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Liu Q, Yao F, Wu L, Xu T, Na J, Shen Z, Liu X, Shi W, Zhao Y, Liao Y. Heterogeneity and interplay: the multifaceted role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor and therapeutic strategies. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:2395-2417. [PMID: 38602644 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03492-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The journey of cancer development is a multifaceted and staged process. The array of treatments available for cancer varies significantly, dictated by the disease's type and stage. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), prevalent across various cancer types and stages, play a pivotal role in tumor genesis, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. The strategy of concurrently targeting cancer cells and CAFs holds great promise in cancer therapy. In this review, we focus intently on CAFs, delving into their critical role in cancer's progression. We begin by exploring the origins, classification, and surface markers of CAFs. Following this, we emphasize the key cytokines and signaling pathways involved in the interplay between cancer cells and CAFs and their influence on the tumor immune microenvironment. Additionally, we examine current therapeutic approaches targeting CAFs. This article underscores the multifarious roles of CAFs within the tumor microenvironment and their potential applications in cancer treatment, highlighting their importance as key targets in overcoming drug resistance and enhancing the efficacy of tumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoqiao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Fei Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Liangliang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Tianyuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jintong Na
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Zhen Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
| | - Yongxiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
| | - Yuan Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Bio-Targeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
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Fattahi AS, Jafari M, Farahavar G, Abolmaali SS, Tamaddon AM. Expanding horizons in cancer therapy by immunoconjugates targeting tumor microenvironments. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 201:104437. [PMID: 38977144 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104437] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunoconjugates are promising molecules combining antibodies with different agents, such as toxins, drugs, radionuclides, or cytokines that primarily aim to target tumor cells. However, tumor microenvironment (TME), which comprises a complex network of various cells and molecular cues guiding tumor growth and progression, remains a major challenge for effective cancer therapy. Our review underscores the pivotal role of TME in cancer therapy with immunoconjugates, examining the intricate interactions with TME and recent advancements in TME-targeted immunoconjugates. We explore strategies for targeting TME components, utilizing diverse antibodies such as neutralizing, immunomodulatory, immune checkpoint inhibitors, immunostimulatory, and bispecific antibodies. Additionally, we discuss different immunoconjugates, elucidating their mechanisms of action, advantages, limitations, and applications in cancer immunotherapy. Furthermore, we highlight emerging technologies enhancing the safety and efficacy of immunoconjugates, such as antibody engineering, combination therapies, and nanotechnology. Finally, we summarize current advancements, perspectives, and future developments of TME-targeted immunoconjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Saamaan Fattahi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Mahboobeh Jafari
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
| | - Ghazal Farahavar
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
| | - Samira Sadat Abolmaali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
| | - Ali Mohammad Tamaddon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
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Ruixin S, Yifan L, Yansha S, Min Z, Yiwei D, Xiaoli H, Bizhi S, Hua J, Zonghai L. Dual targeting chimeric antigen receptor cells enhance antitumour activity by overcoming T cell exhaustion in pancreatic cancer. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 39129178 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16505] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Although our previous data indicated that claudin 18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2)-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells displayed remarkable clinical efficacy in CLDN18.2-positive gastric cancer, their efficacy is limited in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The tumour microenvironment (TME) is one of the main obstacles to the efficacy of CAR-T and remodelling the TME may be a possible way to overcome this obstacle. The TME of PDAC is characterized by abundant cancer-related fibroblasts (CAFs), which hinder the infiltration and function of CLDN18.2-targeted CAR-T cells. The expression of fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAP) is an important feature of active CAFs, providing potential targets for eliminating CAFs. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH In this study, we generated 10 FAP/CLDN 18.2 dual-targeted CAR-T cells and evaluated their anti-tumour ability in vitro and in vivo. KEY RESULTS Compared with conventional CAR-T cells, some dual-targeted CAR-T cells showed improved therapeutic effects in mouse pancreatic cancers. Further, dual-targeted CAR-T cells with better anti-tumour effect could suppress the recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) to improve the immunosuppressive TME, which contributes to the survival of CD8+ T cells. Moreover, dual-targeted CAR-T cells reduced the exhaustion of T cells in transforming TGF-β dependent manner. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The dual-targeted CAR-T cells obtained enhancement of T effector function, inhibition of T cell exhaustion, and improvement of tumour microenvironment. Our findings provide a theoretical rationale for dual-targeted FAP/CLDN 18.2 CAR-T cells therapy in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Ruixin
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liu Yifan
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sun Yansha
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhou Min
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Yiwei
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hu Xiaoli
- CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi Bizhi
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Zonghai
- State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai, China
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Lu L, Feng H, Dai G, Liu S, Feng Y, Tan H, Zhang X, Hong G, Lai X. A novel cancer-associated fibroblast signature for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma via integrated analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:309. [PMID: 39060620 PMCID: PMC11282037 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01175-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), integral components of the tumor microenvironment, play a pivotal role in tumor proliferation, metastasis, and clinical outcomes. However, its specific roles in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC) remain poorly understood. Employing the established Seurat single-cell analysis pipeline, we identified 21 CAFs marker genes. Subsequently, a prognostic signature consisting of 6 CAFs marker genes (RGS5, PGF, TPM2, GJA4, SEPT4, and PLXDC1) was developed in a cohort through univariate and LASSO Cox regression analyses. The model's efficacy was then validated in an external cohort, with a remarkable predictive performance in 1-, 3-, and 5-year. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited significantly inferior survival outcomes (p < 0.001), and the risk score was an independent prognostic factor (p < 0.05). Distinct differences in immune cell profiles and drug susceptibility were observed between the two risk groups. In KIRC, the PGF-VEGFR1 signaling pathway displayed a notable increase. PGF expression was significantly elevated in tumor tissues, as demonstrated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In vitro, transwell assays and CCK8 revealed that recombinant-PGF could enhance the capability of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in 769P and 786-O cells. This study firstly developed a novel predictive model based on 6 CAFs genes for KIRC. Additionally, PGF may present a potential therapeutic target to enhance KIRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Lu
- Department of Renal Rheumatology Immunology, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huaguo Feng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guohua Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shuangquan Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Feng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Jiangjin District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Haoyang Tan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tongnan District People's Hospital, No. 189, Jianshe Road, Dafo Street, Tongnan District, Chongqing, China
| | - Guoqing Hong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tongnan District People's Hospital, No. 189, Jianshe Road, Dafo Street, Tongnan District, Chongqing, China.
| | - Xing Lai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tongnan District People's Hospital, No. 189, Jianshe Road, Dafo Street, Tongnan District, Chongqing, China.
- Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, China.
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Li J, Zhou C, Gao X, Tan T, Zhang M, Li Y, Chen H, Wang R, Wang B, Liu J, Liu P. S100A10 promotes cancer metastasis via recruitment of MDSCs within the lungs. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2381803. [PMID: 39071160 PMCID: PMC11275524 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2381803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor-derived exosomes bind to organ resident cells, activating S100 molecules during the remodeling of the local immune microenvironment. However, little is known regarding how organ resident cell S100A10 mediates cancer metastatic progression. Here, we provided evidence that S100A10 plays an important role in regulating the lung immune microenvironment and cancer metastasis. S100A10-deficient mice reduced cancer metastasis in the lung. Furthermore, the activation of S100A10 within lung fibroblasts via tumor-derived exosomes increased the expression of CXCL1 and CXCL8 chemokines, accompanied by the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) recruitment. S100A10 inhibitors such as 1-Substituted-4-Aroyl-3-hydroxy-5-Phenyl-1 H-5-pyrrol-2(5 H)-ones inhibit lung metastasis in vivo. Our findings highlight the crucial role of S100A10 in driving MDSC recruitment in order to remodel the lung immune microenvironment and provide potential therapeutic targets to block cancer metastasis to the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Can Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoqian Gao
- Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tan Tan
- Center for Precision Medicine, the First People’s Hospital of Chenzhou, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yazhao Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - He Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ruiqi Wang
- Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peijun Liu
- Center for Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Kong W, He J, Zhou Q, Zhou X, Wei X, Yang Y, Mei Y, Wang S, Zhang X, Yao B, Yue Y, Xu J, Jiang M, Xu C. Histone lactylation-related genes correlate with the molecular patterns and functions of cancer-associated fibroblasts and have significant clinical implications in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33554. [PMID: 39035489 PMCID: PMC11259888 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent research emphasised the indispensable role of histone lactylation in the activation of hepatic stellate cells. The VHL mutation is extremely common in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, which normally causes a metabolic shift in cancer cells and increases lactate production, eventually creating a lactate-enriched tumour microenvironment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumour progression, which is also vital in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Therefore, this study investigated histone lactylation in CAFs and its impact on patient survival. Multiomics technology was employed to determine the role of histone lactylation-related genes in the evolution of CAFs which correlated with the function and molecular signatures of CAFs. The results suggested that TIMP1 was the hub gene of histone lactylation-related genes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyu Kong
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jiaxin He
- National Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medical Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinyao Zhou
- National Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medical Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- National Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medical Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiyi Wei
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yonglin Yang
- The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Yiwen Mei
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Bing Yao
- National Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medical Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yulin Yue
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiali Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minjun Jiang
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China
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Sinkarevs S, Strumfs B, Volkova S, Strumfa I. Tumour Microenvironment: The General Principles of Pathogenesis and Implications in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. Cells 2024; 13:1057. [PMID: 38920685 PMCID: PMC11201569 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121057] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma worldwide, constituting around 30-40% of all cases. Almost 60% of patients develop relapse of refractory DLBCL. Among the reasons for the therapy failure, tumour microenvironment (TME) components could be involved, including tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumour-associated neutrophils (TANs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and different subtypes of cytotoxic CD8+ cells and T regulatory cells, which show complex interactions with tumour cells. Understanding of the TME can provide new therapeutic options for patients with DLBCL and improve their prognosis and overall survival. This review provides essentials of the latest understanding of tumour microenvironment elements and discusses their role in tumour progression and immune suppression mechanisms which result in poor prognosis for patients with DLBCL. In addition, we point out important markers for the diagnostic purposes and highlight novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ilze Strumfa
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, 16 Dzirciema Street, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
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8
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Xiao Y, Wang Z, Gu M, Wei P, Wang X, Li W. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: heterogeneity and their role in the tumor immune response. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:126. [PMID: 38864912 PMCID: PMC11169017 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-024-01375-3] [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: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, many reports have been published on the composition and function of the tumor microenvironment (TME), among which cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have received much attention. CAFs have different degrees of heterogeneity in terms of their origin, phenotype, and function and can be divided into different subpopulations. These subgroups may play different roles in the occurrence and development of tumors. In addition, CAFs are closely associated with tumor immunity and have been found to regulate immune cell activity and to suppress the tumor immune response. In this review, we systematize the heterogeneity and characteristics of CAFs, discuss how specific CAF subgroups contribute to cancer progression by inducing an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and finally, we examine the future clinical applications of CAF subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Xiao
- Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyu Wang
- Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Gu
- Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Panjian Wei
- Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojue Wang
- Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Weiying Li
- Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China.
