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Zhong H, Zhou S, Yin S, Qiu Y, Liu B, Yu H. Tumor microenvironment as niche constructed by cancer stem cells: Breaking the ecosystem to combat cancer. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00251-0. [PMID: 38866179 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.06.014] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a distinct subpopulation of cancer cells with the capacity to constantly self-renew and differentiate, and they are the main driver in the progression of cancer resistance and relapse. The tumor microenvironment (TME) constructed by CSCs is the "soil" adapted to tumor growth, helping CSCs evade immune killing, enhance their chemical resistance, and promote cancer progression. AIM OF REVIEW We aim to elaborate the tight connection between CSCs and immunosuppressive components of the TME. We attempt to summarize and provide a therapeutic strategy to eradicate CSCs based on the destruction of the tumor ecological niche. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW This review is focused on three main key concepts. First, we highlight that CSCs recruit and transform normal cells to construct the TME, which further provides ecological niche support for CSCs. Second, we describe the main characteristics of the immunosuppressive components of the TME, targeting strategies and summarize the progress of corresponding drugs in clinical trials. Third, we explore the multilevel insights of the TME to serve as an ecological niche for CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiyue Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuangshuang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuling Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
| | - Haiyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medical Formulae, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
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Wang L, Zhang J, Zhang W, Zheng M, Guo H, Pan X, Li W, Yang B, Ding L. The inhibitory effect of adenosine on tumor adaptive immunity and intervention strategies. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:1951-1964. [PMID: 38799637 PMCID: PMC11119508 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Adenosine (Ado) is significantly elevated in the tumor microenvironment (TME) compared to normal tissues. It binds to adenosine receptors (AdoRs), suppressing tumor antigen presentation and immune cell activation, thereby inhibiting tumor adaptive immunity. Ado downregulates major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) and co-stimulatory factors on dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, inhibiting antigen presentation. It suppresses anti-tumor cytokine secretion and T cell activation by disrupting T cell receptor (TCR) binding and signal transduction. Ado also inhibits chemokine secretion and KCa3.1 channel activity, impeding effector T cell trafficking and infiltration into the tumor site. Furthermore, Ado diminishes T cell cytotoxicity against tumor cells by promoting immune-suppressive cytokine secretion, upregulating immune checkpoint proteins, and enhancing immune-suppressive cell activity. Reducing Ado production in the TME can significantly enhance anti-tumor immune responses and improve the efficacy of other immunotherapies. Preclinical and clinical development of inhibitors targeting Ado generation or AdoRs is underway. Therefore, this article will summarize and analyze the inhibitory effects and molecular mechanisms of Ado on tumor adaptive immunity, as well as provide an overview of the latest advancements in targeting Ado pathways in anti-tumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longsheng Wang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wenxin Zhang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingming Zheng
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hongjie Guo
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaohui Pan
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wen Li
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- The Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Ling Ding
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Nanhu Brain-Computer Interface Institute, Hangzhou 311100, China
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Yi P, Yu W, Xiong Y, Dong Y, Huang Q, Lin Y, Du Y, Hua F. IL-35: New Target for Immunotherapy Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:148-158. [PMID: 37988561 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0242] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin 35(IL-35) is a newly discovered inhibitory cytokine of the IL12 family. More recently, IL-35 was found to be increased in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and peripheral blood of many patients with cancer, indicating that it plays an important role in the TME. Tumors secrete cytokines that recruit myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Treg) into the TME to promote malignant progression, which is a great challenge for cancer treatment. Radiotherapy causes serious adverse effects, and tumor resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors is still an unsolved challenge. Thus, new cancer therapy approaches are urgently needed. Numerous studies have shown that IL-35 can recruit immunosuppressive cells to enable tumor immune escape by promoting the conversion of immune cells into a tumor growth-promoting phenotype as well as facilitating tumor angiogenesis. IL-35-neutralizing antibodies were found to boost the chemotherapeutic effect of gemcitabine and considerably reduce the microvascular density of pancreatic cancer in mice. Therefore, targeting IL-35 in the TME provides a promising cancer treatment target. In addition, IL-35 may be used as an independent prognostic factor for some tumors in the near future. This review intends to reveal the interplay of IL-35 with immune cells in the TME, which may provide new options for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengcheng Yi
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Wenjun Yu
- Fuzhou First People's Hospital of Jiangxi Province, Fuzhou City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Yanhong Xiong
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Yao Dong
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Yue Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
