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Rayson VC, Harris MA, Savas P, Hun ML, Virassamy B, Salgado R, Loi S. The anti-cancer immune response in breast cancer: current and emerging biomarkers and treatments. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:490-506. [PMID: 38521654 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2024.02.008] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) exhibit heightened T cell infiltration, contributing to an enhanced response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) compared with other subtypes. An immune-rich immune microenvironment correlates with improved prognosis in early and advanced TNBC. Combination chemotherapy and ICB is now the standard of care in early- and late-stage TNBC. Although programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) positivity predicts ICB response in advanced stages, its role in early-stage disease remains uncertain. Despite neoadjuvant ICB becoming common in early-stage TNBC, the necessity of adjuvant ICB after surgery remains unclear. Understanding the molecular basis of the immune response in breast cancer is vital for precise biomarkers for ICB and effective combination therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria C Rayson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael A Harris
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Savas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael L Hun
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Balaji Virassamy
- Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Roberto Salgado
- Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Pathology, GZA-ZNA Hospitals, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sherene Loi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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2
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Pusztai L, Denkert C, O'Shaughnessy J, Cortes J, Dent R, McArthur H, Kümmel S, Bergh J, Park YH, Hui R, Harbeck N, Takahashi M, Untch M, Fasching PA, Cardoso F, Zhu Y, Pan W, Tryfonidis K, Schmid P. Event-free survival by residual cancer burden with pembrolizumab in early-stage TNBC: exploratory analysis from KEYNOTE-522. Ann Oncol 2024; 35:429-436. [PMID: 38369015 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND KEYNOTE-522 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pathological complete response (pCR) with neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy and event-free survival (EFS) with neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab in patients with high-risk, early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Prior studies have shown the prognostic value of the residual cancer burden (RCB) index to quantify the extent of residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In this preplanned exploratory analysis, we assessed RCB distribution and EFS within RCB categories by treatment group. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 1174 patients with stage T1c/N1-2 or T2-4/N0-2 TNBC were randomized 2 : 1 to pembrolizumab 200 mg or placebo every 3 weeks given with four cycles of paclitaxel + carboplatin, followed by four cycles of doxorubicin or epirubicin + cyclophosphamide. After surgery, patients received pembrolizumab or placebo for nine cycles or until recurrence or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoints are pCR and EFS. RCB is a prespecified exploratory endpoint. The association between EFS and RCB was assessed using a Cox regression model. RESULTS Pembrolizumab shifted patients into lower RCB categories across the entire spectrum compared with placebo. There were more patients in the pembrolizumab group with RCB-0 (pCR), and fewer patients in the pembrolizumab group with RCB-1, RCB-2, and RCB-3. The corresponding hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for EFS were 0.70 (0.38-1.31), 0.92 (0.39-2.20), 0.52 (0.32-0.82), and 1.24 (0.69-2.23). The most common first EFS events were distant recurrences, with fewer in the pembrolizumab group across all RCB categories. Among patients with RCB-0/1, more than half [21/38 (55.3%)] of all events were central nervous system recurrences, with 13/22 (59.1%) in the pembrolizumab group and 8/16 (50.0%) in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS Addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy resulted in fewer EFS events in the RCB-0, RCB-1, and RCB-2 categories, with the greatest benefit in RCB-2. These findings demonstrate that pembrolizumab not only increased pCR rates, but also improved EFS among most patients who do not have a pCR.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Female
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/adverse effects
- Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/pathology
- Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/mortality
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Neoplasm, Residual/pathology
- Middle Aged
- Paclitaxel/administration & dosage
- Paclitaxel/therapeutic use
- Paclitaxel/adverse effects
- Carboplatin/administration & dosage
- Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods
- Neoplasm Staging
- Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage
- Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use
- Cyclophosphamide/adverse effects
- Aged
- Adult
- Doxorubicin/therapeutic use
- Doxorubicin/administration & dosage
- Epirubicin/administration & dosage
- Epirubicin/therapeutic use
- Progression-Free Survival
- Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/methods
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/adverse effects
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/administration & dosage
- Double-Blind Method
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Affiliation(s)
- L Pusztai
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, USA.
| | - C Denkert
- Institute of Pathology, Philipps-University Marburg and University Hospital Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - J O'Shaughnessy
- Baylor University Medical Center, Texas Oncology, US Oncology Network, Dallas, USA
| | - J Cortes
- International Breast Cancer Center, Quironsalud Group, Barcelona; Universidad Europea de Madrid, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - R Dent
- National Cancer Center Singapore, Duke - National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - H McArthur
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
| | - S Kümmel
- Breast Unit, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Gynecology with Breast Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Bergh
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet and Breast Cancer Centre, Cancer Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center, Solna, Sweden
| | - Y H Park
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - R Hui
- Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Westmead Hospital and the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - N Harbeck
- Breast Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - M Takahashi
- Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - M Untch
- Breast Cancer Center, Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Berlin
| | - P A Fasching
- University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - F Cardoso
- Breast Unit, Champalimaud Clinical Center/Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Y Zhu
- Oncology, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, USA
| | - W Pan
- Oncology, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, USA
| | | | - P Schmid
- Centre for Experimental Cancer Medicine, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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3
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Serini S, Calviello G. Potential of Natural Phenolic Compounds against Doxorubicin-Induced Chemobrain: Biological and Molecular Mechanisms Involved. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:486. [PMID: 38671933 PMCID: PMC11047710 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13040486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment or "chemobrain" is a prevalent long-term complication of chemotherapy and one of the more devastating. Most of the studies performed so far to identify the cognitive dysfunctions induced by antineoplastic chemotherapies have been focused on treatment with anthracyclines, frequently administered to breast cancer patients, a population that, after treatment, shows a high possibility of long survival and, consequently, of chemobrain development. In the last few years, different possible strategies have been explored to prevent or reduce chemobrain induced by the anthracycline doxorubicin (DOX), known to promote oxidative stress and inflammation, which have been strongly implicated in the development of this brain dysfunction. Here, we have critically analyzed the results of the preclinical studies from the last few years that have evaluated the potential of phenolic compounds (PheCs), a large class of natural products able to exert powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in inhibiting DOX-induced chemobrain. Several PheCs belonging to different classes have been shown to be able to revert DOX-induced brain morphological damages and deficits associated with learning, memory, and exploratory behavior. We have analyzed the biological and molecular mechanisms implicated and suggested possible future perspectives in this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Serini
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo F. Vito, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Calviello
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo F. Vito, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Gilad Y, Shimon O, Han SJ, Lonard DM, O’Malley BW. Steroid receptor coactivators in Treg and Th17 cell biology and function. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1389041. [PMID: 38698860 PMCID: PMC11063348 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1389041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs) are master regulators of transcription that play key roles in human physiology and pathology. SRCs are particularly important for the regulation of the immune system with major roles in lymphocyte fate determination and function, macrophage activity, regulation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity and other immune system biology. The three members of the p160 SRC family comprise a network of immune-regulatory proteins that can function independently or act in synergy with each other, and compensate for - or moderate - the activity of other SRCs. Recent evidence indicates that the SRCs are key participants in governing numerous aspects of CD4+ T cell biology. Here we review findings that establish the SRCs as essential regulators of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells, with a focus on their crucial roles in Treg immunity in cancer and Treg-Th17 cell phenotypic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosi Gilad
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- CoRegen, Inc., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ortal Shimon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- CoRegen, Inc., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sang Jun Han
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- CoRegen, Inc., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Nuclear Receptor, Transcription and Chromatin Biology Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - David M. Lonard
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- CoRegen, Inc., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Nuclear Receptor, Transcription and Chromatin Biology Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Bert W. O’Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- CoRegen, Inc., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Nuclear Receptor, Transcription and Chromatin Biology Program, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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5
