women. Current screening methods are either invasive or lead to low participation and over-referral for colposcopy, particularly among high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive women. This study analyzes 613 participants with varying cervical lesions using mass cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) to identify disease-specific peripheral immune signatures. A diagnostic model based on 23 immune features achieves ∼91% sensitivity and specificity for detecting precancerous and cancerous lesions. A separate model for HPV-positive women shows even higher accuracy (∼93% sensitivity, ∼95% specificity), especially in HPV16/18-positive cases (99% sensitivity, 100% specificity). In an independent validation cohort (n = 105), the model distinguishes cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2+ from ≤CIN1 with 86.5% sensitivity and 85.3% specificity (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.89). These findings support peripheral immune profiling as a minimally invasive and accurate biomarker strategy for early cervical cancer screening, particularly in HPV16/18-positive women.

FLT3LG modulates the infiltration of immune cells and enhances the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy, particularly anti-PD-1 therapy, has assumed a progressively significant position in the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Nevertheless, a subset of patients exhibit resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy, and the exploration of biomarkers for evaluating the responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy necessitates further investigation. FLT3LG is regarded as being associated with tumor diagnosis and immunotherapy in a variety of tumor types, but its function in LUAD is uncertain.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to evaluate the clinical value, functional enrichment, genetic correlation, and immune infiltration of FLT3LG in LUAD. We then used a mouse model to detect immune cell infiltration and relevant protein expression by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry under anti-PD-1 treatment after overexpression of FLT3LG. The serum FLT3LG expression in LUAD patients was detected via ELISA, and PD-L1 expression in tumor samples was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

In LUAD patients, a better prognosis is associated with elevated FLT3LG expression. Among the genes strongly associated with FLT3LG, the majority were involved in immune-related processes and were enriched predominantly in immune-related pathways. Moreover, high expression of FLT3LG was significantly positively correlated with increased infiltration of multiple immune cells, including T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, in lung adenocarcinomas, as well as the expression of several immune cell markers, such as CD4 and CD8a. In a mouse model, overexpression of FLT3LG in mice subjected to subcutaneous graft tumor elicited a pronounced immune response and could enhance the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy.

CONCLUSION

FLT3LG could be considered as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for LUAD and might play a role in enhancing the therapeutic response to immunotherapy in patients with LUAD.

Why combine and why neoadjuvant? Tumor immunological perspectives on chemoimmunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype characterized by limited targeted therapies and high recurrence rates. While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promise, their efficacy as monotherapy is limited. Clinically, ICIs demonstrate significant benefit primarily when combined with chemotherapy, particularly in the neoadjuvant setting for early-stage TNBC, which yields superior outcomes compared to adjuvant therapy. This review elucidates the tumor immunological principles underlying these observations. We discussed how the suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), progressive T cell exhaustion, and associated epigenetic scarring constrain ICI monotherapy effectiveness. Crucially, we highlight the immunological advantages of the neoadjuvant approach: the presence of the primary tumor provides abundant antigens, and intact tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) act as critical sites for ICI-mediated priming and expansion of naïve and precursor exhausted T cells. This robust activation within TDLNs enhances systemic anti-tumor immunity and expands the T cell repertoire, a process less effectively achieved in the adjuvant setting after tumor resection. These mechanisms provide a strong rationale for the improved pathological complete response (pCR) rates and event-free survival observed with neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, as demonstrated in trials like KEYNOTE-522. We further explore the implications for adjuvant therapy decisions based on treatment response, the challenges of ICI resistance, the need for predictive biomarkers, management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and future therapeutic directions. Understanding the dynamic interplay between chemotherapy, ICIs, T cells, and the TME, particularly the role of TDLNs in the neoadjuvant context, is essential for optimizing immunotherapy strategies and improving outcomes for patients with TNBC.

Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells in Tumor Immunity and Immunotherapy of Digestive System Tumors

BACKGROUND

Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells possess unique abilities to migrate, establish themselves in tissues, and monitor peripheral tissues without circulating. They are crucial in providing long-lasting and local immune protection against surface infections. TRMs demonstrate distinct phenotypic and functional characteristics compared to central memory T (Tcm) cells and effector memory T (Tem) cells.

METHODS

We reviewed a large number of literature to explore the physiological and functional roles of tissue-resident memory T cells, as well as the link between TRM cells and the development and prognosis of digestive tract tumors. We also investigated the association between TRM cells, intestinal flora, and metabolites.

RESULTS

Recent studies have implicated TRMs in the immune response against tumors, making them a potential target for cancer therapy. However, research specifically focused on gastrointestinal tumors is limited.

CONCLUSION

This review aims to compile and assess the most recent data on the role of TRM cells in gastrointestinal tumor immunity. Additionally, it explores recent advancements in immunotherapy and investigates how TRMs may influence intestinal flora and metabolites.

Progress of PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly heterogeneous cancer with substantial recurrence potential. Currently, surgery and chemotherapy are the main treatments for this disease. However, chemotherapy is often limited by several factors, including low bioavailability, significant systemic toxicity, inadequate targeting, and multidrug resistance. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including those targeting programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1), have been proven effective in the treatment of various tumours. In particular, in the treatment of TNBC with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, both monotherapy and combination chemotherapy, as well as targeted drugs and other therapeutic strategies, have broad therapeutic prospects. In addition, these inhibitors can participate in the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) through blocking PD-1/PD-L1 binding, which can improve immune efficacy. This article provides an overview of the use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of TNBC and the progress of multiple therapeutic studies. To increase the survival of TNBC patients, relevant biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapy have been explored to identify new strategies for the treatment of TNBC.

Multi-omics insights into the roles of CCNB1, PLK1, and HPSE in breast cancer progression: implications for prognosis and immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

This study examines the roles of Cyclin B1 (CCNB1), Polo-Like Kinase 1 (PLK1), and Heparanase (HPSE) in breast cancer progression using a multi-omics approach. These genes are known for their involvement in various cancer-related processes, but their precise contributions to breast cancer remain unclear.

METHODS

We employed an integrative analysis combining transcriptomics, proteomics, DNA methylation profiling, immune infiltration analysis, and single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate the expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and functional impacts of CCNB1, PLK1, and HPSE in breast cancer. Functional assays using si-RNA knockdown of CCNB1 and PLK1 were performed to assess their roles in cell proliferation.

RESULTS

CCNB1, PLK1, and HPSE are upregulated in breast tumors at the mRNA and protein levels. CCNB1 and PLK1 promote tumor growth and metastasis, while HPSE is linked to immune pathways. DNA methylation in BRCA correlates with prognosis, with PLK1 alterations protective for recurrence-free survival. High expression of these genes worsens prognosis, with CCNB1 as a risk factor for overall survival. Immune infiltration analysis associates these genes with tumor-infiltrating immune cells, highlighting HPSE's immunotherapeutic potential. Single-cell RNA sequencing confirms CCNB1 and PLK1 drive malignant proliferation and an immunosuppressive environment. Functional assays demonstrated that silencing CCNB1 and PLK1 significantly reduced breast cancer cell proliferation, indicating regulatory interactions among PLK1, CCNB1, and MKI67.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that CCNB1, PLK1, and HPSE are key players in breast cancer progression and potential biomarkers for prognosis. Furthermore, their roles in immune regulation suggest they could be promising targets for immunotherapy.

A lipid metabolism related gene signature predicts postoperative recurrence in pancreatic cancer through multicenter cohort validation

Postoperative recurrence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) remains a major challenge. This study aims to establish and validate a lipid metabolism-related prognostic model to predict recurrence in PAAD patients. The TCGA-PAAD database was used to establish a training cohort, which was validated using the ICGC database and multiple center cohorts. A prognostic model based on LASSO Cox regression and a nomogram was developed and further validated. Among 196 lipid metabolism-related genes, four were selected for the prognostic model. Patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups based on the risk score. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that tumor site, T stage, N stage, M stage, and risk score were significantly associated with progression-free interval (PFI). High-risk patients had worse PFI, overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) (all P < 0.05). Time-dependent ROC and decision curve analyses confirmed the superior diagnostic capacity of the nomogram. GSEA revealed enrichment in G2M checkpoint, glycolysis, estrogen response, and hypoxia pathways for the high-risk group. Additionally, high-risk scores correlated with poor immune infiltration, gene mutations, and tumor mutational burden (TMB). Single-cell analysis suggested that risk genes interact with various cell types to promote PAAD progression. A novel lipid metabolism-related prognostic model was developed and validated to predict recurrence and survival in PAAD patients, with strong accuracy and stability.