| | - Yunfei Du
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanchang Central Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Fuzhou Hua
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China
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Wang L, Zhang W, Zhang J, Zheng M, Pan X, Guo H, Ding L. Inhibitory effect of adenosine on adaptive antitumor immunity and intervention strategies. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2023; 52:567-577. [PMID: 37916308 PMCID: PMC10630057 DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2023-0263] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumors in which the microenvironment is characterized by lack of immune cell infiltration are referred as "cold tumors" and typically exhibit low responsiveness to immune therapy. Targeting the factors contributing to "cold tumors" formation and converting them into "hot tumors" is a novel strategy for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy. Adenosine, a hydrolysis product of ATP, accumulates with a significantly higher concentration in the tumor microenvironments compared with normal tissue and exerts inhibitory effects on tumor-specific adaptive immunity. Tumor cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and T cells express abundant adenosine receptors on their surfaces. The binding of adenosine to these receptors initiates downstream signaling pathways that suppress tumor antigen presentation and immune cell activation, consequently dampening adaptive immune responses against tumors. Adenosine down-regulates the expression of major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ and co-stimulatory factors on dendritic cells and macrophages, thereby inhibiting antigen presentation to T cells. Adenosine also inhibits ligand-receptor binding and transmembrane signaling on T cells, concomitantly suppressing the secretion of anti-tumor cytokines and impairing T cell activation. Furthermore, adenosine hinders effector T cell trafficking to tumor sites and infiltration by inhibiting chemokine secretion and KCa3.1 channels. Additionally, adenosine promotes the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines, increases immune checkpoint protein expression, and enhances the activity of immunosuppressive cells, collectively curbing cytotoxic T cell-mediated tumor cell killing. Given the immunosuppressive role of adenosine in adaptive antitumor immunity, several inhibitors targeting adenosine generation or adenosine receptor blockade are currently in preclinical or clinical development with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapies. This review provides an overview of the inhibitory effects of adenosine on adaptive antitumor immunity, elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved, and summarizes the latest advances in application of adenosine inhibition strategies for antitumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longsheng Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Wenxin Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingming Zheng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaohui Pan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hongjie Guo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ling Ding
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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He Q, Hu H, Yang F, Song D, Zhang X, Dai X. Advances in chimeric antigen receptor T cells therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114609. [PMID: 37001182 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently occurring cancer type seriously threatening the lives of women worldwide. Clinically, the high frequency of diverse resistance to current therapeutic strategies advocates a demand to develop novel and effective approaches for the efficient treatment of BC. The chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells therapy, one of the immunotherapies, has displayed powerful capacity to specifically kill and eliminate tumors. Due to the success of CAR-T therapy achieved in treating hematological malignancy, the effect of CAR-T cells therapy has been tested in various human diseases including breast cancer. This review summarized and discussed the landscape of the CAR-T therapy for breast cancer, including the advances, challenge and countermeasure of CAR-T therapy in research and clinical application. The roles of potential antigen targets, tumor microenvironment, immune escape in regulating CAR-T therapy, the combination of CAR-T therapy with other therapeutic strategies to further enhance therapeutic efficacy of CAR-T treatment were also highlighted. Therefore, our review provided a comprehensive understanding of CAR-T cell therapy in breast cancer which will awake huge interests for future in-depth investigation of CAR-T based therapy in cancer treatment.
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Interleukin-35 -producing B cells rescues inflammatory bowel disease in a mouse model via STAT3 phosphorylation and intestinal microbiota modification. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:67. [PMID: 36797242 PMCID: PMC9935866 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01366-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-35 (IL-35)-producing B cells (IL-35+B cells) play an important role in diseases, and the expansion of IL-35+ immune cells have been observed in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, how IL-35+B cells function and the manner in which they perform their roles remain unclear. In this study, human samples and animal models were used to confirm the expansion of IL-35+B cells during IBD. In addition, by using il12a-/- and ebi3-/- mice, we demonstrated that the regulatory role of B cells in IBD depends on IL-35. Mechanically, IL-35+B cells can promote its own expansion through endocrine actions and depend on the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. Interestingly, we found that the diversity of intestinal microbes and expression of microbial metabolites decreased during IBD. IL-35+B cells promote the high expression of indoleacetic acid (IAA), and exogenous metabolite supplementation with IAA can further promote the expansion of IL-35+B cells and rescues the disease. This study provides a new concept for the regulatory model of B cells and a new approach for the treatment of IBD.