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Huang X, Ren Q, Yang L, Cui D, Ma C, Zheng Y, Wu J. Immunogenic chemotherapy: great potential for improving response rates. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1308681. [PMID: 38125944 PMCID: PMC10732354 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1308681] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of anti-tumor immunity is critical in treating cancers. Recent studies indicate that several chemotherapy agents can stimulate anti-tumor immunity by inducing immunogenic cell death and durably eradicate tumors. This suggests that immunogenic chemotherapy holds great potential for improving response rates. However, chemotherapy in practice has only had limited success in inducing long-term survival or cure of cancers when used either alone or in combination with immunotherapy. We think that this is because the importance of dose, schedule, and tumor model dependence of chemotherapy-activated anti-tumor immunity is under-appreciated. Here, we review immune modulation function of representative chemotherapy agents and propose a model of immunogenic chemotherapy-induced long-lasting responses that rely on synergetic interaction between killing tumor cells and inducing anti-tumor immunity. We comb through several chemotherapy treatment schedules, and identify the needs for chemotherapy dose and schedule optimization and combination therapy with immunotherapy when chemotherapy dosage or immune responsiveness is too low. We further review tumor cell intrinsic factors that affect the optimal chemotherapy dose and schedule. Lastly, we review the biomarkers indicating responsiveness to chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy treatments. A deep understanding of how chemotherapy activates anti-tumor immunity and how to monitor its responsiveness can lead to the development of more effective chemotherapy or chemo-immunotherapy, thereby improving the efficacy of cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Huang
- Cancer Center, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinghuan Ren
- Alberta Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Leixiang Yang
- Cancer Center, The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Di Cui
- Cancer Center, The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenyang Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second People’s Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yueliang Zheng
- Cancer Center, Emergency and Critical Care Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junjie Wu
- Cancer Center, The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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6
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Mohammed EE, Türkel N, Yigit UM, Dalan AB, Sahin F. Boron Derivatives Inhibit the Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cells and Affect Tumor-Specific T Cell Activity In Vitro by Distinct Mechanisms. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:5692-5707. [PMID: 36940038 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03632-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Despite the initial clinical response obtained with the widely used conventional chemotherapy, an improved prognosis for breast cancer patients has been missing in the clinic because of the high toxicity to normal cells, induction of drug resistance, and the potential immunosuppressive effects of these agents. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential anti-carcinogenic effect of some boron derivatives (sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (SPP) and sodium perborate tetrahydrate (SPT)), which showed a promising effect on some types of cancers in the literature, on breast cancer cell lines, as well as immuno-oncological side effects on tumor-specific T cell activity. These findings suggest that both SPP and SPT suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines through downregulation of the monopolar spindle-one-binder (MOB1) protein. On the other hand, these molecules increased the expression of PD-L1 protein through their effect on the phosphorylation level of Yes-associated protein (Phospho-YAP (Ser127). In addition, they reduced the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and cytolytic effector cytokines such as sFasL, perforin, granzyme A, Granzyme B, and granulysin and increased the expression of PD-1 surface protein in activated T cells. In conclusion, SPP, SPT, and their combination could have growth inhibitory (antiproliferative) effects and could be a potential treatment for breast cancer. However, their stimulatory effects on the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway and their effects on cytokines could ultimately account for the observed repression of the charging of specifically activated effector T cells against breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslam Essam Mohammed
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Nezaket Türkel
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | | | - Altay Burak Dalan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Fikrettin Sahin
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, 34755, Turkey.
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7
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Spangenberg SH, Palermo A, Gazaniga NR, Martínez-Peña F, Guijas C, Chin EN, Rinschen MM, Sander PN, Webb B, Pereira LE, Jia Y, Meitz L, Siuzdak G, Lairson LL. Hydroxyproline metabolism enhances IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression and inhibits autophagic flux. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:1115-1134.e10. [PMID: 37467751 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The immune checkpoint protein PD-L1 plays critical roles in both immune system homeostasis and tumor progression. Impaired PD-1/PD-L1 function promotes autoimmunity and PD-L1 expression within tumors promotes immune evasion. If and how changes in metabolism or defined metabolites regulate PD-L1 expression is not fully understood. Here, using a metabolomics activity screening-based approach, we have determined that hydroxyproline (Hyp) significantly and directly enhances adaptive (i.e., IFN-γ-induced) PD-L1 expression in multiple relevant myeloid and cancer cell types. Mechanistic studies reveal that Hyp acts as an inhibitor of autophagic flux, which allows it to regulate this negative feedback mechanism, thereby contributing to its overall effect on PD-L1 expression. Due to its prevalence in fibrotic tumors, these findings suggest that hydroxyproline could contribute to the establishment of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and that Hyp metabolism could be targeted to pharmacologically control PD-L1 expression for the treatment of cancer or autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amelia Palermo
- Scripps Center for Metabolomics, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Nathalia R Gazaniga
- Department of Chemistry, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | - Carlos Guijas
- Scripps Center for Metabolomics, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Emily N Chin
- Department of Chemistry, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Markus M Rinschen
- Scripps Center for Metabolomics, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Philipp N Sander
- Department of Chemistry, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Bill Webb
- Scripps Center for Metabolomics, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Laura E Pereira
- Department of Chemistry, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ying Jia
- Department of Chemistry, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Lance Meitz
- Department of Chemistry, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Gary Siuzdak
- Scripps Center for Metabolomics, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Luke L Lairson
- Department of Chemistry, the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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8
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Knauer N, Meschaninova M, Muhammad S, Hänggi D, Majoral JP, Kahlert UD, Kozlov V, Apartsin EK. Effects of Dendrimer-microRNA Nanoformulations against Glioblastoma Stem Cells. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030968. [PMID: 36986829 PMCID: PMC10056969 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a rapidly progressing tumor quite resistant to conventional treatment. These features are currently assigned to a self-sustaining population of glioblastoma stem cells. Anti-tumor stem cell therapy calls for a new means of treatment. In particular, microRNA-based treatment is a solution, which in turn requires specific carriers for intracellular delivery of functional oligonucleotides. Herein, we report a preclinical in vitro validation of antitumor activity of nanoformulations containing antitumor microRNA miR-34a and microRNA-21 synthetic inhibitor and polycationic phosphorus and carbosilane dendrimers. The testing was carried out in a panel of glioblastoma and glioma cell lines, glioblastoma stem-like cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. We have shown dendrimer-microRNA nanoformulations to induce cell death in a controllable manner, with cytotoxic effects being more pronounced in tumor cells than in non-tumor stem cells. Furthermore, nanoformulations affected the expression of proteins responsible for interactions between the tumor and its immune microenvironment: surface markers (PD-L1, TIM3, CD47) and IL-10. Our findings evidence the potential of dendrimer-based therapeutic constructions for the anti-tumor stem cell therapy worth further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda Knauer
- Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Medical Center Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mariya Meschaninova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Sajjad Muhammad
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Medical Center Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniel Hänggi
- Clinic for Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Medical Center Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre Majoral
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination, CNRS, 205 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 04, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Ulf Dietrich Kahlert
- Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Clinic for General-, Visceral-, Vascular-, and Transplant-Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Vladimir Kozlov
- Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Evgeny K. Apartsin
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, 33600 Pessac, France
- Correspondence:
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9
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Doxorubicin-An Agent with Multiple Mechanisms of Anticancer Activity. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040659. [PMID: 36831326 PMCID: PMC9954613 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) constitutes the major constituent of anti-cancer treatment regimens currently in clinical use. However, the precise mechanisms of DOX's action are not fully understood. Emerging evidence points to the pleiotropic anticancer activity of DOX, including its contribution to DNA damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis, senescence, autophagy, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis induction, as well as its immunomodulatory role. This review aims to collect information on the anticancer mechanisms of DOX as well as its influence on anti-tumor immune response, providing a rationale behind the importance of DOX in modern cancer therapy.
