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Zhang Z, Tao J, Qiu J, Cao Z, Huang H, Xiao J, Zhang T. From basic research to clinical application: targeting fibroblast activation protein for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:361-381. [PMID: 37726505 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00872-z] [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] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to review the multifaceted roles of a membrane protein named Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) expressed in tumor tissue, including its molecular functionalities, regulatory mechanisms governing its expression, prognostic significance, and its crucial role in cancer diagnosis and treatment. METHODS Articles that have uncovered the regulatory role of FAP in tumor, as well as its potential utility within clinical realms, spanning diagnosis to therapeutic intervention has been screened for a comprehensive review. RESULTS Our review reveals that FAP plays a pivotal role in solid tumor progression by undertaking a multitude of enzymatic and nonenzymatic roles within the tumor stroma. The exclusive presence of FAP within tumor tissues highlights its potential as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. The review also emphasizes the prognostic significance of FAP in predicting tumor progression and patient outcomes. Furthermore, the emerging strategies involving FAPI inhibitor (FAPI) in cancer research and clinical trials for PET/CT diagnosis are discussed. And targeted therapy utilizing FAP including FAPI, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, tumor vaccine, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific T-cell engagers, FAP cleavable prodrugs, and drug delivery system are also introduced. CONCLUSION FAP's intricate interactions with tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment make it a promising target for diagnosis and treatment. Promising strategies such as FAPI offer potential avenues for accurate tumor diagnosis, while multiple therapeutic strategies highlight the prospects of FAP targeting treatments which needs further clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jinxin Tao
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jiangdong Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhe Cao
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jianchun Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Taiping Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
- Key Laboratory of Research in Pancreatic Tumor, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
- Clinical Immunology Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Zhang Y, Zhao M, He J, Chen L, Wang W. In vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory activity of acetylated polysaccharides from Cyclocarya paliurus leaves. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 259:129174. [PMID: 38181912 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.129174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharides from Cyclocarya paliurus leaves after acetylation modification (Ac-CPP0.1) on dendritic cells (DCs) and immunosuppressed mice. In vitro, Ac-CPP0.1 promoted phenotypic and functional maturation of DCs. Specifically, it increased the expression of costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86, and MHC II) and the secretion of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-12p70) of DCs. In vivo, Ac-CPP0.1 significantly improved immunosuppression of mice, which was manifested by increased body weight and immune organ index, up-regulated cytokines (IL-4, IL-17, TGF-β3, and TNF-α), and restored short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) levels of intestinal. The immunoactivation of Ac-CPP0.1 in DCs and in mice is linked to the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, Ac-CPP0.1 reversed intestinal flora imbalance caused by cyclophosphamide. At the species level, Ac-CPP0.1 increased the abundance of unclassified_Muribaculaceae, unclassified_Desulfovibrio, Bacteroides_acidifaciens and Faecalibaculum_rodentium, decreased the level of Lactobacillus_johnsonii, unclassified_g_Staphylococcus and Staphylococcus_nepalensis. In summary, Ac-CPP0.1 has considerable immunomodulatory potential, which is beneficial to the future utilization and development of Cyclocarya paliurus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Meng Zhao
- Key Lab for Agro-product Processing and Quality Control of Nanchang City, College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Jing He
- Key Lab for Agro-product Processing and Quality Control of Nanchang City, College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Lingli Chen
- Key Lab for Agro-product Processing and Quality Control of Nanchang City, College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Key Lab for Agro-product Processing and Quality Control of Nanchang City, College of Food Science and Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China.
