Autophagy-dependent anticancer immune responses induced by chemotherapeutic agents in mice

Autologous tumoral esterase-driven therapeutic polymers sequentially orchestrated antigen-induction, STING activation and anti-angiogenesis for systemic cancer immune therapy

Effective cancer immune therapy requires the orchestration of antigen induction, presentation and T-cell activation, further enhanced by anti-angiogenesis treatment; therefore, multiple therapeutics are generally used for such combination therapy. Herein, we report esterase-hydrolysable cationic polymers, N-[3-((4-acetoxy benzyl) oxy)-3-oxopropyl]-N-methyl-quaternized PEI (ERP) and poly{N-[2-(acryloyl-oxy) ethyl]-N-[p-acetyloxyphenyl]-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride} (PQDMA), capable of simultaneously inducing tumor cell immunogenic cell death (ICD) to release antigens, activating the cGAS-STING pathways of tumor macrophages and dendritic cells, and releasing antiangiogenic agent p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA). Thus, intratumoral injection of ERP or PQDMA systemically boosted the anti-cancer immunities and inhibited tumor angiogenesis in mouse hepatocellular carcinoma and melanoma bilateral tumor models, leading to more effective tumor growth inhibition of both treated and abscopal untreated tumors than ICD alone induced by mitoxantrone and control cationic polymers. Further study using gene knockout mice and transcriptome sequencing analysis confirmed the involvement of cGAS-STING and type I IFN signaling pathways. This work demonstrates ERP and PQDMA as the first examples of inherent therapeutic polymers, accomplishing systemic tumor inhibition without combining other therapeutic agents.

Hijacking the autophagy-apoptosis crosstalk: African swine fever virus orchestrates immune evasion via host remodeling for viral pathogenesis

African swine fever (ASF) is an acute, highly fatal hemorrhagic disease of domestic and wild pigs caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). ASFV, a large double-stranded DNA virus of the Asfarviridae family, is highly infectious and pathogenic. Through modulation of host apoptosis and autophagy pathways, the virus subverts innate immune surveillance to promote its replication and dissemination. Following ASFV infection, domestic pigs may exhibit 100 % morbidity and mortality rates with highly virulent strains, constituting a major threat to the global pork industry. Nowadays, ASF is listed as a notifiable terrestrial animal disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Therefore, elucidating ASFV's pathogenic mechanisms, particularly its molecular regulation of apoptosis and autophagy, is crucial for developing effective ASF control and prevention strategies. This review comprehensively summarizes the pathogenic mechanisms of ASFV, with particular focus on the autophagy-apoptosis crosstalk and viral manipulation of these cellular processes. These insights not only improve our understanding of ASFV-mediated immune evasion mechanisms but also provide valuable references for developing ASF control strategies targeting apoptosis and autophagy pathways.

Radiotherapy modulates autophagy to reshape the tumor immune microenvironment to enhance anti-tumor immunity in esophageal cancer

The combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy exerts synergistic antitumor in a range of human cancers, and also in esophageal cancer. Radiotherapy-induced tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) reprogramming is an essential basis for the synergistic antitumor between radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Radiotherapy can induce autophagy in tumor cells and immune cells of TIME, and autophagy activation is involved in the modification of immunological characteristics of TIME. The TIME landscape of esophageal cancer, especially ESCC, can be affected by radiotherapy or autophagy regulation. In this review, we depicted that local radiotherapy-induced autophagy could promote the maturation, migration, infiltration, and function of immune cells by complicated mechanisms to make TIME from immune "cold" to "hot", resulting in the synergistic antitumor of RT and IO. We argue that unraveling the relevance of radiotherapy-initiated autophagy to driving radiotherapy reprogramming TIME will open new ideas to explore new targets or more efficiently multimodal therapeutic interventions in ESCC.

Dexmedetomidine induces immunogenic cancer cell death and sensitizes tumors to PD-1 blockade

BACKGROUND

Local anesthetics promote anticancer immune responses. A machine learning-based algorithm trained with information on the biological effects and molecular descriptors of analgesics, anesthetics, hypnotics and opioids predicted antitumor effects for dexmedetomidine (DEX). DEX is a sedative acting as an alpha2-adrenoceptor (ADRA2) agonist. Based on these premises, we investigated the putative antineoplastic effects of DEX.

