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Andreata F, Moynihan KD, Fumagalli V, Di Lucia P, Pappas DC, Kawashima K, Ni I, Bessette PH, Perucchini C, Bono E, Giustini L, Nguyen HC, Chin SM, Yeung YA, Gibbs CS, Djuretic I, Iannacone M. CD8 cis-targeted IL-2 drives potent antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadi1572. [PMID: 38198572 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi1572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are key antiviral effectors against hepatitis B virus (HBV), yet their number and function can be compromised in chronic infections. Preclinical HBV models displaying CD8+ T cell dysfunction showed that interleukin-2 (IL-2)-based treatment, unlike programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) checkpoint blockade, could reverse this defect, suggesting its therapeutic potential against HBV. However, IL-2's effectiveness is hindered by its pleiotropic nature, because its receptor is found on various immune cells, including regulatory T (Treg) cells and natural killer (NK) cells, which can counteract antiviral responses or contribute to toxicity, respectively. To address this, we developed a cis-targeted CD8-IL2 fusion protein, aiming to selectively stimulate dysfunctional CD8+ T cells in chronic HBV. In a mouse model, CD8-IL2 boosted the number of HBV-reactive CD8+ T cells in the liver without substantially altering Treg or NK cell counts. These expanded CD8+ T cells exhibited increased interferon-γ and granzyme B production, demonstrating enhanced functionality. CD8-IL2 treatment resulted in substantial antiviral effects, evidenced by marked reductions in viremia and antigenemia and HBV core antigen-positive hepatocytes. In contrast, an untargeted CTRL-IL2 led to predominant NK cell expansion, minimal CD8+ T cell expansion, negligible changes in effector molecules, and minimal antiviral activity. Human CD8-IL2 trials in cynomolgus monkeys mirrored these results, achieving a roughly 20-fold increase in peripheral blood CD8+ T cells without affecting NK or Treg cell numbers. These data support the development of CD8-IL2 as a therapy for chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Andreata
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Fumagalli
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Di Lucia
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Keigo Kawashima
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Ni
- Asher Biotherapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | - Chiara Perucchini
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Bono
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Leonardo Giustini
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Henry C Nguyen
- Asher Biotherapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - S Michael Chin
- Asher Biotherapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yik Andy Yeung
- Asher Biotherapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Craig S Gibbs
- Asher Biotherapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ivana Djuretic
- Asher Biotherapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Matteo Iannacone
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Experimental Imaging Centre, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
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2
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Sleeboom JJF, van Tienderen GS, Schenke-Layland K, van der Laan LJW, Khalil AA, Verstegen MMA. The extracellular matrix as hallmark of cancer and metastasis: From biomechanics to therapeutic targets. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadg3840. [PMID: 38170791 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adg3840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for cell support during homeostasis and plays a critical role in cancer. Although research often concentrates on the tumor's cellular aspect, attention is growing for the importance of the cancer-associated ECM. Biochemical and physical ECM signals affect tumor formation, invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Examining the tumor microenvironment uncovers intricate ECM dysregulation and interactions with cancer and stromal cells. Anticancer therapies targeting ECM sensors and remodelers, including integrins and matrix metalloproteinases, and ECM-remodeling cells, have seen limited success. This review explores the ECM's role in cancer and discusses potential therapeutic strategies for cell-ECM interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelle J F Sleeboom
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Postbox 2040, 3000CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Mekelweg 2, 2628CD Delft, Netherlands
| | - Gilles S van Tienderen
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Postbox 2040, 3000CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Katja Schenke-Layland
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department for Medical Technologies and Regenerative Medicine, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Luc J W van der Laan
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Postbox 2040, 3000CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Antoine A Khalil
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Monique M A Verstegen
- Department of Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Postbox 2040, 3000CA Rotterdam, Netherlands
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3
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Rimal R, Desai P, Daware R, Hosseinnejad A, Prakash J, Lammers T, Singh S. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Origin, function, imaging, and therapeutic targeting. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 189:114504. [PMID: 35998825 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is emerging as one of the primary barriers in cancer therapy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are a common inhabitant of the TME in several tumor types and play a critical role in tumor progression and drug resistance via different mechanisms such as desmoplasia, angiogenesis, immune modulation, and cancer metabolism. Due to their abundance and significance in pro-tumorigenic mechanisms, CAF are gaining attention as a diagnostic target as well as to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy by their modulation. In this review, we highlight existing imaging techniques that are used for the visualization of CAF and CAF-induced fibrosis and provide an overview of compounds that are known to modulate CAF activity. Subsequently, we also discuss CAF-targeted and CAF-modulating nanocarriers. Finally, our review addresses ongoing challenges and provides a glimpse into the prospects that can spearhead the transition of CAF-targeted therapies from opportunity to reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Rimal
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (MPImF), Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Prachi Desai
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, RWTH Aachen University, Forkenbeckstrasse 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Rasika Daware
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Aisa Hosseinnejad
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, RWTH Aachen University, Forkenbeckstrasse 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jai Prakash
- Department of Advanced Organ Bioengineering and Therapeutics, Section: Engineered Therapeutics, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, 7500AE Enschede, the Netherlands.