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Wang L, Jiang W, Su Y, Zhan M, Peng S, Liu H, Lu L. Self-Splittable Transcytosis Nanoraspberry for NIR-II Photo-Immunometabolic Cancer Therapy in Deep Tumor Tissue. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2204067. [PMID: 36073839 PMCID: PMC9661837 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Cancer photo-immunotherapy (CPIT) as an ideal strategy can rapidly release hostile signals by appropriate dosage of focal laser irradiation to unmask primary tumor immunogenicity and can activate adaptive immunity to control distant metastases. However, many factors, including disordered immunometabolism, poor penetration of photothermal agents and immuno-regulators, inadequate laser penetration into the deep tumor region, restrict the therapeutic outcomes of CPIT. Here, a second near-infrared window (NIR-II) photo-immunometabolic cancer therapy (PICT) by a programmed raspberry-structured nanoadjuvant (PRNMT ) is presented that can potentiates efficient immunogenic cell death (ICD) in deep tumor tissue and alleviates immunometabolic disorder. The PRNMT is architected through self-assembly of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1) inhibitor modified small-sized CuS nanoparticles (CuS5 ) and tumor microenvironment (TME) responsive cationized polymeric matrix. The TME can trigger the splitting and surface cationization of PRNMT into small cationized CuS5 that feature high transcytosis potential and TME immunometabolic regulation. Upon NIR-II irradiation, CuS5 induce homogeneous ICD and release immunometabolic regulator in deep tumor tissues, which ameliorates IDO-1 mediated immunometabolic disorder and further suppresses regulatory T cells infiltration. PRNMT mediated PICT effectively delays the primary murine mammary carcinoma 4T1 tumor growth and inhibits the lethal pulmonary metastasis in combination with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University)ZhuhaiGuangdong519000P. R. China
- Department of RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230001P. R. China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230001P. R. China
| | - Yanhong Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University)ZhuhaiGuangdong519000P. R. China
| | - Meixiao Zhan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University)ZhuhaiGuangdong519000P. R. China
| | - Shaojun Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University)ZhuhaiGuangdong519000P. R. China
| | - Hang Liu
- Department of RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiAnhui230001P. R. China
| | - Ligong Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University)ZhuhaiGuangdong519000P. R. China
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Zhong Y, Ren X, Cao X, Xu Y, Song Y, Zhou Y, Mao F, Shen S, Wang Z, Sun Q. Insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor is a key immune-related gene that is correlated with a poor prognosis in patients with triple-negative breast cancer: A bioinformatics analysis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:871786. [PMID: 36330486 PMCID: PMC9624382 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.871786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study aimed to identify immune-related genes that are associated with the prognosis of patients with TNBC as possible targets of immunotherapy, alongside their related tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). METHODS The clinical data and gene expression profiles of patients with breast cancer were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases and divided into training (n = 1,053) and verification (n = 508) groups. CIBERSORT was used to predict the differences in immune cell infiltration in patient subsets that were stratified according to risk. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was used to identify pathways associated with immune-related genes in patient subsets that were stratified according to risk. The clinical data and insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R) expression profiles of patients with breast cancer were extracted from METABRIC. The expression of IGF2R and TILs were evaluated in a cohort containing 282 untreated patients with TNBC. The correlations of IGF2R expression, TILs, and clinicopathological parameters with patient prognosis were analyzed in the whole cohort. RESULTS The prognostic model, which was composed of 26 immune-related gene pairs, significantly distinguished between high- and low-risk patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that the model was an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer. Among the identified genes, the expression of IGF2R significantly distinguished between high- and low-risk patients in TCGA (P = 0.008) and in METABRIC patients (P < 0.001). The expression of IGF2R was significantly associated with clinical risk factors such as TNBC, estrogen receptor (ER)-negative expression, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive expression, and age ≤60 years old in METABRIC patients. In addition, the patients with IGF2R-positive expression had lower disease-free survival (DFS) rates than those with IGF2R-negative expression in the TNBC cohort (67.8% vs. 78.5%, P = 0.023). IGF2R expression also was significantly negatively correlated with TILs, particularly with CD8+ TILs and CD19+ TILs in the cohort of patients with TNBC. CONCLUSION IGF2R can be used as an indicator of a poor prognosis in patients with TNBC and as a potential target and research direction for TNBC immunotherapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhong
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Ren
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Cao
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yali Xu
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Song
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yidong Zhou
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Mao
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Songjie Shen
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Department of Breast Disease, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
