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Duan Y, Yang L, Wang W, Zhang P, Fu K, Li W, Yin R. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis (2000-2022) on the mapping of knowledge regarding immunotherapeutic treatments for advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1351363. [PMID: 38799160 PMCID: PMC11116801 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1351363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Despite extensive literature on therapeutic strategies for cervical cancer, a bibliometric analysis specifically focused on immunotherapy for advanced, recurrent, or metastatic (A/R/M) cervical malignancies remains unexplored. This study aims to address this gap by presenting a comprehensive overview that includes general characteristics, research focal points, the trajectory of evolution, and current emerging trends in this under-researched area. Methods A systematic search was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) to identify articles related to A/R/M cervical cancer published between 2000 and 2022. Citespace and VOS viewer were the primary tools used to identify research focal points, intriguing future patterns, and to evaluate contributions and co-occurrences among authors, institutions, countries, and journals. Results A total of 1,001 original articles were identified, involving 6,387 authors from 66 countries and 1,474 institutions, and published across 366 academic journals. The United States contributed most significantly. The most productive researcher was Van der Burg SH from Leiden University Medical Center. The International Journal of Cancer and Cancer Research were identified as the most productive and influential journals, respectively. Analysis of co-citation clusters highlighted 25 clusters, primarily focusing on potential predictive biomarkers, dendritic cell-based tumor vaccines, therapeutic HPV vaccinations, peptide-based cancer vaccines, tumor immune microenvironments, and adoptive cell transfer (ACT). The latest significant trends in A/R/M cervical cancer immunotherapy research included ACT, CAR-T, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), as revealed by keyword and reference burst detection. Conclusion This pioneering study provides a detailed landscape of immunotherapy research in A/R/M cervical cancer. It underscores the importance of global collaboration, enriches our understanding of the immunology of A/R/M cervical cancer, expands on potential beneficiaries of immunotherapy, and explores clinical applications of various therapies, including therapeutic vaccines, adoptive cell transfer, and ICIs, particularly in combination with established treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanqiong Duan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenxiang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Peixuan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kaiyu Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rutie Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Tan Y, Chen H, Gou X, Fan Q, Chen J. Tumor vaccines: Toward multidimensional anti-tumor therapies. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2271334. [PMID: 37905395 PMCID: PMC10760370 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2271334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
For decades, immunotherapies have offered hope for patients with advanced cancer. However, they show distinct benefits and limited clinical effects. Tumor vaccines have the potential to prime tumor-antigen-specific T cells and induce broad subsets of immune responses, ultimately eradicating tumor cells. Here, we classify tumor vaccines by their anti-tumor mechanisms, which include boosting the immune system, overcoming tumor immunosuppression, and modulating tumor angiogenesis. We focus on multidimensional tumor vaccine strategies using combinations of two or three of the above mechanisms, as these are superior to single-dimensional treatments. This review offers a perspective on tumor vaccine strategies and the future role of vaccine therapies in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanfang Tan
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Huiyuan Chen
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xi Gou
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Qiuying Fan
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Juanjuan Chen
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Li X, Wen H, Xiao X, Ren Z, Tan C, Fu C. Design of a novel multi-epitope vaccine candidate against endometrial cancer using immunoinformatics and bioinformatics approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37771176 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2263213] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers of the female reproductive system. Multi-epitope vaccine may be a promising and effective strategy against EC. In this study, we designed a novel multi-epitope vaccine based on the antigenic proteins PRAME and TMPRSS4 using immunoinformatics and bioinformatics approaches. After a rigorous selection process, 14 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, 6 helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes, and 8 B cell epitopes (BCEs) were finally selected for vaccine construction. To enhance the immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate, the pan HLA DR-binding epitope was included in the vaccine design as an adjuvant. The final vaccine construct had 455 amino acids and a molecular weight of 49.8 kDa, and was predicted to cover 95.03% of the total world population. Docking analysis showed that there were 10 hydrogen bonds and 19 hydrogen bonds in the vaccine-HLA-A*02:01 and vaccine-HLA-DRB1*01:01 complexes, respectively, indicating that the vaccine has a good affinity to MHC molecules. This was further supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Immune simulation showed that the designed vaccine was able to induce higher levels of immune cell activity, with the secretion of numerous cytokines. The codon adaptation index (CAI) value and GC content of the optimised codon sequences of the vaccine were 0.986 and 54.43%, respectively, indicating that the vaccine has the potential to be highly expressed. The in silico analysis suggested that the designed vaccine may provide a novel therapeutic option for the individualised treatment of EC patients in the future.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haicheng Wen
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhen Ren
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Caixia Tan