Tumor Microenvironment: Obstacles and Opportunities for T Cell-Based Tumor Immunotherapies

The complex composition and dynamic change of the tumor microenvironment (TME), mainly consisting of tumor cells, immune cells, stromal cells, and extracellular components, significantly impede the effector function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), thus representing a major obstacle for tumor immunotherapies. In this review, we summarize and discuss the impacts and underlying mechanisms of major elements in the TME (different cell types, extracellular matrix, nutrients and metabolites, etc.) on the infiltration, survival, and effector functions of T cells, mainly CD8+ CTLs. Moreover, we also highlight recent advances that may potentiate endogenous antitumor immunity and improve the efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapies in patients with cancer by manipulating components inside/outside of the TME. A deeper understanding of the effects and action mechanisms of TME components on the tumor-eradicating ability of CTLs may pave the way for discovering new targets to augment endogenous antitumor immunity and for designing combinational therapeutic regimens to enhance the efficacy of tumor immunotherapies in the clinic.

Double-Multiplex Immunostainings for Immune Profiling of Invasive Breast Carcinoma: Emerging Novel Immune-Based Biomarkers

The role of tumor microenvironment in invasive breast cancer prognosis and treatment is highly appreciated. With the advent of immunotherapy, immunophenotypic characterization in primary tumors is gaining attention as it can improve patient stratification. Here, we discuss the benefits of spatial analysis employing double and multiplex immunostaining, allowing the simultaneous detection of more than one protein on the same tissue section, which in turn helps us provide functional insight into infiltrating immune cells within tumors. We focus on studies demonstrating the prognostic and predictive impact of distinct tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte subpopulations including different CD8(+) T subsets as well as CD4(+) T cells and tumor-associated macrophages in invasive breast carcinoma. The clinical value of immune cell topography is also appreciated. We further refer to how the integration of digital pathology and artificial intelligence in routine practice could enhance the accuracy of multiplex immunostainings evaluation within the tumor microenvironment, maximizing our perception of host immune response, improving in turn decision-making towards more precise immune-associated therapies.

Multi-Omics Profiling Reveals Glycerolipid Metabolism-Associated Molecular Subtypes and Identifies ALDH2 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Pancreatic Cancer

Background: The reprogramming of lipid metabolism, especially glycerolipid metabolism (GLM), plays a key role in cancer progression and response to therapy. However, the role and molecular characterization of GLM in pancreatic cancer (PC) remain unclear. Methods: A pan-cancer analysis of glycerolipid metabolism-related genes (GMRGs) was first conducted to assess copy-number variants, single-nucleotide variations, methylation, and mRNA expression. Subsequently, GLM in PC was characterized using lipidomics, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and spatial transcriptomic analysis. A cluster analysis based on bulk RNA sequencing data from 930 PC samples identified GLM-associated subtypes, which were then analyzed for differences in prognosis, biological function, immune microenvironment, and drug sensitivity. To prioritize prognostically relevant GMRGs in PC, we employed a random forest (RF) algorithm to rank their importance across 930 PC samples. Finally, the key biomarker of PC was validated using PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results: Pan-cancer analysis identified molecular features of GMRGs in cancers, while scRNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, and lipidomics highlighted GLM heterogeneity in PC. Two GLM-associated subtypes with significant prognostic, biofunctional, immune microenvironmental, and drug sensitivity differences were identified in 930 PC samples. Finally, ALDH2 was identified as a novel prognostic biomarker in PC and validated in a large number of datasets and clinical samples. Conclusions: This study highlights the crucial role of GLM in PC and defines a new PC subtype and prognostic biomarker. These findings establish a novel avenue for studying prognostic prediction and precision medicine in PC patients.

Current state of cancer immunity cycle: new strategies and challenges of using precision hydrogels to treat breast cancer

The cancer-immunity cycle provides a framework for a series of events in anti-cancer immune responses, initiated by T cell-mediated tumor cell killing, which leads to antigen presentation and T cell stimulation. Current immunomodulatory therapies for breast cancer are often associated with short duration, poor targeting to sites of action, and severe side effects. Hydrogels, with their extracellular matrix-mimicking properties, tunable characteristics, and diverse bioactivities, have garnered significant attention for their ability to locally deliver immunomodulators and cells, providing an immunomodulatory microenvironment to recruit, activate, and expand host immune cells. This review focuses on the design considerations of hydrogel platforms, including polymer backbone, crosslinking mechanisms, physicochemical properties, and immunomodulatory components. The immunomodulatory effects and therapeutic outcomes of various hydrogel systems in breast cancer treatment and tissue regeneration are highlighted, encompassing hydrogel depots for immunomodulator delivery, hydrogel scaffolds for cell delivery, and immunomodulatory hydrogels dependent on inherent material properties. Finally, the challenges that persist in current systems and future directions for immunomodulatory hydrogels are discussed.

Th1-poised naive CD4 T cell subpopulation reflects anti-tumor immunity and autoimmune disease

Naïve CD4 T cells are traditionally viewed as a quiescent, homogeneous, resting population, but emerging evidence reveals their heterogeneity, which can be crucial for understanding disease contexts and therapeutic outcomes. In this study, we identify distinct subpopulations within both murine and human naïve CD4 T cells by single cell-RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), particularly focusing on a subpopulation that expresses super-high levels of interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7Rsup-hi), along with CD97, IL-18R, and Ly6C. This subpopulation, absent in the thymus and peripherally induced, exhibits type 1 helper T cell (Th1)-poised characteristics and contributes to the inhibition of cancer progression in B16F10 tumor-bearing mice. In humans, this IL-7Rsup-hi subpopulation expressing CD97 correlates with the responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy in cancer patients and the disease state of multiple sclerosis. By elucidating the heterogeneity of naive CD4 T cells and identifying a Th1-poised subpopulation capable of robust type 1 responses, we highlight the importance of this heterogeneity in inflammatory conditions for defining the disease states and predicting drug responsiveness.

Tissue-resident memory T cells in urinary tract diseases

Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells are a specialized subset of memory T cells that permanently reside in non-lymphoid tissues, providing localized and long-lasting immune protection. In the urinary tract, TRM cells play critical roles in defending against infections, mediating tumor immunity, and influencing the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. Their therapeutic potential is immense, with promising avenues for vaccine development, enhanced cancer immunotherapy, and targeted treatments for chronic inflammation. However, challenges remain in harnessing their protective roles while minimizing their pathological effects, particularly in immunosuppressive or inflammatory microenvironments. This review explores the diverse roles of TRM cells in urinary tract diseases, including infections, cancer, and chronic inflammation, and discusses therapeutic strategies and future directions for leveraging TRM cells to improve clinical outcomes. By advancing our understanding of TRM cell biology, we can develop innovative interventions that balance their immune-protective and regulatory functions.

Integrative analysis of T cell-mediated tumor killing-related genes reveals KIF11 as a novel therapeutic target in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are emerging promising agents for the treatment of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), however, there are only a small proportion respond to ICI therapy. Therefore, selecting candidate patients who will benefit the most from these drugs is critical. However, validated biomarkers for predicting immunotherapy response and overall survival are lacking. As the fundamental principle of ICI therapy is T cell-mediated tumor killing (TTK), we aimed to develop a unique TTK-related gene prognostic index (TTKPI) for predicting survival outcomes and responses to immune-based therapy in ESCC patients.

METHODS

Transcriptomic and clinical information of ESCC patients were from the GSE53625, GSE53624, GSE47404 and TCGA datasets. TTK-related genes were from the TISIDB database. The LASSO Cox regression model was employed to create the TTKPI. The prediction potential of the TTKPI was evaluated using the KM curve and time-dependent ROC curve analysis. Finally, the relationship between TTKPI and immunotherapy efficacy was investigated in clinical trials of ICIs (GSE91061, GSE135222, IMvigor210 cohort). The role of KIF11 in accelerating tumor progression was validated via a variety of functional experiments, including western blot, CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing scratch, and xenograft tumor model. The KIF11 expression was detected by multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray from ESCC patients.