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3
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Borzone FR, Giorello MB, Sanmartin MC, Yannarelli G, Martinez LM, Chasseing NA. Mesenchymal stem cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts as a therapeutic strategy for breast cancer. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:238-256. [PMID: 35485850 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and the leading cause of death among women. Recent evidence suggests that mesenchymal stromal/stem cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have an essential role in cancer progression, invasion and therapy resistance. Therefore, they are considered as highly promising future therapeutic targets against breast cancer. The intrinsic tumour tropism and immunomodulatory capacities of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells are of special relevance for developing mesenchymal stromal/stem cells-based anti-tumour therapies that suppress primary tumour growth and metastasis. In addition, the utilization of therapies that target the stromal components of the tumour microenvironment in combination with standard drugs is an innovative tool that could improve patients' response to therapies and their survival. In this review, we discuss the currently available information regarding the possible use of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells-derived anti-tumour therapies, as well as the utilization of therapies that target CAFs in breast cancer microenvironment. Finally, these data can serve as a guide map for future research in this field, ultimately aiding the effective transition of these results into the clinic. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Cancer Microenvironment and Pharmacological Interventions. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.2/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Raúl Borzone
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Giorello
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Sanmartin
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Regulación Génica y Células Madre, Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería (IMeTTyB), Universidad Favaloro-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Yannarelli
- Laboratorio de Regulación Génica y Células Madre, Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería (IMeTTyB), Universidad Favaloro-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Leandro Marcelo Martinez
- Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - Norma Alejandra Chasseing
- Laboratorio de Inmunohematología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Li Y, Wang C, Huang T, Yu X, Tian B. The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in breast cancer metastasis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1194835. [PMID: 37496657 PMCID: PMC10367093 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1194835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer deaths are primarily caused by metastasis. There are several treatment options that can be used to treat breast cancer. There are, however, a limited number of treatments that can either prevent or inhibit the spread of breast tumor metastases. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Studies have increasingly focused on the importance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in metastasis of breast cancer. As the most abundant cells in the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in cancer pathogenesis. They can remodel the structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and engage in crosstalk with cancer cells or other stroma cells by secreting growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, as well as components of the ECM, which assist the tumor cells to invade through the TME and cause distant metastasis. Clinically, CAFs not only foster the initiation, growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer but also serve as biomarkers for diagnosis, therapy, and prediction of prognosis. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics and subtypes of CAFs and their functions in breast cancer metastasis, focusing on their important roles in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of breast cancer. Recent studies suggest that CAFs are vital partners of breast cancer cells that assist metastasis and may represent ideal targets for prevention and treatment of breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Changyuan Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department II, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Ting Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xijie Yu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bole Tian
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Pandya A, Shah Y, Kothari N, Postwala H, Shah A, Parekh P, Chorawala MR. The future of cancer immunotherapy: DNA vaccines leading the way. Med Oncol 2023; 40:200. [PMID: 37294501 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02060-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Immuno-oncology has revolutionized cancer treatment and has opened up new opportunities for developing vaccination methods. DNA-based cancer vaccines have emerged as a promising approach to activating the bodily immune system against cancer. Plasmid DNA immunizations have shown a favorable safety profile and there occurs induction of generalized as well as tailored immune responses in preclinical and early-phase clinical experiments. However, these vaccines have notable limitations in immunogenicity and heterogeneity and these require refinements. DNA vaccine technology has been focusing on improving vaccine efficacy and delivery, with parallel developments in nanoparticle-based delivery systems and gene-editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9. This approach has showcased great promise in enhancing and tailoring the immune response to vaccination. Strategies to enhance the efficacy of DNA vaccines include the selection of appropriate antigens, optimizing insertion in a plasmid, and studying combinations of vaccines with conventional strategies and targeted therapies. Combination therapies have attenuated immunosuppressive activities in the tumor microenvironment and enhanced the capability of immune cells. This review provides an overview of the current framework of DNA vaccines in oncology and focuses on novel strategies, including established combination therapies and those still under development.The challenges that oncologists, scientists, and researchers need to overcome to establish DNA vaccines as an avant-garde approach to defeating cancer, are also emphasized. The clinical implications of the immunotherapeutic approaches and the need for predictive biomarkers have also been reviewed upon. We have also tried to extend the role of Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to the DNA vaccines. The clinical implications of the immunotherapeutic approaches have also been reviewed upon. Ultimately, refining and optimizing DNA vaccines will enable harnessing the immune system's natural ability to recognize and eliminate cancer cells, leading the world towards a revolution in cancer cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aanshi Pandya
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Yesha Shah
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Nirjari Kothari
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Humzah Postwala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Aayushi Shah
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Priyajeet Parekh
- AV Pharma LLC, 1545 University Blvd N Ste A, Jacksonville, FL, 32211, USA
| | - Mehul R Chorawala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India.