- Department of Infection Control Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chun Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Moore XTR, Gheghiani L, Fu Z. The Role of Polo-Like Kinase 1 in Regulating the Forkhead Box Family Transcription Factors. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091344. [PMID: 37174744 PMCID: PMC10177174 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091344] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is a serine/threonine kinase with more than 600 phosphorylation substrates through which it regulates many biological processes, including mitosis, apoptosis, metabolism, RNA processing, vesicle transport, and G2 DNA-damage checkpoint recovery, among others. Among the many PLK1 targets are members of the FOX family of transcription factors (FOX TFs), including FOXM1, FOXO1, FOXO3, and FOXK1. FOXM1 and FOXK1 have critical oncogenic roles in cancer through their antagonism of apoptotic signals and their promotion of cell proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and therapeutic resistance. In contrast, FOXO1 and FOXO3 have been identified to have broad functions in maintaining cellular homeostasis. In this review, we discuss PLK1-mediated regulation of FOX TFs, highlighting the effects of PLK1 on the activity and stability of these proteins. In addition, we review the prognostic and clinical significance of these proteins in human cancers and, more importantly, the different approaches that have been used to disrupt PLK1 and FOX TF-mediated signaling networks. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting PLK1-regulated FOX TFs in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier T R Moore
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Lilia Gheghiani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Zheng Fu
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Tang BF, Yan RC, Wang SW, Zeng ZC, Du SS. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase in tumor cell and tumor microenvironment: Emerging player and promising therapeutic opportunities. Cancer Lett 2023; 560:216126. [PMID: 36933780 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216126] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is a member of the AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) protein family, which is widely and highly expressed in multiple cancer types. Through direct and indirect interactions with other proteins, it mediates various cascades of signal transduction processes and plays an important role in regulating tumor cell survival, growth, invasion and migration and other biological functions. Interestingly, MELK also plays an important role in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment, which can not only predict the responsiveness of immunotherapy, but also affect the function of immune cells to regulate tumor progression. In addition, more and more small molecule inhibitors have been developed for the target of MELK, which exert important anti-tumor effects and have achieved excellent results in a number of clinical trials. In this review, we outline the structural features, molecular biological functions, potential regulatory mechanisms and important roles of MELK in tumors and tumor microenvironment, as well as substances targeting MELK. Although many molecular mechanisms of MELK in the process of tumor regulation are still unknown, it is worth affirming that MELK is a potential tumor molecular therapeutic target, and its unique superiority and important role provide clues and confidence for subsequent basic research and scientific transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bu-Fu Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, Fenglin Road 188, 200030, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruo-Chen Yan
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Si-Wei Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, Fenglin Road 188, 200030, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao-Chong Zeng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, Fenglin Road 188, 200030, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Suo Du
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, Fenglin Road 188, 200030, Shanghai, China.
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Zhou Y, Rassy E, Coutte A, Achkar S, Espenel S, Genestie C, Pautier P, Morice P, Gouy S, Chargari C. Current Standards in the Management of Early and Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Update on the Benefit of Neoadjuvant/Adjuvant Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102449. [PMID: 35626051 PMCID: PMC9139662 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cervical cancers is a human papillomavirus infection-induced gynecologic cancer. Due to the uneven access to prevention measures in the world, it is still a leading cause of cancer death in women in low- and middle-income countries. The mainstay of treatment for early-stage cervical cancers is upfront surgery. Clinical trials confirmed the place of adjuvant radiotherapy to improve disease control, but also highlighted the need for a careful selection of patients prior to surgery, in order to avoid the cumulative morbidities of each treatment. In locally advanced cervical cancers, the standard of care remains concurrent pelvic chemoradiotherapy followed by an image-guided adaptive brachytherapy boost allowing for dose escalation and leading to a very high probability of local control. Systemic failures remain a major concern, and neoadjuvant or adjuvant approaches in this context are discussed in the light of recent literature. Abstract Globally, cervical cancers continue to be one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. The primary treatment of patients with early-stage disease includes surgery or radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. The main challenge in treating these patients is to maintain a curative approach and limit treatment-related morbidity. Traditionally, inoperable patients are treated with radiation therapy solely and operable patients undergo upfront surgery followed by adjuvant (chemo) radiotherapy in cases with poor histopathological prognostic features. Patients with locally advanced cervical cancers are treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by an image-guided brachytherapy boost. In these patients, the main pattern of failure is distant relapse, encouraging intensification of systemic treatments to improve disease control. Ongoing trials are evaluating immunotherapy in locally advanced tumours following its encouraging efficacy reported in the recurrent and metastatic settings. In this article, clinical evidence of neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatments in cervical cancer patients is reviewed, with a focus on potential strategies to improve patients’ outcome and minimize treatment-related morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuedan Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 80000 Amiens-Picardie, France; (Y.Z.); (A.C.)