| | - Twan Lammers
- Department of Nanomedicine and Theranostics, Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Smriti Singh
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (MPImF), Jahnstrasse 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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4
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Holder PG, Lim SA, Huang CS, Sharma P, Dagdas YS, Bulutoglu B, Sockolosky JT. Engineering interferons and interleukins for cancer immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 182:114112. [PMID: 35085624 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are a class of potent immunoregulatory proteins that are secreted in response to various stimuli and act locally to regulate many aspects of human physiology and disease. Cytokines play important roles in cancer initiation, progression, and elimination, and thus, there is a long clinical history associated with the use of recombinant cytokines to treat cancer. However, the use of cytokines as therapeutics has been limited by cytokine pleiotropy, complex biology, poor drug-like properties, and severe dose-limiting toxicities. Nevertheless, cytokines are crucial mediators of innate and adaptive antitumor immunity and have the potential to enhance immunotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer. Development of immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination immunotherapies has reinvigorated interest in cytokines as therapeutics, and a variety of engineering approaches are emerging to improve the safety and effectiveness of cytokine immunotherapy. In this review we highlight recent advances in cytokine biology and engineering for cancer immunotherapy.
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Chardin L, Leary A. Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: Thinking Beyond PD-1/PD-L1. Front Oncol 2021; 11:795547. [PMID: 34966689 PMCID: PMC8710491 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.795547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, affecting approximately 1 in 70 women with only 45% surviving 5 years after diagnosis. This disease typically presents at an advanced stage, and optimal debulking with platinum-based chemotherapy remains the cornerstone of management. Although most ovarian cancer patients will respond effectively to current management, 70% of them will eventually develop recurrence and novel therapeutic strategies are needed. There is a rationale for immune-oncological treatments (IO) in the managements of patients with OC. Many OC tumors demonstrate tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and the degree of TIL infiltration is strongly and reproducibly correlated with survival. Unfortunately, results to date have been disappointing in relapsed OC. Trials have reported very modest single activity with various antibodies targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 resulting in response rate ranging from 4% to 15%. This may be due to the highly immunosuppressive TME of the disease, a low tumor mutational burden and low PD-L1 expression. There is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the immune microenvironment in OC in order to develop effective therapies. This review will discuss immune subpopulations in OC microenvironment, current immunotherapy modalities targeting these immune subsets and data from clinical trials testing IO treatments in OC and its combination with other therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Chardin
- Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Gustave Roussy, Inserm U981, Biomarqueurs Prédictifs et Nouvelles Stratégies Thérapeutiques en Oncologie, Villejuif, France
| | - Alexandra Leary
- Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Gustave Roussy, Inserm U981, Biomarqueurs Prédictifs et Nouvelles Stratégies Thérapeutiques en Oncologie, Villejuif, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Université Paris-Saclay, Institut Gustave Roussy, Inserm U981, Biomarqueurs Prédictifs et Nouvelles Stratégies Thérapeutiques en Oncologie, Villejuif, France
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Allam A, Yakou M, Pang L, Ernst M, Huynh J. Exploiting the STAT3 Nexus in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Improve Cancer Therapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:767939. [PMID: 34858425 PMCID: PMC8632218 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.767939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of a heterogenous population of cells that exist alongside the extracellular matrix and soluble components. These components can shape an environment that is conducive to tumor growth and metastatic spread. It is well-established that stromal cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the TME play a pivotal role in creating and maintaining a growth-permissive environment for tumor cells. A growing body of work has uncovered that tumor cells recruit and educate CAFs to remodel the TME, however, the mechanisms by which this occurs remain incompletely understood. Recent studies suggest that the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a key transcription factor that regulates the function of CAFs, and their crosstalk with tumor and immune cells within the TME. CAF-intrinsic STAT3 activity within the TME correlates with tumor progression, immune suppression and eventually the establishment of metastases. In this review, we will focus on the roles of STAT3 in regulating CAF function and their crosstalk with other cells constituting the TME and discuss the utility of targeting STAT3 within the TME for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr Allam
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Marina Yakou
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Lokman Pang
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer Huynh
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