RESULTS

In vitro, DEX promoted premortem stresses such as autophagy and partial endoplasmic reticulum stress with the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha and the inhibition of the splicing of X-box binding protein 1. DEX elicited the biomarkers of immunogenic cell death, including the release of ATP and high-mobility group box 1 protein, and the cell surface exposure of calreticulin, enhancing the engulfment of malignant cells by dendritic cells. In immunocompetent mice, DEX decreased the progression of colorectal cancers, fibrosarcomas, mammary carcinomas and melanomas, as it improved overall survival. These effects were inhibited by the ADRA2 antagonist yohimbine, suggesting that DEX mediates its anticancer effects at least in part on-target. Depending on the specific tumor model, DEX also enhanced the cytotoxic T cell/regulatory T cell ratio in the tumor bed and draining lymph nodes. Programmed cell death protein 1 blockade tended to improve DEX effects. After rechallenge with antigenically identical cells, no tumor appeared, indicating the formation of immunological memory.

CONCLUSIONS

These results confirm the machine learning-predicted anticancer activity of DEX. Beyond its utility as a sedative agent in oncological intensive care, DEX may improve anticancer immunosurveillance and sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint blockade.

The dual role of autophagy in cancer stem cells: implications for tumor progression and therapy resistance

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute a small yet crucial subgroup in tumors, known for their capacity to self-renew, differentiate, and promote tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. These characteristics position CSCs as significant factors in tumor recurrence and unfavorable clinical results, emphasizing their role as targets for therapy. Autophagy, an evolutionarily preserved cellular mechanism for degradation and recycling, has a complex function in cancer by aiding cell survival during stress and preserving balance by eliminating damaged organelles and proteins. Although autophagy can hinder tumor growth by reducing genomic instability, it also aids tumor advancement, particularly in harsh microenvironments, highlighting its dual characteristics. Recent research has highlighted the complex interactions between autophagy and CSCs, showing that autophagy governs CSC maintenance, boosts survival, and aids in resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. On the other hand, in specific situations, autophagy may restrict CSC growth by increasing differentiation or inducing cell death. These intricate interactions offer both obstacles and possibilities for therapeutic intervention. Pharmacological modulation of autophagy, via inhibitors like chloroquine or by enhancing autophagy when advantageous, has demonstrated potential in making CSCs more responsive to standard treatments. Nonetheless, applying these strategies in clinical settings necessitates a better understanding of context-dependent autophagy dynamics and the discovery of dependable biomarkers indicating autophagic activity in CSCs. Progressing in this area might unveil novel, accurate strategies to tackle therapy resistance, lessen tumor recurrence, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.

Impact of radiation therapy on the immunological tumor microenvironment

External beam radiation therapy (RT) is a cornerstone of modern cancer management, being utilized in both curative and palliative settings due to its safety, efficacy, and widespread availability. A primary biological effect of RT is DNA damage, which leads to significant cytostatic and cytotoxic effects. Importantly, malignant cells possess a limited capacity for DNA repair compared to normal cells, and when combined with irradiation techniques that minimize damage to healthy tissues, this creates an advantageous therapeutic window. However, the clinical effectiveness of RT also appears to involve both direct and indirect interactions between RT and non-transformed components of the tumoral ecosystem, particularly immune cells. In this review, we describe the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which irradiated cancer cells modify the immunological tumor microenvironment and how such changes ultimately impact tumor growth.

Oxoisoaporphine Alkaloid Iridium(III) Derivative: An Immunogenic Cell Death Inducer That Engages the Autophagy-Dependent Regulator Cathepsin D

Autophagy has been recognized as one of the pathways for eliciting immunogenic cell death (ICD). However, the specific molecular target responsible for autophagy-mediated ICD has not yet been elucidated. Here, we report that an oxoisoaporphine alkaloid-modified iridium(III) complex (2a) displays autophagy-inducing ICD activity. Through unbiased thermal proteome profiling (TPP), this new complex was found to interact with the lysosomal protease cathepsin D (Cat D). Subsequent cellular and biochemical assays─including the cellular thermal shift assay, isothermal dose-response assay, enzymatic assays, and molecular docking─confirmed that 2a binds to and inhibits Cat D. Further pathway analysis demonstrated that 2a triggers autophagy-dependent ICD via the LKB1-AMPK-ULK1 signaling pathway by inhibiting Cat D. Several other autophagy-dependent ICD inducers were tested and likewise found to inhibit Cat D. In contrast, an earlier reported analogue of 2a, complex 1a, was found to bind and destabilize binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) and promote its ICD activity through an endoplasmic reticulum stress response. We believe that the findings reported here will enhance the understanding of the novel mechanisms of ICD agents and pave the way for the design of new ICD inducers with high specificity and efficacy.