| | - Elie Rassy
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 94800 Villejuif, France; (E.R.); (P.P.)
| | - Alexandre Coutte
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, 80000 Amiens-Picardie, France; (Y.Z.); (A.C.)
| | - Samir Achkar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 94800 Villejuif, France; (S.A.); (S.E.)
| | - Sophie Espenel
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 94800 Villejuif, France; (S.A.); (S.E.)
| | - Catherine Genestie
- Department of Pathology, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Center, 94800 Villejuif, France;
| | - Patricia Pautier
- Department of Medical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 94800 Villejuif, France; (E.R.); (P.P.)
| | - Philippe Morice
- Department of Surgery, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Center, 94800 Villejuif, France; (P.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Sébastien Gouy
- Department of Surgery, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Center, 94800 Villejuif, France; (P.M.); (S.G.)
| | - Cyrus Chargari
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Centre, 94800 Villejuif, France; (S.A.); (S.E.)
- Correspondence:
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Schmidt MW, Battista MJ, Schmidt M, Garcia M, Siepmann T, Hasenburg A, Anic K. Efficacy and Safety of Immunotherapy for Cervical Cancer—A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020441. [PMID: 35053603 PMCID: PMC8773848 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To systematically review the current body of evidence on the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy for cervical cancer (CC). Material and Methods: Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science were searched for prospective trials assessing immunotherapy in CC patients in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Full-text articles in English and German reporting outcomes of survival, response rates or safety were eligible. Results: Of 4655 screened studies, 51 were included (immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) n=20; therapeutic vaccines n = 25; adoptive cell transfer therapy n=9). Of these, one qualified as a phase III randomized controlled trial and demonstrated increased overall survival following treatment with pembrolizumab, chemotherapy and bevacizumab. A minority of studies included a control group (n = 7) or more than 50 patients (n = 15). Overall, response rates were low to moderate. No response to ICIs was seen in PD-L1 negative patients. However, few remarkable results were achieved in heavily pretreated patients. There were no safety concerns in any of the included studies. Conclusion: Strong evidence on the efficacy of strategies to treat recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer is currently limited to pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy and bevacizumab, which substantiates an urgent need for large confirmatory trials on alternative immunotherapies. Overall, there is sound evidence on the safety of immunotherapy in CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona W. Schmidt
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (M.J.B.); (M.S.); (A.H.); (K.A.)
- Division of Health Care Sciences Center for Clinical Research and Management Education Dresden, Dresden International University, 01067 Dresden, Germany; (M.G.); (T.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-6131-17-0
| | - Marco J. Battista
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (M.J.B.); (M.S.); (A.H.); (K.A.)
| | - Marcus Schmidt
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (M.J.B.); (M.S.); (A.H.); (K.A.)
| | - Monique Garcia
- Division of Health Care Sciences Center for Clinical Research and Management Education Dresden, Dresden International University, 01067 Dresden, Germany; (M.G.); (T.S.)
- Department of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC MG), Betim 32604-115, Brazil
| | - Timo Siepmann
- Division of Health Care Sciences Center for Clinical Research and Management Education Dresden, Dresden International University, 01067 Dresden, Germany; (M.G.); (T.S.)
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Annette Hasenburg
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (M.J.B.); (M.S.); (A.H.); (K.A.)
| | - Katharina Anic
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Centre Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (M.J.B.); (M.S.); (A.H.); (K.A.)
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