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Jian HR, Niu WH, Xu ZS, Zhu JX, Pan X, Zhang YR, Lei P, Huang FQ, He Y. Establishment of FAP-overexpressing Cells for FAP-targeted Theranostics. Curr Med Sci 2023:10.1007/s11596-023-2740-7. [PMID: 37222958 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-023-2740-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has been widely studied and exploited for its clinical applications. One of the difficulties in interpreting reports of FAP-targeted theranostics is due to the lack of accurate controls, making the results less specific and less confirmative. This study aimed to establish a pair of cell lines, in which one highly expresses FAP (HT1080-hFAP) and the other has no detectable FAP (HT1080-vec) as control, to accurately evaluate the specificity of the FAP-targeted theranostics in vitro and in vivo. METHODS The cell lines of the experimental group (HT1080-hFAP) and no-load group (HT1080-vec) were obtained by molecular construction of the recombinant plasmid pIRES-hFAP. The expression of hFAP in HT1080 cells was detected by PCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry. CCK-8, Matrigel transwell invasion assay, scratch test, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to verify the physiological function of FAP. The activities of human dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) and human endopeptidase (EP) were detected by ELISA in HT1080-hFAP cells. PET imaging was performed in bilateral tumor-bearing nude mice models to evaluate the specificity of FAP. RESULTS RT-PCR and Western blotting demonstrated the mRNA and protein expression of hFAP in HT1080-hFAP cells but not in HT1080-vec cells. Flow cytometry confirmed that nearly 95% of the HT1080-hFAP cells were FAP positive. The engineered hFAP on HT1080 cells had its ability to retain enzymatic activities and a variety of biological functions, including internalization, proliferation-, migration-, and invasion-promoting activities. The HT1080-hFAP xenografted tumors in nude mice bound and took up 68GA-FAPI-04 with superior selectivity. High image contrast and tumor-organ ratio were obtained by PET imaging. The HT1080-hFAP tumor retained the radiotracer for at least 60 min. CONCLUSION This pair of HT1080 cell lines was successfully established, making it feasible for accurate evaluation and visualization of therapeutic and diagnostic agents targeting the hFAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ru Jian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430062, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434000, China
| | - Wen-Hao Niu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhuo-Shuo Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jia-Xu Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Xin Pan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Yi-Rui Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ping Lei
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Fa-Qing Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434000, China.
| | - Yong He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
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Kothari N, Postwala H, Pandya A, Shah A, Shah Y, Chorawala MR. Establishing the applicability of cancer vaccines in combination with chemotherapeutic entities: current aspect and achievable prospects. Med Oncol 2023; 40:135. [PMID: 37014489 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02003-y] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is one of the recently developed cancer treatment modalities. When compared with conventional anticancer drug regimens, immunotherapy has shown significantly better outcomes in terms of quality of life and overall survival. It incorporates a wide range of immunomodulatory modalities that channel the effects of the immune system either by broadly modulating the host immune system or by accurately targeting distinct tumor antigens. One such treatment modality that has gained interest is cancer vaccine therapy which acts by developing antibodies against tumor cells. Cancer vaccines target individual peptides or groups of antigens that are released by tumor cells and presented by the APCs. This also initiates an effective process to activate the host immune responses. Studies on various types of cancer vaccines are conducted, out of which only few are approved by FDA for clinical uses. Despite of documented safety and efficacy of conventional chemotherapy and cancer vaccines, individually they did not produce substantial results in eradication of the cancer as a monotherapy. Hence, the combination approach holds the extensive potential to provide significant improvement in disease outcomes. Certain chemotherapy has immunomodulatory effects and is proven to synergize with cancer vaccines thereby enhancing their anti-tumor activities. Chemotherapeutic agents are known to have immunostimulatory mechanisms apart from its cytotoxic effect and intensify the anti-tumor activities of vaccines by various mechanisms. This review highlights various cancer vaccines, their mechanism, and how their activity gets affected by chemotherapeutic agents. It also aims at summarizing the evidence-based outcome of the combination approach of a cancer vaccine with chemotherapy and a brief on future aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirjari Kothari
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, 380009, India
| | - Humzah Postwala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, 380009, India
| | - Aanshi Pandya
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, 380009, India
| | - Aayushi Shah
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, 380009, India
| | - Yesha Shah
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, 380009, India
| | - Mehul R Chorawala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, 380009, India.
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Zulaziz N, Chai SJ, Lim KP. The origins, roles and therapies of cancer associated fibroblast in liver cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1151373. [PMID: 37035187 PMCID: PMC10076538 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1151373] [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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer. It is often preceded by chronic inflammation such as liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Different cell types are believed to give rise to liver-specific cancer associated fibroblast (CAF), these include resident fibroblast, hepatic stellate cell, liver cancer cell, hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cell and mesenchymal stromal cell. The abundance of fibroblasts has contributed to the cancer progression, immune modulation and treatment resistance in HCC. In this review, we discussed the origins, subtypes and roles of cancer associated fibroblasts in HCC. Their specific roles in shaping the tumor microenvironment, facilitating cancer growth, and modulating different immune cell types to confer a permissive environment for cancer growth. CAF is now an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment, however specific therapeutic development in HCC is still lacking. Hence, we have included preclinical and clinical development of CAF-specific interventions for other cancer types in this review. However, most CAF-specific therapies have resulted in disappointing clinical outcomes, likely due to the difficulties in differentiating CAF from normal fibroblast. A thorough understanding of the characteristics and functionalities of CAF is warranted to further improve the therapeutic efficacy of anti-CAF therapies.