Diversified nanocarrier design to optimize glucose oxidase-mediated anti-tumor therapy: Strategy and progress

Given the inherent complexity and heterogeneity of tumors, current therapeutic approaches often fall short in meeting prognostic requirements. Starvation therapy (ST) utilizing glucose oxidase (GOx) has emerged as a promising strategy, specifically targeting tumor glucose consumption to disrupt nutrient supply. However, the therapeutic potential of GOx is significantly hampered by its inherent limitations as a protein, particularly its poor stability and short in vivo half-life. In recent years, the development of nanocarriors has provided an effective platform for intravenous and local tumor delivery of GOx. This review systematically examines three key strategies in GOx delivery: stimulus-response, biofilm modification, and local delivery. The progress in various carrier systems for GOx-mediated tumor therapy is comprehensively summarized, providing valuable insights for nanocarrier design. Furthermore, the existing challenges and future directions to advance the development of GOx-based tumor therapies are critically analyzed.

Mechanistic insights and therapeutic strategies for targeting autophagy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by early metastasis and resistance to anti-cancer therapy, leading to an overall poor prognosis. Macroautophagy (hereinafter referred to as autophagy) is a conserved cellular homeostasis mechanism that degrades various cargoes (e.g., proteins, organelles, and pathogens) mainly playing a role in promoting survival under environmental stress. Autophagy is an essential defense mechanism against PDAC initiation, acting on multiple levels to maintain cellular and tissue homeostasis. However, autophagy is also intimately involved in the molecular mechanisms driving PDAC progression, facilitating the adaptation of cancer cells to the tumor microenvironment's harsh conditions. In this review, we examine the complex role of autophagy in PDAC and assess the potential of modulating autophagy as a therapeutic strategy. By reviewing current research and clinical trials, we seek to elucidate how targeting autophagy can disrupt PDAC tumor survival mechanisms, enhance the efficacy of existing treatments, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

An unconventional autophagic pathway that inhibits ATP secretion during apoptotic cell death

Mobilisation of Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) determines the immunogenic properties of apoptosis, but the mechanisms that control DAMP exposure are still unclear. Here we describe an unconventional autophagic pathway that inhibits the release of ATP, a critical DAMP in immunogenic apoptosis, from dying cells. Mitochondrial BAK activated by BH3-only molecules interacts with prohibitins and stomatin-1 through its latch domain, indicating the existence of an interactome specifically assembled by unfolded BAK. This complex engages the WD40 domain of the autophagic effector ATG16L1 to induce unconventional autophagy, and the resulting LC3-positive vesicles contain ATP. Functional interference with the pathway increases ATP release during cell death, reduces ATP levels remaining in the apoptotic bodies, and improves phagocyte activation. These results reveal that an unconventional component of the autophagic burst that often accompanies apoptosis sequesters intracellular ATP to prevent its release, thus favouring the immunosilent nature of apoptotic cell death.

Metal-based immunogenic cell death inducers for cancer immunotherapy

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) has attracted enormous attention over the past decade due to its unique characteristics in cancer cell death and its role in activating innate and adaptive immune responses against tumours. Many efforts have been dedicated to screening, identifying and discovering ICD inducers, resulting in the validation of several based on metal complexes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of current metal-based ICD inducers, their molecular mechanisms for triggering ICD initiation and subsequent protective antitumour immune responses, along with considerations for validating ICD both in vitro and in vivo. We also aim to offer insights into the future development of metal complexes with enhanced ICD-inducing properties and their applications in potentiating antitumour immunity.

The role of autophagy in cancer: from molecular mechanism to therapeutic window

Autophagy is a cellular degradation process that plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis under conditions of stress or nutrient deprivation. This process involves sequestering, breaking down, and recycling intracellular components such as proteins, organelles, and cytoplasmic materials. Autophagy also serves as a mechanism for eliminating pathogens and engulfing apoptotic cells. In the absence of stress, baseline autophagy activity is essential for degrading damaged cellular components and recycling nutrients to maintain cellular vitality. The relationship between autophagy and cancer is well-established; however, the biphasic nature of autophagy, acting as either a tumor growth inhibitor or promoter, has raised concerns regarding the regulation of tumorigenesis without inadvertently activating harmful aspects of autophagy. Consequently, elucidating the mechanisms by which autophagy contributes to cancer pathogenesis and the factors determining its pro- or anti-tumor effects is vital for devising effective therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, precision medicine approaches that tailor interventions to individual patients may enhance the efficacy of autophagy-related cancer treatments. To this end, interventions aimed at modulating the fate of tumor cells by controlling or inducing autophagy substrates necessitate meticulous monitoring of these mediators' functions within the tumor microenvironment to make informed decisions regarding their activation or inactivation. This review provides an updated perspective on the roles of autophagy in cancer, and discusses the potential challenges associated with autophagy-related cancer treatment. The article also highlights currently available strategies and identifies questions that require further investigation in the future.