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10
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PD-1/PD-L1 and DNA Damage Response in Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040530. [PMID: 36831197 PMCID: PMC9954559 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of immunotherapy for cancer treatment is rapidly becoming more widespread. Immunotherapeutic agents are frequently combined with various types of treatments to obtain a more durable antitumor clinical response in patients who have developed resistance to monotherapy. Chemotherapeutic drugs that induce DNA damage and trigger DNA damage response (DDR) frequently induce an increase in the expression of the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) that can be employed by cancer cells to avoid immune surveillance. PD-L1 exposed on cancer cells can in turn be targeted to re-establish the immune-reactive tumor microenvironment, which ultimately increases the tumor's susceptibility to combined therapies. Here we review the recent advances in how the DDR regulates PD-L1 expression and point out the effect of etoposide, irinotecan, and platinum compounds on the anti-tumor immune response.
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11
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Qin Y, Walters AA, Al-Jamal KT. Plasmid DNA cationic non-viral vector complexes induce cytotoxicity-associated PD-L1 expression up-regulation in cancer cells in vitro. Int J Pharm 2023; 631:122481. [PMID: 36513254 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122481] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Non-viral vectors are promising nucleic acid carriers which have been utilized in gene-based cancer immunotherapy. The aim of this study is to compare the transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity of three cationic non-viral vectors namely Polyethylenimine (PEI), Lipofectamine 2000 (LPF) and stable nucleic acid lipid particles (SNALPs) of different lipid compositions, for the delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) expressing immunostimulatory molecules, OX40L or 4-1BBL, to cancer cells in vitro. The results indicate that PEI and LPF are efficient vectors for pDNA delivery with high transfection efficiency obtained. However, pDNA-PEI and pDNA-LPF complexes up-regulated the expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and induced significant cytotoxicity in both B16F10 and CT26 cell lines. The up-regulation of PD-L1 expression induced by pDNA-PEI and pDNA-LPF complexes was independent of cancer cell line, nor was it linked to the presence of GpC motifs in the pDNA. In contrast, the use of biocompatible SNALPs (MC3 and KC2 types) resulted in lower pDNA transfection efficiency, however no significant up-regulation of PD-L1 or cytotoxicity was observed. A strong correlation was found between up-regulation of PD-L1 expression and cytotoxicity. Up-regulation of PD-L1 expression could be mitigated with RNAi, maintaining expression at basal levels. Due to the improved biocompatibility and the absence of PD-L1 up-regulation, SNALPs represent a viable non-viral nucleic acid vector for delivery of pDNA encoding immunostimulatory molecules. The results of this study suggest that PD-L1 expression should be monitored when selecting commercial transfection reagents as pDNA vectors for cancer immunotherapy in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Adam A Walters
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Khuloud T Al-Jamal
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK.
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12
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Effects of Cationic Dendrimers and Their Complexes with microRNAs on Immunocompetent Cells. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010148. [PMID: 36678776 PMCID: PMC9862986 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Short regulatory oligonucleotides are considered prospective tools for immunotherapy. However, they require an adequate carrier to deliver potential therapeutics into immune cells. Herein, we explore the potential of polycationic dendrimers as carriers for microRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors. As an oligonucleotide cargo, we use a synthetic mimic and an inhibitor of miR-155, an important factor in the development and functioning of immunocompetent cells. Dendrimers bind microRNAs into low-cytotoxic polyelectrolyte complexes that are efficiently uptaken by immunocompetent cells. We have shown these complexes to affect the number of T-regulatory cells, CD14+ and CD19+ cell subpopulations in non-activated mononuclear cells. The treatment affected the expression of HLA-DR on T-cells and PD-1 expression on T- and B-lymphocytes. It also affected the production of IL-4 and IL-10, but not the perforin and granzyme B production. Our findings suggest the potential of dendrimer-mediated microRNA-155 treatment for immunotherapy, though the activity of microRNA-dendrimer constructions on distinct immune cell subsets can be further improved.
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13
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Wong GL, Manore SG, Doheny DL, Lo HW. STAT family of transcription factors in breast cancer: Pathogenesis and therapeutic opportunities and challenges. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:84-106. [PMID: 35995341 PMCID: PMC9714692 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) promote metastasis and therapeutic resistance contributing to tumor relapse. Through activating genes important for BCSCs, transcription factors contribute to breast cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance, including the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of transcription factors. The STAT family consists of six major isoforms, STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5, and STAT6. Canonical STAT signaling is activated by the binding of an extracellular ligand to a cell-surface receptor followed by STAT phosphorylation, leading to STAT nuclear translocation and transactivation of target genes. It is important to note that STAT transcription factors exhibit diverse effects in breast cancer; some are either pro- or anti-tumorigenic while others maintain dual, context-dependent roles. Among the STAT transcription factors, STAT3 is the most widely studied STAT protein in breast cancer for its critical roles in promoting BCSCs, breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion. Consequently, there have been substantial efforts in developing cancer therapeutics to target breast cancer with dysregulated STAT3 signaling. In this comprehensive review, we will summarize the diverse roles that each STAT family member plays in breast cancer pathobiology, as well as, the opportunities and challenges in pharmacologically targeting STAT proteins and their upstream activators in the context of breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace L Wong
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Sara G Manore
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Daniel L Doheny
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Hui-Wen Lo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Breast Cancer Center of Excellence, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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14
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Han SJ, Sung N, Wang J, O'Malley BW, Lonard DM. Steroid receptor coactivator-3 inhibition generates breast cancer antitumor immune microenvironment. Breast Cancer Res 2022; 24:73. [PMID: 36316775 PMCID: PMC9620627 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01568-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) generated by cancer-infiltrating immune cells has a crucial role in promoting or suppressing breast cancer progression. However, whether the steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3) modulates TIME to progress breast cancer is unclear. Therefore, the present study evaluates whether SRC-3 generates a tumor-promoting TIME in breast tumors using a syngeneic immune-intact mouse model of breast cancer. METHODS We employed E0771 and 4T1 breast cancer in immune-intact syngeneic female C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, respectively. SI-2, a specific small-molecule inhibitor of SRC-3, was administered daily (2.5 mg/kg) to E0771 and 4T1 breast tumor-bearing immune-intact mice. In addition, SRC-3 knockdown (KD)-E0771 and SRC-3 KD-4T1 cells and their parental breast cancer cells were injected into their syngeneic immune-intact female mice versus immune-deficiency mice to validate that the host immune system is required for breast tumor suppression by SRC-3 KD in immune-intact mice. Furthermore, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (such as CD4+, CD8+, CD56+, and Foxp3+ cells) in E0771 and 4T1 breast cancers treated with SI-2 and in SRC-3 KD E0771 and 4T1 breast cancers were determined by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, cytokine levels in SI-2-treated and SRC-3 KD E0771 breast tumors and their control cancers were defined with a Mouse Cytokine Array. RESULTS SRC-3 inhibition by SI-2 significantly suppressed the progression of breast cancer cells (E0771 and 4T1) into breast cancers in immune-intact syngeneic female mice. SRC-3 KD-E0771 and -4T1 breast cancer cells did not produce well-developed tumors in immune-intact syngeneic female mice compared to their parental cells, but SRC-3 KD breast cancers were well developed in immune-defective host mice. SRC-3 inhibition by SI-2 and SRC-3 KD effectively increased the numbers of cytotoxic immune cells, such as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD56+ NK cells, and Interferon γ (Ifng) in breast cancers compared to vehicle. However, SI-2 treatment reduced the number of tumor-infiltrating CD4+/Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells compared to vehicle treatment. In addition, SRC-3 inhibition by SI-2 and SRC-3 KD increased C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (Cxcl9) expression in breast cancer to recruit C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (Cxcr3)-expressing cytotoxic immune cells into breast tumors. CONCLUSIONS SRC-3 is a critical immunomodulator in breast cancer, generating a protumor immune microenvironment. SRC-3 inhibition by SI-2 or SRC-3 KD activates the Cxcl9/Cxcr3 axis in breast tumors and enhances the antitumor immune microenvironment to suppress breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Jun Han
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Duncan Cancer Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Nuri Sung
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Bert W O'Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Duncan Cancer Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David M Lonard
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Duncan Cancer Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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15