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9
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Yao Z, Yang L, Yang X, Liu F, Fu B, Xiong J. Stimulator of interferon genes mediated immune senescence reveals the immune microenvironment and prognostic characteristics of bladder cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28803. [PMID: 38707337 PMCID: PMC11066586 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have shown that the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is critical in tumorigenesis, and development. This study aimed to investigate the immune profile and prognostic significance of STING-mediated immune senescence in bladder cancer (BLCA). Methods We identified differential genes between tumor and normal tissue based on the Cancer Genome Atlas database, and used consensus clustering to identify BLCA subtypes. The genes most associated with overall survival were screened by further analysis and used to construct risk models. Then, comparing the immune microenvironment, tumor mutational load (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) scores between different risk groups. Eventually, a nomogram was constructed based on clinical information and risk scores. The model was validated using receiver operating curves (ROC) and calibration plots. Results We identified 160 differential genes, including 13 genes most associated with prognosis. Three subtypes of bladder cancer with different clinical and immunological features were identified. Immunotherapy was more likely to benefit the low-risk group, which had higher TMB and MSI scores. The nomogram was found to be highly predictive based on ROC analysis and calibration plots. Conclusion The risk model and nomogram not only predict the prognosis of BLCA patients but also can guide the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Yao
- Department of Urology, Hengyang Central Hospital, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Xiaorong Yang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Bin Fu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330000, China
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10
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Wei R, Song J, Pan H, Liu X, Gao J. CPT1C-positive cancer-associated fibroblast facilitates immunosuppression through promoting IL-6-induced M2-like phenotype of macrophage. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2352179. [PMID: 38746869 PMCID: PMC11093039 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2352179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) exhibit remarkable phenotypic heterogeneity, with specific subsets implicated in immunosuppression in various malignancies. However, whether and how they attenuate anti-tumor immunity in gastric cancer (GC) remains elusive. CPT1C, a unique isoform of carnitine palmitoyltransferase pivotal in regulating fatty acid oxidation, is briefly indicated as a protumoral metabolic mediator in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of GC. In the present study, we initially identified specific subsets of fibroblasts exclusively overexpressing CPT1C, hereby termed them as CPT1C+CAFs. Subsequent findings indicated that CPT1C+CAFs fostered a stroma-enriched and immunosuppressive TME as they correlated with extracellular matrix-related molecular features and enrichment of both immunosuppressive subsets, especially M2-like macrophages, and multiple immune-related pathways. Next, we identified that CPT1C+CAFs promoted the M2-like phenotype of macrophage in vitro. Bioinformatic analyses unveiled the robust IL-6 signaling between CPT1C+CAFs and M2-like phenotype of macrophage and identified CPT1C+CAFs as the primary source of IL-6. Meanwhile, suppressing CPT1C expression in CAFs significantly decreased IL-6 secretion in vitro. Lastly, we demonstrated the association of CPT1C+CAFs with therapeutic resistance. Notably, GC patients with high CPT1C+CAFs infiltration responded poorly to immunotherapy in clinical cohort. Collectively, our data not only present the novel identification of CPT1C+CAFs as immunosuppressive subsets in TME of GC, but also reveal the underlying mechanism that CPT1C+CAFs impair tumor immunity by secreting IL-6 to induce the immunosuppressive M2-like phenotype of macrophage in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongyuan Wei
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junquan Song
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongda Pan
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowen Liu
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianpeng Gao
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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11
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Yu KX, Yuan WJ, Wang HZ, Li YX. Extracellular matrix stiffness and tumor-associated macrophage polarization: new fields affecting immune exclusion. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:115. [PMID: 38693304 PMCID: PMC11063025 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03675-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
In the malignant progression of tumors, there is deposition and cross-linking of collagen, as well as an increase in hyaluronic acid content, which can lead to an increase in extracellular matrix stiffness. Recent research evidence have shown that the extracellular matrix plays an important role in angiogenesis, cell proliferation, migration, immunosuppression, apoptosis, metabolism, and resistance to chemotherapeutic by the alterations toward both secretion and degradation. The clinical importance of tumor-associated macrophage is increasingly recognized, and macrophage polarization plays a central role in a series of tumor immune processes through internal signal cascade, thus regulating tumor progression. Immunotherapy has gradually become a reliable potential treatment strategy for conventional chemotherapy resistance and advanced cancer patients, but the presence of immune exclusion has become a major obstacle to treatment effectiveness, and the reasons for their resistance to these approaches remain uncertain. Currently, there is a lack of exact mechanism on the regulation of extracellular matrix stiffness and tumor-associated macrophage polarization on immune exclusion. An in-depth understanding of the relationship between extracellular matrix stiffness, tumor-associated macrophage polarization, and immune exclusion will help reveal new therapeutic targets and guide the development of clinical treatment methods for advanced cancer patients. This review summarized the different pathways and potential molecular mechanisms of extracellular matrix stiffness and tumor-associated macrophage polarization involved in immune exclusion and provided available strategies to address immune exclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Xun Yu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Wei-Jie Yuan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui-Zhen Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yong-Xiang Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
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12
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You S, Han X, Xu Y, Sui L, Song K, Yao Q. High expression of SLC7A1 in high-grade serous ovarian cancer promotes tumor progression and is involved in MAPK/ERK pathway and EMT. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7217. [PMID: 38752472 PMCID: PMC11097251 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Our previous studies have shown that upregulation of SLC7A1 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tumor cells significantly increases cancer cell proliferation, migration, and cisplatin resistance; however, the molecular mechanism by which SLC7A1 functions in EOC remains unknown. In later studies, we found that SLC7A1 is also highly expressed in the interstitial portion of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), but the significance of this high expression in the interstitial remains unclear. Here, we showed the Interstitial high expression of SLC7A1 in HGSOC by immunohistochemistry. SLC7A1 enriched in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) was upregulated by TGF-β1. Transwell assay, scratch assay, cck8 assay and cell adhesion assay showed that SLC7A1 highly expressed in CAFs promoted tumor cells invasion, migration and metastasis in vitro. The effect of SLC7A1 on MAPK and EMT pathway proteins in ovarian cancer (OC) was verified by RNA sequencing and western blotting. Overexpression of SLC7A1 in OC is involved in MAPK/ ERK pathway and EMT. In general, in HGSOC, CAFs overexpressing SLC7A1 supported the migration and invasion of tumor cells; SLC7A1 is highly expressed in ovarian cancer and is involved in ERK phosphorylation and EMT signaling in MAPK signaling pathway. This suggests that SLC7A1 may be a potential therapeutic target for OC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijing You
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Xiahui Han
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Yuance Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Lei Sui
- Department of Gynecological OncologyAffiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Kejuan Song
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Qin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
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13
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Shen L, Li A, Cui J, Liu H, Zhang S. Integration of single-cell RNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq data to construct and validate a cancer-associated fibroblast-related prognostic signature for patients with ovarian cancer. J Ovarian Res 2024; 17:82. [PMID: 38627854 PMCID: PMC11020192 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01399-z] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To establish a prognostic risk profile for ovarian cancer (OC) patients based on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and gain a comprehensive understanding of their role in OC progression, prognosis, and therapeutic efficacy. METHODS Data on OC single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and total RNA-seq were collected from the GEO and TCGA databases. Seurat R program was used to analyze scRNA-seq data and identify CAFs clusters corresponding to CAFs markers. Differential expression analysis was performed on the TCGA dataset to identify prognostic genes. A CAF-associated risk signature was designed using Lasso regression and combined with clinicopathological variables to develop a nomogram. Functional enrichment and the immune landscape were also analyzed. RESULTS Five CAFs clusters were identified in OC using scRNA-seq data, and 2 were significantly associated with OC prognosis. Seven genes were selected to develop a CAF-based risk signature, primarily associated with 28 pathways. The signature was a key independent predictor of OC prognosis and relevant in predicting the results of immunotherapy interventions. A novel nomogram combining CAF-based risk and disease stage was developed to predict OC prognosis. CONCLUSION The study highlights the importance of CAFs in OC progression and suggests potential for innovative treatment strategies. A CAF-based risk signature provides a highly accurate prediction of the prognosis of OC patients, and the developed nomogram shows promising results in predicting the OC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, 67 Dongchang West Road, Liaocheng, Shandong, 252000, P.R. China
- Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
- Department of Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwuweiqi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, P.R. China
| | - Aihua Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, 67 Dongchang West Road, Liaocheng, Shandong, 252000, P.R. China.
| | - Jing Cui
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jinan Stomatology Hospital, 101 Jingliu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250001, P.R. China
- Central Laboratory of Jinan Stamotological Hospital, Jinan Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration, 101 Jingliu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250001, P.R. China
| | - Haixia Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwuweiqi Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, P.R. China
| | - Shiqian Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, P.R. China.