Metabolic Dialogue Shapes Immune Response in the Tumor Microenvironment

The fate of immune cells is fundamentally linked to their metabolic program, which is also influenced by the metabolic landscape of their environment. The tumor microenvironment represents a unique system for intercellular metabolic interactions, where tumor-derived metabolites suppress effector CD8+ T cells and promote tumor-promoting macrophages, reinforcing an immune-suppressive niche. This review will discuss recent advancements in metabolism research, exploring the interplay between various metabolites and their effects on immune cells within the tumor microenvironment.

Dying to survive: harnessing inflammatory cell death for better immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment paradigms, but its effectiveness depends largely on the immunogenicity of the tumor. Unfortunately, the high resemblance of cancer to normal tissues makes most tumors immunologically 'cold', with a poor response to immunotherapy. Danger signals are critical for breaking immune tolerance and mobilizing robust, long-lasting antitumor immunity. Recent studies have identified inflammatory cell death modalities and their power in providing danger signals to trigger optimal tumor suppression. However, key mediators of inflammatory cell death are preferentially silenced during early tumor immunoediting. Strategies to rejuvenate inflammatory cell death hold great promise for broadening immunotherapy-responsive tumors. In this review, we examine how inflammatory cell death enhances tumor immunogenicity, how it is suppressed during immunoediting, and the potential of harnessing it for improved immunotherapy.

The inducible role of autophagy in cell death: emerging evidence and future perspectives

BACKGROUND

Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent degradation pathway for recycling intracellular materials and removing damaged organelles, and it is usually considered a prosurvival process in response to stress stimuli. However, increasing evidence suggests that autophagy can also drive cell death in a context-dependent manner. The bulk degradation of cell contents and the accumulation of autophagosomes are recognized as the mechanisms of cell death induced by autophagy alone. However, autophagy can also drive other forms of regulated cell death (RCD) whose mechanisms are not related to excessive autophagic vacuolization. Notably, few reviews address studies on the transformation from autophagy to RCD, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are still vague.

AIM OF REVIEW

This review aims to summarize the existing studies on autophagy-mediated RCD, to elucidate the mechanism by which autophagy initiates RCD, and to comprehensively understand the role of autophagy in determining cell fate.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

This review highlights the prodeath effect of autophagy, which is distinct from the generally perceived cytoprotective role, and its mechanisms are mainly associated with the selective degradation of proteins or organelles essential for cell survival and the direct involvement of the autophagy machinery in cell death. Additionally, this review highlights the need for better manipulation of autophagy activation or inhibition in different pathological contexts, depending on clinical purpose.

Anti-Cancer Strategies Using Anaerobic Spore-Forming Bacteria Clostridium: Advances and Synergistic Approaches

Despite ongoing advancements, cancer remains a significant global health concern, with a persistent challenge in identifying a definitive cure. While various cancer therapies have been developed and approved, offering treatments for smaller neoplasms, their efficacy diminishes in solid tumors and hypoxic environments, particularly for chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A novel approach, Clostridium-based therapy, has emerged as a promising candidate for current solid tumor treatments due to its unique affinity for the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. This review examines the potential of Clostridium in cancer treatment, encompassing direct tumor lysis, immune modulation, and synergistic effects with existing cancer therapies. Advancements in synthetic biology have further enhanced its potential through genetic modifications, such as the removal of alpha toxin gene from Clostridium novyi-NT, the implementation of targeted approaches, and reduction in systemic toxicity. Although preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that Clostridium-based treatments combined with other therapies hold promise for complete cancer eradication, challenges persist. Through this review, we also propose that the integration of various methods and technologies together with Clostridium-based therapy may lead to the complete eradication of cancer in the future.

Biomimetic-Nanoparticle-Enhanced Photothermal Immunotherapy: Targeted Delivery of Near-Infrared Region II Agents and Immunoadjuvants for Tumor Immunogenicity

Advancing at the cutting edge of oncology, the synergistic application of photothermal therapy coupled with immunotherapy is rapidly establishing itself as an innovative and potent strategy against cancer. A critical challenge in this domain is the precise and efficient targeting of tumor tissues with photothermal agents and immunoadjuvants while minimizing interference with healthy tissues. In this paper, we introduce an ingenious biomimetic nanoparticle platform, cancer cell membrane coated F127/(R837 and IR1048) (CFRI) nanoparticles encapsulating a near-infrared region II photothermal agent, IR1048, and an immunostimulatory molecule, R837, with their surface modified using membranes derived from tumor cells, conferring exceptional specificity for tumor targeting. CFRI nanoparticles demonstrated an extraordinary photothermal conversion efficiency of 49%, adeptly eradicating in situ tumors. This process also triggered the release of damage-associated molecular patterns, thereby activating dendritic cells and catalyzing the maturation and differentiation of T cells, initiating a robust immune response. In vivo animal models substantiated that the CFRI-mediated synergistic photothermal and immunotherapeutic strategy markedly suppressed the proliferation of in situ tumors and provoked a vigorous systemic immune response, effectively curtailing the metastasis and recurrence of distant tumors. The successful development of the CFRI nanoparticle system offers a promising horizon for future clinical translations and pioneering research in oncology.