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Zhang S, You X, Xu T, Chen Q, Li H, Dou L, Sun Y, Xiong X, Meredith MA, Sun Y. PD-L1 induction via the MEK-JNK-AP1 axis by a neddylation inhibitor promotes cancer-associated immunosuppression. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:844. [PMID: 36192389 PMCID: PMC9529958 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05292-9] [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: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
MLN4924 is a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE), which is currently in several clinical trials for anti-cancer applications. However, MLN4924 also showed some off-target effects with potential to promote the growth of cancer cells which counteracts its anticancer activity. In this study, we found that MLN4924 increases the levels of PD-L1 mRNA and protein in dose- and time-dependent manners. Mechanistic study showed that this MLN4924 effect is largely independent of neddylation inactivation, but is due to activation of both ERK and JNK signals, leading to AP-1 activation, which is blocked by the small molecule inhibitors of MEK and JNK, respectively. Biologically, MLN4924 attenuates T cell killing in a co-culture model due to PD-L1 upregulation, which can be, at least in part, abrogated by either MEK inhibitor or anti-PD-L1 antibody. In an in vivo BALB/c mouse xenograft tumor model, while MLN4924 alone had no effect, combination with either MEK inhibitor or anti-PD-L1 antibody enhanced the suppression of tumor growth. Taken together, our study provides a sound rationale for effective anticancer therapy in combination of anti-PD-L1 antibody or MEK inhibitor with MLN4924 to overcome the side-effect of immunosuppression by MLN4924 via PD-L1 induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhen Zhang
- grid.412465.0Cancer Institute, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310029 Hangzhou, China ,grid.412465.0Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310029 Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiahong You
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XInstitute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310029 Hangzhou, China
| | - Tiantian Xu
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XInstitute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310029 Hangzhou, China
| | - Qian Chen
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XInstitute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310029 Hangzhou, China
| | - Hua Li
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Division of Radiation and Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, 4424B MS-1, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Longyu Dou
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XInstitute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310029 Hangzhou, China
| | - Yilun Sun
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Division of Radiation and Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, 4424B MS-1, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Xiufang Xiong
- grid.412465.0Cancer Institute, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310029 Hangzhou, China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XInstitute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310029 Hangzhou, China
| | - Morgan A. Meredith
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Division of Radiation and Cancer Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, 4424B MS-1, 1301 Catherine Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Yi Sun
- grid.412465.0Cancer Institute, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310029 Hangzhou, China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XInstitute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310029 Hangzhou, China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XZhejiang University Cancer Center, 310029 Hangzhou, China ,grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XResearch Center for Life Science and Human Health, Binjiang Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang China
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16
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Principe DR, Kamath SD, Korc M, Munshi HG. The immune modifying effects of chemotherapy and advances in chemo-immunotherapy. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 236:108111. [PMID: 35016920 PMCID: PMC9271143 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the treatment paradigm for several malignancies. While the use of single-agent or combined ICIs has achieved acceptable disease control rates in a variety of solid tumors, such approaches have yet to show substantial therapeutic efficacy in select difficult-to-treat cancer types. Recently, select chemotherapy regimens are emerging as extensive modifiers of the tumor microenvironment, leading to the reprogramming of local immune responses. Accordingly, data is now emerging to suggest that certain anti-neoplastic agents modulate various immune cell processes, most notably the cross-presentation of tumor antigens, leukocyte trafficking, and cytokine biosynthesis. As such, the combination of ICIs and cytotoxic chemotherapy are beginning to show promise in many cancers that have long been considered poorly responsive to ICI-based immunotherapy. Here, we discuss past and present attempts to advance chemo-immunotherapy in these difficult-to-treat cancer histologies, mechanisms through which select chemotherapies modify tumor immunogenicity, as well as important considerations when designing such approaches to maximize efficacy and improve therapeutic response rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Principe
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Suneel D Kamath
- Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Murray Korc
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Hidayatullah G Munshi
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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17
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Hum NR, Sebastian A, Martin KA, Rios-Arce ND, Gilmore SF, Gravano DM, Wheeler EK, Coleman MA, Loots GG. IL-17A Increases Doxorubicin Efficacy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:928474. [PMID: 35924165 PMCID: PMC9340269 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.928474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to lack of targetable receptors and intertumoral heterogeneity, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains particularly difficult to treat. Doxorubicin (DOX) is typically used as nonselective neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but the diversity of treatment efficacy remains unclear. Comparable to variability in clinical response, an experimental model of TNBC using a 4T1 syngeneic mouse model was found to elicit a differential response to a seven-day treatment regimen of DOX. Single-cell RNA sequencing identified an increase in T cells in tumors that responded to DOX treatment compared to tumors that continued to grow uninhibited. Additionally, compared to resistant tumors, DOX sensitive tumors contained significantly more CD4 T helper cells (339%), γδ T cells (727%), Naïve T cells (278%), and activated CD8 T cells (130%). Furthermore, transcriptional profiles of tumor infiltrated T cells in DOX responsive tumors revealed decreased exhaustion, increased chemokine/cytokine expression, and increased activation and cytotoxic activity. γδ T cell derived IL-17A was identified to be highly abundant in the sensitive tumor microenvironment. IL-17A was also found to directly increase sensitivity of TNBC cells in combination with DOX treatment. In TNBC tumors sensitive to DOX, increased IL-17A levels lead to a direct effect on cancer cell responsiveness and chronic stimulation of tumor infiltrated T cells leading to improved chemotherapeutic efficacy. IL-17A’s role as a chemosensitive cytokine in TNBC may offer new opportunities for treating chemoresistant breast tumors and other cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R. Hum
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Stem Cell Instrumentation Foundry, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| | - Aimy Sebastian
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Kelly A. Martin
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Naiomy D. Rios-Arce
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Sean F. Gilmore
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - David M. Gravano
- Stem Cell Instrumentation Foundry, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, United States
| | - Elizabeth K. Wheeler
- Engineering Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Matthew A. Coleman
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Gabriela G. Loots
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
- Stem Cell Instrumentation Foundry, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Gabriela G. Loots,
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18
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In Vitro Validation of the Therapeutic Potential of Dendrimer-Based Nanoformulations against Tumor Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105691. [PMID: 35628503 PMCID: PMC9143703 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells with stem cell properties are considered to play major roles in promoting the development and malignant behavior of aggressive cancers. Therapeutic strategies that efficiently eradicate such tumor stem cells are of highest clinical need. Herein, we performed the validation of the polycationic phosphorus dendrimer-based approach for small interfering RNAs delivery in in vitro stem-like cells as models. As a therapeutic target, we chose Lyn, a member of the Src family kinases as an example of a prominent enzyme class widely discussed as a potent anti-cancer intervention point. Our selection is guided by our discovery that Lyn mRNA expression level in glioma, a class of brain tumors, possesses significant negative clinical predictive value, promoting its potential as a therapeutic target for future molecular-targeted treatments. We then showed that anti-Lyn siRNA, delivered into Lyn-expressing glioma cell model reduces the cell viability, a fact that was not observed in a cell model that lacks Lyn-expression. Furthermore, we have found that the dendrimer itself influences various parameters of the cells such as the expression of surface markers PD-L1, TIM-3 and CD47, targets for immune recognition and other biological processes suggested to be regulating glioblastoma cell invasion. Our findings prove the potential of dendrimer-based platforms for therapeutic applications, which might help to eradicate the population of cancer cells with augmented chemotherapy resistance. Moreover, the results further promote our functional stem cell technology as suitable component in early stage drug development.