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Xing H, Li X. Engineered Nanomaterials for Tumor Immune Microenvironment Modulation in Cancer Immunotherapy. Chemistry 2024:e202400425. [PMID: 38576219 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202400425] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint blocking and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, has achieved promising results in clinical applications. However, it faces challenges that hinder its further development, such as limited response rates and poor tumor permeability. The efficiency of tumor immunotherapy is also closely linked to the structure and function of the immune microenvironment where the tumor resides. Recently, nanoparticle-based tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) modulation strategies have attracted a great deal of attention in cancer immunotherapy. This is primarily due to the distinctive physical characteristics of nanoparticles, which enable them to effectively infiltrate the TIME and selectively modulate its key constituents. This paper reviews recent advances in nanoparticle engineering to improve anti-cancer immunotherapy. Emerging nanoparticle-based approaches for modulating immune cells, tumor stroma, cytokines and immune checkpoints are discussed, aiming to overcome current challenges in the clinic. In addition, integrating immunotherapy with various treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy can be facilitated through the utilization of nanoparticles, thereby enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatment. The future challenges and opportunities of using nanomaterials to reeducate the suppressive immune microenvironment of tumors are also discussed, with the aim of anticipating further advancements in this growing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Xing
- Department of General Surgery, Naval Medical Center, Naval Medical University, 200052, Shanghai, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, 200433, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, College of Chemistry and Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-iChEM), Fudan University, 200438, Shanghai, China
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15
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Zhang Y, Nie Y, Liu X, Wan X, Shi Y, Zhang K, Wu P, He J. Tumor metabolic crosstalk and immunotherapy. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:797-807. [PMID: 37740892 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03304-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells must resist the host's immune system while maintaining growth under harsh conditions of acidity and hypoxia, which indicates that tumors are more robust than normal tissue. Immunotherapeutic agents have little effect on solid tumors, mostly because of the tumor density and the difficulty of penetrating deeply into the tissue to achieve the theoretical therapeutic effect. Various therapeutic strategies targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) have been developed. Immunometabolic disorders play a dominant role in treatment resistance at both the TME and host levels. Understanding immunometabolic factors and their treatment potential may be a way forward for tumor immunotherapy. Here, we summarize the metabolism of substances that affect tumor progression, the crosstalk between the TME and immunosuppression, and some potential tumor-site targets. We also summarize the progress and challenges of tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yueli Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xitian Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Keyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Pan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jian He
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Talent Highland of Bio-targeting Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
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16
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Ding B, Ye Z, Yin H, Hong XY, Feng SW, Xu JY, Shen Y. Comprehensive single-cell analysis reveals heterogeneity of fibroblast subpopulations in ovarian cancer tissue microenvironment. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27873. [PMID: 38533040 PMCID: PMC10963331 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer, as a highly malignant tumor, features the critical involvement of tumor-associated fibroblasts in the ovarian cancer tissue microenvironment. However, due to the apparent heterogeneity within fibroblast subpopulations, the specific functions of these subpopulations in the ovarian cancer tissue microenvironment remain insufficiently elucidated. Methods In this study, we integrated single-cell sequencing data from 32 ovarian cancer samples derived from four distinct cohorts and 3226 bulk RNA-seq data from GEO and TCGA-OV cohorts. Utilizing computational frameworks such as Seurat, Monocle 2, Cellchat, and others, we analyzed the characteristics of the ovarian cancer tissue microenvironment, focusing particularly on fibroblast subpopulations and their differentiation trajectories. Employing the CIBERSORTX computational framework, we assessed various cellular components within the ovarian cancer tissue microenvironment and evaluated their associations with ovarian cancer prognosis. Additionally, we conducted Mendelian randomization analysis based on cis-eQTL to investigate causal relationships between gene expression and ovarian cancer. Results Through integrative analysis, we identified 13 major cell types present in ovarian cancer tissues, including CD8+ T cells, malignant cells, and fibroblasts. Analysis of the tumor microenvironment (TME) cell proportions revealed a significant increase in the proportion of CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues, while fibroblasts predominated in normal tissues. Further subgroup analysis of fibroblasts identified seven subgroups, with the MMP11+Fib subgroup showing the highest activity in the TGFβ signaling pathway. Single-cell analysis suggested that oxidative phosphorylation could be a key pathway driving fibroblast differentiation, and the ATRNL1+KCN + Fib subgroup exhibited chromosomal copy number variations. Prognostic analysis using a large sample size indicated that high infiltration of MMP11+ fibroblasts was associated with poor prognosis in ovarian cancer. SMR analysis identified 132 fibroblast differentiation-related genes, which were linked to pathways such as platinum drug resistance. Conclusions In the context of ovarian cancer, fibroblasts expressing MMP11 emerge as the primary drivers of the TGF-beta signaling pathway. Their presence correlates with an increased risk of adverse ovarian prognoses. Additionally, the genetic regulation governing the differentiation of fibroblasts associated with ovarian cancer correlates with the emergence of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zheng Ye
- Institute of Computational Science and Technology, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Han Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin-Yi Hong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Song-wei Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing-Yun Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Sun C, Zhang H, Li Y, Yu Y, Liu J, Liu R, Sun C. Elucidation of clinical implications Arising from circadian rhythm and insights into the tumor immune landscape in breast cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27356. [PMID: 38500978 PMCID: PMC10945177 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Circadian rhythm is an internal timing system generated by circadian-related genes (CRGs). Disruption in this rhythm has been associated with a heightened risk of breast cancer (BC) and regulation of the immune microenvironment of tumors. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of CRGs in BC and the immune microenvironment. Methods CRGs were identified using the GeneCards and MSigDB databases. Through unsupervised clustering, we identified two circadian-related subtypes in patients with BC. We constructed a prognostic model and nomogram for circadian-related risk scores using LASSO and Cox regression analyses. Using multi-omics analysis, the mutation profile and immunological microenvironment of tumors were investigated, and the immunotherapy response in different groups of patients was predicted based on their risk strata. Results The two circadian-related subtypes of BC that were identified differed significantly in their prognoses, clinical characteristics, and tumor immune microenvironments. Subsequently, we constructed a circadian-related risk score (CRRS) model containing eight signatures (SIAH2, EZR, GSN, TAGLN2, PRDX1, MCM4, EIF4EBP1, and CD248) and a nomogram. High-risk individuals had a greater burden of tumor mutations, richer immune cell infiltration, and higher expression of immune checkpoint genes, than low-risk individuals, indicating a "hot tumor" immune phenotype and a more favorable treatment outcome. Conclusions Two circadian-related subtypes of BC were identified and used to establish a CRRS prognostic model and nomogram. These will be valuable in providing guidance for forecasting prognosis and developing personalized treatment plans for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjie Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355 Shandong, China
| | - Hanyun Zhang
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355 Shandong, China
| | - Ye Li
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Taipa, 999078, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Taipa, 999078, China
| | - Jingyang Liu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, Taipa, 999078, China
| | - Ruijuan Liu
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, 261041 Shandong, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, 261041 Shandong, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053 Shandong, China
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18
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Wu Y, Guo W, Wang T, Liu Y, Mullor MDMR, Rodrìguez RA, Zhao S, Wei R. The comprehensive landscape of prognosis, immunity, and function of the GLI family by pan-cancer and single-cell analysis. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:5123-5148. [PMID: 38498906 PMCID: PMC11006459 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205630] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancers. However, the roles of the downstream GLI family (GLI1, GLI2, and GLI3) in tumorigenesis remain elusive. This study aimed to unravel the genetic alterations of GLI1/2/3 in cancer and their association with the immune microenvironment and related signaling pathways. Firstly, we evaluated the expression profiles of GLI1/2/3 in different cancer types, analyzed their prognostic and predictive values, and assessed their correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Secondly, we explored the relationships between GLI1/2/3 and genetic mutations, epigenetic modifications, and clinically relevant drugs. Finally, we performed enrichment analysis to decipher the underlying mechanisms of GLI1/2/3 in cancer initiation and progression. Our results revealed that the expression levels of GLI1/2/3 were positively correlated in most cancer tissues, suggesting a cooperative role of these factors in tumorigenesis. We also identified tissue-specific expression patterns of GLI1/2/3, which may reflect the distinct functions of these factors in different cell types. Furthermore, GLI1/2/3 expression displayed significant associations with poor prognosis in several cancers, indicating their potential as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Importantly, we found that GLI1/2/3 modulated the immune microenvironment by regulating the recruitment, activation, and polarization of cancer-associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages. Additionally, functional enrichment analyses indicated that GLI1/2/3 are involved in the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Together, our findings shed new light on the roles of GLI1/2/3 in tumorigenesis and provide a potential basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting GLI-mediated signaling pathways in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinteng Wu
- Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Wenliang Guo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guigang City People’s Hospital, Guigang, Guangxi 537100, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | | | | | - Shijian Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650102, China
| | - Ruqiong Wei
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
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Greier MDC, Runge A, Dudas J, Hartl R, Santer M, Dejaco D, Steinbichler TB, Federspiel J, Seifarth C, Konschake M, Sprung S, Sopper S, Randhawa A, Mayr M, Hofauer BG, Riechelmann H. Cytotoxic response of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of head and neck cancer slice cultures under mitochondrial dysfunction. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1364577. [PMID: 38515569 PMCID: PMC10954813 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1364577] [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: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are highly heterogeneous tumors. In the harsh tumor microenvironment (TME), metabolic reprogramming and mitochondrial dysfunction may lead to immunosuppressive phenotypes. Aerobic glycolysis is needed for the activation of cytotoxic T-cells and the absence of glucose may hamper the full effector functions of cytotoxic T-cells. To test the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction on cytotoxic T cell function, slice cultures (SC) of HNSCC cancer were cultivated under different metabolic conditions. Methods Tumor samples from 21 patients with HNSCC were collected, from which, SC were established and cultivated under six different conditions. These conditions included high glucose, T cell stimulation, and temporarily induced mitochondrial dysfunction (MitoDys) using FCCP and oligomycin A with or without additional T cell stimulation, high glucose and finally, a control medium. Over three days of cultivation, sequential T cell stimulation and MitoDys treatments were performed. Supernatant was collected, and SC were fixed and embedded. Granzyme B was measured in the supernatant and in the SC via immunohistochemistry (IHC). Staining of PD1, CD8/Ki67, and cleaved-caspase-3 (CC3) were performed in SC. Results Hematoxylin eosin stains showed that overall SC quality remained stable over 3 days of cultivation. T cell stimulation, both alone and combined with MitoDys, led to significantly increased granzyme levels in SC and in supernatant. Apoptosis following T cell stimulation was observed in tumor and stroma. Mitochondrial dysfunction alone increased apoptosis in tumor cell aggregates. High glucose concentration alone had no impact on T cell activity and apoptosis. Apoptosis rates were significantly lower under conditions with high glucose and MitoDys (p=0.03). Conclusion Stimulation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in SC was feasible, which led to increased apoptosis in tumor cells. Induced mitochondrial dysfunction did not play a significant role in the activation and function of TILs in SC of HNSCC. Moreover, high glucose concentration did not promote cytotoxic T cell activity in HNSCC SC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria do Carmo Greier
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Annette Runge
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jozsef Dudas
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Roland Hartl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Matthias Santer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniel Dejaco
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Julia Federspiel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christof Seifarth
- Institute for Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marko Konschake
- Institute for Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Susanne Sprung
- INNPATH GmbH, Institute for Pathology, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sieghart Sopper
- Clinic for Internal Medicine V, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Avneet Randhawa
- Department of Otolaryngology, Rutgers University Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | | | - Benedikt Gabriel Hofauer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Riechelmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Freag MS, Mohammed MT, Kulkarni A, Emam HE, Maremanda KP, Elzoghby AO. Modulating tumoral exosomes and fibroblast phenotype using nanoliposomes augments cancer immunotherapy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk3074. [PMID: 38416824 PMCID: PMC10901379 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk3074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells program fibroblasts into cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in a two-step manner. First, cancer cells secrete exosomes to program quiescent fibroblasts into activated CAFs. Second, cancer cells maintain the CAF phenotype via activation of signal transduction pathways. We rationalized that inhibiting this two-step process can normalize CAFs into quiescent fibroblasts and augment the efficacy of immunotherapy. We show that cancer cell-targeted nanoliposomes that inhibit sequential steps of exosome biogenesis and release from lung cancer cells block the differentiation of lung fibroblasts into CAFs. In parallel, we demonstrate that CAF-targeted nanoliposomes that block two distinct nodes in fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway can reverse activate CAFs into quiescent fibroblasts. Co-administration of both nanoliposomes significantly improves the infiltration of cytotoxic T cells and enhances the antitumor efficacy of αPD-L1 in immunocompetent lung cancer-bearing mice. Simultaneously blocking the tumoral exosome-mediated activation of fibroblasts and FGFR-Wnt/β-catenin signaling constitutes a promising approach to augment immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- May S. Freag
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Investigative Toxicology, Drug Safety Research and Evaluation, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mostafa T. Mohammed
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Anatomical and Clinical Pathology Department, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arpita Kulkarni
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hagar E. Emam
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Krishna P. Maremanda
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ahmed O. Elzoghby
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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21
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Zhang Q, Wang J, Zhang J, Wang Y, Wang Y, Liu F. Cancer-associated fibroblasts-induced remodeling of tumor immune microenvironment via Jagged1 in glioma. Cell Signal 2024; 115:111016. [PMID: 38128708 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.111016] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Tumor immunosuppression are prominent characteristics of brain glioma. Current standard modality including surgical resection and chemoradiotherapy do not significantly improve clinical outcomes. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that regard as important stromal cells in tumor microenvironment have been confirmed to play crucial roles in tumor development. However, the effects of CAFs on tumor immunosuppression in glioma are not well expounded. In this study, we report that CAFs contributes to the formation of glioma immunosuppressive microenvironment. Specifically, we found that glioma-derived Jagged1 enhanced the proliferation and PD-L1 expression of CAFs in vitro. Importantly, we discovered that Notch1, c-Myc and PD-L1 expression were significantly increased in high Jagged1-expressing gliomas, moreover, we further confirmed that Notch1 and PD-L1 expression located on the CAFs in glioma tissues. We also found that glioma-derived Jagged1 promotes the increase of tumor-infiltrating macrophages, M2 macrophages and Foxp3 Treg cells, as well as no significance of M1 macrophages and CD8+ T cells, indicating potential immunosuppression. This study opens up novel therapeutic strategies reversing CAF immunosuppression for gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China; Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Jialin Wang
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Junwen Zhang
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Youwen Wang
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100070, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
| | - Fusheng Liu
- Brain Tumor Research Center, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China; Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing 100070, China.