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Shan J, Han D, Shen C, Lei Q, Zhang Y. Mechanism and strategies of immunotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1016646. [PMID: 36238278 PMCID: PMC9550896 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1016646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Although there are standard treatment options for CRC, most patients respond poorly to these treatments. Immunotherapies have gradually emerged due to the increasing awareness and understanding of tumor immunity, exhibiting good therapeutic efficacy in various cancers. Immunotherapies include cytokines, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and adoptive cell therapies. In particular, ICIs, which are antibodies against cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), or its ligand PD-L1, have been successfully applied clinically for solid tumors, relieving the inhibitory effect of the tumor microenvironment on T cells. However, only a minority of patients with cancer achieve a durable clinical response during immunotherapy. Several factors restrict the efficacy of immunotherapy, leading to the development of drug resistance. In this review, we aimed to discuss the current status of immunotherapy for CRC and elaborate on the mechanisms that mediate resistance to immunotherapy and other potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiqi Shan
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dong Han
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chunyi Shen
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qingyang Lei
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Biotherapy, Zhengzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yi Zhang,
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HLA-DRB1: A new potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target of cutaneous melanoma and an indicator of tumor microenvironment remodeling. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274897. [PMID: 36129956 PMCID: PMC9491554 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274897] [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: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most common skin cancer and one of the most aggressive cancers and its incidence has risen dramatically over the past few decades. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of cutaneous melanoma. Nevertheless, the dynamics modulation of the immune and stromal components in the TME is not fully understood. In this study, 471 CM samples were obtained from TCGA database, and the ratio of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) in the TME were estimated using the ESTIMATE algorithms and CIBERSORT computational method. The differently expressed genes (DEGs) were applied to GO and KEGG function enrichment analysis, establishment of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and univariate Cox regression analysis. Subsequently, we identified a predictive factor: HLA-DRB1 (major histocompatibility complex, class II, DR beta 1) by the intersection analysis of the hub genes of PPI network and the genes associated with the prognosis of the CM patients obtained by univariate Cox regression analysis. Correlation analysis and survival analysis showed that the expression level of HLA-DRB1 was negatively correlated with the Stage of the patients while positively correlated with the survival, prognosis and TME of melanoma. The GEPIA web server and the representative immunohistochemical images of HLA-DRB1 in the normal skin tissue and melanoma tissue from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database were applied to validate the expression level of HLA-DRB1. CIBERSORT analysis for the ratio of TICs indicated that 9 types of TICs were positively correlated with the expression level of HLA-DRB1 and only 4 types of TICs were negatively correlated with the expression level of HLA-DRB1. These results suggested that the expression level of HLA-DRB1 may be related to the immune activity of the TME and may affect the prognosis of CM patients by changing the status of the TME.
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Serum Interleukins as Potential Prognostic Biomarkers in HBV-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure. Mediators Inflamm 2022; 2022:7794890. [PMID: 36117587 PMCID: PMC9477565 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7794890] [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: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is relatively common in China and has complex pathogenesis, difficult clinical treatment, and poor prognosis. Immune status is an important factor affecting ACLF prognosis. Interleukins are a family of secreted lymphocyte factors that interact with a host of cell types including immune cells. These signaling molecules play important roles in transmitting information; regulating immune cells; mediating the activation, proliferation, and differentiation of T and B cells; and modulating inflammatory responses. Many studies have investigated the correlation between interleukin expression and the prognosis of HBV-ACLF. This review focuses on the potential use of interleukins as prognostic biomarkers in HBV-ACLF. References were mainly identified through PubMed and CNKI search, including relevant studies published until December 2021. We have summarized reports of several promising diagnostic interleukin biomarkers that predict susceptibility to HBV-ACLF. The use of biomarkers to understand early prognosis can help devise different therapeutic measures and improve patient survival. Ongoing research on prognostic biomarkers of HBV-ACLF is promising, and future preclinical and clinical studies are warranted.
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Immunotherapy and immunoengineering for breast cancer; a comprehensive insight into CAR-T cell therapy advancements, challenges and prospects. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022; 45:755-777. [PMID: 35943716 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00700-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) is a highly prevalent solid cancer with a high-rise infiltration of immune cells, turning it into a significant candidate for tumor-specific immunotherapies. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are emerging as immunotherapeutic tools with genetically engineered receptors to efficiently recognize and attack tumor cells that express specific target antigens. Technological advancements in CAR design have provided five generations of CAR-T cells applicable to a wide range of cancer patients while boosting CAR-T cell therapy safety. However, CAR-T cell therapy is ineffective against breast cancer because of the loss of specified antigens, the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor and CAR-T cell-induced toxicities. Next-generation CAR-T cells actively pass through the tumor vascular barriers, persist for extended periods and disrupt the tumor microenvironment (TME) to block immune escape. CONCLUSION CAR-T cell therapy embodies advanced immunotherapy for BC, but further pre-clinical and clinical assessments are recommended to achieve maximized efficiency and safety.
