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Farhangnia P, Khorramdelazad H, Nickho H, Delbandi AA. Current and future immunotherapeutic approaches in pancreatic cancer treatment. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:40. [PMID: 38835055 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01561-6] [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: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death, but despondently, the outlook and prognosis for this resistant type of tumor have remained grim for a long time. Currently, it is extremely challenging to prevent or detect it early enough for effective treatment because patients rarely exhibit symptoms and there are no reliable indicators for detection. Most patients have advanced or spreading cancer that is difficult to treat, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only slightly prolong their life by a few months. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of pancreatic cancer, yet its effectiveness is limited by the tumor's immunosuppressive and hard-to-reach microenvironment. First, this article explains the immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer and highlights a wide range of immunotherapy options, including therapies involving oncolytic viruses, modified T cells (T-cell receptor [TCR]-engineered and chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] T-cell therapy), CAR natural killer cell therapy, cytokine-induced killer cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunomodulators, cancer vaccines, and strategies targeting myeloid cells in the context of contemporary knowledge and future trends. Lastly, it discusses the main challenges ahead of pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooya Farhangnia
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Khorramdelazad
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hamid Nickho
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Delbandi
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Pradhan R, Kundu A, Kundu CN. The cytokines in tumor microenvironment: from cancer initiation-elongation-progression to metastatic outgrowth. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 196:104311. [PMID: 38442808 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104311] [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: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
It is a well-known fact that cancer can be augmented by infections and inflammation. In fact, chronic inflammation establishes a tumor-supporting-microenvironment (TME), which contributes to neoplastic progression. Presently, extensive research is going on to establish the interrelationship between infection, inflammation, immune response, and cancer. Cytokines are the most essential components in this linkage, which are secreted by immune cells and stromal cells of TME. Cytokines have potential involvement in tumor initiation, elongation, progression, metastatic outgrowth, angiogenesis, and development of therapeutic resistance. They are also linked with increased cancer symptoms along with reduced quality of life in advanced cancer patients. The cancer patients experience multiple symptoms including pain, asthenia, fatigue, anorexia, cachexia, and neurodegenerative disorders etc. Anti-cancer therapeutics can be developed by targeting cytokines along with TME to reduce the immunocompromised state and also modulate the TME. This review article depicts the composition and function of different inflammatory cells within the TME, more precisely the role of cytokines in cancer initiation, elongation, and progression as well as the clinical effects in advanced cancer patients. It also provides an overview of different natural compounds, nanoparticles, and chemotherapeutic agents that can target cytokines along with TME, which finally pave the way for cytokines-targeted anti-cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajalaxmi Pradhan
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India.
| | - Anushka Kundu
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India.
| | - Chanakya Nath Kundu
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India.
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Hsia T, Chen Y. RNA-encapsulating lipid nanoparticles in cancer immunotherapy: From pre-clinical studies to clinical trials. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 197:114234. [PMID: 38401743 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114234] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Nanoparticle-based delivery systems such as RNA-encapsulating lipid nanoparticles (RNA LNPs) have dramatically advanced in function and capacity over the last few decades. RNA LNPs boast of a diverse array of external and core configurations that enhance targeted delivery and prolong circulatory retention, advancing therapeutic outcomes. Particularly within the realm of cancer immunotherapies, RNA LNPs are increasingly gaining prominence. Pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo studies have laid a robust foundation for new and ongoing clinical trials that are actively enrolling patients for RNA LNP cancer immunotherapy. This review explores RNA LNPs, starting from their core composition to their external membrane formulation, set against a backdrop of recent clinical breakthroughs. We further elucidate the LNP delivery avenues, broach the prevailing challenges, and contemplate the future perspectives of RNA LNP-mediated immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffaney Hsia
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Yunching Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