Unraveling the role of the P2X7 receptor in cancer radioresistance: Molecular insights and therapeutic implications

The P2X7 receptor, a key player in purinergic signaling, is a crucial factor in modulating the response of cancer cells to radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which P2X7 receptor activation contributes to radioresistance in different cancer types. P2X7 receptor signaling influences cellular processes such as DNA damage repair and inflammatory responses, thereby improving tumor survival after radiation exposure. Activation of the P2X7 receptor leads to changes in the tumor microenvironment and promotes an adaptive response that enables cancer cells to resist therapeutic interventions. Therefore, targeting the P2X7 receptor could represent a new therapeutic strategy against cancer. By linking molecular insights with therapeutic implications, this research highlights the P2X7 receptor as a promising target for overcoming radioresistance in cancer therapy and paves the way for novel combination approaches that could significantly improve patient outcomes.

Cell-associated galectin 9 interacts with cytotoxic T cells confers resistance to tumor killing in nasopharyngeal carcinoma through autophagy activation

Immune effector cells, including cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play essential roles in eliminating cancer cells. However, their functionality is often compromised, even when they infiltrate the tumor microenvironment (TME) or are transferred to cancer patients adoptively. In this study, we focused on galectin 9 (G9), an inhibitory ligand that we observed to be predominately positioned on the plasma membrane and readily interacts with CD8 + CTL in the TME of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We discovered that cell-cell contact between activated effector CTLs and target tumor cells (TarTC) with G9 overexpression led to cellular death defects. Despite the formation of CTL-TarTC conjugates, there is no impact on the cell number nor viability of CTL, and the release of cytolytic content and associated activity were not completely abrogated. Instead, this interaction promoted autophagy and restricted necrosis in the TarTC. Furthermore, reducing G9 expression in tumor cells enhanced the suppressive effect on tumor growth upon adoptive transfer of activated effector CTL. Additionally, inhibiting autophagy effectively controlled tumor growth in cases of G9 overexpression. Therefore, we highlight the contribution of G9 in facilitating the resistance of NPC to CTL-mediated killing by inducing a selection-cell death state in tumor cells, characterized by increased autophagy and decreased necrosis.

Eravacycline improves the efficacy of anti-PD1 immunotherapy via AP1/CCL5 mediated M1 macrophage polarization in melanoma

Screening approved library is a promising and safe strategy to overcome the limitation of low response rate and drug resistance in immunotherapy. Accumulating evidence showed that the application of antibiotics has been considered to reduce the effectiveness of anti-PD1 immunotherapy in tumor treatment, however, in this study, an antibiotic drug (Eravacycline, ERV) was identified to improve the efficacy of anti-PD1 immunotherapy in melanoma through screening approved library. Administration of ERV significantly attenuated melanoma cells growth as well as directly or indirectly benefited M1 macrophage polarization. Meanwhile, ERV treatment significantly induced cellular autophagy via damage of mitochondria, leading to up-regulation of ROS production, subsequently, raised CCL5 secretion through elevation AP1 binding to CCL5 promoter via p38 or JNK1/2 activation. Knockdown of Ccl5 expression attenuated ERV triggered M1 macrophage polarization in melanoma cells. Clinical analysis revealed a positive association between high expression of CCL5 and improved prognosis as well as a favorable anti-PD1 therapy in melanoma patients. As expected, application of ERV improved the efficacy of anti-PD1. Overall, our results approved that ERV enhances the efficacy of anti-PD1 immunotherapy in melanoma by promoting the polarization of M1 macrophages, which provided novel therapeutic strategy for improving the effectiveness of melanoma anti-PD1 immunotherapy.

Metal-organic framework-based smart stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems for cancer therapy: advances, challenges, and future perspectives

Cancer treatment is currently one of the most critical healthcare issues globally. A well-designed drug delivery system can precisely target tumor tissues, improve efficacy, and reduce damage to normal tissues. Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems (SRDDSs) have shown promising application prospects. Intelligent nano drug delivery systems responsive to endogenous stimuli such as weak acidity, complex redox characteristics, hypoxia, active energy metabolism, as well as exogenous stimuli like high temperature, light, pressure, and magnetic fields are increasingly being applied in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and various other anticancer approaches. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have become promising candidate materials for constructing SRDDSs due to their large surface area, tunable porosity and structure, ease of synthesis and modification, and good biocompatibility. This paper reviews the application of MOF-based SRDDSs in various modes of cancer therapy. It summarizes the key aspects, including the classification, synthesis, modifications, drug loading modes, stimuli-responsive mechanisms, and their roles in different cancer treatment modalities. Furthermore, we address the current challenges and summarize the potential applications of artificial intelligence in MOF synthesis. Finally, we propose strategies to enhance the efficacy and safety of MOF-based SRDDSs, ultimately aiming at facilitating their clinical translation.