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13
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Jia K, Wu J, Li Y, Liu J, Liu R, Cai Y, Zhang Y, Li X. A novel pulmonary fibrosis murine model with immune-related liver injury. Animal Model Exp Med 2022. [PMID: 35934841 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12263] [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: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), characterized by aggravated alveolar destruction and fibrotic matrix deposition, tendentiously experiences the stage called acute exacerbation IPF (AE-IPF) and progresses to multiple organ damage, especially liver injury. Recent studies have found a variety of immune microenvironment disorders associated with elevated IPF risk and secondary organ injury, whereas current animal models induced with bleomycin (BLM) could not completely reflect the pathological manifestations of AE-IPF patients in clinic, and the exact underlying mechanisms are not yet fully explored. In the current study, we established an AE-IPF model by tracheal administration of a single dose of BLM and then repeated administrations of lipopolysaccharide in mice. This mouse model successfully recapitulated the clinical features of AE-IPF, including excessive intrapulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and extrapulmonary manifestations, as indicated by significant upregulation of Il6, Tnfa, Il1b, Tgfb, fibronectin, and Col1a1 in both lungs and liver and elevated serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels. These effects might be attributed to the regulation of Th17 cells. By sharing this novel murine model, we expect to provide an appropriate experimental platform to investigate the pathogenesis of AE-IPF coupled with liver injury and contribute to the discovery and development of targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Jia
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jianzhi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yijie Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Runping Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yajie Cai
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yinhao Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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14
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Bandaru SS, Boyilla R, Merchant N, Nagaraju GP, El-Rayes B. Targeting T regulatory cells: their role in colorectal carcinoma progression and current clinical trials. Pharmacol Res 2022; 178:106197. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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15
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Titov A, Kaminskiy Y, Ganeeva I, Zmievskaya E, Valiullina A, Rakhmatullina A, Petukhov A, Miftakhova R, Rizvanov A, Bulatov E. Knowns and Unknowns about CAR-T Cell Dysfunction. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14041078. [PMID: 35205827 PMCID: PMC8870103 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14041078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The primary issue of adoptive cell therapy is the poor in vivo persistence. In this context, it is necessary to clarify the fundamental mechanisms of T cell dysfunction. Here we review common dysfunctional states, including exhaustion and senescence, and discuss the challenges associated with phenotypical characterization of these T cell subsets. We overview the heterogeneity among exhausted T cells as well as mechanisms by which T cells get reinvigorated by checkpoint inhibitors. We emphasize that some cancers not responding to such treatment may activate distinct T cell dysfunction programs. Finally, we describe the dysfunction-promoting mechanisms specific for CAR-T cells and the ways to mitigate them. Abstract Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells is a promising option for cancer treatment. However, T cells and CAR-T cells frequently become dysfunctional in cancer, where numerous evasion mechanisms impair antitumor immunity. Cancer frequently exploits intrinsic T cell dysfunction mechanisms that evolved for the purpose of defending against autoimmunity. T cell exhaustion is the most studied type of T cell dysfunction. It is characterized by impaired proliferation and cytokine secretion and is often misdefined solely by the expression of the inhibitory receptors. Another type of dysfunction is T cell senescence, which occurs when T cells permanently arrest their cell cycle and proliferation while retaining cytotoxic capability. The first section of this review provides a broad overview of T cell dysfunctional states, including exhaustion and senescence; the second section is focused on the impact of T cell dysfunction on the CAR-T therapeutic potential. Finally, we discuss the recent efforts to mitigate CAR-T cell exhaustion, with an emphasis on epigenetic and transcriptional modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei Titov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (A.P.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Centre for Hematology, 125167 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Yaroslav Kaminskiy
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Centre for Hematology, 125167 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Irina Ganeeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (A.P.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Ekaterina Zmievskaya
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (A.P.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Aygul Valiullina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (A.P.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Aygul Rakhmatullina
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (A.P.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Alexey Petukhov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (A.P.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
- Institute of Hematology, Almazov National Medical Research Center, 197341 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Regina Miftakhova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (A.P.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Albert Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (A.P.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Emil Bulatov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (A.T.); (I.G.); (E.Z.); (A.V.); (A.R.); (A.P.); (R.M.); (A.R.)