RESULTS

We constructed the TTKPI based on 8 TTK-related genes. The TTKPI low-risk patients exhibited better overall survival. TTKPI was significantly and positively correlated with the main immune checkpoint molecules levels. Furthermore, the low-risk patients were more prone to reap the benefits of immunotherapy in the cohort undergoing anti-PD-L1 therapy. Moreover, we performed functional experiments on KIF11, which ranked as the most significant prognostic risk gene among the 8 TTK-related genes. Our findings identified that KIF11 knockdown significantly hindered cell proliferation and mobility in ESCC cells. The KIF11 expression was negatively related with CD8+ T cell infiltration in ESCC patient samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The TTKPI is a promising biomarker for accurately determining survival and predicting the effectiveness of immunotherapy in ESCC patients. This risk indicator can help patients receive timely and precise early intervention, thereby advancing personalized medicine and facilitating precise immuno-oncology research. KIF11 plays a crucial role in driving tumor proliferation and migration and may act as a potential tumor biomarker of ESCC.

Identification of Molecular Subtypes and Prognostic Features of Breast Cancer Based on TGF-β Signaling-related Genes

Objectives

The TGF-β signaling pathway is widely acknowledged for its role in various aspects of cancer progression, including cellular invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immunosuppression. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and pharmacological agents that target TGF-β offer significant potential as therapeutic options for cancer. However, the specific role of TGF-β in prognostic assessment and treatment strategies for breast cancer (BC) remains unclear.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was utilized to develop a predictive model incorporating five TGF-β signaling-related genes (TSRGs). The GSE161529 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus was employed to conduct single-cell analyses aimed at further elucidating the characteristics of these TSRGs. Additionally, an unsupervised clustering algorithm was applied to categorize BC patients into two distinct groups based on the five TSRGs, with a focus on immune response and overall survival (OS). Further investigations were conducted to explore variations in pharmacotherapy and the tumor microenvironment across different patient cohorts and clusters.

Results

The predictive model for BC identified five TSRGs: FUT8, IFNG, ID3, KLF10, and PARD6A. Single-cell analysis revealed that IFNG is predominantly expressed in CD8+ T cells. Consensus clustering effectively categorized BC patients into two distinct clusters, with cluster B demonstrating a longer OS and a more favorable prognosis. Immunological assessments indicated a higher presence of immune checkpoints and immune cells in cluster B, suggesting a greater likelihood of responsiveness to ICIs.

Conclusion

The findings of this study highlight the potential of the TGF-β signaling pathway for prognostic classification and the development of personalized treatment strategies for BC patients, thereby enhancing our understanding of its significance in BC prognosis.

Rational Identification of Ritonavir as IL-20 Receptor A Ligand Endowed with Antiproliferative Properties in Breast Cancer Cells

Targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) is an attractive strategy for developing new drugs with anticancer activity against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Interleukins (ILs) are key players in the TME cytokine network promoting cancer progression. Recent studies have highlighted the involvement of IL-20 receptor subunit alpha (IL-20RA) signalling in several cancers, including BC, in which IL-20RA is highly expressed, correlating with poor prognosis and influencing tumoral characteristics such as proliferation, cell death, invasiveness, and TME activity. Therefore, elucidating the role of the IL-20RA signalling pathway could form the basis for developing new therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to identify selective bioactive ligands able to affect IL-20RA activity. Virtual screening of over 310,000 compounds from both the DrugBank and ZINC15 databases identified four potential hit compounds tested for their anticancer activity against TNBC in vitro cell lines. Notably, Ritonavir, a well-known Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) protease inhibitor, significantly inhibited cell proliferation (about 40% at 50 µM, p < 0.001). IL-20 preincubation counteracted Ritonavir's cytostatic effect while IL-20RA knockdown restored proliferation in Ritonavir-treated TNBC cells. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that Ritonavir reduced TNBC cell proliferation through IL-20RA activity modulation, suggesting its potential repurposing as a therapeutic agent for TNBC management.

EXO1 is a key gene for lung-resident memory T cells and has diagnostic and predictive values for lung adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a very common and lethal kind of lung malignancy. An increasing number of studies indicated that tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells played significant roles in anti-cancer immunity. In our previous study, EXO1 was found to be a core gene for TRM cells in the prognosis of LUAD. However, the roles of EXO1 in the tumor microenvironment, and its application in the diagnosis and prognosis prediction of LUAD are still inadequately explored. In this study, the RNA expression, DNA methylation, CNV, somatic mutation data of EXO1, and the corresponding patients' clinical information from publicly available databases were analyzed using bioinformatic methods. The results were validated through immunohistochemical staining of EXO1 in LUAD samples. The results showed EXO1 was aberrantly highly expressed in LUAD tissues. High expression of EXO1 was a risky factor for LUAD patients. The expression level of EXO1 was associated with many clinical features such as TNM stages. It can also distinguish normal tissues and LUAD tumor tissues accurately. EXO1 expression was correlated with the infiltration of immune cells, and high expression of EXO1 was an adverse effect on LUAD patients receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Moreover, patients with EXO1 mutation had worse DSS, DFI and PFI.

Tissue-resident memory T cells in diseases and therapeutic strategies

Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells are crucial components of the immune system that provide rapid, localized responses to recurrent pathogens at mucosal and epithelial barriers. Unlike circulating memory T cells, TRM cells are located within peripheral tissues, and they play vital roles in antiviral, antibacterial, and antitumor immunity. Their unique retention and activation mechanisms, including interactions with local epithelial cells and the expression of adhesion molecules, enable their persistence and immediate functionality in diverse tissues. Recent advances have revealed their important roles in chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, and cancer, illuminating both their protective and their pathogenic potential. This review synthesizes current knowledge on TRM cells' molecular signatures, maintenance pathways, and functional dynamics across different tissues. We also explore the interactions of TRM cells with other immune cells, such as B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, highlighting the complex network that underpins the efficacy of TRM cells in immune surveillance and response. Understanding the nuanced regulation of TRM cells is essential for developing targeted therapeutic strategies, including vaccines and immunotherapies, to enhance their protective roles while mitigating adverse effects. Insights into TRM cells' biology hold promise for innovative treatments for infectious diseases, cancer, and autoimmune conditions.

The Microenvironment in DCIS and Its Role in Disease Progression

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) accounts for ~20% of all breast cancer diagnoses but whilst known to be a precursor of invasive breast cancer (IBC), evidence suggests only one in six patients will ever progress. A key challenge is to distinguish between those lesions that will progress and those that will remain indolent. Molecular analyses of neoplastic epithelial cells have not identified consistent differences between lesions that progressed and those that did not, and this has focused attention on the tumour microenvironment (ME).The DCIS ME is unique, complex and dynamic. Myoepithelial cells form the wall of the ductal-lobular tree and exhibit broad tumour suppressor functions. However, in DCIS they acquire phenotypic changes that bestow them with tumour promoter properties, an important evolution since they act as the primary barrier for invasion. Changes in the peri-ductal stromal environment also arise in DCIS, including transformation of fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs orchestrate other changes in the stroma, including the physical structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) through altered protein synthesis, as well as release of a plethora of factors including proteases, cytokines and chemokines that remodel the ECM. CAFs can also modulate the immune ME as well as impact on tumour cell signalling pathways. The heterogeneity of CAFs, including recognition of anti-tumourigenic populations, is becoming evident, as well as heterogeneity of immune cells and the interplay between these and the adipocyte and vascular compartments. Knowledge of the impact of these changes is more advanced in IBC but evidence is starting to accumulate for a role in DCIS. Detailed in vitro, in vivo and tissue studies focusing on the interplay between DCIS epithelial cells and the ME should help to define features that can better predict DCIS behaviour.