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Jenkins BH, Buckingham JF, Hanley CJ, Thomas GJ. Targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts: Challenges, opportunities and future directions. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108231. [PMID: 35718294 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a common cell in the tumour microenvironment with diverse tumour-promoting functions. Their presence in tumours is commonly associated with poor prognosis making them attractive therapeutic targets, particularly in the context of immunotherapy where CAFs have been shown to promote resistance to checkpoint blockade. Previous attempts to inhibit CAFs clinically have not been successful, however, in part due to a lack of understanding of CAF heterogeneity and function, with some fibroblast populations potentially being tumour suppressive. Recent single-cell transcriptomic studies have advanced our understanding of fibroblast phenotypes in normal tissues and cancers, allowing for a more precise characterisation of CAF subsets and providing opportunities to develop new therapies. Here we review recent advances in the field, focusing on the evolving area of therapeutic CAF targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H Jenkins
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK
| | | | | | - Gareth J Thomas
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK.
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Peltier A, Seban RD, Buvat I, Bidard FC, Mechta-Grigoriou F. Fibroblast heterogeneity in solid tumors: From single cell analysis to whole-body imaging. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:262-272. [PMID: 35489628 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) represent the most prominent component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent studies demonstrated that CAF are heterogeneous and composed of different subpopulations exerting distinct functions in cancer. CAF populations differentially modulate various aspects of tumor growth, including cancer cell proliferation, extra-cellular matrix remodeling, metastatic dissemination, immunosuppression and resistance to treatment. Among other markers, the Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) led to the identification of a specific CAF subpopulation involved in metastatic spread and immunosuppression. Expression of FAP at the surface of CAF is detected in many different cancer types of poor prognosis. Thus, FAP recently appears as an appealing target for therapeutic and molecular imaging applications. In that context, 68Ga-labeled radiopharmaceutical-FAP-inhibitors (FAPI) have been recently developed and validated for quantitatively mapping FAP expression over the whole-body using Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT). In this review, we describe the main current knowledge on CAF subpopulations and their distinct functions in solid tumors, as well as the promising diagnostic and therapeutic implications of radionuclides targeting FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Peltier
- Institut Curie, Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Equipe labélisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 26, rue d'Ulm, F-75248 Paris, France; Inserm, U830, 26, rue d'Ulm, Paris, F-75005 France
| | - Romain-David Seban
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Institut Curie Hospital Group, 35 rue Dailly, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France; Laboratoire d'Imagerie Translationnelle en Oncologie (LITO), U1288 Inserm, Institut Curie, Orsay, France
| | - Irène Buvat
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Translationnelle en Oncologie (LITO), U1288 Inserm, Institut Curie, Orsay, France.
| | - François-Clément Bidard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inserm CIC-BT 1428, Institut Curie, UVSQ/Paris Saclay University, Saint-Cloud, France.
| | - Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou
- Institut Curie, Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Equipe labélisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 26, rue d'Ulm, F-75248 Paris, France; Inserm, U830, 26, rue d'Ulm, Paris, F-75005 France.