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence:
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16
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Fu X, He Y, Li M, Huang Z, Najafi M. Targeting of the tumor microenvironment by curcumin. Biofactors 2021; 47:914-932. [PMID: 34375483 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is made up of several cells and molecules that affect the survival of cancer cells. Indeed, certain (immunosuppressive) cells which promote tumors can promote the growth of tumors by stimulating the proliferation of cancer cells and promoting angiogenesis. During tumor growth, antitumoral immunity includes natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells cannot overcome immunosuppressive responses and cancer cell proliferation. In order to achieve the appropriate therapeutic response, we must kill cancer cells and suppress the release of immunosuppressive molecules. The balance between anti-tumor immunity and immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells plays a key role in the suppression or promotion of cancer cells. Curcumin is a plant-derived agent that has shown interesting properties for cancer therapy. It has shown that not only directly inhibit the growth of cancer cells, but can also modulate the growth and activity of immunosuppressant and tumor-promoting cells. In this review, we explain how curcumin modulates interactions within TME in favor of tumor treatment. The potential modulating effects of curcumin on the responses of cancer cells to treatment modalities such as immunotherapy will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Fu
- College of Basic Medicine, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, China
| | - Yingni He
- College of Basic Medicine, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, China
| | - Mu Li
- College of Basic Medicine, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, China
| | - Zezhi Huang
- Shaoyang Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology Diagnosis, Shaoyang, China
| | - Masoud Najafi
- Medical Technology Research Center, Institute of Health Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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17
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Huang J, Xu K, Yu L, Pu Y, Wang T, Sun R, Liang G, Yin L, Zhang J, Pu Y. Immunosuppression characterized by increased Treg cell and IL-10 levels in benzene-induced hematopoietic toxicity mouse model. Toxicology 2021; 464:152990. [PMID: 34673135 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Benzene is a typical hematopoietic toxic substance, that can cause serious blood and circulatory system diseases such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia, but the immunological mechanism by which this occurs is not clear. T helper cells play a key role in regulating the immune balance in the body. In this study, benzene-induced hematopoietic toxicity BALB/c mice model was established, and changes in immune organs and T helper cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells) were explored. At 28 days after subcutaneous injection of 150 mg/kg benzene, mice showed pancytopenia and obvious pathological damage to the bone marrow, spleen, and thymus. Flow cytometry revealed that the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells in the spleen increased significantly. The level of IL-10 in the spleen, serum, and bone marrow increased, while the levels of IL-17 in the spleen and serum decreased. Furthermore, the levels of CD4 and CD8 proteins in the spleen decreased. Immunofluorescence results showed that levels of Foxp3, a specific transcription factor that induced the differentiation of Treg cells, increased after exposure to benzene. Our results demonstrate that immunosuppression occurred in the benzene-induced hematopoietic toxicity model mice, and Treg cells and secreted IL-10 may play a key role in the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Kai Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Linling Yu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yunqiu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Tong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Rongli Sun
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Geyu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lihong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuepu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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18
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Yang C, Wu S, Mou Z, Zhou Q, Zhang Z, Chen Y, Ou Y, Chen X, Dai X, Xu C, Liu N, Jiang H. Transcriptomic Analysis Identified ARHGAP Family as a Novel Biomarker Associated With Tumor-Promoting Immune Infiltration and Nanomechanical Characteristics in Bladder Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:657219. [PMID: 34307347 PMCID: PMC8294098 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.657219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BCa) is a common lethal urinary malignancy worldwide. The role of ARHGAP family genes in BCa and its association with immuno-microenvironment remain largely unknown. ARHGAP family expression and immune infiltration in BCa were analyzed by bioinformatics analysis. Then, we investigated cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in vivo and in vitro of the ARHGAP family. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed in measuring cellular mechanical properties of BCa cells. The results demonstrated that ARHGAP family genes correlate with a tumor-promoting microenvironment with a lower Th1/Th2 cell ratio, higher DC cell infiltration, higher Treg cell infiltration, and T-cell exhaustion phenotype. Silencing ARHGAP5, ARHGAP17, and ARHGAP24 suppressed BCa cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis. Knocking down of ARHGAPs in T24 cells caused a relatively higher Young’s modulus and lower adhesive force and cell height. Taken together, ARHGAP family genes promote BCa progressing through establishing a tumor-promoting microenvironment and promoting cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siqi Wu
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zezhong Mou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Quan Zhou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheyu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiling Chen
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxi Ou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinan Chen
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiyu Dai
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenyang Xu
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Liu
- School of Mechatronics Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haowen Jiang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Fudan Institute of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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19