RAD51 Expression as a Biomarker to Predict Efficacy of Platinum-Based Chemotherapy and PD-L1 Blockade for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

RAD51, a key recombinase that catalyzes homologous recombination (HR), is commonly overexpressed in multiple cancers. It is curial for DNA damage repair (DDR) to maintain genomic integrity which could further determine the therapeutic response. Herein, we attempt to explore the clinical value of RAD51 in therapeutic guidance in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). In this retrospective study, a total of 823 patients with MIBC were included. Zhongshan hospital (ZSHS) cohort (n=134) and The Cancer Genome Atlas-Bladder Cancer (TCGA-BLCA) cohort (n=391) were included for the investigation of chemotherapeutic response. The IMvigor210 cohort (n=298) was utilized to interrogate the predictive efficacy of RAD51 status to programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) blockade. In addition, the association of RAD51 with genomic instability and tumor immune contexture was investigated. Patients with RAD51 overexpression were more likely to benefit from both platinum-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy rather than RAD51-low patients. The TMB high PD-L1 high RAD51 high subgroup possessed the best clinical benefits from PD-L1 blockade. RAD51-high tumors featured by genomic instability were correlated to highly inflamed and immunogenic contexture with activated immunotherapeutic pathway in MIBC. RAD51 could serve as a prognosticator for treatment response to platinum-based chemotherapy and PD-L1 inhibitor in MIBC patients. Besides, it could also improve the predictive efficacy of TMB and PD-L1.

Exploration and validation of a novel reactive oxygen species-related signature for predicting the prognosis and chemotherapy response of patients with bladder cancer

Background

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), a hallmark of cancer, is related to prognosis, tumor progression, and treatment response. Nevertheless, the correlation of ROS-based molecular signature with clinical outcome and immune cell infiltration has not been thoroughly studied in bladder cancer (BLCA). Accordingly, we aimed to thoroughly examine the role and prognostic value of ROS-related genes in BLCA.

Methods

We obtained RNA sequencing and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for bladder cancer (BLCA) patients and identified ROS-associated genes using the GeneCards and Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB). We then analyzed differential gene expression between BLCA and normal tissues and explored the functions of these ROS-related genes through Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis. Prognostic ROS-related genes were identified using Univariate Cox regression (UCR) and LASSO analyses, which were further refined in a Multivariate Cox Regression (MCR) analysis to develop a Prognostic Signature (PS). This PS was validated in the GSE13507 cohort, assessing its predictive power with Kaplan-Meier survival and time-dependent ROC curves. To forecast BLCA outcomes, we constructed a nomogram integrating the PS with clinical variables. We also investigated the signature's molecular characteristics through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Immune Cell Infiltration (ICI), and Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) analyses. The Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) database was used to predict chemotherapy responses based on the PS. Additionally, we screened for Small-Molecule Drugs (SMDs) targeting ROS-related genes using the CMAP database. Finally, we validated our findings by checking protein levels of the signature genes in the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and confirmed the role of Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1) through in vitro experiments.

Results

The constructed and validated PS that comprised 17 ROS-related genes exhibited good performance in predicting overall survival (OS), constituting an independent prognostic biomarker in BLCA patients. Additionally, we successfully established a nomogram with superior predictive capacity, as indicated by the calibration plots. The bioinformatics analysis findings showcased the implication of PS in several oncogenic pathways besides tumor ICI regulation. The PS was negatively associated with the TMB. The high-risk group patients had greater chemotherapy sensitivity in comparison to low-risk group patients. Further, 11 candidate SMDs were identified for treating BLCA. The majority of gene expression exhibited a correlation with the protein expression. In addition, the expression of most genes was consistent with protein expression. Furthermore, to test the gene reliability we constructed, AKR1B1, one of the seventeen genes identified, was used for in-depth validation. In vitro experiments indicate that siRNA-mediated AKR1B1 silencing impeded BLCA cell viability, migration, and proliferation.

Conclusions

We identified a PS based on 17 ROS-related genes that represented independent OS prognostic factors and 11 candidate SMDs for BLCA treatment, which may contribute to the development of effective individualized therapies for BLCA.

Personalized neoantigen hydrogel vaccine combined with PD-1 and CTLA-4 double blockade elicits antitumor response in liver metastases by activating intratumoral CD8+CD69+ T cells

BACKGROUND

Liver metastasis is highly aggressive and immune tolerant, and lacks effective treatment strategies. This study aimed to develop a neoantigen hydrogel vaccine (NPT-gels) with high clinical feasibility and further investigate its efficacy and antitumor molecular mechanisms in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for the treatment of liver metastases.

METHODS

The effects of liver metastasis on survival and intratumor T-cell subpopulation infiltration in patients with advanced tumors were investigated using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. NPT-gels were prepared using hyaluronic acid, screened neoantigen peptides, and dual clinical adjuvants [Poly(I:C) and thymosin α-1]. Then, the efficacy and corresponding antitumor molecular mechanisms of NPT-gels combined with programmed death receptor 1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 double blockade (PCDB) for the treatment of liver metastases were investigated using various preclinical liver metastasis models.

RESULTS

Liver metastases are associated with poorer 5-year overall survival, characterized by low infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and high infiltration of regulatory T cells (Tregs). NPT-gels overcame the challenges faced by conventional neoantigen peptide vaccines by sustaining a durable, high-intensity immune response with a single injection and significantly improving the infiltration of neoantigen-specific T-cell subpopulations in different mice subcutaneous tumor models. Importantly, NPT-gels further combined with PCDB could enhance neoantigen-specific T-cell infiltration and effectively unlock the immunosuppressive microenvironment of liver metastases, showing superior antitumor efficacy and inducing long-term immune memory in various preclinical liver metastasis models without obvious toxicity. Mechanistically, the combined strategy can inhibit Tregs, induce the production and infiltration of neoantigen-specific CD8+CD69+ T cells to enhance the immune response, and potentially elicit antigen-presenting effects in Naïve B_Ighd+ cells and M1-type macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that NPT-gels combined with PCDB could exert a durable and powerful antitumor immunity by enhancing the recruitment and activation of CD8+CD69+ T cells, which supports the rationale and clinical translation of this combination strategy and provides important evidence for further improving the immunotherapy efficacy of liver metastases in the future.

CD69+CD103+CD8+ tissue-resident memory T cells possess stronger anti-tumor activity and predict better prognosis in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Despite advancements in therapeutic methodologies, it still causes a high rate of patient mortality. CD8+ tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells are strategically positioned to mediate effective anti-tumor responses. However, the characteristic surface molecules and functions of CD8+ TRM cells exhibit significant heterogeneity.

METHODS

The roles and anti-tumor biological functions of different CD8+ TRM subsets in CRC were determined by clinical CRC samples, bioinformatics analysis, and in vitro experiments including co-culture experiments and transwell migration assays. The signaling pathways that synergistically regulate the differentiation of CD8+ TRM cells were identified by in vitro CD8+ T cell activation and inhibition assays, and the functioning transcription factors were predicted using the UCSC and JASPAR databases.

RESULTS

We found that different CD8+ TRM subsets existed in CRC tumor tissues, which were identified as CD69-CD103-CD8+ TRM, CD69+CD103-CD8+ TRM (SP CD8+ TRM), and CD69+CD103+CD8+ TRM (DP CD8+ TRM) subsets. Compared with SP CD8+ TRM cells, increased infiltration of DP CD8+ TRM cells predicted better prognosis and played a protective role mainly in tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis of CRC. DP CD8+ TRM cells expressed higher levels of effector molecules and exerted stronger anti-tumor effects in a FAS/FASL pathway-dependent manner. Additionally, DP CD8+ TRM cells secreted higher levels of CXCL13 and recruited B cells into tumor tissues through the CXCL13/CXCR5 signaling axis to form tertiary lymphoid structures, participating in anti-tumor immune responses. Notch and TGF-β signaling pathways synergistically regulate the differentiation of DP CD8+ TRM cells.

CONCLUSIONS

We clarified the roles and mechanisms of different CD8+ TRM subsets in CRC and identified that DP CD8+ TRM cells exert stronger anti-tumor effects and predict better prognosis, which provides ideas for developing new clinically available therapeutic targets.

Ex vivo expansion and hydrogel-mediated in vivo delivery of tissue-resident memory T cells for immunotherapy

Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells preferentially reside in peripheral tissues, serving as key players in tumor immunity and immunotherapy. The lack of effective approaches for expanding TRM cells and delivering these cells in vivo hinders the exploration of TRM cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy. Here, we report a nanoparticle artificial antigen-presenting cell (nano-aAPC) ex vivo expansion approach and an in vivo delivery system for TRM cells. Using the nano-aAPC platform, we expanded functional antigen-specific murine and human TRM-like CD8+ T cells ex vivo. We also developed an injectable macroporous hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel to deliver TRM-like cells. TRM-like cells delivered in the optimized HA hydrogel trigger robust local and systemic antitumor immunity and show synergistic effects with anti-PD-1 treatment. Our findings suggest that nano-aAPC-induced TRM-like cells, coupled with a hydrogel delivery system, offer an efficient way to advance the understanding of TRM cell-mediated cancer therapy.