Activatable Photosensitizer Prodrug for Self-Amplified Immune Therapy Via Pyroptosis

Immunotherapy is a promising cancer treatment, but its application is hindered by tumors' low immunogenicity and the difficulty of immune cell infiltration. Here, to address above issues and achieve targeted tumor treatment, we designed the first activated small molecule photosensitizer immune-prodrug HDIM based on pyroptosis, and proposed a self-amplified immune therapy strategy (SITS) for enhanced tumor therapy. HDIM can be specifically activated by the tumor hypoxia and then simultaneously initiate immuno-therapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT)-induced pyroptosis with NIR laser irradiation. Mechanism study demonstrated that the immunogenicity in tumor can be significantly enhanced by HDIM-induced pyroptosis and immune cells are recruited, thus effectively amplifying the therapeutic effect of the released immune drugs. As proof of application, we have utilized HDIM for primary tumor and distant tumor therapy. And the experiment results showed that compared to current monotherapy as well as simple combination therapy, the photosensitizer prodrug HDIM exhibited much superior tumor treatment effect owing to its synchronous activation of pyroptosis and immuno-therapy in tumor.

Hypoxia-induced autophagy in pancreatic cancer counteracts the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells by inhibiting the expression of MHC-I

The hypoxic microenvironment is an essential feature of solid tumors. Autophagy has been controversial in its role in immune regulation. This project aims to elucidate the impact of autophagy in pancreatic cancer (PC) under specific conditions (hypoxia) on CD8+ T cells and the regulatory mechanisms behind it.The levels of HIF1α and autophagy were analyzed by western blot (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF). The effects of HIF1α on cell autophagy were assessed in normoxic or hypoxic treatments using KC7F2 (HIF-1 channel inhibitor) or chloroquine (autophagy inhibitor). CD8+ T cells were co-cultured with PC cells to assess the cytotoxicity using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Hoechst/PI staining. The content of cytokines and the activation level of CD8+ T cells were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry. MHC-I expression in PC cells (membranes) was analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), WB, IF, and flow cytometry. Humanized immune-reconstituted mice were applied to investigate the impact of HIF1α-induced autophagy on in vivo immunity.When cells were in hypoxia, the levels of HIF1α and autophagy were higher compared to normoxic conditions. Treatment with KC7F2 resulted in similar levels of HIF1α and autophagy as those in normoxic state. Chloroquine treatment reversed the autophagy level to the normoxic state. The autophagy level of PC cells transfected with oe-HIF1α was increased, with reduced MHC-I expression on cells (membranes), which impaired the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells, and thus decreasing the probability of recognition and attack by CD8+ T cells when co-cultured with them. In mice, overexpression of HIF1α hindered the immune suppressive function of CD8+ T cells and facilitated the immune escape of PC by reducing antigen presentation of MHC-I.Under hypoxia, HIF1α-induced autophagy reduces the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells by repressing MHC-I expression.

Identification of mitoxantrone as a potent inhibitor of CDK7/Cyclin H via structure-based virtual screening and In-Vitro validation by ADP-Glo kinase assay

Cyclin-dependent kinases, CDK7 and CDK9 play critical roles in cancer by regulating transcriptional processes essential for cell proliferation and survival. Their dysregulation leads to aberrant gene expression, promoting oncogenic pathways and contributing to tumor growth and progression. This study aimed to identify a new chemotype for CDK7/9 inhibitors using a structure-based virtual screening approach. Our research led to the discovery of mitoxantrone as an inhibitor of CDK7/H and CDK9/T1 from a library of FDA-approved small molecule drugs. Mitoxantrone, a chemotherapy agent used to treat acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, works by disrupting DNA synthesis and repair, thus inhibiting cancer cell growth. The study found that mitoxantrone effectively inhibits both CDK7/H and CDK9/T1 with IC50 values of 0.675 µM and 5.15 µM, respectively, while showing no inhibition of CDK2/E1 (IC50 > 100 µM) in in-vitro ADP-Glo kinase assay. It binds to the ATP pocket of CDK7 and CDK9, forming crucial H-bonds with MET 94 and CYS 106, respectively. It achieves dock scores of - 12.93 and - 12.59 kcal/mol, and MMGBSA binding energies of - 82.87 and - 81.59 kcal/mol, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations over 100 ns confirmed stable interactions with MET 94 and CYS 106 in the hinge region of CDK7 and CDK9. The active site sequence alignment helped to understand the differential activity of mitoxantrone for CDK7, 9 and 2 inhibitions. The findings of the paper reveal a novel mechanism of mitoxantrone action that may contribute to its anticancer efficacy.