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Liu K, Huang A, Nie J, Tan J, Xing S, Qu Y, Jiang K. IL-35 Regulates the Function of Immune Cells in Tumor Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2021; 12:683332. [PMID: 34093586 PMCID: PMC8176033 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.683332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) and IL-12p35 that has recently been shown to play diverse and important roles in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Owing to its immunosuppressive activity and ability to promote tumor growth and progression, IL-35 is widely recognized as a key mediator of TME status. Immune cells are key mediators of diverse tumor-related phenotypes, and immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-35 can promote tumor growth and metastasis in TME. These influences should be considered together. Since tumor immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint blockade remains ineffective in many patients due to tumoral resistance, a new target or efficacy enhancing factor is urgently needed. Suppressing IL-35 production and activity has been demonstrated as an effective factor that inhibits tumor cells viability, and further investigation of this cytokine is warranted. However, the mechanistic basis for IL-35-mediated regulation of immune cells in the TME remains to be fully clarified. In the present review, we explore the roles of IL-35 in regulating immune cells within the TME. In addition, we highlight IL-35 as a specific immunological target and discuss its possible relevance in the context of immunotherapy. Lastly, we sought to summarize potential future research directions that may guide the advancement of current understanding regarding the role of this important cytokine as a regulator of oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ke Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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20
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Li X, Liu X, Wang W. IL-35: A Novel Immunomodulator in Hepatitis B Virus-Related Liver Diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:614847. [PMID: 33777929 PMCID: PMC7990793 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.614847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a risk factor for liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, little is known about the mechanisms involved in the progression of HBV-related diseases. It has been well acknowledged that host immune response was closely related to the clinical outcomes of patients with HBV infection. As the factors closely related to the immunomodulatory process, cytokines are crucial in the cell-cell communication and the host responses to HBV infection. Recently, a newly discovered cytokine, designated as interleukin-35 (IL-35), has been proved to be essential for the progression of chronic HBV infection, the development of cirrhosis, the transformation of cirrhosis to HCC, and the metastasis of HCC. Specifically, it showed various biological activities such as inhibiting the HBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) proliferation and cytotoxicity, deactivating the immature effector T-cells (Teffs), as well as delaying the proliferation of dendritic cells. It regulated the immune responses by acting as a “brake” on the activation of Teffs, which subsequently played important roles in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases and malignancies. In this review, we focused on the most recent data on the relationship between IL-35 and chronic HBV infection, LC and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefen Li
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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21
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Zhang Y, Guan XY, Jiang P. Cytokine and Chemokine Signals of T-Cell Exclusion in Tumors. Front Immunol 2020; 11:594609. [PMID: 33381115 PMCID: PMC7768018 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.594609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of cancer immunotherapy in solid tumors depends on a sufficient distribution of effector T cells into malignant lesions. However, immune-cold tumors utilize many T-cell exclusion mechanisms to resist immunotherapy. T cells have to go through three steps to fight against tumors: trafficking to the tumor core, surviving and expanding, and maintaining the memory phenotype for long-lasting responses. Cytokines and chemokines play critical roles in modulating the recruitment of T cells and the overall cellular compositions of the tumor microenvironment. Manipulating the cytokine or chemokine environment has brought success in preclinical models and early-stage clinical trials. However, depending on the immune context, the same cytokine or chemokine signals may exhibit either antitumor or protumor activities and induce unwanted side effects. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the cytokine and chemokine signals is the premise of overcoming T-cell exclusion for effective and innovative anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Cancer Data Science Lab, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Xin-yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Peng Jiang
- Cancer Data Science Lab, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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22
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Hossain MA, Liu G, Dai B, Si Y, Yang Q, Wazir J, Birnbaumer L, Yang Y. Reinvigorating exhausted CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment and current strategies in cancer immunotherapy. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:156-201. [PMID: 32844499 DOI: 10.1002/med.21727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of cancer in recent years and achieved overall success and long-term clinical benefit in patients with a wide variety of cancer types. However, there is still a large proportion of patients exhibiting limited or no responses to immunotherapeutic strategy, some of which were even observed with hyperprogressive disease. One major obstacle restricting the efficacy is that tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells, which are central for tumor control, undergo exhaustion, and lose their ability to eliminate cancer cells after infiltrating into the strongly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Thus, as a potential therapeutic rationale in the development of cancer immunotherapy, targeting or reinvigorating exhausted CD8+ T cells has been attracting much interest. Hitherto, both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that govern CD8+ T-cell exhaustion have been explored. Specifically, the transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes have been depicted utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing or mass cytometry (CyTOF). In addition, cellular metabolism dictating the tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T-cell fate is currently under investigation. A series of clinical trials are being carried out to further establish the current strategies targeting CD8+ T-cell exhaustion. Taken together, despite the proven benefit of immunotherapy in cancer patients, additional efforts are still needed to fully circumvent limitations of exhausted T cells in the treatment. In this review, we will focus on the current cellular and molecular understanding of metabolic changes, epigenetic remodeling, and transcriptional regulation in CD8+ T-cell exhaustion and describe hypothetical treatment approaches based on immunotherapy aiming at reinvigorating exhausted CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Amir Hossain