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Xiang X, Niu YR, Wang ZH, Ye LL, Peng WB, Zhou Q. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Vital suppressors of the immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 67:35-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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12
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Mao X, Xu J, Wang W, Liang C, Hua J, Liu J, Zhang B, Meng Q, Yu X, Shi S. Crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment: new findings and future perspectives. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:131. [PMID: 34635121 PMCID: PMC8504100 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01428-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 708] [Impact Index Per Article: 236.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a stromal cell population with cell-of-origin, phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, are the most essential components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Through multiple pathways, activated CAFs can promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, along with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and even chemoresistance. Numerous previous studies have confirmed the critical role of the interaction between CAFs and tumor cells in tumorigenesis and development. However, recently, the mutual effects of CAFs and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) have been identified as another key factor in promoting tumor progression. The TIME mainly consists of distinct immune cell populations in tumor islets and is highly associated with the antitumor immunological state in the TME. CAFs interact with tumor-infiltrating immune cells as well as other immune components within the TIME via the secretion of various cytokines, growth factors, chemokines, exosomes and other effector molecules, consequently shaping an immunosuppressive TME that enables cancer cells to evade surveillance of the immune system. In-depth studies of CAFs and immune microenvironment interactions, particularly the complicated mechanisms connecting CAFs with immune cells, might provide novel strategies for subsequent targeted immunotherapies. Herein, we shed light on recent advances regarding the direct and indirect crosstalk between CAFs and infiltrating immune cells and further summarize the possible immunoinhibitory mechanisms induced by CAFs in the TME. In addition, we present current related CAF-targeting immunotherapies and briefly describe some future perspectives on CAF research in the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqi Mao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qingcai Meng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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13
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Jokar N, Velikyan I, Ahmadzadehfar H, Rekabpour SJ, Jafari E, Ting HH, Biersack HJ, Assadi M. Theranostic Approach in Breast Cancer: A Treasured Tailor for Future Oncology. Clin Nucl Med 2021; 46:e410-e420. [PMID: 34152118 DOI: 10.1097/rlu.0000000000003678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Breast cancer is the most frequent invasive malignancy and the second major cause of cancer death in female subjects mostly due to the considerable diagnostic delay and failure of therapeutic strategies. Thus, early diagnosis and possibility to monitor response to the treatment are of utmost importance. Identification of valid biomarkers, in particular new molecular therapeutic targets, that would allow screening, early patient identification, prediction of disease aggressiveness, and monitoring response to the therapeutic regimen has been in the focus of breast cancer research during recent decades. One of the intensively developing fields is nuclear medicine combining molecular diagnostic imaging and subsequent (radio)therapy in the light of theranostics. This review aimed to survey the current status of preclinical and clinical research using theranostic approach in breast cancer patients with potential to translate into conventional treatment strategies alone or in combination with other common treatments, especially in aggressive and resistant types of breast cancer. In addition, we present 5 patients with breast cancer who were refractory or relapsed after conventional therapy while presumably responded to the molecular radiotherapy with 177Lu-trastuzumab (Herceptin), 177Lu-DOTATATE, and 177Lu-FAPI-46.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Jokar
- From the The Persian Gulf Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Department of Molecular Imaging and Radionuclide Therapy, Bushehr Medical University Hospital, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Irina Velikyan
- Section of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Esmail Jafari
- From the The Persian Gulf Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Department of Molecular Imaging and Radionuclide Therapy, Bushehr Medical University Hospital, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Hong Hoi Ting
- Nanomab Technology Limited, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Majid Assadi
- From the The Persian Gulf Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Department of Molecular Imaging and Radionuclide Therapy, Bushehr Medical University Hospital, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
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14
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Tan X, Chen W, Jiao C, Liang H, Yun H, He C, Chen J, Ma X, Xie Y. Anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activity of the aqueous extract of Sarcodon imbricatus in vitro and in vivo. Food Funct 2020; 11:1110-1121. [PMID: 31825431 DOI: 10.1039/c9fo01230c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Sarcodon imbricatus (S. imbricatus), a well-known edible mushroom, is one of the most commonly consumed wild mushrooms in China because of its nutritional value. Previous studies have demonstrated that S. imbricatus has immunoregulatory activity. We previously described the potential anti-tumor activity of several types of mushrooms, including S. imbricatus. In this study, the results demonstrate that an aqueous extract of S. imbricatus (SIE) effectively inhibits the growth, migration, and invasion properties of breast cancer cells in vitro and reduces tumor growth in vivo. In addition, the SIE increased serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, natural killer cell activity and the viability of splenocytes and reduced the expression of programmed cell death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. Collectively, these results are the first demonstration that the SIE has anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects in the 4T1 mouse breast cancer model. These findings provide a scientific rationale for the potential therapeutic use of S. imbricatus in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xupeng Tan
- Guangdong Yuewei Edible Fungi Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, 510663, P. R. China.