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19
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Lipid Nanoparticles as Platforms for Theranostic Purposes: Recent Advances in the Field. JOURNAL OF NANOTHERANOSTICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jnt3020006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the first approved nanomedicines and the most well-studied class of nanocarriers for drug delivery. Currently, they are in the frontline of the pandemic fight as vaccine formulations and therapeutic products. However, even though they are so well-studied, new materials and new modifications arise every day that can improve their properties. Their dynamic nature, especially the liquid crystal state of membranes, is under constant investigation and it is that which many times leads to their complex biological behavior. In addition, newly discovered biomaterials and nanoparticles that possess promising effects and functionalities, but also toxicity and/or poor pharmacokinetics, can be combined with LNPs to ameliorate their properties. As a result, many promising theranostic applications have emerged during the past decade, proving the huge potential of LNPs in the field. In the present review, we summarize some of the most prominent classes of LNPs for nanotheranostic purposes, and present state-of-the-art research examples, with emphasis on the utilized biomaterials and the functionality that they confer to the resultant supramolecular nanosystems, in relation to diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Although there has been unprecedented progress in theranostics, the translational gap between the bench and the clinic is undeniable. This issue must be addressed by experts in a coordinated way, in order to fully exploit these nanomedicines for the benefit of the society.
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20
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Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated IL-1 Signaling in Response to Doxorubicin Activates PD-L1 Expression in Osteosarcoma Models. Cells 2022; 11:cells11061042. [PMID: 35326493 PMCID: PMC8946890 DOI: 10.3390/cells11061042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in tumors is associated with tumor cell escape from T-cell cytotoxicity, and is considered a crucial effector in chemoresistance and tumor relapse. Although PD-L1 induction has been observed in patients after chemotherapy treatment, the mechanism by which the drug activates PD-L1 expression remains elusive. Here, we identified the extracellular vesicles (EVs) as a molecular mediator that determines the effect of doxorubicin on PD-L1 expression in osteosarcoma models. Mechanistically, doxorubicin dependently stimulates the release of extracellular vesicles, which mediate autocrine/paracrine signals in osteosarcoma cells. The recipient cells were stimulated by these EVs and acquired the ability to promote the expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. In response to doxorubicin, IL-1β, but not IL-6, allowed- osteosarcoma cells to promote the expression of PD-L1, and the elimination of IL-1β/IL-1 receptor signaling with IL-1 receptor antagonist reduced PD-L1 expression. Together, these findings provided insights into the role of EV release in response to chemotherapy that mediates PD-L1 expression via the IL-1 signaling pathway, and suggested that the combination of a drug targeting IL-1 or PD-L1 with chemotherapy could be an effective treatment option for osteosarcoma patients.
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21
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Autophagy Agents in Clinical Trials for Cancer Therapy: A Brief Review. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:1695-1708. [PMID: 35323341 PMCID: PMC8946974 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29030141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy has been of novel interest since it was first demonstrated to have effect in Burkitt’s lymphoma. Since that time, the autophagy agents chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have become the only FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-approved autophagy inhibitors. While not approved for cancer therapy, there are ongoing clinical trials to evaluate their safety and efficacy. Pevonedistat has emerged as a novel inhibitor through the neddylation pathway and is an autophagy activator. This paper summarizes and presents current clinical trials for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), chloroquine (CQ), and Pevonedistat for the clinician.
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22
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Zhang J, Pan S, Jian C, Hao L, Dong J, Sun Q, Jin H, Han X. Immunostimulatory Properties of Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: From Immunogenic Modulation Mechanisms to Clinical Practice. Front Immunol 2022; 12:819405. [PMID: 35069604 PMCID: PMC8766762 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.819405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among females. Chemotherapy drugs remain the cornerstone of treatment of BC and undergo significant shifts over the past 100 years. The advent of immunotherapy presents promising opportunities and constitutes a significant complementary to existing therapeutic strategies for BC. Chemotherapy as a cytotoxic treatment that targets proliferation malignant cells has recently been shown as an effective immune-stimulus in multiple ways. Chemotherapeutic drugs can cause the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from dying tumor cells, which result in long-lasting antitumor immunity by the key process of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Furthermore, Off-target effects of chemotherapy on immune cell subsets mainly involve activation of immune effector cells including natural killer (NK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and cytotoxic T cells, and depletion of immunosuppressive cells including Treg cells, M2 macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Current mini-review summarized recent large clinical trials regarding the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in BC and addressed the molecular mechanisms of immunostimulatory properties of chemotherapy in BC. The purpose of our work was to explore the immune-stimulating effects of chemotherapy at the molecular level based on the evidence from clinical trials, which might be a rationale for combinations of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinguo Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Shuaikang Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chen Jian
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Li Hao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jie Dong
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qingqing Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Hongwei Jin
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xinghua Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Programmed death ligand 2 expression plays a limited role in adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction after preoperative chemotherapy. Eur Surg 2021; 53:287-293. [PMID: 34868284 PMCID: PMC8616873 DOI: 10.1007/s10353-021-00700-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background The effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy on the expression of programmed death ligand 2 (PD-L2) are unknown and little is known about how the tumor microenvironment changes following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (AEG). Recently, a number of studies reported that cytotoxic chemotherapy affects the expression levels of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand 1 (PD-L1). Regarding PD-L2, the second known ligand of PD‑1, no data on potential changes in expression patterns in patients with preoperatively treated AEG are available. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of cytotoxic chemotherapy on PD-L2 expression in patients with resectable AEG. Methods Consecutive patients with locally advanced AEG treated with preoperative cytotoxic chemotherapy were included. PD-L2 expression by cancer cells (CCs) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was investigated in samples of paired diagnostic biopsies and resected tumor specimens by immunohistochemistry using two different anti-PD-L2 antibodies. Results Included were 40 patients with AEG and available paired tumor tissue samples. PD-L2 expression was observed in one diagnostic biopsy sample by CCs and in one diagnostic biopsy sample by TILs. There was no difference concerning the expression levels measured by the two antibodies. Conclusion In contrast to previously published studies reporting PD-L2 expression rates of up to 50% in AEGs, in our cohort, PD-L2 expression seems to play no significant role in AEG.
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Leonard NA, Reidy E, Thompson K, McDermott E, Peerani E, Tomas Bort E, Balkwill FR, Loessner D, Ryan AE. Stromal Cells Promote Matrix Deposition, Remodelling and an Immunosuppressive Tumour Microenvironment in a 3D Model of Colon Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235998. [PMID: 34885111 PMCID: PMC8656544 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the world. Immune cells and normal supporting cells (MSCs) within a tumour affect patient survival and change how well treatments work. This research aimed to develop a more relevant 3D cancer model that combines MSCs and immune cells with cancer cells to test the effects of multiple cell types on tumour growth. We successfully developed a 3D model that shows that MSCs and immune cells can change the cancer-supporting environment around the tumour cells. We show that combining MSCs and immune cells with cancer cells can increase the level of immune-suppressing molecules they release and change immunotherapeutic drug targets on the cancer cells, similar to changes seen in human tumours. Using this 3D model for research may be better for testing new drugs than traditional 2D methods and could enable the identification of new drug targets. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. CRC develops in a complex tumour microenvironment (TME) with both mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and immune infiltrate, shown to alter disease progression and treatment response. We hypothesised that an accessible, affordable model of CRC that combines multiple cell types will improve research translation to the clinic and enable the identification of novel therapeutic targets. A viable gelatine-methacrloyl-based hydrogel culture system that incorporates CRC cells with MSCs and a monocyte cell line was developed. Gels were analysed on day 10 by PCR, cytokine array, microscopy and flow cytometry. The addition of stromal cells increased transcription of matrix remodelling proteins FN1 and MMP9, induced release of tumour-promoting immune molecules MIF, Serpin E1, CXCL1, IL-8 and CXCL12 and altered cancer cell expression of immunotherapeutic targets EGFR, CD47 and PD-L1. Treatment with PD153035, an EGFR inhibitor, revealed altered CRC expression of PD-L1 but only in gels lacking MSCs. We established a viable 3D model of CRC that combined cancer cells, MSCs and monocytic cells that can be used to research the role the stroma plays in the TME, identify novel therapeutic targets and improve the transitional efficacy of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh A. Leonard
- Lambe Institute for Translational Research, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 V4AY Galway, Ireland;
- Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
- Discipline of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
- Correspondence: (N.A.L.); (A.E.R.)
| | - Eileen Reidy
- Lambe Institute for Translational Research, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 V4AY Galway, Ireland;
- Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
- Discipline of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
| | - Kerry Thompson
- Centre for Microscopy and Imaging, Anatomy, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland; (K.T.); (E.M.)
| | - Emma McDermott
- Centre for Microscopy and Imaging, Anatomy, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland; (K.T.); (E.M.)
| | - Eleonora Peerani
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (E.P.); (E.T.B.); (F.R.B.); (D.L.)
| | - Elena Tomas Bort
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (E.P.); (E.T.B.); (F.R.B.); (D.L.)
| | - Frances R. Balkwill
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (E.P.); (E.T.B.); (F.R.B.); (D.L.)
| | - Daniela Loessner
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (E.P.); (E.T.B.); (F.R.B.); (D.L.)
- Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Aideen E. Ryan
- Lambe Institute for Translational Research, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 V4AY Galway, Ireland;
- Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
- Discipline of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
- Correspondence: (N.A.L.); (A.E.R.)
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He ZD, Zhang M, Wang YH, He Y, Wang HR, Chen BF, Tu B, Zhu SQ, Huang YZ. Anti-PD-L1 mediating tumor-targeted codelivery of liposomal irinotecan/JQ1 for chemo-immunotherapy. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1516-1523. [PMID: 33311600 PMCID: PMC8379160 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00570-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade therapy has become a first-line treatment in various cancers. But there are only a small percent of colorectal patients responding to PD-1/PD-L1 blockage immunotherapy. How to increase their treatment efficacy is an urgent and clinically unmet need. It is acknowledged that immunogenic cell death (ICD) induced by some specific chemotherapy can enhance antitumor immunity. Chemo-based combination therapy can yield improved outcomes by activating the immune system to eliminate the tumor, compared with monotherapy. Here, we develop a PD-L1-targeting immune liposome (P-Lipo) for co-delivering irinotecan (IRI) and JQ1, and this system can successfully elicit antitumor immunity in colorectal cancer through inducing ICD by IRI and interfering in the immunosuppressive PD-1/PD-L1 pathway by JQ1. P-Lipo increases intratumoral drug accumulation and promotes DC maturation, and thereby facilitates adaptive immune responses against tumor growth. The remodeling tumor immune microenvironment was reflected by the increased amount of CD8+ T cells and the release of IFN-γ, and the reduced CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Collectively, the P-Lipo codelivery system provides a chemo-immunotherapy strategy that can effectively remodel the tumor immune microenvironment and activate the host immune system and arrest tumor growth.
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Jomrich G, Kollmann D, Ramazanova D, Ristl R, Grose RP, Ilhan-Mutlu A, Preusser M, Fassnacht C, Tsai YC, Guenova E, Schoppmann SF. Expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1) in adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction change significantly after neoadjuvant treatment. Eur J Surg Oncol 2021; 48:383-390. [PMID: 34404561 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2021.08.016] [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: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy on the expression of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) in cancer cells and peritumoral cells are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction. METHODS PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in cancer cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in paired diagnostic biopsies and surgical specimens from patients with pretreated and curatively resected adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Paired tumor samples were available from 40 patients. PD-1 expression in cancer cells (p < 0.001; Exact Symmetry Test) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (p < 0.001; Exact Symmetry Test) increased significantly after neoadjuvant therapy. Furthermore, we observed a significant decrease in PD-L1 expression in cancer cells (p = 0.003) after neoadjuvant therapy was observed. CONCLUSION In this study we could show that tumor-cell expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 was significantly altered in patients with adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Based on these observations, patients might profit from the combined use of cytotoxic chemotherapy and the blockade of the PD-1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerd Jomrich
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Upper-GI-Service, GET-Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dagmar Kollmann
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Upper-GI-Service, GET-Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dariga Ramazanova
- Section for Medical Statistics (IMS), Center of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robin Ristl
- Section for Medical Statistics (IMS), Center of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard P Grose
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Aysegül Ilhan-Mutlu
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I and Comprehensive Cancer Center, GET-Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Preusser
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I and Comprehensive Cancer Center, GET-Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina Fassnacht
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich and Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Dermatology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Av de Beaumont 29, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yi-Chien Tsai
- Department of Dermatology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Av de Beaumont 29, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emmanuella Guenova
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich and Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Dermatology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Av de Beaumont 29, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Sebastian F Schoppmann
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Upper-GI-Service, GET-Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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Bhola NE, Njatcha C, Hu L, Lee ED, Shiah JV, Kim MO, Johnson DE, Grandis JR. PD-L1 is upregulated via BRD2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma models of acquired cetuximab resistance. Head Neck 2021; 43:3364-3373. [PMID: 34346116 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26827] [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: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor models resistant to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors or cisplatin express higher levels of the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1. We sought to determine whether PD-L1 expression is elevated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) models of acquired cetuximab resistance and whether the expression is regulated by bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins. METHODS Expression of PD-L1 was assessed in HNSCC cell line models of acquired cetuximab resistance. Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC)- and RNAi-mediated targeting were used to assess the role of BET proteins. RESULTS Cetuximab-resistant HNSCC cells expressed elevated PD-L1 compared to cetuximab-sensitive controls. Treatment with the BET inhibitor JQ1, the BET PROTAC MZ1, or RNAi-mediated knockdown of BRD2 decreased PD-L1 expression. Knockdown of BRD2 also reduced the elevated levels of PD-L1 seen in a model of acquired cisplatin resistance. CONCLUSIONS PD-L1 is significantly elevated in HNSCC models of acquired cetuximab and cisplatin resistance where BRD2 is the primary regulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil E Bhola
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Christian Njatcha
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lanlin Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Eliot D Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jamie V Shiah
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mi-Ok Kim
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Daniel E Johnson
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jennifer R Grandis
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Del Re M, Vivaldi C, Rofi E, Salani F, Crucitta S, Catanese S, Fontanelli L, Massa V, Cucchiara F, Fornaro L, Capuano A, Fogli S, Vasile E, Danesi R. Gemcitabine Plus Nab-Paclitaxel Induces PD-L1 mRNA Expression in Plasma-Derived Microvesicles in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3738. [PMID: 34359638 PMCID: PMC8345069 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a non-immunogenic tumor poorly responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors. This study investigates the effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX), and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GEMnPAC) regimens on PD-L1 mRNA expression in plasma-derived microvesicles (MVs) in 50 PDAC patients. Plasma was collected before starting chemotherapy and after 3 months of treatment. mRNA was extracted from MVs, and PD-L1 expression was measured by digital droplet PCR. Twenty-eight patients were PD-L1 positive in MVs at baseline, of which 18 were in the GEMnPAC cohort and 10 in the FOLFIRINOX one. The amount of PD-L1 expression in MVs increased from baseline to 3 months of treatment in patients receiving GEMnPAC (median value 0.002 vs. 0.005; p = 0.01) compared to those treated with FOLFIRINOX (median 0.003 vs. 0.004; p = 0.97). The increase in PD-L1 mRNA expression in MVs was not related to tumor response (PR + SD: p = 0.08; PD: p = 0.28). Our findings demonstrate that GEMnPAC can increase PD-L1 mRNA expression in patient-derived circulating MVs, providing a rationale for testing the efficacy of this regimen in sequential or simultaneous combinations with immunotherapy in PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Del Re
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.D.R.); (E.R.); (S.C.); (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Caterina Vivaldi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.V.); (F.S.); (S.C.); (V.M.)
| | - Eleonora Rofi
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.D.R.); (E.R.); (S.C.); (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Francesca Salani
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.V.); (F.S.); (S.C.); (V.M.)
| | - Stefania Crucitta
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.D.R.); (E.R.); (S.C.); (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Silvia Catanese
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.V.); (F.S.); (S.C.); (V.M.)
| | - Lorenzo Fontanelli
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.D.R.); (E.R.); (S.C.); (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Valentina Massa
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.V.); (F.S.); (S.C.); (V.M.)
| | - Federico Cucchiara
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.D.R.); (E.R.); (S.C.); (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Lorenzo Fornaro
- Medical Oncology Unit 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.F.); (E.V.)
| | - Annalisa Capuano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80100 Naples, Italy;
| | - Stefano Fogli
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.D.R.); (E.R.); (S.C.); (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Enrico Vasile
- Medical Oncology Unit 2, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.F.); (E.V.)
| | - Romano Danesi
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.D.R.); (E.R.); (S.C.); (L.F.); (F.C.); (S.F.)