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22
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Fei Y, Wu Y, Chen L, Yu H, Pan L. Comprehensive pan-carcinoma analysis of ITGB1 distortion and its potential clinical significance for cancer immunity. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:47. [PMID: 38402311 PMCID: PMC10894187 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00901-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The human protein-coding gene ITGB1 (Integrin 1), also known as CD29, has a length of 58048 base pairs. The Integrin family's most prevalent subunit, it participates in the transmission of numerous intracellular signaling pathways. A thorough examination of ITGB1's functions in human malignancies, however, is inadequate and many of their relationships to the onset and development of human cancers remain unknown. In this work, we examined ITGB1's role in 33 human cancers. Finally, a multi-platform analysis revealed that three of the 33 malignancies had significantly altered ITGB1 expression in tumor tissues in comparison to normal tissues. In addition, it was discovered through survival analysis that ITGB1 was a stand-alone prognostic factor in a number of cancers. ITGB1 expression was linked to immune cell infiltration in colon cancer, according to an investigation of immune infiltration in pan-cancer. In the gene co-expression research, ITGB1 showed a positive connection with the majority of the cell proliferation and EMT indicators, indicating that ITGB1 may have an essential function in controlling cancer metastasis and proliferation. Our pan-cancer analysis of ITGB1 gives evidence in favor of a further investigation into its oncogenic function in various cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchang Fei
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Jiashan, Jiashan Hospital Affiliated of Jiaxing University, Jiashan, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yulun Wu
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Luting Chen
- Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenling, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huan Yu
- The Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Pan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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23
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Cao L, Ouyang H. Intercellular crosstalk between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts via exosomes in gastrointestinal tumors. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1374742. [PMID: 38463229 PMCID: PMC10920350 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1374742] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) tumors are a significant global health threat, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Exosomes contain various biologically active molecules like nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids and can serve as messengers for intercellular communication. They play critical roles in the exchange of information between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME consists of mesenchymal cells and components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), with fibroblasts being the most abundant cell type in the tumor mesenchyme. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are derived from normal fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells that are activated in the TME. CAFs can secrete exosomes to modulate cell proliferation, invasion, migration, drug resistance, and other biological processes in tumors. Additionally, tumor cells can manipulate the function and behavior of fibroblasts through direct cell-cell interactions. This review provides a summary of the intercellular crosstalk between GI tumor cells and CAFs through exosomes, along with potential underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longyang Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Peoples' Hospital of Hangzhou Linan District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Ouyang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Peoples' Hospital of Hangzhou Linan District, Hangzhou, China
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24
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Li W, Xu T, Jin H, Li M, Jia Q. Emerging role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 253:155002. [PMID: 38056131 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal carcinoma is the sixth leading cause of cancer death globally and the majority of global cases are esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Difficulty in diagnosis exists as more than 70% of ESCC patients are diagnosed at the intermediate or advanced stage. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been considered one of the crucial components in the process of tumor growth, promoting communications between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). CAFs grow alongside malignancies dynamically and interact with ESCC cells to promote their progression, proliferation, invasion, tumor escape, chemo- and radio-resistance, etc. It is believed that CAFs qualify as a promising direction for treatment. Analyzing CAFs' subtypes and functions will elucidate the involvement of CAFs in ESCC and aid in therapeutics. This review summarizes current information on CAFs in ESCC and focuses on the latest interaction between CAFs and ESCC cancer cell discoveries. The origin of CAFs and their communication with ESCC cells and TME are also demonstrated. On the foundation of a thorough analysis, we highlight the clinical prospects and CAFs-related therapies in ESCC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tianqi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hai Jin
- Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China.
| | - Mingyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Qingge Jia
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.
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25
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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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26
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Le J, Pan G, Zhang C, Chen Y, Tiwari AK, Qin JJ. Targeting ferroptosis in gastric cancer: Strategies and opportunities. Immunol Rev 2024; 321:228-245. [PMID: 37903748 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death morphologically, genetically, and biochemically distinct from other cell death pathways and characterized by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides and oxidative damage. It is now understood that ferroptosis plays an essential role in various biological processes, especially in the metabolism of iron, lipids, and amino acids. Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide with low early diagnosis rates and high metastasis rates, accounting for its relatively poor prognosis. Although chemotherapy is commonly used to treat GC, drug resistance often leads to poor therapeutic outcomes. In the last several years, extensive research on ferroptosis has highlighted its significant potential in GC therapy, providing a promising strategy to address drug resistance associated with standard cancer therapies. In this review, we offer an extensive summary of the key regulatory factors related to the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis. Various inducers and inhibitors specifically targeting ferroptosis are uncovered. Additionally, we explore the prospective applications and outcomes of these agents in the field of GC therapy, emphasizing their capacity to improve the outcomes of this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahan Le
- School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guangzhao Pan
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Che Zhang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yitao Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Amit K Tiwari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Jiang-Jiang Qin
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, China
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27
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Yang W, Chen Z, Qu L, Zhang C, Chen H, Zheng J, Chen W, Tan X, Shi C. IR-780 Dye-based Targeting of Cancer-associated Fibroblasts Improves Cancer Immunotherapy by Increasing Intra-tumoral T Lymphocytes Infiltration. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:642-653. [PMID: 38310462 DOI: 10.2174/0115680096261142231018104854] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) against programmed death (PD)-1/PD-L1 pathway immunotherapy have been demonstrated to be effective in only a subset of patients with cancer, while the rest may exhibit low response or may develop drug resistance after initially responding. Previous studies have indicated that extensive collagen-rich stroma secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the tumor microenvironment is one of the key obstructions of the immunotherapy for some tumors by decreasing the infiltrating cytotoxic T cells. However, there is still a lack of effective therapeutic strategies to control the extracellular matrix by targeting CAFs. METHODS The enhanced uptake of IR-780 by CAFs was assessed by using in vivo or ex vivo nearinfrared fluorescence imaging, confocal NIR fluorescent imaging, and CAFs isolation testing. The fibrotic phenotype down-regulation effects and in vitro CAFs killing effect of IR-780 were tested by qPCR, western blot, and flow cytometry. The in vivo therapeutic enhancement of anti-PD-L1 by IR-780 was evaluated on EMT6 and MC38 subcutaneous xenograft mice models. RESULTS IR-780 has been demonstrated to be preferentially taken up by CAFs and accumulate in the mitochondria. Further results identified low-dose IR-780 to downregulate the fibrotic phenotype, while high-dose IR-780 could directly kill both CAFs and EMT6 cells in vitro. Moreover, IR-780 significantly inhibited extracellular matrix (ECM) protein deposition in the peri-tumoral stroma on subcutaneous EMT6 and MC38 xenografts, which increased the proportion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the deep tumor and further promoted anti-PD-L1 therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSION This work provides a unique strategy for the inhibition of ECM protein deposition in the tumor microenvironment by targeted regulating of CAFs, which destroys the T cell barrier and further promotes tumor response to PD-L1 monoclonal antibody. IR-780 has been proposed as a potential therapeutic small-molecule adjuvant to promote the effect of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zelin Chen
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Langfan Qu
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Can Zhang
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hongdan Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401121, China
| | - Jiancheng Zheng
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Wanchao Chen
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xu Tan
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Chunmeng Shi
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
- Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
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28
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Yang Y, Tang X, Lin Z, Zheng T, Zhang S, Liu T, Yang X. An integrative evaluation of circadian gene TIMELESS as a pan-cancer immunological and predictive biomarker. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:563. [PMID: 38053143 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01519-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gene TIMELESS, which is involved in the circadian clock and the cell cycle, has recently been linked to various human cancers. Nevertheless, the association between TIMELESS expression and the prognosis of individuals afflicted with pan-cancer remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVES The present study aims to exhaustively scrutinize the expression patterns, functional attributes, prognostic implications, and immunological contributions of TIMELESS across diverse types of human cancer. METHODS The expression of TIMELESS in normal and malignant tissues was examined, as well as their clinicopathologic and survival data. The characteristics of genetic alteration and molecular subtypes of cancers were also investigated. In addition, the relationship of TIMELESS with immune infiltration, tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and drug sensitivity was illustrated. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to validate the expression of TIMELESS in clinical patients with several types of cancer. RESULTS In contrast to the matching normal controls, most tumor types were found to often overexpress TIMELESS. Abnormal expression of TIMELESS was significantly related to more advanced tumor stage and poorer prognosis of breast cancer, as well as infiltrating immune cells such as cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration in various tumors. Multiple cancer types exhibited abnormal expression of TIMELESS, which was also highly correlated with MSI and TMB. More crucially, TIMELESS showed promise in predicting the effectiveness of immunotherapy and medication sensitivity in cancer therapy. Moreover, cell cycle, DNA replication, circadian rhythm, and mismatch repair were involved in the functional mechanisms of TIMELESS on carcinogenesis. Furthermore, immunohistochemical results manifested that the TIMELESS expression was abnormal in some cancers. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insights into the link between the circadian gene TIMELESS and the development of various malignant tumors. The findings suggest that TIMELESS could be a prospective prognostic and immunological biomarker for pan-cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaocheng Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 136 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianzhe Tang
- Department of Orthopedics, Chenzhou First People's Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Zhengjun Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 136 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 136 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tang Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 136 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolun Yang
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 136 Renmin Middle Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China.