Age-related decline in CD8+ tissue resident memory T cells compromises antitumor immunity

Aging compromises antitumor immunity, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we report that aging impairs the generation of CD8+ tissue resident memory T (TRM) cells in nonlymphoid tissues in mice, thus compromising the antitumor activity of aged CD8+ T cells, which we also observed in human lung adenocarcinoma. We further identified that the apoptosis regulator BFAR was highly enriched in aged CD8+ T cells, in which BFAR suppressed cytokine-induced JAK2 signaling by activating JAK2 deubiquitination, thereby limiting downstream STAT1-mediated TRM reprogramming. Targeting BFAR either through Bfar knockout or treatment with our developed BFAR inhibitor, iBFAR2, rescued the antitumor activity of aged CD8+ T cells by restoring TRM generation in the tumor microenvironment, thus efficiently inhibiting tumor growth in aged CD8+ T cell transfer and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)-resistant mouse tumor models. Together, our findings establish BFAR-induced TRM restriction as a key mechanism causing aged CD8+ T cell dysfunction and highlight the translational potential of iBFAR2 in restoring antitumor activity in aged individuals or patients resistant to anti-PD-1 therapy.

PDL1/HER2-Targeted Lipid-Encapsulated Oxygen Nanobubbles Combined with Photodynamic Therapy for HER2+ Breast Cancer Immunotherapy

Programmed death (PD) 1/PD ligand 1 (PDL1) inhibitors are immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that may facilitate HER2-positive breast cancer treatment; however, their clinical efficacy remains elusive. Oxygen-enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT) increases immunogenic cell death (ICD), providing a promising strategy to render the tumor microenvironment more sensitive to the ICIs. Lipid-encapsulated oxygen nanobubbles (Lipo-NBs-O2) obtained using nanobubbles (NBs) water for oxygen delivery in vivo can facilitate enhanced PDT. Here, dual-receptor targeted Lipo-NBs-O2 (DRT@Lipo-NBs-O2) is prepared by modifying Lipo-NBs-O2 with anti-PDL1 scFv and the fusion protein anti-HER2 scFv-tandem-repeat cytochrome c (anti-HER2-nCytc). Copper phthalocyanine is the photosensitizer (PS). DRT@Lipo-PS-NBs-O2 plus near-infrared irradiation leads to robust ICD induction, increasing DC activation and CD8+ T-cell numbers. Modification with anti-PDL1 scFv improves tumor distribution of DRT@Lipo-PS-NBs-O2 and plays the ICI role, invigorating CD8+ T cells and boosting the effects of immunotherapy. Oxygen supplied through DRT@Lipo-PS-NBs-O2 reduces P-glycoprotein expression. Enhanced PDT and Cytc can cause tumor cell death, thereby reducing the immune burden. Under dual receptor targeting and laser local irradiation, tumor cells become subject to the combination effects of PDT, ICD, ICIs, and apoptosis; this effectively suppresses tumor growth and metastasis. Lipo-NBs-O2 affords a combination of oxygen delivery and multidrug therapy to alleviate HER2-positive breast cancer.

Imaging Techniques and Biochemical Biomarkers: New Insights into Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PaC) incidence is increasing, but our current screening and diagnostic strategies are not very effective. However, screening could be helpful in the case of PaC, as recent evidence shows that the disease progresses gradually. Unfortunately, there is no ideal screening method or program for detecting PaC in its early stages. Conventional imaging techniques, such as abdominal ultrasound, CT, MRI, and EUS, have not been successful in detecting early-stage PaC. On the other hand, biomarkers may be a more effective screening tool for PaC and have greater potential for further evaluation compared to imaging. Recent studies on biomarkers and artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced imaging have shown promising results in the early diagnosis of PaC. In addition to proteins, non-coding RNAs are also being studied as potential biomarkers for PaC. This review consolidates the current literature on PaC screening modalities to provide an organized framework for future studies. While conventional imaging techniques have not been effective in detecting early-stage PaC, biomarkers and AI-enhanced imaging are promising avenues of research. Further studies on the use of biomarkers, particularly non-coding RNAs, in combination with imaging modalities may improve the accuracy of PaC screening and lead to earlier detection of this deadly disease.

PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade in breast cancer: research insights and sensitization strategies

Immunotherapy targeting programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and PD-L1 immune checkpoints has reshaped treatment paradigms across several cancers, including breast cancer. Combining PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with chemotherapy has shown promising efficacy in both early and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, although only a subset of patients experiences durable responses. Identifying responders and optimizing immune drug selection are therefore critical. The effectiveness of PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy depends on both tumor-intrinsic factors and the extrinsic cell-cell interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). This review systematically summarizes the key findings from clinical trials of ICBs in breast cancer and examines the mechanisms underlying PD-L1 expression regulation. We also highlight recent advances in identifying potential biomarkers for PD-1/PD-L1 therapy and emerging evidence of TME alterations following treatment. Among these, the quantity, immunophenotype, and spatial distribution of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes stand out as promising biomarkers. Additionally, we explore strategies to enhance the effectiveness of ICBs in breast cancer, aiming to support the development of personalized treatment approaches tailored to the unique characteristics of each patient's tumor.

The role of ATP6V0D2 in breast cancer: associations with prognosis, immune characteristics, and TNBC progression

Objective

Researches have identified ATPase H+ transporting V0 subunit d2 (ATP6V0D2) as a significant factor in various cancers. However, its prognostic value in breast cancer (BRCA) and its biological role in BRCA cells remain unclear.

Methods

In this research, we examined the varying expression levels of ATP6V0D2 in both BRCA and normal breast tissue by utilizing information derived from databases including the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), along with clinical samples. Survival studies were carried out to investigate the link between ATP6V0D2 levels and prognosis in BRCA patients. A series of enrichment analyses identified possible pathways associated with the differentially expressed genes in BRCA. The relationships among ATP6V0D2 expression, immune characteristics, and gene mutation were evaluated using Spearman's test. Finally, the expression of ATP6V0D2 was identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) alongside western blot analysis. Additionally, Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8), Colony formation, Transwell, Scratch healing, and Mouse xenograft tumor assays were conducted to assessed the impact of ATP6V0D2 knockdown on the biological functions in TNBC.

Results

ATP6V0D2 exhibited high expression in a range of cancers and correlated with unfavorable prognosis in BRCA. Functional enrichment analyses revealed enrichment of extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and the signaling pathway of tumor growth factor-beta in the high ATP6V0D2 expression group. Additionally, ATP6V0D2 was closely associated with immune checkpoints. Its expression positively associated with the infiltration levels of macrophage and neutrophil, but inversely with CD8+ T and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Mutation analysis revealed that PIK3CA, linked to decreased OS, exhibited a higher mutation rate in the ATP6V0D2 high expression group. Furthermore, ATP6V0D2 knockdown inhibited TNBC cells invasion, migration, and proliferation abilities.

Conclusion

ATP6V0D2 acts as a promising indicator for both diagnosis and prediction of outcomes in breast cancer and could potentially be a novel therapeutic target for BRCA.

Dual CD47 and PD-L1 blockade elicits anti-tumor immunity by intratumoral CD8+ T cells

Objectives

Bispecific antibodies targeting CD47 and PD-L1 (CD47 × PD-L1 BisAb) demonstrate efficacy against a range of solid cancers. While dual blockade negates anti-CD47-mediated toxicity, the effect of combined innate and adaptive immune activation on protective tumor-resident CD8+ T cells has yet to be fully elucidated.

Methods

CD8+ T cell populations were tracked upon CD47 × PD-L1 BisAb treatment in an orthotopic model of murine breast cancer where anti-tumor immunity is mediated by CD8+ T cells. Immune responses were also compared with anti-PD-L1 monotherapy to assess the advantage of dual checkpoint targeting.