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Kubo T, Shinkawa T, Kikuchi Y, Murata K, Kanaseki T, Tsukahara T, Hirohashi Y, Torigoe T. Fundamental and Essential Knowledge for Pathologists Engaged in the Research and Practice of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Based Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:679095. [PMID: 34290982 PMCID: PMC8289279 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.679095] [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: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive research over 100 years has demonstrated that tumors can be eliminated by the autologous immune system. Without doubt, immunotherapy is now a standard treatment along with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; however, the field of cancer immunotherapy is continuing to develop. The current challenges for the use of immunotherapy are to enhance its clinical efficacy, reduce side effects, and develop predictive biomarkers. Given that histopathological analysis provides molecular and morphological information on humans in vivo, its importance will continue to grow. This review article outlines the basic knowledge that is essential for the research and daily practice of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based cancer immunotherapy from the perspective of histopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terufumi Kubo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomoyo Shinkawa
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kikuchi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kenji Murata
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kanaseki
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomohide Tsukahara
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Hirohashi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Torigoe
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
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Adeniji AA, Dulal S, Martin MG. Personalized Medicine in Oncology in the Developing World: Barriers and Concepts to Improve Status Quo. World J Oncol 2021; 12:50-60. [PMID: 34046099 PMCID: PMC8139741 DOI: 10.14740/wjon1345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Personalized medicine (PM) has revolutionized oncology management in high human development indexed countries. By interrogating both disease and host factors through a variety of tools, oncologists have been able to better target an individual's cancer, leading to improved outcomes. But both the tools used to define these variables, such as next generation sequencing, large immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panels, and the weapons employed against each target are extremely expensive. The expenses have to be measured as not only the direct cost to the patient but also the cost to the system to develop and deploy the necessary infrastructure to optimally use them. However, the concepts of predictive, timely prevention and PM have demonstrated improvement in patient's satisfaction and cost effectiveness. In this paper we will summarize the relevant barriers and challenges that limit the implementation of PM in the developing world with an emphasis on the challenges in Nigeria and Nepal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeoluwa Akeem Adeniji
- Oncology and Radiotherapy Department, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Soniya Dulal
- National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Mike G. Martin
- West Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Memphis, TN, USA
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PD1 blockade potentiates the therapeutic efficacy of photothermally-activated and MRI-guided low temperature-sensitive magnetoliposomes. J Control Release 2021; 332:419-433. [PMID: 33677010 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of PD1 blockade on the therapeutic efficacy of novel doxorubicin-loaded temperature-sensitive liposomes. Herein, we report photothermally-activated, low temperature-sensitive magnetoliposomes (mLTSL) for efficient drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The mLTSL were prepared by embedding small nitrodopamine palmitate (NDPM)-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IO NPs) in the lipid bilayer of low temperature-sensitive liposomes (LTSL), using lipid film hydration and extrusion. Doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded mLTSL were characterized using dynamic light scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy, spectrofluorimetry, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Photothermal experiments using 808 nm laser irradiation were conducted. In vitro photothermal DOX release studies and cytotoxicity was assessed using flow cytometry and resazurin viability assay, respectively. In vivo DOX release and tumor accumulation of mLTSL(DOX) were assessed using fluorescence and MR imaging, respectively. Finally, the therapeutic efficacy of PD1 blockade in combination with photothermally-activated mLTSL(DOX) in CT26-tumor model was evaluated by monitoring tumor growth, cytokine release and immune cell infiltration in the tumor tissue. Interestingly, efficient photothermal heating was obtained by varying the IO NPs content and the laser power, where on-demand burst DOX release was achievable in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, our mLTSL exhibited promising MR imaging properties with high transverse r2 relaxivity (333 mM-1 s-1), resulting in superior MR imaging in vivo. Furthermore, mLTSL(DOX) therapeutic efficacy was potentiated in combination with anti-PD1 mAb, resulting in a significant reduction in CT26 tumor growth via immune cell activation. Our study highlights the potential of combining PD1 blockade with mLTSL(DOX), where the latter could facilitate chemo/photothermal therapy and MRI-guided drug delivery.
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New Insights into Endometrial Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071496. [PMID: 33804979 PMCID: PMC8037936 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Endometrial cancer (EC) represents 90% of uterine cancer and to date its standard clinical approach is still surgery and/or chemo- and radiotherapy. This mini-review illustrates the state of the art in the disease management. In particular, we aim to point out the following features: the hormonal nature of the pathology and the role of steroid receptors in EC promotion and progression; the importance of molecular and histopathological assessment for driving the clinic decision and the promising immunotherapeutic approaches with immune checkpoint blockade. Abstract EC is the most common cancer in the female genital tract in developed countries, and with its increasing incidence due to risk factors, such as aging and obesity, tends to become a public health issue. Although EC is a hormone-dependent neoplasm, there are no recommendations for the determination of steroid hormone receptors in the tumor tissue and no hormone therapy has ever been assessed in the adjuvant setting. Furthermore, its immune environment has been slightly characterized, but recent evidences point out how EC microenvironment may increase self-tolerance by reducing the recruitment of cytotoxic immune cells to the tumor site and/or modifying their phenotype, making these cells no longer able to suppress tumor growth. Here we highlight insights for EC management from diagnosis to a desirable trend of personalized treatment.