Theranostic Rhenium(I)-Based ER-Phagy Retardant Promotes Immunogenic Cell Death

ER-phagy is a double-edged sword in the occurrence, development, and treatment of cancer; especially, its functions in immunotherapy are still unknown. In this work, we designed a theranostic Re complex (Re1) containing a BODIPY-derived ligand and a β-carboline ligand to target the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and block ER-phagy at the late stages. Interestingly, as validated both in vitro and in vivo, ER-phagy blockage greatly enhances the capability of Re1 to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD). In summary, we dexterously fused two molecular modules for ER targeting and ER-phagy blockage into a coordination complex to afford a highly effective ICD inducer, which provides clues for designing new cancer immunotherapeutics.

NADPH Oxidases-Inspired Reactive Oxygen Biocatalysts with Electron-Rich Pt Sites to Potently Amplify Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy

Clinical immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based immunotherapy of malignant tumors only elicits durable responses in a minority of patients, primarily due to the highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Although inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) through reactive oxygen biocatalyst represents an attractive therapeutic strategy to amplify ICB, currently reported biocatalysts encounter insurmountable challenges in achieving high ROS-generating activity to induce potent ICD. Here, inspired by the natural catalytic characteristics of NADPH oxidases, the design of efficient, robust, and electron-rich Pt-based redox centers on the non-stoichiometric W18O49 substrates (Pt─WOx) to serve as bioinspired reactive oxygen biocatalysts to potently activate the ICD, which eventually enhance cancer immune responses and amplifies the ICB-based immunotherapy is reported. These studies demonstrate that the Pt─WOx exhibits rapid electron transfer capability and can promote the formation of electron-rich and low oxophilic Pt redox centers for superior reactive oxygen biocatalysis, which enables the Pt─WOx-based inducers to trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress directly and stimulate immune responses potently for amplifying the anti-PD-L1-based ICB therapy. This bioinspired design provides a straightforward strategy to engineer efficient, robust, and electron-rich reactive oxygen biocatalysts and also opens up a new avenue to create efficient ICD inducers for primary/metastatic tumor treatments.

Nanoformula Design for Inducing Non-Apoptotic Cell Death Regulation: A Powerful Booster for Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer treatment has witnessed revolutionary advancements marked by the emergence of immunotherapy, specifically immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). However, the inherent low immunogenicity of tumor cells and the intricate immunosuppressive network within the tumor microenvironment (TME) pose significant challenges to the further development of immunotherapy. Nanotechnology has ushered in unprecedented opportunities and vast prospects for tumor immunotherapy. Nevertheless, traditional nano-formulations often rely on inducing apoptosis to kill cancer cells, which encounters the issue of immune silencing, hindering effective tumor immune activation. The non-apoptotic modes of regulated cell death (RCD), including pyroptosis, ferroptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, and cuproptosis, have gradually garnered attention. These non-apoptotic cell death pathways can induce effective immunogenic cell death (ICD), enhancing cancer immunotherapy. This review comprehensively explores advanced nano-formulation design strategies and their applications in enhancing cancer immunotherapy by promoting non-apoptotic RCD in recent years. It also discusses the potential advantages of these strategies in inducing tumor-specific non-apoptotic RCD. By deeply understanding the significance of non-apoptotic RCD in synergistic cancer immunotherapy, this article provides valuable insights for developing more advanced nano-delivery systems that can robustly induce highly immunogenic non-apoptotic modes, offering novel research and development avenues to address the clinical challenges encountered by immunotherapy represented by ICB.

Cytoplasmic HMGB2 orchestrates CALR translocation in the course of immunogenic cell death

A recent in vitro study showed that pharmacological inhibition of the nuclear export receptor XPO1 suppresses oxaliplatin-induced nuclear release of HMGB1 and HMGB2, as well as the translocation of CALR to the plasma membrane. Moreover, cell-targeted-HMGB2 protein potently induced CALR exposure, even in the absence of oxaliplatin.

AI-based classification of anticancer drugs reveals nucleolar condensation as a predictor of immunogenicity

BACKGROUND

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers are often identified in phenotypic screening campaigns by the release or surface exposure of various danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from malignant cells. This study aimed to streamline the identification of ICD inducers by leveraging cellular morphological correlates of ICD, specifically the condensation of nucleoli (CON).