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29
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Apodaca G. Defining the molecular fingerprint of bladder and kidney fibroblasts. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2023; 325:F826-F856. [PMID: 37823192 PMCID: PMC10886799 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00284.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are integral to the organization and function of all organs and play critical roles in pathologies such as fibrosis; however, we have limited understanding of the fibroblasts that populate the bladder and kidney. In this review, I describe how transcriptomics is leading to a revolution in our understanding of fibroblast biology by defining the molecular fingerprint (i.e., transcriptome) of universal and specialized fibroblast types, revealing gene signatures that allows one to resolve fibroblasts from other mesenchymal cell types, and providing a new comprehension of the fibroblast lineage. In the kidney, transcriptomics is giving us new insights into the molecular fingerprint of kidney fibroblasts, including those for cortical fibroblasts, medullary fibroblasts, and erythropoietin (EPO)-producing Norn fibroblasts, as well as new information about the gene signatures of kidney myofibroblasts and the transition of kidney fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Transcriptomics has also revealed that the major cell type in the bladder interstitium is the fibroblast, and that multiple fibroblast types, each with their own molecular fingerprint, are found in the bladder wall. Interleaved throughout is a discussion of how transcriptomics can drive our future understanding of fibroblast identification, diversity, function, and their roles in bladder and kidney biology and physiology in health and in disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Apodaca
- Renal-Electrolyte Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
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Neilson LJ, Cartwright D, Risteli M, Jokinen EM, McGarry L, Sandvik T, Nikolatou K, Hodge K, Atkinson S, Vias M, Kay EJ, Brenton JD, Carlin LM, Bryant DM, Salo T, Zanivan S. Omentum-derived matrix enables the study of metastatic ovarian cancer and stromal cell functions in a physiologically relevant environment. Matrix Biol Plus 2023; 19-20:100136. [PMID: 38223308 PMCID: PMC10784634 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2023.100136] [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: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous (HGS) ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological disease in the world and metastases is a major cause. The omentum is the preferential metastatic site in HGS ovarian cancer patients and in vitro models that recapitulate the original environment of this organ at cellular and molecular level are being developed to study basic mechanisms that underpin this disease. The tumour extracellular matrix (ECM) plays active roles in HGS ovarian cancer pathology and response to therapy. However, most of the current in vitro models use matrices of animal origin and that do not recapitulate the complexity of the tumour ECM in patients. Here, we have developed omentum gel (OmGel), a matrix made from tumour-associated omental tissue of HGS ovarian cancer patients that has unprecedented similarity to the ECM of HGS omental tumours and is simple to prepare. When used in 2D and 3D in vitro assays to assess cancer cell functions relevant to metastatic ovarian cancer, OmGel performs as well as or better than the widely use Matrigel and does not induce additional phenotypic changes to ovarian cancer cells. Surprisingly, OmGel promotes pronounced morphological changes in cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). These changes were associated with the upregulation of proteins that define subsets of CAFs in tumour patient samples, highlighting the importance of using clinically and physiologically relevant matrices for in vitro studies. Hence, OmGel provides a step forward to study the biology of HGS omental metastasis. Metastasis in the omentum are also typical of other cancer types, particularly gastric cancer, implying the relevance of OmGel to study the biology of other highly lethal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Douglas Cartwright
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Maija Risteli
- Research Unit of Population Health, Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Elina M. Jokinen
- Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lynn McGarry
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Toni Sandvik
- Research Unit of Population Health, Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Konstantina Nikolatou
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kelly Hodge
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Maria Vias
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emily J. Kay
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - James D. Brenton
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge, UK
| | - Leo M. Carlin
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David M. Bryant
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tuula Salo
- Research Unit of Population Health, Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Zanivan
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Yuan D, Zheng BW, Zheng BY, Niu HQ, Zou MX, Liu SL, Liu FS. Global cluster analysis and network visualization in cancer-associated fibroblast: insights from Web of Science database from 1999 to 2021. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:549. [PMID: 38031121 PMCID: PMC10685623 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01527-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A scientific and comprehensive analysis of the current status and trends in the field of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) research is worth investigating. This study aims to investigate and visualize the development, research frontiers, and future trends in CAFs both quantitatively and qualitatively based on a bibliometric approach. METHODS A total of 5518 publications were downloaded from the Science Citation Index Expanded of Web of Science Core Collection from 1999 to 2021 and identified for bibliometric analysis. Visualized approaches, OriginPro (version 9.8.0.200) and R (version 4.2.0) software tools were used to perform bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis. RESULTS The number of publications on CAFs increased each year, and the same tendency was observed in the RRI. Apart from China, the countries with the largest number of publications and the most cited frequency were mainly Western developed countries, especially the USA. Cancers was the journal with the largest number of articles published in CAFs, and Oncology was the most popular research orientation. The most productive author was Lisanti MP, and the University of Texas System was ranked first in the institutions. In addition, the topics of CAFs could be divided into five categories, including tumor classification, prognostic study, oncologic therapies, tumor metabolism and tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS This is the first thoroughly scientific bibliometric analysis and visualized study of the global research field on CAFs over the past 20 years. The study may provide benefits for researchers to master CAFs' dynamic evolution and research trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dun Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bo-Wen Zheng
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Bo-Yv Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, General Hospital of the Central Theater Command, Wuhan, 430061, China
| | - Hua-Qing Niu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450014, Henan, China
| | - Ming-Xiang Zou
- Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China
| | - Song-Lin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Fu-Sheng Liu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China.
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32
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Budinská E, Hrivňáková M, Ivkovic TC, Madrzyk M, Nenutil R, Bencsiková B, Al Tukmachi D, Ručková M, Zdražilová Dubská L, Slabý O, Feit J, Dragomir MP, Borilova Linhartova P, Tejpar S, Popovici V. Molecular portraits of colorectal cancer morphological regions. eLife 2023; 12:RP86655. [PMID: 37956043 PMCID: PMC10642970 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneity of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) represents a major hurdle towards personalized medicine. Efforts based on whole tumor profiling demonstrated that the CRC molecular subtypes were associated with specific tumor morphological patterns representing tumor subregions. We hypothesize that whole-tumor molecular descriptors depend on the morphological heterogeneity with significant impact on current molecular predictors. We investigated intra-tumor heterogeneity by morphology-guided transcriptomics to better understand the links between gene expression and tumor morphology represented by six morphological patterns (morphotypes): complex tubular, desmoplastic, mucinous, papillary, serrated, and solid/trabecular. Whole-transcriptome profiling by microarrays of 202 tumor regions (morphotypes, tumor-adjacent normal tissue, supportive stroma, and matched whole tumors) from 111 stage II-IV CRCs identified morphotype-specific gene expression profiles and molecular programs and differences in their cellular buildup. The proportion of cell types (fibroblasts, epithelial and immune cells) and differentiation of epithelial cells were the main drivers of the observed disparities with activation of EMT and TNF-α signaling in contrast to MYC and E2F targets signaling, defining major gradients of changes at molecular level. Several gene expression-based (including single-cell) classifiers, prognostic and predictive signatures were examined to study their behavior across morphotypes. Most exhibited important morphotype-dependent variability within same tumor sections, with regional predictions often contradicting the whole-tumor classification. The results show that morphotype-based tumor sampling allows the detection of molecular features that would otherwise be distilled in whole tumor profile, while maintaining histopathology context for their interpretation. This represents a practical approach at improving the reproducibility of expression profiling and, by consequence, of gene-based classifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Budinská
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masarykova UniverzitaBrnoCzech Republic
| | | | - Tina Catela Ivkovic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masarykova UniverzitaBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Marie Madrzyk
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masarykova UniverzitaBrnoCzech Republic
| | | | | | - Dagmar Al Tukmachi
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masarykova UniverzitaBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Michaela Ručková
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masarykova UniverzitaBrnoCzech Republic
| | | | - Ondřej Slabý
- Central European Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masarykova UniverzitaBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Josef Feit
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Masarykova UniverzitaBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Mihnea-Paul Dragomir
- Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of HealthBerlinGermany
- Berlin Institute of HealthBerlinGermany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Sabine Tejpar
- Faculty of Medicine, Digestive Oncology Unit, Katholieke Universiteit LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Vlad Popovici
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masarykova UniverzitaBrnoCzech Republic
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Zefferino R, Conese M. A Vaccine against Cancer: Can There Be a Possible Strategy to Face the Challenge? Possible Targets and Paradoxical Effects. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1701. [PMID: 38006033 PMCID: PMC10674257 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Is it possible to have an available vaccine that eradicates cancer? Starting from this question, this article tries to verify the state of the art, proposing a different approach to the issue. The variety of cancers and different and often unknown causes of cancer impede, except in some cited cases, the creation of a classical vaccine directed at the causative agent. The efforts of the scientific community are oriented toward stimulating the immune systems of patients, thereby preventing immune evasion, and heightening chemotherapeutic agents effects against cancer. However, the results are not decisive, because without any warning signs, metastasis often occurs. The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on a vaccine that must be administered to a patient in order to prevent metastasis; metastasis is an event that leads to death, and thus, preventing it could transform cancer into a chronic disease. We underline the fact that the field has not been studied in depth, and that the complexity of metastatic processes should not be underestimated. Then, with the aim of identifying the target of a cancer vaccine, we draw attention to the presence of the paradoxical actions of different mechanisms, pathways, molecules, and immune and non-immune cells characteristic of the tumor microenvironment at the primary site and pre-metastatic niche in order to exclude possible vaccine candidates that have opposite effects/behaviors; after a meticulous evaluation, we propose possible targets to develop a metastasis-targeting vaccine. We conclude that a change in the current concept of a cancer vaccine is needed, and the efforts of the scientific community should be redirected toward a metastasis-targeting vaccine, with the increasing hope of eradicating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Zefferino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
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34
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Li Z, Yin P. Tumor microenvironment diversity and plasticity in cancer multidrug resistance. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188997. [PMID: 37832894 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) poses a significant obstacle to effective cancer treatment, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for MDR development and reversal. The TME plays an active role in promoting MDR through several pathways. However, a promising therapeutic approach for battling MDR involves targeting specific elements within the TME. Therefore, this comprehensive review elaborates on the research developments regarding the dual role of the TME in promoting and reversing MDR in cancer. Understanding the complex role of the TME in promoting and reversing MDR is essential to developing effective cancer therapies. Utilizing the adaptability of the TME by targeting novel TME-specific factors, utilizing combination therapies, and employing innovative treatment strategies can potentially combat MDR and achieve personalized treatment outcomes for patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Li
- Interventional Cancer Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China; Department of General surgery, Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Umbilical Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China.
| | - Peihao Yin
- Interventional Cancer Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China.