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Arese M, Mahmoudian M, Bussolino F. RNA aptamer-mediated gene therapy of prostate cancer: lessons from the past and future directions. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:1609-1621. [PMID: 38058168 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2292691] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world, and the fifth cause of death from cancer in men. Among the non-surgical treatments for PCa, gene therapy strategies are in the early stages of development and recent clinical trials have provided new insights suggesting promising future. AREAS COVERED Recently, the creation of targeted gene delivery systems, based on specific PCa cell surface markers, has been viewed as a viable therapeutic approach. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is vastly expressed in nearly all prostate malignancies, and the intensity of expression increases with tumor aggressiveness, androgen independence, and metastasis. RNA aptamers are short and single-stranded oligonucleotides, which selectively bind to a specific ligand on the surface of the cells, which makes them fascinating small molecules for target delivery of therapeutics. PSMA-selective RNA aptamers represent great potential for developing targeted-gene delivery tools for PCa. EXPERT OPINION This review provides a thorough horizon for the researchers interested in developing targeted gene delivery systems for PCa via PSMA RNA aptamers. In addition, we provided general information about different prospects of RNA aptamers including discovery approaches, stability, safety, and pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Arese
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Mohammad Mahmoudian
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Federico Bussolino
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
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Santana-Viera L, Dassie JP, Rosàs-Lapeña M, Garcia-Monclús S, Chicón-Bosch M, Pérez-Capó M, Pozo LD, Sanchez-Serra S, Almacellas-Rabaiget O, Maqueda-Marcos S, López-Alemany R, Thiel WH, Giangrande PH, Tirado OM. Combination of protein and cell internalization SELEX identifies a potential RNA therapeutic and delivery platform to treat EphA2-expressing tumors. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:758-772. [PMID: 37251690 PMCID: PMC10213179 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The EphA2 receptor tyrosine kinase is overexpressed in most solid tumors and acts as the major driver of tumorigenesis. In this study, we developed a novel approach for targeting the EphA2 receptor using a 2'-fluoro-modified pyrimidine RNA aptamer termed ATOP. We identified the ATOP EphA2 aptamer using a novel bioinformatics strategy that compared aptamers enriched during a protein SELEX using recombinant human EphA2 and a cell-internalization SELEX using EphA2-expressing MDA231 tumor cells. When applied to EphA2-expressing tumor cell lines, the ATOP EphA2 aptamer attenuated tumor cell migration and clonogenicity. In a mouse model of spontaneous metastasis, the ATOP EphA2 aptamer slowed primary tumor growth and significantly reduced the number of lung metastases. The EphA2 ATOP aptamer represents a promising candidate for the development of next-generation targeted therapies that provide safer and more effective treatment of EphA2-overexpressing tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Santana-Viera
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Justin P. Dassie
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, IA 52242, USA
| | - Marta Rosàs-Lapeña
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Garcia-Monclús
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariona Chicón-Bosch
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Pérez-Capó
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lidia del Pozo
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Sanchez-Serra
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Almacellas-Rabaiget
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Maqueda-Marcos
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser López-Alemany
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - William H. Thiel
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, IA 52242, USA
| | - Paloma H. Giangrande
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, IA 52242, USA
| | - Oscar M. Tirado
- Sarcoma Research Group, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Oncobell, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERONC, Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Patterson SD, Copland M. The Bone Marrow Immune Microenvironment in CML: Treatment Responses, Treatment-Free Remission, and Therapeutic Vulnerabilities. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2023; 18:19-32. [PMID: 36780103 PMCID: PMC9995533 DOI: 10.1007/s11899-023-00688-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are very successful for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) but are not curative in most patients due to persistence of TKI-resistant leukaemia stem cells (LSCs). The bone marrow immune microenvironment (BME) provides protection to the LSC through multidimensional interactions, driving therapy resistance, and highlighting the need to circumvent these protective niches therapeutically. This review updates the evidence for interactions between CML cells and the immune microenvironment with a view to identifying targetable therapeutic vulnerabilities and describes what is known about the role of immune regulation in treatment-free remission (TFR). RECENT FINDINGS Intracellular signalling downstream of the chemotactic CXCL12-CXCR4 axis, responsible for disrupted homing in CML, has been elucidated in LSCs, highlighting novel therapeutic opportunities. In addition, LSCs expressing CXCL12-cleaving surface protein CD26 were highly correlated with CML burden, building on existing evidence. Newer findings implicate the adhesion molecule CD44 in TKI resistance, while JAK/STAT-mediated resistance to TKIs may occur downstream of extrinsic signalling in the BME. Exosomal BME-LSC cross-communication has also been explored. Finally, further detail on the phenotypes of natural killer (NK) cells putatively involved in maintaining successful TFR has been published, and NK-based immunotherapies are discussed. Recent studies highlight and build on our understanding of the BME in CML persistence and TKI resistance, pinpointing therapeutically vulnerable interactions. Repurposing existing drugs and/or the development of novel inhibitors targeting these relationships may help to overcome these issues in TKI-resistant CML and be used as adjuvant therapy for sustained TFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun David Patterson
- School of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 21 Shelley Road, Glasgow, G12 0ZD, UK.
| | - Mhairi Copland
- School of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 21 Shelley Road, Glasgow, G12 0ZD, UK.