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Pfeifer E, Burchell JM, Dazzi F, Sarker D, Beatson R. Apoptosis in the Pancreatic Cancer Tumor Microenvironment-The Double-Edged Sword of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071653. [PMID: 34359823 PMCID: PMC8305815 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with poor prognosis. This is attributed to the disease already being advanced at presentation and having a particularly aggressive tumor biology. The PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME) is characterized by a dense desmoplastic stroma, dominated by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), extracellular matrix (ECM) and immune cells displaying immunosuppressive phenotypes. Due to the advanced stage at diagnosis, the depletion of immune effector cells and lack of actionable genomic targets, the standard treatment is still apoptosis-inducing regimens such as chemotherapy. Paradoxically, it has emerged that the direct induction of apoptosis of cancer cells may fuel oncogenic processes in the TME, including education of CAF and immune cells towards pro-tumorigenic phenotypes. The direct effect of cytotoxic therapies on CAF may also enhance tumorigenesis. With the awareness that CAF are the predominant cell type in PDAC driving tumorigenesis with various tumor supportive functions, efforts have been made to try to target them. However, efforts to target CAF have, to date, shown disappointing results in clinical trials. With the help of sophisticated single cell analyses it is now appreciated that CAF in PDAC are a heterogenous population with both tumor supportive and tumor suppressive functions. Hence, there remains a debate whether targeting CAF in PDAC is a valid therapeutic strategy. In this review we discuss how cytotoxic therapies and the induction of apoptosis in PDAC fuels oncogenesis by the education of surrounding stromal cells, with a particular focus on the potential pro-tumorigenic outcomes arising from targeting CAF. In addition, we explore therapeutic avenues to potentially avoid the oncogenic effects of apoptosis in PDAC CAF.
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Mhaidly R, Mechta‐Grigoriou F. Role of cancer-associated fibroblast subpopulations in immune infiltration, as a new means of treatment in cancer. Immunol Rev 2021; 302:259-272. [PMID: 34013544 PMCID: PMC8360036 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) has been identified as one of the driving factors of tumor progression and invasion. Within this microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) have multiple tumor-promoting functions and play key roles in drug resistance, through multiple mechanisms, including extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, production of growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines, and modulation of metabolism and angiogenesis. More recently, a growing body of evidence has shown that CAF also modulate immune cell activity and suppress anti-tumor immune response. In this review, we describe the current knowledge on CAF heterogeneity in terms of identity and functions. Moreover, we analyze how distinct CAF subpopulations differentially interact with immune cells, with a particular focus on T lymphocytes. We address how specific CAF subsets contribute to cancer progression through induction of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Finally, we highlight potential therapeutic strategies for targeting CAF subpopulations in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Mhaidly
- Institut CurieStress and Cancer LaboratoryEquipe labelisée Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerPSL Research UniversityParisFrance
- U830, InsermParisFrance
| | - Fatima Mechta‐Grigoriou
- Institut CurieStress and Cancer LaboratoryEquipe labelisée Ligue Nationale Contre le CancerPSL Research UniversityParisFrance
- U830, InsermParisFrance
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Sunami Y, Böker V, Kleeff J. Targeting and Reprograming Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and the Tumor Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:697. [PMID: 33572223 PMCID: PMC7915918 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States both in female and male, and is projected to become the second deadliest cancer by 2030. The overall five-year survival rate remains at around 10%. Pancreatic cancer exhibits a remarkable resistance to established therapeutic options such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, due to dense stromal tumor microenvironment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are the major stromal cell type and source of extracellular matrix proteins shaping a physical and metabolic barrier thereby reducing therapeutic efficacy. Targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts has been considered a promising therapeutic strategy. However, depleting cancer-associated fibroblasts may also have tumor-promoting effects due to their functional heterogeneity. Several subtypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts have been suggested to exhibit tumor-restraining function. This review article summarizes recent preclinical and clinical investigations addressing pancreatic cancer therapy through targeting specific subtypes of cancer-associated fibroblasts, deprogramming activated fibroblasts, administration of mesenchymal stem cells, as well as reprogramming tumor-promoting cancer-associated fibroblasts to tumor-restraining cancer-associated fibroblasts. Further, inter-cellular mediators between cancer-associated fibroblasts and the surrounding tissue microenvironment are discussed. It is important to increase our understanding of cancer-associated fibroblast heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment for more specific and personalized therapies for pancreatic cancer patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Sunami
- Department of Visceral, Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, University Medical Center Halle, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.B.); (J.K.)