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guilai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Beiying Dai
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaxuan Si
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qitao Yang
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junaid Wazir
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lutz Birnbaumer
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Institute of Biomedical Research (BIOMED), Catholic University of Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yong Yang
- Center for New Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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23
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Yu R, Jin L, Li F, Fujimoto M, Wei Q, Lin Z, Ren X, Jin Q, Li H, Meng F, Jin G. Dihydroartemisinin inhibits melanoma by regulating CTL/Treg anti-tumor immunity and STAT3-mediated apoptosis via IL-10 dependent manner. J Dermatol Sci 2020; 99:193-202. [PMID: 32859456 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been shown that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is effective in the treatment of malaria. Recently studies have demonstrated that DHA also regulates tumor cell growth, angiogenesis, T cell differentiation and generation. However, how DHA affects melanoma development remains poorly defined. OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of DHA on the proliferation and migration of melanoma in vivo and in vitro, and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS B16F10 cells and melanoma-bearing BALB/c mice were used to investigate the effects of DHA on melanoma. RESULTS DHA had inhibitory effect on melanoma proliferation in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Treatment of DHA attenuated melanoma severity and histopathological changes in BALB/c mice. DHA also inhibited melanoma invasion, migration, and community formation in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry revealed a significant increase in IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells in the DHA groups. In tumor microenvironment and spleen, DHA induced expansion of CD8+CTL, while, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and IL-10+CD4+CD25+ T cells were normalized by DHA treatment. DHA diminished expression of IL-10 and IL-6, and increased the expression of IFN-γ in the tumor and spleen. Moreover, DHA administration significantly promoted the mitochondrial apoptosis of melanoma by regulating the STAT3 pathway. CONCLUSION DHA induces mitochondrial apoptosis and alters cytokines expression by inhibiting the phosphorylation of STAT3. DHA improves anti-tumor immunity in mice through controlling CD8+CTL function by counteracting IL-10-dependent Treg cells suppression, which promises to be an alternative drug for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Yu
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Linbo Jin
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Manabu Fujimoto
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Laboratory of Cutaneous Immunology, Osaka UniversityImmunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Qiang Wei
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Zhenhua Lin
- Department of Pathology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Xiangshan Ren
- Department of Pathology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Quanxin Jin
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Honghua Li
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Fanping Meng
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China
| | - Guihua Jin
- Department of Immunology and Pathogenic Biology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji, China.
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Huang N, Chi H, Qiao J. Role of Regulatory T Cells in Regulating Fetal-Maternal Immune Tolerance in Healthy Pregnancies and Reproductive Diseases. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1023. [PMID: 32676072 PMCID: PMC7333773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a specialized subset of T lymphocytes that function as suppressive immune cells and inhibit various elements of immune response in vitro and in vivo. While there are constraints on the number or function of Tregs which can be exploited to evoke an effective anti-tumor response, sufficient expansion of Tregs is essential for successful organ transplantation and for promoting tolerance of self and foreign antigens. The immune-suppressive property of Tregs equips this T lymphocyte subpopulation with a pivotal role in the establishment and maintenance of maternal tolerance to fetal alloantigens, which is necessary for successful pregnancy. Elevation in the level of pregnancy-related hormones including estrogen, progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin promotes the recruitment and expansion of Tregs, directly implicating these cells in the regulation of fetal-maternal immune tolerance. Current studies have provided evidence that a defect in the number or function of Tregs contributes to the etiology of several reproductive diseases, such as recurrent spontaneous abortion, endometriosis, and pre-eclampsia. In this review, we provide insight into the underlying mechanism through which Tregs contribute to pregnancy-related immune tolerance and demonstrate the association between deficiencies in Tregs and the development of reproductive diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongbin Chi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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Hu R, Han Q, Zhang J. STAT3: A key signaling molecule for converting cold to hot tumors. Cancer Lett 2020; 489:29-40. [PMID: 32522692 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Tumors can be classified as cold or hot according to the degree of immune cell infiltration into tumor tissues; cold tumors are insensitive to either chemotherapy or immunotherapy and are associated with poor prognosis. Recent studies have shown that STAT3 signaling molecules hinder the conversion of cold to hot tumors by regulating immunosuppressive molecule secretion and immunosuppressive cell functions. This review aims to present the most recent studies on how STAT3 regulates cold tumor formation and discuss its research status in cancer therapy. We also present insight for designing new therapeutic strategies to "heat" tumors and provide a reference for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hu
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Qiuju Han
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
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