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Zhou J, Li W, Guan S, Chen X, Liu X, Shao W. Discovery of Chemokine CXCL12 Inhibitors by Tandem Application of Virtual Screening and NMR Spectrometry. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:5729-5737. [PMID: 36288081 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The CXC chemokine ligand CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 play critical roles in stem-cell homing, infectious diseases, and cancer, which led the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis to attract much attention in drug discovery. CXCR4 is regarded as the primary target while CXCL12 is considered too small to be a druggable target. In this paper, we employed virtual screening approaches and ligand-based NMR screening methods from a SPECS library and in-house natural products to discover new CXCR12 inhibitors. Four natural triterpene saponins were confirmed, and the triterpene sapogenin was identified as the main binding epitope by saturation transfer difference-nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular docking studies. The pentacyclic triterpene scaffold and its elucidated structure-activity relationships provide a new and valuable research direction for the development of novel CXCL12 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Zhou
- Instrumental Analysis & Research Center, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Wei Li
- Instrumental Analysis & Research Center, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Shanyue Guan
- Instrumental Analysis & Research Center, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xiaohong Chen
- Instrumental Analysis & Research Center, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Zhongshan 528458, China
| | - Weiyan Shao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Gumberger P, Bjornsson B, Sandström P, Bojmar L, Zambirinis CP. The Liver Pre-Metastatic Niche in Pancreatic Cancer: A Potential Opportunity for Intervention. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3028. [PMID: 35740692 PMCID: PMC9221452 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14123028] [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: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-related mortality is primarily a consequence of metastatic dissemination and associated complications. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignancies and tends to metastasize early, especially in the liver. Emerging evidence suggests that organs that develop metastases exhibit microscopic changes that favor metastatic growth, collectively known as "pre-metastatic niches". By definition, a pre-metastatic niche is chronologically established before overt metastatic outgrowth, and its generation involves the release of tumor-derived secreted factors that modulate cells intrinsic to the recipient organ, as well as recruitment of additional cells from tertiary sites, such as bone marrow-all orchestrated by the primary tumor. The pre-metastatic niche is characterized by tumor-promoting inflammation with tumor-supportive and immune-suppressive features, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, angiogenic modulation and metabolic alterations that support growth of disseminated tumor cells. In this paper, we review the current state of knowledge of the hepatic pre-metastatic niche in PDAC and attempt to create a framework to guide future diagnostic and therapeutic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Gumberger
- Department of Surgery, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden; (P.G.); (B.B.); (P.S.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Bergthor Bjornsson
- Department of Surgery, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden; (P.G.); (B.B.); (P.S.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Per Sandström
- Department of Surgery, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden; (P.G.); (B.B.); (P.S.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Linda Bojmar
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden;
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Bienia A, Wiecheć-Cudak O, Murzyn AA, Krzykawska-Serda M. Photodynamic Therapy and Hyperthermia in Combination Treatment-Neglected Forces in the Fight against Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1147. [PMID: 34452108 PMCID: PMC8399393 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in humans. Despite the progress in cancer treatment, and an increase in the effectiveness of diagnostic methods, cancer is still highly lethal and very difficult to treat in many cases. Combination therapy, in the context of cancer treatment, seems to be a promising option that may allow minimizing treatment side effects and may have a significant impact on the cure. It may also increase the effectiveness of anti-cancer therapies. Moreover, combination treatment can significantly increase delivery of drugs to cancerous tissues. Photodynamic therapy and hyperthermia seem to be ideal examples that prove the effectiveness of combination therapy. These two kinds of therapy can kill cancer cells through different mechanisms and activate various signaling pathways. Both PDT and hyperthermia play significant roles in the perfusion of a tumor and the network of blood vessels wrapped around it. The main goal of combination therapy is to combine separate mechanisms of action that will make cancer cells more sensitive to a given therapeutic agent. Such an approach in treatment may contribute toward increasing its effectiveness, optimizing the cancer treatment process in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Martyna Krzykawska-Serda
- Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (A.B.); (O.W.-C.); (A.A.M.)