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35
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Wang J, Liu Z, Lin L, Wu Z, Gao X, Cai X, Chang L, Xia X, Zhang H, Chen G. Collagen-related gene expression level predicts the prognosis and immune therapy response. Gastric Cancer 2023; 26:891-903. [PMID: 37543986 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-023-01416-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer patients responded differently to the same treatment strategy and had various prognoses for the lack of biomarkers to guide the therapy choice. METHODS RNA data of a local gastric cancer cohort with 103 patients were processed and used to explore potential treatment guiding factors. Cluster analysis was performed by non-negative matrix factorization. The expression level of collagen-related genes was evaluated by ssGSEA named collagen score (CS). Data from TCGA, ACRG, and an immune therapy cohort were utilized to explore prognosis and efficacy. Prognostic predictive power of CS was assessed using the nomogram. RESULTS In our study, local RNA data were processed by cluster analysis, and it was found that cluster 2 contained a worse tumor infiltration status. The GSEA result showed that collagen-related pathways were differentially activated in two clusters. In TCGA and ACRG cohorts, the CS can be used as an independent prognostic factor (TCGA OS: p = 0.018, HR = 3.5; ACRG OS: p = 0.014, HR = 4.88). An immunotherapy cohort showed that the patients with higher CS had a significantly worse ORR (p = 0.0025). The high CS group contained several cell death pathways down-regulated and contained the worse tumor microenvironment. The nomogram demonstrated the survival prediction capability of collagen score. CONCLUSION CS was verified as an independent prognostic factor and potentially reflected the therapeutic effect of immunotherapy. The CS could provide a new way to evaluate the clinical prognosis and response information helping develop the collagen-targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianchao Wang
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Zhentian Liu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Liyan Lin
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Zhida Wu
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Xuan Gao
- Geneplus-Shenzhen Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518122, China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiqian Cai
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Lianpeng Chang
- Department of Translational Medicine, Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Xuefeng Xia
- Department of Translational Medicine, Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, 102205, China
| | - Hejun Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, 350014, China.
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36
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Zhu L, Zhang X, Zhang S, Zhang Q, Cao L, Zhang Y, Wang D, Liang X, Wu W, Wu S, Jiang R, Liu Y, Zhao X, Zhou G, Xu K, Meng Z. Cancer-associated fibroblasts in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:2209-2220. [PMID: 36715834 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-00998-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has a relatively good prognosis, yet there are some invasive PTC cases with worse clinicopathological features and poor outcome. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in cancer invasion and metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the expression of marker proteins of CAFs in PTC and their correlations with clinicopathological features through immunohistochemistry. The medical records of 125 PTC patients were reviewed in this study, whose specimens were retrieved for immunohistochemistry. Four CAFs marker proteins, FAP fibroblast activated protein (FAP), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Vimentin and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α(PDGFR-α), were stained and scored. Then, statistical analyses were performed. The immunoreactivity scores of FAP and α-SMA correlated with tumor size, BRAF mutation, extrathyroidal, invasion, pathological subtype, lymph node metastasis and ATA risk stratification. Moreover, binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves showed that high FAP and α-SMA immunoreactivity scores were risk factors for extrathyroidal invasion, BRAF mutation, multi-focality and lymph node metastasis (especially N1b) with good sensitivity and accuracy in prediction. A better performance was found in FAP than α-SMA. Strong expressions of CAFs were risk factors for worse thyroid cancer clinicopathological features. FAP was the better CAFs marker for PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhu
- Department of Ultrasound, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuhan Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, People's Republic of China
| | - Qicheng Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Limin Cao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, 300190, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohui Liang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiming Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuanghu Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruoyu Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, 300060, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Pathology Section, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Guiming Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ke Xu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhaowei Meng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
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Lei Y, He J, Tang Y. Long non-coding RNA and the tumor microenvironment: Prospects for clinical applications in breast cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 190:104102. [PMID: 37597792 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the number one cancer worldwide, and invasion and metastasis are still the main causes of death in breast cancer patients. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is an important site for the growth of tumor cells nourished by vascular networks, and various components of the TME interact strongly with cancer cells and are one of the important mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis. In recent years, many studies have reported that long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are involved in the formation of TME and influence the process of tumorigenesis and metastasis. This paper reviews the basic characteristics and functional roles of LncRNA in breast cancer TME and introduces the various mechanisms of LncRNA in breast cancer microenvironment that induce breast cancer development and metastasis in three directions: immune cells, non-immune cells, and extracellular matrix in TME, providing potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Lei
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, 1 Xianglin Road, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China.
| | - Junfang He
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, 1 Xianglin Road, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yan Tang
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, 1 Xianglin Road, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China.
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Xu J, Shi Q, Wang B, Ji T, Guo W, Ren T, Tang X. The role of tumor immune microenvironment in chordoma: promising immunotherapy strategies. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1257254. [PMID: 37720221 PMCID: PMC10502727 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1257254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chordoma is a rare malignant bone tumor with limited therapeutic options, which is resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and targeted therapy is also shown with little efficacy. The long-standing delay in researching its mechanisms of occurrence and development has resulted in the dilemma of no effective treatment targets and no available drugs in clinical practice. In recent years, the role of the tumor immune microenvironment in driving tumor growth has become a hot and challenging topic in the field of cancer research. Immunotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of various tumors. However, the study of the immune microenvironment of chordoma is still in its infancy. In this review, we aim to present a comprehensive reveal of previous exploration on the chordoma immune microenvironment and propose promising immunotherapy strategies for chordoma based on these characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuhui Xu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qianyu Shi
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Boyang Wang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Ji
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Ren
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Tang
- Department of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Tumor, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
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Tang PW, Frisbie L, Hempel N, Coffman L. Insights into the tumor-stromal-immune cell metabolism cross talk in ovarian cancer. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C731-C749. [PMID: 37545409 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00588.2022] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a constellation of abundant cellular components, extracellular matrix, and soluble factors. Soluble factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, structural proteins, extracellular vesicles, and metabolites, are critical means of noncontact cellular communication acting as messengers to convey pro- or antitumorigenic signals. Vast advancements have been made in our understanding of how cancer cells adapt their metabolism to meet environmental demands and utilize these adaptations to promote survival, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. The stromal TME contribution to this metabolic rewiring has been relatively underexplored, particularly in ovarian cancer. Thus, metabolic activity alterations in the TME hold promise for further study and potential therapeutic exploitation. In this review, we focus on the cellular components of the TME with emphasis on 1) metabolic signatures of ovarian cancer; 2) understanding the stromal cell network and their metabolic cross talk with tumor cells; and 3) how stromal and tumor cell metabolites alter intratumoral immune cell metabolism and function. Together, these elements provide insight into the metabolic influence of the TME and emphasize the importance of understanding how metabolic performance drives cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla W Tang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Leonard Frisbie
- Department of Integrative Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Nadine Hempel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Lan Coffman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
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40
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Yang D, Duan MH, Yuan QE, Li ZL, Luo CH, Cui LY, Li LC, Xiao Y, Zhu XY, Zhang HL, Feng GK, Liu GC, Deng R, Li JD, Zhu XF. Suppressive stroma-immune prognostic signature impedes immunotherapy in ovarian cancer and can be reversed by PDGFRB inhibitors. J Transl Med 2023; 21:586. [PMID: 37658364 PMCID: PMC10472577 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04422-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the most lethal gynecologic cancer, ovarian cancer (OV) holds the potential of being immunotherapy-responsive. However, only modest therapeutic effects have been achieved by immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade. This study aims to propose a generalized stroma-immune prognostic signature (SIPS) to identify OV patients who may benefit from immunotherapy. METHODS The 2097 OV patients included in the study were significant with high-grade serous ovarian cancer in the III/IV stage. The 470 immune-related signatures were collected and analyzed by the Cox regression and Lasso algorithm to generalize a credible SIPS. Correlations between the SIPS signature and tumor microenvironment were further analyzed. The critical immunosuppressive role of stroma indicated by the SIPS was further validated by targeting the major suppressive stroma component (CAFs, Cancer-associated fibroblasts) in vitro and in vivo. With four machine-learning methods predicting tumor immune subtypes, the stroma-immune signature was upgraded to a 23-gene signature. RESULTS The SIPS effectively discriminated the high-risk individuals in the training and validating cohorts, where the high SIPS succeeded in predicting worse survival in several immunotherapy cohorts. The SIPS signature was positively correlated with stroma components, especially CAFs and immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment, indicating the critical suppressive stroma-immune network. The combination of CAFs' marker PDGFRB inhibitors and frontline PARP inhibitors substantially inhibited tumor growth and promoted the survival of OV-bearing mice. The stroma-immune signature was upgraded to a 23-gene signature to improve clinical utility. Several drug types that suppress stroma-immune signatures, such as EGFR inhibitors, could be candidates for potential immunotherapeutic combinations in ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS The stroma-immune signature could efficiently predict the immunotherapeutic sensitivity of OV patients. Immunotherapy and auxiliary drugs targeting stroma could enhance immunotherapeutic efficacy in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Mei-Han Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiu-Er Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Chuang-Hua Luo
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lan-Yue Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Li-Chao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Ying Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xian-Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Liang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Gong-Kan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Guo-Chen Liu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Jun-Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiao-Feng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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Mun K, Han J, Roh P, Park J, Kim G, Hur W, Jang J, Choi J, Yoon S, You Y, Choi H, Sung P. Isolation and characterization of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma. JOURNAL OF LIVER CANCER 2023; 23:341-349. [PMID: 37488925 PMCID: PMC10565539 DOI: 10.17998/jlc.2023.04.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an immunosuppressive role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of human cancers; however, their characteristics and role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be elucidated. METHODS Nine tumor and surrounding liver tissue samples from patients with HCC who underwent surgery were used to isolate patient-derived CAFs. Cell morphology was observed using an optical microscope after culture, and cell phenotypes were evaluated using flow cytometry and immunoblotting. Cytokines secreted by CAFs into culture medium were quantified using a multiplex cytokine assay. RESULTS CAFs were abundant in the TME of HCC and were adjacent to immune cells. After culture, the CAFs and non-tumor fibroblasts exhibited spindle shapes. We observed a robust expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and fibroblast activation protein in CAFs, whereas alpha-fetoprotein, epithelial cell adhesion molecule, platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-cadherin were not expressed in CAFs. Furthermore, CAFs showed high secretion of various cytokines, namely C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2. CONCLUSIONS CAFs are abundant in the TME of HCC and play a crucial role in tumor progression. These fibroblasts secrete cytokines that promote tumor growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoungdo Mun
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center and POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jiwon Han
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center and POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Pureun Roh