Results

We found that CD47 × PD-L1 BisAb treatment augmented CD8+ T cell responses in tumors, which resulted in enhanced tumor control. Compared with anti-PD-L1 treatment, dual CD47 and PD-L1 blockade promoted greater numbers of antigen-specific tumor-resident CD8+ T cells that exhibited increased cytokine production.

Conclusions

Engagement of innate and adaptive immune checkpoint molecules via CD47 × PD-L1 BisAb treatment resulted in robust CD8+ T cell responses, including the induction of tumor-resident CD8+ T cells that exhibited functionally superior anti-tumor immunity. These results demonstrate that innate immune activation potentiates anti-tumor adaptive responses, highlighting the use of dual checkpoint blockade as an optimal strategy for promoting CD8+ T cell-mediated protection.

Immunotherapies in breast cancer: harnessing the cancer immunity cycle

INTRODUCTION

Immunotherapies have found limited success in breast cancerdue to significant challenges within the tumor that block T-cell activity and function.

AREAS COVERED

The current review discusses clinically relevant immunotherapeutics and trials within the framework of the cancer-immunity cycle.

EXPERT OPINION

Current therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates and immune checkpoint blockade require proper biomarker selection, such as PD1 expression and the degree of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) infiltration to subset potential responders. HER2 and other tumor-associated antigens have served as valuable benchmarks for developing novel therapies, such as antibody engagers and CAR T-cells. However, further research is essential to identify and validate new target antigens that can enhance therapeutic efficacy and broaden the clinical applicability of these approaches.

Integrating immunotherapy with conventional treatment regime for breast cancer patients- an amalgamation of armamentarium

Immunotherapy stands as the frontrunner in treatment strategies imparting efficient remission in various types of cancer. In fact, emerging breakthroughs with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in a spectrum of cancers have evoked interest in research related to the potential effects of immunotherapy in breast cancer patients. A major challenge with breast cancer is the molecular heterogeneity that limits the efficacy of many therapeutic regimes. Clinical trials have shown favorable clinical outcomes with immunotherapeutic options in some subtypes of breast cancer. However, ICI monotherapy may not be sufficient for all breast cancer patients, emphasizing the need for combinatorial approaches. Ongoing research is focused on untangling the interplay of ICI with established as well as novel anticancer therapeutic regimens in preclinical models of breast cancer. Our review will analyze the existing research regarding the mechanisms and clinical impact of immunotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer. We shall evaluate the role of immune cell modulation for improved therapeutic response in breast cancer patients. This review will provide collated evidences about the current clinical trials that are testing out the implications of immunotherapy in conjunction with traditional treatment modalities in breast cancer and summarize the potential future research directions in the field. In addition, we shall underline the recent findings related to microbiota modulation as a key regulator of immune therapy response in cancer patients and its plausible applications in breast cancer.

Combination of radiotherapy and PD-L1 blockade induces abscopal responses in EGFR-mutated lung cancer through activating CD8+ T cells

Patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) respond poorly to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). It has been reported that the number of CD8+T cells is reduced in EGFR-mutated NSCLC. However, the extent of heterogeneity and effector function of distinct populations of CD8+T cells has not been investigated intensively. In addition, studies investigating whether a combination of radiotherapy and ICIs can improve the efficacy of ICIs in EGFR-mutated lung cancer are lacking. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was used to investigate the heterogeneity of CD8+T cell populations in EGFR-mutated NSCLC. The STING pathway was explored after hypofractionated radiation of EGFR-mutated and wild-type cells. Mice bearing LLC-19del and LLC-EGFR tumors were treated with radiotherapy plus anti-PD-L1. The scRNA-seq data showed the percentage of progenitor exhausted CD8+T cells was lower in EGFR-mutated NSCLC. In addition, CD8+T cells in EGFR-mutated NSCLC were enriched in oxidative phosphorylation. In EGFR-mutated and wild-type cells, 8 Gy × 3 increased the expression of chemokines that recruit T cells and activate the cGAS-STING pathway. In the LLC-19del and LLC-EGFR mouse model, the combination of radiation and anti-PD-L1 significantly inhibited the growth of abscopal tumors. The enhanced abscopal effect was associated with systemic CD8+T cell infiltration. This study provided an intensive understanding of the heterogeneity and effector functions of CD8+T cells in EGFR-mutated NSCLC. We showed that the combination of hypofractionated radiation and anti-PD-L1 significantly enhanced the abscopal responses in both EGFR-mutated and wild-type lung cancer by activating CD8+T cells in mice.

Research on the shared function of central neurons and breast cancer based on gene expression profile data mining: The role of EMID1 protein antibody expression

In recent years, the incidence of breast cancer has gradually increased, and the research on it has become a hot spot in the scientific community. Central neurons play an important role in breast cancer. This study aims to explore the application of gene expression profile data mining in the study of shared function between central neurons and breast cancer, and focuses on the expression of EMID1 protein antibody. The study collected biomedical images and gene expression profile data of breast cancer patients. Then, we use image processing and analysis technology to extract and analyze features of biomedical images to obtain quantitative features of breast cancer. Gene expression profile data were preprocessed and analyzed to obtain information about breast cancer related genes. Integrating and fusing biomedical images and gene expression profile data, and exploring the sharing function between central neurons and breast cancer through data mining algorithms and statistical analysis methods. The results showed that the expression of EMID1 protein was high in breast cancer tissues, and the expression pattern was similar to that of central neurons. Further functional studies have shown that EMID1 protein is involved in the regulation of proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells. By regulating the expression level of EMID1 protein, we observed that the proliferation and invasion ability of breast cancer cells were significantly affected. The research results show that through the comprehensive analysis of biomedical images and gene expression profile data, we found the sharing function between central neurons and breast cancer. The central neuronal cell marker genes EMID1 and GREB1L may be used as key biomarkers to regulate the pathogenesis of breast cancer and affect the occurrence and development of breast cancer.

Integrated bioinformatics analysis identifies PCSK9 as a prognosticator correlated with lipid metabolism in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is the most frequent kind of pancreatic cancer (PC). Recent studies suggest that lipid metabolism facilitates tumorigenesis, disease progression, and resistance to therapy by promoting lipid synthesis, accumulation, and breakdown. Thus, exploring the lipid metabolism network could unveil novel therapeutic avenues for early detection, precision medicine, and prognostication in PAAD. This project intends to develop new lipid metabolism-related biomarkers for PAAD diagnosis and investigate the link between important genes and immune cell infiltration (ICI).

METHODS

Tissue samples from 20 PAAD patients and 20 healthy controls were obtained. Analysis were focused on the datasets GSE71729 and GSE16515, which include samples of PAAD (n = 161) and those from healthy human tissue (n = 61), derived from the GEO database. Knockdown of PCSK9 on PC cells were conducted by si-RNA and sh-RNA. Migration and cell functional experiments were performed to assess the role of PCSK9 in cell multiplication. Furthermore, a xenograft mouse model was employed to confirm PCSK9's function in vivo.

RESULTS

The expression level of Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is significantly elevated in tissues affected by PAAD when compared to normal tissues. Survival analyses indicated that increased PCSK9 levels are inversely related to overall and disease-free survival (DFS). PCSK9's functional annotation associated it with the cell cycle and metabolism, especially energy metabolism. Examination of ICI data determined that PCSK9 expression demonstrated an unambiguous association with the M0 macrophages, T follicular helper cells (Tfh), gamma delta T cells and activated DC, and an inverse relationship with Monocytes, CD8+ T cells, memory B cells, resting CD4+ memory T cells, activated NK cells and resting DC abundance. PCSK9 expression knockdown has the ability to impede PC cells' migration and proliferation.

CONCLUSION

Our study identified PCSK9 as a critical gene in PAAD. Expression levels of PCSK9 varied between PAAD and normal samples. ROC analysis verified PCSK9's strong capacity to differentiate PC from normal samples. Importantly, PCSK9 expression was considerably elevated in PC cell lines and tissues. Furthermore, PCSK9 stimulates the migration and proliferation of tumor cells in vivo and vitro.