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Malchiodi ZX, Weiner LM. Understanding and Targeting Natural Killer Cell-Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Interactions in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030405. [PMID: 33499238 PMCID: PMC7865209 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Current therapies can be ineffective due to immune suppression and fibrosis (tissue scarring) that prevents cancer cells from being killed. This review article discusses the relevance of examining how natural killer (NK) cells, immune cells involved in the anti-cancer immune response, interact with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which cause fibrosis, in pancreatic cancer. Understanding how these cell types interact may provide insights to guide the development of novel targeted therapies to increase immune response and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Abstract Interactions between natural killer (NK) cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) comprise a relevant but relatively understudied crosstalk relationship within the tumor microenvironment (TME). This review discusses the relevance of both natural killer cell and cancer-associated fibroblast function and activity in cancers, with an emphasis on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), incorporating additional insights from other malignancies to inform future directions for research. We describe what is currently known about NK cell-CAF crosstalk and their molecular interactions, how it is possible to exploit NK cell cytotoxicity in tumors and how to target CAFs to enhance efficacy of cancer therapies and cytotoxic immune cells. Although not previously tested in combination, there is an abundance of evidence demonstrating that targeting tumor-promoting CAFs and exploiting NK cells, separately, are beneficial as therapeutic strategies. This raises the possibility that a novel combination regimen addressing these two cell targets may be even more beneficial to eradicate PDAC and other solid tumors.
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Schmitz L, Berdien B, Huland E, Dase P, Beutel K, Fisch M, Engel O. The Impact of a New Interleukin-2-Based Immunotherapy Candidate on Urothelial Cells to Support Use for Intravesical Drug Delivery. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10100231. [PMID: 33027905 PMCID: PMC7601792 DOI: 10.3390/life10100231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The intravesical instillation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been shown to be very well tolerated and promising in patients with bladder malignancies. This study aims to confirm the use of a new IL-2 containing immunotherapy candidate as safe for intravesical application. IL-2, produced in mammalian cells, is glycosylated, because of its unique solubility and stability optimized for intravesical use. (2) Materials and Methods: Urothelial cells and fibroblasts were generated out of porcine bladder and cultured until they reached second passage. Afterwards, they were cultivated in renal epithelial medium (REM) and Dulbecco’s modified Eagles medium (DMEM) with the IL-2 candidate (IMS-Research) and three more types of human interleukin-2 immunotherapy products (IMS-Pure, Natural IL-2, Aldesleukin) in four different concentrations (100, 250, 500, 1000 IU/mL). Cell proliferation was analyzed by water soluble tetrazolium (WST) proliferation assay after 0, 3, and 6 days for single cell culture and co-culture. (3) Results: Proliferation assays showed that all IL-2 products induced very similar cultivation results and none of the IL-2 variants had a negative impact on the proliferation of urothelial cells and fibroblast in either concentration. (4) Conclusion: Human recombinant glycosylated IL-2 as well as human non-glycosylated IL-2 have no negative influence on the tissue cell proliferation of porcine urothelial cells and fibroblasts in vitro and represent a promising and innovative potential intravesical therapy candidate for patients in high need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Schmitz
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (P.D.); (K.B.); (M.F.); (O.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Edith Huland
- Immunservice GmbH, 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (B.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Petra Dase
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (P.D.); (K.B.); (M.F.); (O.E.)
| | - Karin Beutel
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (P.D.); (K.B.); (M.F.); (O.E.)
| | - Margit Fisch
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (P.D.); (K.B.); (M.F.); (O.E.)
| | - Oliver Engel
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20251 Hamburg, Germany; (P.D.); (K.B.); (M.F.); (O.E.)
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12
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Glitza IC, Goff SL, Ross M, Margolin K. And Now for Something Completely Different: Immunotherapy Beyond Checkpoints in Melanoma. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2020; 40:1-12. [PMID: 32243202 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_79437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the understanding of biology and therapy of melanoma have occurred at an astonishing pace over the past approximately 15 years, and successful melanoma therapy has led the way for similar advances in many other solid tumors that are continuing to improve outcomes for all patients with cancer. Although the 2018 Nobel Prize was awarded to two investigators who discovered that therapeutic targeting of immune checkpoints held the key to major patient benefits, there are many additional immunotherapeutic strategies that warrant further study and discussion at scientific and medical meetings. This article provides the newest information on three areas of immunotherapy that have been successfully applied to melanoma and continue to pave the way for new developments: cytokines, adoptive cell therapies (ADTs), and intratumoral injection of immunomodulatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Claudia Glitza
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Stephanie L Goff
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Merrick Ross
- Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Kim Margolin
- Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
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13
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Mhaidly R, Mechta-Grigoriou F. Fibroblast heterogeneity in tumor micro-environment: Role in immunosuppression and new therapies. Semin Immunol 2020; 48:101417. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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