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center and POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jonggeun Park
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center and POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gahee Kim
- Division of Chronic Viral Disease Research, Center for Emerging Virus Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Wonhee Hur
- Division of Chronic Viral Disease Research, Center for Emerging Virus Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Jeongwon Jang
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center and POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jongyoung Choi
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center and POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seungkew Yoon
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center and POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youngkyoung You
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hojoong Choi
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Pilsoo Sung
- The Catholic University Liver Research Center and POSTECH-Catholic Biomedical Engineering Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University Korea, Seoul, Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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Huang K, Lin Y, Qiu G, Wang S, Feng L, Zheng Z, Gao Y, Fan X, Zheng W, Zhuang J, Luo F, Feng S. Comprehensive characterization of pyroptosis phenotypes with distinct tumor immune profiles in gastric cancer to aid immunotherapy. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:8113-8136. [PMID: 37595258 PMCID: PMC10497016 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204958] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pyroptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is essential for immunity. Herein, this study was conducted to uncover the implication of pyroptosis in immunomodulation and tumor microenvironment (TME) in gastric cancer. METHODS Prognostic pyroptosis-related genes were extracted to identify different pyroptosis phenotypes and pyroptosis genomic phenotypes via unsupervised clustering analysis in the gastric cancer meta-cohort cohort (GSE15459, GSE62254, GSE84437, GSE26253 and TCGA-STAD). The activation of hallmark gene sets was quantified by GSVA and immune cell infiltration was estimated via ssGSEA and CIBERSORT. Through PCA algorithm, pyroptosis score was conducted. The predictors of immune response (TMB and IPS) and genetic mutations were evaluated. The efficacy of pyroptosis score in predicting immune response was verified in two anti-PD-1 therapy cohorts. RESULTS Three different pyroptosis phenotypes with different prognosis, biological pathways and tumor immune microenvironment were established among 1275 gastric cancer patients, corresponding to three immune phenotypes: immune-inflamed, immune-desert, and immune-excluded. According to the pyroptosis score, patients were separated into high and low pyroptosis score groups. Low pyroptosis score indicated favorable survival outcomes, enhanced immune responses, and increased mutation frequency. Moreover, low pyroptosis score patients displayed more clinical benefits from anti-PD-1 and prolonged survival time. CONCLUSION Our findings uncovered a nonnegligible role of pyroptosis in immunomodulation and TME multiformity and complicacy in gastric cancer. Quantifying the pyroptosis score in individual tumors may tailor more effective immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaida Huang
- Department of Oncology, Xiamen Haicang Hospital, Xiamen 361026, Fujian, China
| | - Yubiao Lin
- Department of Oncology, Xiamen Haicang Hospital, Xiamen 361026, Fujian, China
| | - Guoqin Qiu
- Chenggong Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, Fujian, China
| | - Shengyu Wang
- Cancer Research Center, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Lihua Feng
- Department of Oncology, Xiamen Haicang Hospital, Xiamen 361026, Fujian, China
| | - Zhigao Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Xiamen Haicang Hospital, Xiamen 361026, Fujian, China
| | - Yingqin Gao
- Department of Oncology, Xiamen Haicang Hospital, Xiamen 361026, Fujian, China
| | - Xin Fan
- Department of Oncology, Xiamen Haicang Hospital, Xiamen 361026, Fujian, China
| | - Wenhui Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Xiamen Haicang Hospital, Xiamen 361026, Fujian, China
| | - Jianmin Zhuang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiamen Haicang Hospital, Xiamen 361026, Fujian, China
| | - Fanghong Luo
- Cancer Research Center, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Shuitu Feng
- Department of Oncology, Xiamen Haicang Hospital, Xiamen 361026, Fujian, China
- Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center Xiamen Hospital, Xiamen 361000, Fujian, China
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Cao G, Yue J, Ruan Y, Han Y, Zhi Y, Lu J, Liu M, Xu X, Wang J, Gu Q, Wen X, Gao J, Zhang Q, Kang J, Wang C, Li F. Single-cell dissection of cervical cancer reveals key subsets of the tumor immune microenvironment. EMBO J 2023; 42:e110757. [PMID: 37427448 PMCID: PMC10425846 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022110757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) directly determines patients' outcomes and therapeutic efficiencies. An in-depth understanding of the TME is required to improve the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer (CC). This study conducted single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing of six-paired tumors and adjacent normal tissues to map the CC immune landscape. T and NK cells were highly enriched in the tumor area and transitioned from cytotoxic to exhaustion phenotypes. Our analyses suggest that cytotoxic large-clone T cells are critical effectors in the antitumor response. This study also revealed tumor-specific germinal center B cells associated with tertiary lymphoid structures. A high-germinal center B cell proportion in patients with CC is predictive of improved clinical outcomes and is associated with elevated hormonal immune responses. We depicted an immune-excluded stromal landscape and established a joint model of tumor and stromal cells to predict CC patients' prognosis. The study revealed tumor ecosystem subsets linked to antitumor response or prognosis in the TME and provides information for future combinational immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxu Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jiali Yue
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Science and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yetian Ruan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ya Han
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Science and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yong Zhi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jianqiao Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xinxin Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Quan Gu
- CVR BioinformaticsUniversity of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchGlasgowUK
| | - Xuejun Wen
- Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, School of EngineeringVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Jinli Gao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Qingfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Science and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jiuhong Kang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chenfei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Science and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
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Apollonio B, Spada F, Petrov N, Cozzetto D, Papazoglou D, Jarvis P, Kannambath S, Terranova-Barberio M, Amini RM, Enblad G, Graham C, Benjamin R, Phillips E, Ellis R, Nuamah R, Saqi M, Calado DP, Rosenquist R, Sutton LA, Salisbury J, Zacharioudakis G, Vardi A, Hagner PR, Gandhi AK, Bacac M, Claus C, Umana P, Jarrett RF, Klein C, Deutsch A, Ramsay AG. Tumor-activated lymph node fibroblasts suppress T cell function in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e166070. [PMID: 37219943 PMCID: PMC10313378 DOI: 10.1172/jci166070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent transcriptomic-based analysis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has highlighted the clinical relevance of LN fibroblast and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) signatures within the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the immunomodulatory role of fibroblasts in lymphoma remains unclear. Here, by studying human and mouse DLBCL-LNs, we identified the presence of an aberrantly remodeled fibroblastic reticular cell (FRC) network expressing elevated fibroblast-activated protein (FAP). RNA-Seq analyses revealed that exposure to DLBCL reprogrammed key immunoregulatory pathways in FRCs, including a switch from homeostatic to inflammatory chemokine expression and elevated antigen-presentation molecules. Functional assays showed that DLBCL-activated FRCs (DLBCL-FRCs) hindered optimal TIL and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell migration. Moreover, DLBCL-FRCs inhibited CD8+ TIL cytotoxicity in an antigen-specific manner. Notably, the interrogation of patient LNs with imaging mass cytometry identified distinct environments differing in their CD8+ TIL-FRC composition and spatial organization that associated with survival outcomes. We further demonstrated the potential to target inhibitory FRCs to rejuvenate interacting TILs. Cotreating organotypic cultures with FAP-targeted immunostimulatory drugs and a bispecific antibody (glofitamab) augmented antilymphoma TIL cytotoxicity. Our study reveals an immunosuppressive role of FRCs in DLBCL, with implications for immune evasion, disease pathogenesis, and optimizing immunotherapy for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Apollonio
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Domenico Cozzetto
- BRC Translational Bioinformatics at Guy’s and St. Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Despoina Papazoglou
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Jarvis
- 5th Surgical Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Shichina Kannambath
- BRC Genomics Research Platform at Guy’s and St. Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rose-Marie Amini
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University and Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Enblad
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University and Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Graham
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Reuben Benjamin
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elisabeth Phillips
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rosamond Nuamah
- BRC Genomics Research Platform at Guy’s and St. Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mansoor Saqi
- BRC Translational Bioinformatics at Guy’s and St. Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dinis P. Calado
- Immunity & Cancer Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Rosenquist
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lesley A. Sutton
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jon Salisbury
- Department of Haematology, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anna Vardi
- Hematology Department and HCT Unit, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | - Marina Bacac
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | | | - Pablo Umana
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ruth F. Jarrett
- MRC–University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Alan G. Ramsay
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Mou T, Zhu H, Jiang Y, Xu X, Cai L, Zhong Y, Luo J, Zhang Z. Heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Transl Oncol 2023; 35:101717. [PMID: 37320872 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) consist of heterogeneous cellular populations that contribute critical roles in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A series of computer-aided analyses were performed to determine various aspects of CAFs in HNSCC, including their cellular heterogeneity, prognostic value, relationship with immune suppression and immunotherapeutic response, intercellular communication, and metabolic activity. The prognostic significance of CKS2+ CAFs was verified using immunohistochemistry. Our findings revealed that fibroblasts group demonstrated prognostic significance, with the CKS2+ subset of inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) exhibiting a significant correlation with unfavorable prognosis and being localized in close proximity to cancer cells. Patients with a high infiltration of CKS2+ CAFs had a poor overall survival rate. There is a negative correlation between CKS2+ iCAFs and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, while a positive correlation was found with exhausted CD8+ T cells. Additionally, patients in Cluster 3, characterized by a high proportion of CKS2+ iCAFs, and patients in Cluster 2, characterized by a high proportion of CKS2- iCAFs and CENPF-/MYLPF- myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs), did not exhibit significant immunotherapeutic responses. Moreover, close interactions was confirmed to exist between cancer cells and CKS2+ iCAFs/ CENPF+ myCAFs. Furthermore, CKS2+ iCAFs demonstrated the highest level of metabolic activity. In summary, our study enhances the understanding of the heterogeneity of CAFs and provided insights into improving the efficacy of immunotherapies and prognostic accuracy for HNSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingchen Mou
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Haoran Zhu
- Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710000, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yanbo Jiang
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Liuzhou People's Hospital (Liuzhou People's Hospital affiliated to Guangxi Medical University), Liuzhou 545000, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Xuhui Xu
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lina Cai
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yuan Zhong
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jun Luo
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhenxing Zhang
- Department of stomatology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou 318000, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Liu J, Xu X, Li Y, Xu J, Zhao R, Liu S, Wu J, Zhang L, Zhang B. Bortezomib-loaded mixed micelles realize a "three-in-one" effect for enhanced breast cancer treatment. Biomater Sci 2023. [PMID: 37306225 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm00254c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Comprehensively regulating the TME is now regarded as a promising approach for cancer treatment. Herein, a novel "three-in-one" effect is presented for simultaneously killing tumor cells, inhibiting the EMT of CAFs, and improving immune responses. In this study, bortezomib (BTZ) is selected for the treatment of breast cancer; it has multiple pharmacological mechanisms for killing tumor cells through the NF-κB signaling pathway, inhibiting the activity of CAFs by activating caspase-3, and enhancing the function of CD8+ T cells by regulating the expression of immune-stimulating factors. To improve the druggability of BTZ in solid tumors, BTZ-loaded lipid/glycocholic acid mixed micelles (BTZ-LGs) were prepared to verify the "three-in-one" effect in killing tumor cells, inhibiting CAFs, and improving immune responses. In the present work, BTZ-LGs were verified to show enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity in both 4T1 cells and 4T1/NIH3T3 co-cultured cells, as well as a superior in vivo treatment effect in different tumor-bearing mouse models. Additionally, BTZ-LGs could regulate the expression of α-SMA, caspase-3, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin, indicating their good inhibiting ability on both tumor cells and CAFs. More importantly, immunological analysis revealed that BTZ-LGs promoted the expression of the immunostimulatory factor IL-2 in tumor tissues, activated anti-tumor T cells, and overcame tumor-induced CD8+ T cell dysfunction. All these findings suggest that BTZ-LGs can achieve a "three-in-one" effect in terms of killing tumor cells, suppressing CAFs, and improving immune responses. This simple and multi-effective therapeutic strategy offers a promising approach for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhao Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P.R. China.