High ratio of resident to exhausted CD4 + T cells predicts favorable prognosis and potentially better immunotherapeutic efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are significantly implicated in regulating the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and immunotherapeutic response. However, little is known about the impact of the resident and exhausted status of TILs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Single-cell RNA sequencing data was applied to discover resident and exhausted signatures of TILs. Survival outcomes, biological function, immune infiltration, genomic variation, immunotherapeutic efficacy, and sorafenib response were further explored the clinical significance and molecular association of TILs in HCC. Moreover, a candidate gene with predictive capability for the dismal subtype was identified through univariate Cox regression analysis, survival analysis, and the BEST website.

RESULTS

Single-cell analysis revealed that CD8 + T, CD4 + T, and NK cells were strongly associated with resident and exhausted patterns. Specific resident and exhausted signatures for each subpopulation were extracted in HCC. Further multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the ratio of resident to exhausted CD4 + T cells in TIME was an independent prognostic factor. After incorporating tumor purity with the ratio of resident to exhausted CD4 + T cells, we stratified HCC patients into three subtypes and found that (i) CD4 residencyhighexhaustionlow subtype was endowed with favorable prognosis, immune activation, and sensitivity to immunotherapy; (ii) CD4 exhaustionhighresidencylow subtype was characterized by genome instability and sensitivity to sorafenib; (iii) Immune-desert subtype was associated with malignant-related pathways and poor prognosis. Furthermore, spindle assembly abnormal protein 6 homolog (SASS6) was identified as a key gene, which accurately predicted the immune-desert subtype. Prognostic analysis as well as in vitro and in vivo experiments further demonstrated that SASS6 was closely associated with tumor prognosis, proliferation, and migration.

CONCLUSIONS

The ratio of resident to exhausted CD4 + T cells shows promise as a potential biomarker for HCC prognosis and immunotherapy response and SASS6 may serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target for prognostic assessment of HCC.

A triple hormone receptor ER, AR, and VDR signature is a robust prognosis predictor in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Despite evidence indicating the dominance of cell-of-origin signatures in molecular tumor patterns, translating these genome-wide patterns into actionable insights has been challenging. This study introduces breast cancer cell-of-origin signatures that offer significant prognostic value across all breast cancer subtypes and various clinical cohorts, compared to previously developed genomic signatures.

METHODS

We previously reported that triple hormone receptor (THR) co-expression patterns of androgen (AR), estrogen (ER), and vitamin D (VDR) receptors are maintained at the protein level in human breast cancers. Here, we developed corresponding mRNA signatures (THR-50 and THR-70) based on these patterns to categorize breast tumors by their THR expression levels. The THR mRNA signatures were evaluated across 56 breast cancer datasets (5040 patients) using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Cox proportional hazard regression, and unsupervised clustering.

RESULTS

The THR signatures effectively predict both overall and progression-free survival across all evaluated datasets, independent of subtype, grade, or treatment status, suggesting improvement over existing prognostic signatures. Furthermore, they delineate three distinct ER-positive breast cancer subtypes with significant survival in differences-expanding on the conventional two subtypes. Additionally, coupling THR-70 with an immune signature identifies a predominantly ER-negative breast cancer subgroup with a highly favorable prognosis, comparable to ER-positive cases, as well as an ER-negative subgroup with notably poor outcome, characterized by a 15-fold shorter survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The THR cell-of-origin signature introduces a novel dimension to breast cancer biology, potentially serving as a robust foundation for integrating additional prognostic biomarkers. These signatures offer utility as a prognostic index for stratifying existing breast cancer subtypes and for de novo classification of breast cancer cases. Moreover, THR signatures may also hold promise in predicting hormone treatment responses targeting AR and/or VDR.

Angiotensin receptor blocker attacks armored and cold tumors and boosts immune checkpoint blockade

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has made remarkable achievements, but newly identified armored and cold tumors cannot respond to ICB therapy. The high prevalence of concomitant medications has huge impact on immunotherapeutic responses, but the clinical effects on the therapeutic outcome of armored and cold tumors are still unclear.

METHODS

In this research, using large-scale transcriptomics datasets, the expression and potential biological functions of angiotensin II receptor 1 (AGTR1), the target of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), were investigated. Next, the roles of ARB in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment cells were defined by a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. In addition, the clinical impacts of ARB on ICB therapy were assessed by multicenter cohorts and meta-analysis.

RESULTS

AGTR1 was overexpressed in armored and cold tumors and associated with poor response to ICB therapy. ARB, the inhibitor for AGTR1, only suppressed the aggressiveness of tumor cells with high AGTR1 expression, which accounted for a very small proportion. Further analysis revealed that AGTR1 was always highly expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and ARB inhibited type I collagen expression in CAFs by suppressing the RhoA-YAP axis. Moreover, ARB could also drastically reverse the phenotype of armored and cold to soft and hot in vivo, leading to a higher response to ICB therapy. In addition, both our in-house cohorts and meta-analysis further supported the idea that ARB can significantly enhance ICB efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we identify AGTR1 as a novel target in armored and cold tumors and demonstrate the improved therapeutic efficacy of ICB in combination with ARB. These findings could provide novel clinical insight into how to treat patients with refractory armored and cold tumors.

Identification of the novel exhausted T cell CD8 + markers in breast cancer

Cancer is one of the most concerning public health issues and breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. The immune cells within the tumor microenvironment regulate cancer development. In this study, single immune cell data sets were used to identify marker gene sets for exhausted CD8 + T cells (CD8Tex) in breast cancer. Machine learning methods were used to cluster subtypes and establish the prognostic models with breast cancer bulk data using the gene sets to evaluate the impacts of CD8Tex. We analyzed breast cancer overexpressing and survival-associated marker genes and identified CD8Tex hub genes in the protein-protein-interaction network. The relevance of the hub genes for CD8 + T-cells in breast cancer was evaluated. The clinical associations of the hub genes were analyzed using bulk sequencing data and spatial sequencing data. The pan-cancer expression, survival, and immune association of the hub genes were analyzed. We identified biomarker gene sets for CD8Tex in breast cancer. CD8Tex-based subtyping systems and prognostic models performed well in the separation of patients with different immune relevance and survival. CRTAM, CLEC2D, and KLRB1 were identified as CD8Tex hub genes and were demonstrated to have potential clinical relevance and immune therapy impact. This study provides a unique view of the critical CD8Tex hub genes for cancer immune therapy.

Epithelium/imcDC2 axis facilitates the resistance of neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 in human NSCLC

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic resistance is a main obstacle to achieve long-term benefits from immune checkpoint inhibitors. The underlying mechanism of neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 resistance remains unclear.

METHODS

Multi-omics analysis, including mass cytometry, single-cell RNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, and polychromatic flow cytometry, was conducted using the resected tumor samples in a cohort of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients received neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy. Tumor and paired lung samples acquired from treatment-naïve patients were used as a control. In vitro experiments were conducted using primary cells isolated from fresh tissues and lung cancer cell lines. A Lewis-bearing mouse model was used in the in vivo experiment.

RESULTS

The quantity, differentiation status, and clonal expansion of tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells (CD8+ TRMs) are positively correlated with therapeutic efficacy of neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy in human NSCLC. In contrast, the quantity of immature CD1c+ classical type 2 dendritic cells (imcDC2) and galectin-9+ cancer cells is negatively correlated with therapeutic efficacy. An epithelium/imDC2 suppressive axis that restrains the antitumor response of CD8+ TRMs via galectin-9/TIM-3 was uncovered. The expression level of CD8+ TRMs and galectin-9+ cancer cell-related genes predict the clinical outcome of anti-PD-1 neoadjuvant therapy in human NSCLC patients. Finally, blockade of TIM-3 and PD-1 could improve the survival of tumor-bearing mouse by promoting the antigen presentation of imcDC2 and CD8+ TRMs-mediated tumor-killing.

CONCLUSION

Galectin-9 expressing tumor cells sustained the primary resistance of neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy in NSCLC through galectin-9/TIM-3-mediated suppression of imcDC2 and CD8+ TRMs. Supplement of anti-TIM-3 could break the epithelium/imcDC2/CD8+ TRMs suppressive loop to overcome anti-PD-1 resistance.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03732664.

Association of clinicopathologic and sonographic features with stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in triple-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Increased level of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) are associated with therapeutic outcomes and prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study aimed to investigate the associations of clinicopathologic and sonographic features with sTILs level in TNBC.