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15
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Gordon B, Gadi VK. The Role of the Tumor Microenvironment in Developing Successful Therapeutic and Secondary Prophylactic Breast Cancer Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030529. [PMID: 32937885 PMCID: PMC7565925 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer affects roughly one in eight women over their lifetime and is a leading cause of cancer-related death in women. While outcomes have improved in recent years, prognosis remains poor for patients who present with either disseminated disease or aggressive molecular subtypes. Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of several cancers, with therapeutic vaccines aiming to direct the cytotoxic immune program against tumor cells showing particular promise. However, these results have yet to translate to breast cancer, which remains largely refractory from such approaches. Recent evidence suggests that the breast tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important and long understudied barrier to the efficacy of therapeutic vaccines. Through an improved understanding of the complex and biologically diverse breast TME, it may be possible to advance new combination strategies to render breast carcinomas sensitive to the effects of therapeutic vaccines. Here, we discuss past and present efforts to advance therapeutic vaccines in the treatment of breast cancer, the molecular mechanisms through which the TME contributes to the failure of such approaches, as well as the potential means through which these can be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Gordon
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Vijayakrishna K. Gadi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
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16
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Coto-Llerena M, Ercan C, Kancherla V, Taha-Mehlitz S, Eppenberger-Castori S, Soysal SD, Ng CKY, Bolli M, von Flüe M, Nicolas GP, Terracciano LM, Fani M, Piscuoglio S. High Expression of FAP in Colorectal Cancer Is Associated With Angiogenesis and Immunoregulation Processes. Front Oncol 2020; 10:979. [PMID: 32733792 PMCID: PMC7362758 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein α (FAP) plays an important role in tissue remodeling and helps tumor cells invade surrounding tissue. We sought to investigate FAP as a prognostic molecular marker in colorectal cancer (CRC) using immunohistochemical and transcriptomic data. FAP expression and clinicopathological information were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas data set. The association of FAP expression and tissue cellular heterogeneity landscape was explored using the xCell method. We evaluated FAP protein expression in a cohort of 92 CRCs and 19 non-tumoral tissues. We observed that FAP was upregulated in tumors both at the mRNA and protein levels, and its expression was associated with advanced stages, poor survival, and consensus molecular subtype 4. FAP expression was also associated with angiogenesis and collagen degradation. We observed an enrichment in immune-cell process-related genes associated with FAP overexpression. Colorectal cancers with high FAP expression display an inflamed phenotype enriched for macrophages and monocytes. Those tumors showed enrichment for regulatory T cell populations and depletion of TH1 and natural killer T cells, pointing to an immunosuppressive environment. Colorectal cancers with high levels of stromal FAP are associated with aggressive disease progression and survival. Our results suggest that FAP plays additional roles in tumor progression such as modulation of angiogenesis and immunoregulation in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mairene Coto-Llerena
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Genetics, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Caner Ercan
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Genetics, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Venkatesh Kancherla
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Genetics, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Taha-Mehlitz
- Visceral Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Clarunis University Centre for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Savas D. Soysal
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Clarunis University Centre for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte K. Y. Ng
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin Bolli
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Clarunis University Centre for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus von Flüe
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Clarunis University Centre for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Luigi M. Terracciano
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Genetics, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Melpomeni Fani
- Division of Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Salvatore Piscuoglio
- Institute of Pathology and Medical Genetics, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Visceral Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Clarunis University Centre for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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17
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Piper M, Mueller AC, Karam SD. The interplay between cancer associated fibroblasts and immune cells in the context of radiation therapy. Mol Carcinog 2020; 59:754-765. [PMID: 32363633 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are a key component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that can serve as a scaffold for tumor cell migration and augment the tumor's ability to withstand harsh conditions. When activated by external or endogenous stimuli, normal fibroblasts become cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a heterogeneous group of stromal cells in the tumor that are phenotypically and epigenetically different from normal fibroblasts. Dynamic crosstalk between cancer cells, immune cells, and CAFs through chemokines and surface signaling makes the TME conducive to tumor growth. When activated, CAFs promote tumorigenesis and metastasis through several phenomena including regulation of tumor immunity, metabolic reprogramming of the TME, extracellular matrix remodeling and contraction, and induction of therapeutic resistance. Ionizing radiation (radiation theraphy [RT]) is a potent immunological stimulant that has been shown to increase cytotoxic Teff infiltration and IFN-I stimulated genes. RT, however, is unable to overcome the infiltration and activation of immunosuppressive cells which can contribute to tumor progression. Another paradox of RT is that, while very effective at killing cancer cells, it can contribute to the formation of CAFs. This review examines how the interplay between CAFs and immune cells during RT contributes to organ fibrosis, immunosuppression, and tumor growth. We focus on targeting mechanistic pathways of CAF formation as a potentially effective strategy not only for preventing organ fibrosis, but also in hampering tumor progression in response to RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles Piper