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Zhu C, Gu L, Liu Z, Li J, Yao M, Fang C. Correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor pathway and immune microenvironment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:836. [PMID: 34284746 PMCID: PMC8290614 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08547-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immunotherapy is a crucial therapeutic approach in oncology. However, most patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) do not derive benefit from immunotherapy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF Receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling pathway is one of the most important pathways regulating angiogenesis in tumor. The combination of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy is considered to improve efficacy of immunotherapy. The correlation between VEGF signaling pathway and tumor immune microenvironment in HNSCC patients is unclear. Methods We utilized RNA sequencing and clinical data of HNSCC patients from the TCGA database to study the correlation between VEGF signaling pathway and tumor immune microenvironment, on aspect of immune cell infiltration, immune-related gene expression profiling and immune-related biological pathways. Results We observed that VEGF signaling pathway is positively correlated with immune cell infiltration, immune-related gene expression profiles, and the prognosis of HNSCC patients. The functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes between different VEGF score subtypes detected multiple immune-related biological processes. Conclusion Our findings suggested that combining anti-VEGF signaling pathway agents with immunotherapy, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) therapy, may exhibit encouraging benefits in HNSCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08547-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhu
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Liqun Gu
- Department of Pediatric Stomatology, Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zelong Liu
- Division of Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mianfeng Yao
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Changyun Fang
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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11
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Kiaie SH, Sanaei MJ, Heshmati M, Asadzadeh Z, Azimi I, Hadidi S, Jafari R, Baradaran B. Immune checkpoints in targeted-immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer: New hope for clinical development. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:1083-1097. [PMID: 34094821 PMCID: PMC8144893 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has been recently considered as a promising alternative for cancer treatment. Indeed, targeting of immune checkpoint (ICP) strategies have shown significant success in human malignancies. However, despite remarkable success of cancer immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer (PCa), many of the developed immunotherapy methods show poor therapeutic outcomes in PCa with no or few effective treatment options thus far. In this process, immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is found to be the main obstacle to the effectiveness of antitumor immune response induced by an immunotherapy method. In this paper, the latest findings on the ICPs, which mediate immunosuppression in the TME have been reviewed. In addition, different approaches for targeting ICPs in the TME of PCa have been discussed. This review has also synopsized the cutting-edge advances in the latest studies to clinical applications of ICP-targeted therapy in PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Hossein Kiaie
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5173957616, Iran
- Nano Drug Delivery Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6715847141, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Sanaei
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord 8815713471, Iran
| | - Masoud Heshmati
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord 8815713471, Iran
| | - Zahra Asadzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5173957616, Iran
| | - Iman Azimi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Saleh Hadidi
- Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord 8815713471, Iran
| | - Reza Jafari
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 5714783734, Iran
- Department of Immunology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia 5714783734, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5173957616, Iran
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Aptamers: a novel targeted theranostic platform for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Radiat Oncol 2020; 15:189. [PMID: 32758252 PMCID: PMC7409417 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-020-01624-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an extremely challenging disease with a high mortality rate and a short overall survival time. The poor prognosis can be explained by aggressive tumor growth, late diagnosis, and therapy resistance. Consistent efforts have been made focusing on early tumor detection and novel drug development. Various strategies aim at increasing target specificity or local enrichment of chemotherapeutics as well as imaging agents in tumor tissue. Aptamers have the potential to provide early detection and permit anti-cancer therapy with significantly reduced side effects. These molecules are in-vitro selected single-stranded oligonucleotides that form stable three-dimensional structures. They are capable of binding to a variety of molecular targets with high affinity and specificity. Several properties such as high binding affinity, the in vitro chemical process of selection, a variety of chemical modifications of molecular platforms for diverse function, non-immunoreactivity, modification of bioavailability, and manipulation of pharmacokinetics make aptamers attractive targets compared to conventional cell-specific ligands. To explore the potential of aptamers for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of PDAC - as single agents and in combination with radiotherapy - we summarize the generation process of aptamers and their application as biosensors, biomarker detection tools, targeted imaging tracers, and drug-delivery carriers. We are furthermore discussing the current implementation aptamers in clinical trials, their limitations and possible future utilization.
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