| | - Xiaoman Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P.R. China.
| | - Yanying Li
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261053, P.R. China
| | - Jingxia Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P.R. China.
| | - Ruogang Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P.R. China.
| | - Siwei Liu
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261053, P.R. China
| | - Jingliang Wu
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261053, P.R. China
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P.R. China.
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Bo Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, P.R. China.
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Qiao Y, Li X, Hu Y, Guo P, Liu H, Sun H. Relationship between SUVmax on 18F-FDG PET and PD-L1 expression in liver metastasis lesions after colon radical operation. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:535. [PMID: 37308878 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11014-x] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Our study was to investigate the correlation correlation between FDG uptake and PD-L1 expression of liver metastasis in patients with colon cancer, and to determine the value of FDG-PET in predicting PD-L1 expression in liver metastasis of colon cancer. METHODS A total of 72 patients with confirmed liver metastasis of colon cancer were included in this retrospective study. The PD-L1 expression and immune cell infiltrating of tumors were determined through immunohistochemistry staining. The SUVmax of liver metastasis lesions were assessed using 18 F-FDG PET/CT. The correlation between PD-L1 expression and the clinicopathological were evaluated by the Cox proportional hazards model and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS PD-L1 expression was significantly correlated with FDG uptake (SUVmax), tumor size, differentiation, survival and cytotoxic T cells infiltration in liver metastasis of colon cancer (P < 0.05). And liver metastases with high counts of infiltrating cytotoxic T cells showed greater FDG uptake than those with low counts of infiltrating cytotoxic T cells. The SUVmax of liver metastases and the degree of differentiation of metastases were closely related to PD-L1 expression, and were independent risk factors.The combined assessment of SUVmax values and tthe degree of differentiation of metastase can help determine PD-L1 expression in liver metastasis of colon cancer. CONCLUSIONS FDG uptake in liver metastasis of colon cancer was positively correlated with the PD-L1 expression and the number of cytotoxic T cells infiltration. The joint evaluation of two parameters, SUVmax and degree of differentiation, can predict PD-L1 expression in liver metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qiao
- Department of infectious disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui, Bengbu, 233004, China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, 287 Zhihuai Rd, Bengbu233004, Bengbu, 233004, China
| | - Yongquan Hu
- Department of nuclear medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui, Bengbu, 233004, China
| | - Pu Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, 287 Zhihuai Rd, Bengbu233004, Bengbu, 233004, China
| | - Hengchao Liu
- Department of nuclear medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Anhui, Bengbu, 233004, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, 287 Zhihuai Rd, Bengbu233004, Bengbu, 233004, China.
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Ren Q, Zhang P, Lin H, Feng Y, Chi H, Zhang X, Xia Z, Cai H, Yu Y. A novel signature predicts prognosis and immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma based on cancer-associated fibroblasts. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1201573. [PMID: 37325647 PMCID: PMC10264584 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1201573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Extensive research has established the significant correlations between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and various stages of cancer development, including initiation, angiogenesis, progression, and resistance to therapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of CAFs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and develop a risk signature to predict the prognosis of patients with LUAD. Methods We obtained single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA-seq data from the public database. The Seurat R package was used to process the scRNA-seq data and identify CAF clusters based on several biomarkers. CAF-related prognostic genes were further identified using univariate Cox regression analysis. To reduce the number of genes, Lasso regression was performed, and a risk signature was established. A novel nomogram that incorporated the risk signature and clinicopathological features was developed to predict the clinical applicability of the model. Additionally, we conducted immune landscape and immunotherapy responsiveness analyses. Finally, we performed in vitro experiments to verify the functions of EXO1 in LUAD. Results We identified 5 CAF clusters in LUAD using scRNA-seq data, of which 3 clusters were significantly associated with prognosis in LUAD. A total of 492 genes were found to be significantly linked to CAF clusters from 1731 DEGs and were used to construct a risk signature. Moreover, our immune landscape exploration revealed that the risk signature was significantly related to immune scores, and its ability to predict responsiveness to immunotherapy was confirmed. Furthermore, a novel nomogram incorporating the risk signature and clinicopathological features showed excellent clinical applicability. Finally, we verified the functions of EXP1 in LUAD through in vitro experiments. Conclusions The risk signature has proven to be an excellent predictor of LUAD prognosis, stratifying patients more appropriately and precisely predicting immunotherapy responsiveness. The comprehensive characterization of LUAD based on the CAF signature can predict the response of LUAD to immunotherapy, thus offering fresh perspectives into the management of LUAD patients. Our study ultimately confirms the role of EXP1 in facilitating the invasion and growth of tumor cells in LUAD. Nevertheless, further validation can be achieved by conducting in vivo experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianhe Ren
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pengpeng Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haoran Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanlong Feng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhijia Xia
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Huabao Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yue Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Stouten I, van Montfoort N, Hawinkels LJAC. The Tango between Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) and Immune Cells in Affecting Immunotherapy Efficacy in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108707. [PMID: 37240052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of response to therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients has contributed to PDAC having one of the lowest survival rates of all cancer types. The poor survival of PDAC patients urges the exploration of novel treatment strategies. Immunotherapy has shown promising results in several other cancer types, but it is still ineffective in PDAC. What sets PDAC apart from other cancer types is its tumour microenvironment (TME) with desmoplasia and low immune infiltration and activity. The most abundant cell type in the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), could be instrumental in why low immunotherapy responses are observed. CAF heterogeneity and interactions with components of the TME is an emerging field of research, where many paths are to be explored. Understanding CAF-immune cell interactions in the TME might pave the way to optimize immunotherapy efficacy for PDAC and related cancers with stromal abundance. In this review, we discuss recent discoveries on the functions and interactions of CAFs and how targeting CAFs might improve immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imke Stouten
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nadine van Montfoort
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lukas J A C Hawinkels
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Sulaiman R, De P, Aske JC, Lin X, Dale A, Gaster K, Espaillat LR, Starks D, Dey N. A CAF-Based Two-Cell Hybrid Co-Culture Model to Test Drug Resistance in Endometrial Cancers. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051326. [PMID: 37238998 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051326] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancers presents a challenge due to the development of resistance to treatments. The knowledge regarding the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in determining the disease's progression and treatment outcome has evolved in recent years. As a TME component, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are essential in developing drug-induced resistance in various solid tumors, including endometrial cancers. Hence, an unmet need exists to test the role of endometrial CAF in overcoming the roadblock of resistance in endometrial cancers. We present a novel tumor-TME two-cell ex vivo model to test CAF's role in resisting the anti-tumor drug, paclitaxel. Endometrial CAFs, both NCAFs (tumor-adjacent normal-tissue-derived CAFs) and TCAFs (tumor-tissue-derived CAFs) were validated by their expression markers. Both TCAFs and NCAFs expressed positive markers of CAF, including SMA, FAP, and S100A4, in varying degrees depending on the patients, while they consistently lacked the negative marker of CAF, EpCAM, as tested via flow cytometry and ICC. CAFs expressed TE-7 and immune marker, PD-L1, via ICC. CAFs better resisted the growth inhibitory effect of paclitaxel on endometrial tumor cells in 2D and 3D formats compared to the resistance of the tumoricidal effect of paclitaxel in the absence of CAFs. TCAF resisted the growth inhibitory effect of paclitaxel on endometrial AN3CA and RL-95-2 cells in an HyCC 3D format. Since NCAF similarly resisted the growth inhibitor action of paclitaxel, we tested NCAF and TCAF from the same patient to demonstrate the protective action of NCAF and TCAF in resisting the tumoricidal effect of paclitaxel in AN3CA in both 2D and 3D matrigel formats. Using this hybrid co-culture CAF and tumor cells, we established a patient-specific, laboratory-friendly, cost-effective, and time-sensitive model system to test drug resistance. The model will help test the role of CAFs in developing drug resistance and contribute to understanding tumor cell-CAF dialogue in gynecological cancers and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raed Sulaiman
- Department of Pathology, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Pradip De
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Dakota SSOM, USD, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
- Viecure, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, USA
| | - Jennifer C Aske
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Xiaoqian Lin
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Adam Dale
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Kris Gaster
- Assistant VP Outpatient Cancer Clinics, Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Luis Rojas Espaillat
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - David Starks
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Nandini Dey
- Translational Oncology Laboratory, Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Dakota SSOM, USD, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
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