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Adam C Mueller
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Sana D Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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18
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Geng F, Bao X, Dong L, Guo QQ, Guo J, Xie Y, Zhou Y, Yu B, Wu H, Wu JX, Zhang HH, Yu XH, Kong W. Doxorubicin pretreatment enhances FAPα/survivin co-targeting DNA vaccine anti-tumor activity primarily through decreasing peripheral MDSCs in the 4T1 murine breast cancer model. Oncoimmunology 2020; 9:1747350. [PMID: 32363118 PMCID: PMC7185204 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1747350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) provides necessary nutrition for tumor growth and recruits immunosuppressive factors including regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) to inhibit the anti-tumor immune response induced by immunotherapy. As a main TME component, cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can restrain T cell infiltration and activity through extracellular matrix remodeling. Vaccines targeting fibroblast-activating protein α (FAPα), which is mainly expressed on the CAF surface, can eliminate CAFs in tumors and regulate the TME, enhancing the potency of T cell-mediated anti-tumor effects. However, the anti-tumor effects were not fully realized as the tumor induces a large number of peripheral MDSCs during its growth, rendering the body of mice in an immunosuppressive state and preventing the vaccine from inducing effective anti-tumor immune responses. Here, we developed a dual-targeted DNA vaccine OsFS, targeting tumor matrix antigen FAPα and tumor cell antigen survivin simultaneously, exhibited enhanced antineoplastic effects in an established breast cancer model. Moreover, doxorubicin (Dox) pretreatment to remove the peripheral MDSCs induced to regulate the peripheral immune environment could further facilitate the anti-tumor activity of the vaccine. These results indicated that combination treatment of the tumor cells and the TME dual-targeting vaccine plus Dox could effectively realize the anti-tumor activity of the vaccine by decreasing immunosuppressive factors and inducing more tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, which may offer important guidance for clinical research regarding the combination of the DNA vaccine with low-dose Dox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Geng
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Xin Bao
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Ling Dong
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Qian-Qian Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Jie Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Yu Xie
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zhou
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Bin Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Hui Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Xin Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Hong Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Xiang-Hui Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
| | - Wei Kong
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Science, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, P. R. China
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19
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Lappano R, Rigiracciolo DC, Belfiore A, Maggiolini M, De Francesco EM. Cancer associated fibroblasts: role in breast cancer and potential as therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:559-572. [PMID: 32249708 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1751819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the largest population of stromal cells in breast tumors. Emerging evidence has suggested that CAFs are important players not only in fostering tumor growth and spread but also in altering the tumor response to therapeutic agents. On the basis of these observations, huge efforts have been made to exploit CAFs as potential targets for breast cancer therapy.Areas covered: The current understanding of the hallmarks and biology of CAFs, their multilayered interplay with various cell populations of breast tumor microenvironment toward cancer initiation, progression, metastasis and resistance to anticancer therapies are discussed. In addition, a comprehensive overview of the CAFs-based molecular druggable targets in breast tumors is provided. The most relevant literature, in particular the studies retrieved in Medline in the last 10 years, served for this purpose.Expert opinion: The interest on CAFs as a target to fight breast cancer has becoming a hot topic for drug discovery. Indeed, several CAFs-targeted approaches are emerging as appealing therapeutic strategies in breast cancer. At pre-clinical level, this research field is speedily advancing toward the assessment of successful tactics targeting CAFs in breast cancer. Therefore, anti-CAFs therapies may display an intriguing potential to be exploited in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosamaria Lappano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Belfiore
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marcello Maggiolini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
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20
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Lindner T, Loktev A, Giesel F, Kratochwil C, Altmann A, Haberkorn U. Targeting of activated fibroblasts for imaging and therapy. EJNMMI Radiopharm Chem 2019; 4:16. [PMID: 31659499 PMCID: PMC6658625 DOI: 10.1186/s41181-019-0069-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors form a complex environment consisting of a variety of non-malignant cells. Especially cancer-associated fibroblasts have been shown to have an important role for different aspects of malignant tumors such as migration, metastasis, resistance to chemotherapy and immunosuppression. Therefore, a targeting of these cells may be useful for both imaging and therapy. In this respect, an interesting target is the fibroblast activation protein (FAP) which is expressed in activated fibroblasts, but not in quiescent fibroblasts, giving the opportunity to use this membrane-anchored enzyme as a target for radionuclide-based approaches for diagnosis and treatment of tumors and for the diagnosis of non-malignant disease associated with a remodelling of the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lindner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anastasia Loktev