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Yu C, Zhou L, Zhang Q. Identification of unanimous immune subtypes for different hormone receptor phenotypes of human breast cancer with potential prognostic significance. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 94:107473. [PMID: 33611062 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The immunogenicity of the breast tumor microenvironment is clinically heterogeneous. The insight into the role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) might serve as a biomarker to predict a survival benefit and enable optimal patient selection for immunotherapy. In this study, we aimed at characterizing the breast cancer immune subtypes linked to CD8 T cells and associating with the patient characteristics and clinical outcomes. We analyzed the immune gene signatures of human breast cancer using The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database profiling of 1092 breast tumor patients. We performed hierarchical clustering to the immune gene expression by applying hormone receptor status including triple negative breast cancer to categorize 66 immune-related genes in breast tumors. The separation was characterized by dividing the breast tumors into two major immune subtypes: predominant immune (PI) subtype and low immune subtype (LI). Our results showed that both PI and LI subtypes can be observed in the different hormone receptor phenotypes of breast tumors, and PI subtype accounted for 16% and LI subtype 20% in the breast tumor patients. The estimated odds for LI subtype breast tumors were significantly higher than PI subtype breast tumors in primary tumor stages. Our data demonstrated that the PI subtype breast tumors have significantly improved survival compared with LI subtype. Our findings provide a novel perspective of breast cancer immune subtypes linked to CD8 T cells. The immune subtypes will be a valuable resource for future research to identify clinically relevant biomarkers for precision immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- ChenWei Yu
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - Linlin Zhou
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - Qiuyu Zhang
- Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
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Gilad Y, Gellerman G, Lonard DM, O’Malley BW. Drug Combination in Cancer Treatment-From Cocktails to Conjugated Combinations. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:669. [PMID: 33562300 PMCID: PMC7915944 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well recognized today that anticancer drugs often are most effective when used in combination. However, the establishment of chemotherapy as key modality in clinical oncology began with sporadic discoveries of chemicals that showed antiproliferative properties and which as a first attempt were used as single agents. In this review we describe the development of chemotherapy from its origins as a single drug treatment with cytotoxic agents to polydrug therapy that includes targeted drugs. We discuss the limitations of the first chemotherapeutic drugs as a motivation for the establishment of combined drug treatment as standard practice in spite of concerns about frequent severe, dose limiting toxicities. Next, we introduce the development of targeted treatment as a concept for advancement within the broader field of small-molecule drug combination therapy in cancer and its accelerating progress that was boosted by recent scientific and technological progresses. Finally, we describe an alternative strategy of drug combinations using drug-conjugates for selective delivery of cytotoxic drugs to tumor cells that potentiates future improvement of drug combinations in cancer treatment. Overall, in this review we outline the development of chemotherapy from a pharmacological perspective, from its early stages to modern concepts of using targeted therapies for combinational treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosi Gilad
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Gary Gellerman
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - David M. Lonard
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Bert W. O’Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
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Jachetti E, Sangaletti S, Chiodoni C, Ferrara R, Colombo MP. Modulation of PD-1/PD-L1 axis in myeloid-derived suppressor cells by anti-cancer treatments. Cell Immunol 2021; 362:104301. [PMID: 33588246 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2021.104301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Immuno checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis is the main breakthrough for the treatment of several cancers. Nevertheless, not all patients benefit from this treatment and clinical response not always correlates with PD-L1 expression by tumor cells. The tumor microenvironment, including myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), can influence therapeutic resistance to ICB. MDSCs also express PD-L1, which contributes to their suppressive activity. Moreover, anticancer therapies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone- and targeted- therapies can modulate MDSCs recruitment, activity and PD-L1 expression. Such effects can be induced also by innovative anticancer treatments targeting metabolism and lifestyle. The outcome on cancer progression can be either positive or negative, depending on tumor type, treatment schedule and possible combination with ICB. Further studies are needed to better understand the effects of cancer therapies on the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, to identify patients that could benefit from combinatorial regimens including ICB or that rather should avoid it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Jachetti
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabina Sangaletti
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Chiodoni
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Ferrara
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Thoracic Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario P Colombo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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Smith RCL, Kanellos G, Vlahov N, Alexandrou C, Willis AE, Knight JRP, Sansom OJ. Translation initiation in cancer at a glance. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs248476. [PMID: 33441326 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.248476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell division, differentiation and function are largely dependent on accurate proteome composition and regulated gene expression. To control this, protein synthesis is an intricate process governed by upstream signalling pathways. Eukaryotic translation is a multistep process and can be separated into four distinct phases: initiation, elongation, termination and recycling of ribosomal subunits. Translation initiation, the focus of this article, is highly regulated to control the activity and/or function of eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) and permit recruitment of mRNAs to the ribosomes. In this Cell Science at a Glance and accompanying poster, we outline the mechanisms by which tumour cells alter the process of translation initiation and discuss how this benefits tumour formation, proliferation and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael C L Smith
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Georgios Kanellos
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Nikola Vlahov
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | | | - Anne E Willis
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK
| | - John R P Knight
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
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Li W, Peng A, Wu H, Quan Y, Li Y, Lu L, Cui M. Anti-Cancer Nanomedicines: A Revolution of Tumor Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:601497. [PMID: 33408716 PMCID: PMC7779686 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.601497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies have been accelerating the development of anti-cancer clinical treatment, but its low objective responses and severe off-target immune-related adverse events (irAEs) limit the range of application. Strategies to remove these obstacles primarily focus on the combination of different therapies and the exploitation of new immunotherapeutic agents. Nanomedicine potentiates the effects of activating immune cells selectively and reversing tumor induced immune deficiency microenvironment through multiple mechanisms. In the last decade, a variety of nano-enabled tumor immunotherapies was under clinical investigation. As time goes by, the advantages of nanomedicine are increasingly prominent. With the continuous development of nanotechnology, nanomedicine will offer more distinctive perspectives in imaging diagnosis and treatment of tumors. In this Review, we wish to provide an overview of tumor immunotherapy and the mechanisms of nanomaterials that aim to enhance the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy under development or in clinic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of General Surgery, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Anghui Peng
- Zhuhai Interventional Medical Center, Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Huajun Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yingyao Quan
- Zhuhai Interventional Medical Center, Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Jinan University, Zhuhai, China.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yong Li
- Zhuhai Interventional Medical Center, Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Ligong Lu
- Zhuhai Interventional Medical Center, Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Min Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
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Hamilton G. Avelumab: search for combinations of immune checkpoint inhibition with chemotherapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 21:311-322. [PMID: 32954871 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1825679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has proved successful for selected tumors and a subpopulation of patients. The human monoclonal IgG1 antibody (mAB) avelumab capable of mediating antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) lysis is directed to programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) of tumor cells and is tested in trials aiming to improve ICI in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs. AREAS COVERED This article presents an overview of the current trials to enhance ICI regimens using avelumab in combination with chemotherapeutics, antiangiogenetic drugs, and immunomodulators. Predictive factors for this kind of immunochemotherapy are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Clinical data demonstrate that avelumab shows efficacy in cancer patients against Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and urothelial cancers as single agent. Furthermore, avelumab in combination with axitinib in RCC increases survival and exhibits activity in combination with docetaxel in urothelial carcinoma. However, several other immunochemotherapy trials for ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, and non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) showed no activity due to factors disfavoring administration of immunotherapy combos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Hamilton
- Department of Vascular Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Like a Rolling Stone: Sting-Cgas Pathway and Cell-Free DNA as Biomarkers for Combinatorial Immunotherapy. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12080758. [PMID: 32796670 PMCID: PMC7464249 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12080758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with other treatments likely to harness tumor immunity is a rising strategy in oncology. The exact modalities of such a combinatorial regimen are yet to be defined, and most attempts have relied so far on concomitant dosing, rather than sequential or phased administration. Because immunomodulating features are likely to be time-, dose-, and-schedule dependent, the need for biomarkers providing real-time information is critical to better define the optimal time-window to combine immune checkpoint inhibitors with other drugs. In this review, we present the various putative markers that have been investigated as predictive tools with immune checkpoint inhibitors and could be used to help further combining treatments. Whereas none of the current biomarkers, such as the PDL1 expression of a tumor mutational burden, is suitable to identify the best way to combine treatments, monitoring circulating tumor DNA is a promising strategy, in particular to check whether the STING-cGAS pathway has been activated by cytotoxics. As such, circulating tumor DNA could help defining the best time-window to administrate immune checkpoint inhibitors after that cytotoxics have been given.
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Bailly C, Thuru X, Quesnel B. Combined cytotoxic chemotherapy and immunotherapy of cancer: modern times. NAR Cancer 2020; 2:zcaa002. [PMID: 34316682 PMCID: PMC8209987 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcaa002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies targeting programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immune checkpoints have improved the treatments of cancers. However, not all patients equally benefit from immunotherapy. The use of cytotoxic drugs is practically inevitable to treat advanced cancers and metastases. The repertoire of cytotoxics includes 80 products that principally target nucleic acids or the microtubule network in rapidly proliferating tumor cells. Paradoxically, many of these compounds tend to become essential to promote the activity of immunotherapy and to offer a sustained therapeutic effect. We have analyzed each cytotoxic drug with respect to effect on expression and function of PD-(L)1. The major cytotoxic drugs—carboplatin, cisplatin, cytarabine, dacarbazine, docetaxel, doxorubicin, ecteinascidin, etoposide, fluorouracil, gemcitabine, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel and pemetrexed—all have the capacity to upregulate PD-L1 expression on cancer cells (via the generation of danger signals) and to promote antitumor immunogenicity, via activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, maturation of antigen-presenting cells, depletion of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and/or expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The use of ‘immunocompatible’ cytotoxic drugs combined with anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies is a modern approach, not only for increasing the direct killing of cancer cells, but also as a strategy to minimize the activation of immunosuppressive and cancer cell prosurvival program responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xavier Thuru
- Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert, INSERM, University of Lille, UMR-S 1172, CHU Lille, 59045 Lille, France
| | - Bruno Quesnel
- Centre de Recherche Jean-Pierre Aubert, INSERM, University of Lille, UMR-S 1172, CHU Lille, 59045 Lille, France
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