METHODS

This study included invasive TNBC patients with postoperative evaluation of sTILs after surgical resection. Tumor shape, margin, orientation, echo pattern, posterior features, calcification, and vascularity were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were categorized into high-sTILs (≥ 20%) and low-sTILs (< 20%) level groups. Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to assess the association of clinicopathologic and sonographic features with sTILs level.

RESULTS

The 171 patients (mean ± SD age, 54.7 ± 10.3 years [range, 22‒87 years]) included 58.5% (100/171) with low-sTILs level and 41.5% (71/171) with high-sTILs level. The TNBC tumors with high-sTILs level were more likely to be no special type invasive carcinoma (p = 0.008), higher histologic grade (p = 0.029), higher Ki-67 proliferation rate (all p < 0.05), and lower frequency of associated DCIS component (p = 0.026). In addition, the TNBC tumors with high-sTILs level were more likely to be an oval or round shape (p = 0.001), parallel orientation (p = 0.011), circumscribed or micro-lobulated margins (p < 0.001), complex cystic and solid echo patterns (p = 0.001), posterior enhancement (p = 0.002), and less likely to have a heterogeneous pattern (p = 0.001) and no posterior features (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study showed that preoperative sonographic characteristics could be helpful in distinguishing high-sTILs from low-sTILs in TNBC patients.

Inflammatory breast cancer microenvironment repertoire based on DNA methylation data deconvolution reveals actionable targets to enhance the treatment efficacy

BACKGROUND

Although the clinical signs of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) resemble acute inflammation, the role played by infiltrating immune and stromal cells in this aggressive disease is uncharted. The tumor microenvironment (TME) presents molecular alterations, such as epimutations, prior to morphological abnormalities. These changes affect the distribution and the intricate communication between the TME components related to cancer prognosis and therapy response. Herein, we explored the global DNA methylation profile of IBC and surrounding tissues to estimate the microenvironment cellular composition and identify epigenetically dysregulated markers.

METHODS

We used the HiTIMED algorithm to deconvolve the bulk DNA methylation data of 24 IBC and six surrounding non-tumoral tissues (SNT) (GSE238092) and determine their cellular composition. The prognostic relevance of cell types infiltrating IBC and their relationship with clinicopathological variables were investigated. CD34 (endothelial cell marker) and CD68 (macrophage marker) immunofluorescence staining was evaluated in an independent set of 17 IBC and 16 non-IBC samples.

RESULTS

We found lower infiltration of endothelial, stromal, memory B, dendritic, and natural killer cells in IBC than in SNT samples. Higher endothelial cell (EC) and stromal cell content were related to better overall survival. EC proportions positively correlated with memory B and memory CD8+ T infiltration in IBC. Immune and EC markers exhibited distinct DNA methylation profiles between IBC and SNT samples, revealing hypermethylated regions mapped to six genes (CD40, CD34, EMCN, HLA-G, PDPN, and TEK). We identified significantly higher CD34 and CD68 protein expression in IBC compared to non-IBC.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings underscored cell subsets that distinguished patients with better survival and dysregulated markers potentially actionable through combinations of immunotherapy and epigenetic drugs.

CXCR6 expression correlates with radiotherapy response and immune context in triple-negative breast cancer-experimental studies

BACKGROUND

The chemokine receptor CXCR6 is critical for sustained tumor control mediated by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) in tumors. Previous studies have shown that ionizing radiation induces an inflamed immune contexture by upregulating CXCR6. However, the clinical significance of CXCR6 expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its correlation with radiotherapy remains unknown. This study aimed to clarify the prognostic value of CXCR6 and its role in the breast tumor microenvironment (TME).

METHODS

The messenger RNA and protein expression of CXCR6 in human TNBC and their association with survival were analyzed. The role of CXCR6 in the immune context was investigated using a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk transcriptome sequencing data, and fluorescence-based multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) techniques.

RESULTS

Elevated CXCR6 expression correlated with better clinical outcomes and superior response to adjuvant radiotherapy and immunotherapy in TNBC. CXCR6 fostered an immunostimulatory microenvironment characterized by upregulated cytotoxic markers. We also found that CXCR6 plays a crucial role in regulating the differentiation of CD8+ T cells and the intercellular communication of immune cell subtypes, thus shaping the TME.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the emerging role of CXCR6 in shaping the TME and targeting CXCR6 may be a promising strategy for improving the effectiveness of radiotherapy and immunotherapy in TNBC.

Cellular heterogeneity and key subsets of tissue-resident memory T cells in cervical cancer

Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRMs) play a critical role in cancer immunity by offering quick and effective immune responses. However, the cellular heterogeneity of TRMs and their significance in cervical cancer (CC) remain unknown. In this study, we generated and analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing data from 12,945 TRMs (ITGAE+ CD3D+) and 25,627 non-TRMs (ITGAE- CD3D+), derived from 11 CC tissues and 5 normal cervical tissues. We found that TRMs were more immunoreactive than non-TRMs, and TRMs in CC tissues were more activated than those in normal cervical tissues. Six CD8+ TRM subclusters and one CD4+ TRM subcluster were identified. Among them, CXCL13+ CD8+ TRMs were more abundant in CC tissues than in normal cervical tissues, had both cytotoxic and inhibitory features, and were enriched in pathways related to defense responses to the virus. Meanwhile, PLAC8+ CD8+ TRMs were less abundant in CC tissues than in normal cervical tissues but had highly cytotoxic features. The signature gene set scores of both cell subclusters were positively correlated with the overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with CC following radiotherapy. Of note, the association between HLA-E and NKG2A, either alone or in a complex with CD94, was enriched in CXCL13+ CD8+ TRMs interacting with epithelial cells at CC tissues. The in-depth characterization of TRMs heterogeneity in the microenvironment of CC could have important implications for advancing treatment and improving the prognosis of patients with CC.

The potential role of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and one branch connected with tissue-resident memory in non-luminal breast cancer

Advances in understanding the pathological mechanisms of breast cancer have resulted in the emergence of novel therapeutic strategies. However, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a molecular subtype of breast cancer with a poor prognosis, lacks classical and general therapeutic targets, hindering the clinical application of several therapies to breast cancer. As insights into the unique immunity and molecular mechanisms of TNBC have become more extensive, immunotherapy has gradually become a valuable complementary approach to classical radiotherapy and chemotherapy. CD8+ cells are significant actors in the tumor immunity cycle; thus, research on TNBC immunotherapy is increasingly focused in this direction. Recently, CD8+ tissue-resident memory (TRM) cells, a subpopulation of CD8+ cells, have been explored in relation to breast cancer and found to seemingly play an undeniably important role in tumor surveillance and lymphocytic infiltration. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the mechanisms and relative targets of CD8+ T cells, and discuss the features and potential applications of CD8+ TRM cells in non-luminal breast cancer immunotherapy.

Hypoxia inhibits the iMo/cDC2/CD8+ TRMs immune axis in the tumor microenvironment of human esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is a form of malignant tumor associated with chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. However, the specific immune status and key mechanisms of immune regulation in this disease require further exploration.

METHODS

To investigate the features of the human ESCA tumor immune microenvironment and its possible regulation, we performed mass cytometry by time of flight, single-cell RNA sequencing, multicolor fluorescence staining of tissue, and flow cytometry analyses on tumor and paracancerous tissue from treatment-naïve patients.

RESULTS

We depicted the immune landscape of the ESCA and revealed that CD8+ (tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells (CD8+ TRMs) were closely related to disease progression. We also revealed the heterogeneity of CD8+ TRMs in the ESCA tumor microenvironment (TME), which was associated with their differentiation and function. Moreover, the subset of CD8+ TRMs in tumor (called tTRMs) that expressed high levels of granzyme B and immune checkpoints was markedly decreased in the TME of advanced ESCA. We showed that tTRMs are tumor effector cells preactivated in the TME. We then demonstrated that conventional dendritic cells (cDC2s) derived from intermediate monocytes (iMos) are essential for maintaining the proliferation of CD8+ TRMs in the TME. Our preliminary study showed that hypoxia can promote the apoptosis of iMos and impede the maturation of cDC2s, which in turn reduces the proliferative capacity of CD8+ TRMs, thereby contributing to the progression of cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed the essential antitumor roles of CD8+ TRMs and preliminarily explored the regulation of the iMo/cDC2/CD8+ TRM immune axis in the human ESCA TME.