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frederik Giesel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Clemens Kratochwil
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annette Altmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Haberkorn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
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21
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Lopes A, Vandermeulen G, Préat V. Cancer DNA vaccines: current preclinical and clinical developments and future perspectives. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2019; 38:146. [PMID: 30953535 PMCID: PMC6449928 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1154-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent developments in immuno-oncology have opened an unprecedented avenue for the emergence of vaccine strategies. Therapeutic DNA cancer vaccines are now considered a very promising strategy to activate the immune system against cancer. In the past, several clinical trials using plasmid DNA vaccines demonstrated a good safety profile and the activation of a broad and specific immune response. However, these vaccines often demonstrated only modest therapeutic effects in clinical trials due to the immunosuppressive mechanisms developed by the tumor. To enhance the vaccine-induced immune response and the treatment efficacy, DNA vaccines could be improved by using two different strategies. The first is to increase their immunogenicity by selecting and optimizing the best antigen(s) to be inserted into the plasmid DNA. The second strategy is to combine DNA vaccines with other complementary therapies that could improve their activity by attenuating immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment or by increasing the activity/number of immune cells. A growing number of preclinical and clinical studies are adopting these two strategies to better exploit the potential of DNA vaccination. In this review, we analyze the last 5-year preclinical studies and 10-year clinical trials using plasmid DNA vaccines for cancer therapy. We also investigate the strategies that are being developed to overcome the limitations in cancer DNA vaccination, revisiting the rationale for different combinations of therapy and the different possibilities in antigen choice. Finally, we highlight the most promising developments and critical points that need to be addressed to move towards the approval of therapeutic cancer DNA vaccines as part of the standard of cancer care in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Lopes
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Avenue Mounier, 73, B1.73.12, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gaëlle Vandermeulen
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Avenue Mounier, 73, B1.73.12, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Véronique Préat
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Avenue Mounier, 73, B1.73.12, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium
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22
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Puré E, Blomberg R. Pro-tumorigenic roles of fibroblast activation protein in cancer: back to the basics. Oncogene 2018; 37:4343-4357. [PMID: 29720723 PMCID: PMC6092565 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0275-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a cell-surface serine protease that acts on various hormones and extracellular matrix components. FAP is highly upregulated in a wide variety of cancers, and is often used as a marker for pro-tumorigenic stroma. It has also been proposed as a molecular target of cancer therapies, and, especially in recent years, a great deal of research has gone into design and testing of diverse FAP-targeted treatments. Yet despite this growing field of research, our knowledge of FAP's basic biology and functional roles in various cancers has lagged behind its use as a tumor-stromal marker. In this review, we summarize and analyze recent advances in understanding the functions of FAP in cancer, most notably its prognostic value in various tumor types, cellular effects on various cell types, and potential as a therapeutic target. We highlight outstanding questions in the field, the answers to which could shape preclinical and clinical studies of FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Puré
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Chen L, Qiu X, Wang X, He J. FAP positive fibroblasts induce immune checkpoint blockade resistance in colorectal cancer via promoting immunosuppression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 487:8-14. [PMID: 28302482 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockades that significantly prolonged survival of melanoma patients have been less effective on colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Growing evidence suggested that fibroblast activation protein-alpha (FAP) on cancer associate fibroblasts (CAFs) has critical roles in regulating antitumor immune response by inducing tumor-promoting inflammation. In this study, we explored the roles of FAP in regulating the tumor immunity and immune checkpoint blockades resistance in CRC experimental systems. We found that CAFs with high FAP expression could induce immune checkpoint blockade resistance in CRC mouse model. Mechanistically, CAFs with high FAP expression promoted immunosuppression in the CRC tumor immune microenvironment by up-regulating CCL2 secretion, recruiting myeloid cells, and decreasing T-cell activity. In human CRC samples, FAP expression was proportional to myeloid cells number, but inversely related to T-cell number. High FAP expression also predicted poor survival of CRC patients. Taken together, our study suggested that high FAP expression in CAFs is one reason leading to immune checkpoint blockades resistance in CRC patients and FAP is an optional target for reversing immune checkpoint blockades resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Linyi Central Hospital, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiangting Qiu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Linyi Central Hospital, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xinhua Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Linyi Central Hospital, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jian He
- Department of Clinical Neurosurgery, Linyi Central Hospital, Shandong Province, China.
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