METHODS

We applied artificial intelligence (AI)-based imaging analyses to Cell Paint-stained cells exposed to drug libraries, identifying CON as a marker for ICD. CON was characterized using SYTO 14 fluorescent staining and holotomographic microscopy, and visualized by AI-deconvoluted transmitted light microscopy. A neural network-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model was trained to link molecular descriptors of compounds to the CON phenotype, and the classifier was validated using an independent dataset from the NCI-curated mechanistic collection of anticancer agents.

RESULTS

CON strongly correlated with the inhibition of DNA-to-RNA transcription. Cytotoxic drugs that inhibit RNA synthesis without causing DNA damage were as effective as conventional cytotoxicants in inducing ICD, as demonstrated by DAMPs release/exposure and vaccination efficacy in mice. The QSAR classifier successfully predicted drugs with a high likelihood of inducing CON.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed AI-based algorithms for predicting CON-inducing drugs based on molecular descriptors and their validation using automated micrographs analysis, offering a new approach for screening ICD inducers with minimized adverse effects in cancer therapy.

Immunogenic Cell Death Traits Emitted from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells Following Treatment with a Novel Anti-Cancer Agent, SpiD3

Background: Targeted therapies (e.g., ibrutinib) have markedly improved chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) management; however, ~20% of patients experience disease relapse, suggesting the inadequate depth and durability of these front-line strategies. Moreover, immunotherapeutic success in CLL has been stifled by its pro-tumor microenvironment milieu and low mutational burden, cultivating poor antigenicity and limited ability to generate anti-tumor immunity through adaptive immune cell engagement. Previously, we have demonstrated how a three-carbon-linker spirocyclic dimer (SpiD3) promotes futile activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in CLL cells through immense misfolded-protein mimicry, culminating in insurmountable ER stress and programmed CLL cell death. Method: Herein, we used flow cytometry and cell-based assays to capture the kinetics and magnitude of SpiD3-induced damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in CLL cell lines and primary samples. Result: SpiD3 treatment, in vitro and in vivo, demonstrated the capacity to propagate immunogenic cell death through emissions of classically immunogenic DAMPs (CALR, ATP, HMGB1) and establish a chemotactic gradient for bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Conclusions: Thus, this study supports future investigation into the relationship between novel therapeutics, manners of cancer cell death, and their contributions to adaptive immune cell engagement as a means for improving anti-cancer therapy in CLL.

Challenges of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Meningitis: Current Treatments and the Role of Glutathione as an Adjunct Therapy

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) poses a significant global health threat, especially when it involves the central nervous system (CNS). Tuberculous meningitis (TBM), a severe manifestation of TB, is linked to high mortality rates and long-term neurological complications, further exacerbated by drug resistance and immune evasion mechanisms employed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Although pulmonary TB remains the primary focus of research, MDR-TBM introduces unique challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. The effectiveness of current treatments is frequently compromised by poor CNS penetration of anti-TB drugs and the necessity for prolonged therapy, which often involves considerable toxicity. This review explores the potential of cytokine-based adjunct immunotherapies for MDR-TBM, addressing the challenges of balancing pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals within the CNS. A central focus is the prospective role of glutathione, not only in reducing oxidative stress but also in enhancing host immune defenses against Mtb's immune evasion strategies. Furthermore, the development of vaccines aimed at upregulating glutathione synthesis in macrophages represents a promising strategy to bolster the immune response and improve treatment outcomes. By integrating glutathione and innovative vaccine approaches into MDR-TBM management, this review proposes a comprehensive strategy that targets Mtb directly while supporting immune modulation, with the potential to enhance patient outcomes and reduce treatment related adverse effects. We underscore the urgent need for further research into adjunctive therapies and immunomodulatory strategies to more effectively combat MDR-TBM.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate induces immunogenic cell death and enhances cancer immunotherapy in colorectal cancer

The induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD) can activate antitumor immune response to potentiate cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we observed the antitumor activity following combinatorial therapy with anti-CTLA4 antibody and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in CT26 tumors.Indeed, EGCG triggered colon cancer cells ICD with the secretion of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and the surface expression of calreticulin (CRT) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). Mice treated with EGCG promoted the maturation of dendritic cells and enhanced the effector function of CD8+ T cells within tumors to remodel the tumor immune microenvironment. Overall, these results indicate that EGCG, a novel ICD inducer, triggers ICD in CRC, and provides a new concept for cancer immunotherapy.

Triggering immunogenic death of cancer cells by nanoparticles overcomes immunotherapy resistance

Immunotherapy resistance poses a significant challenge in oncology, necessitating novel strategies to enhance the therapeutic efficacy. Immunogenic cell death (ICD), including necroptosis, pyroptosis and ferroptosis, triggers the release of tumor-associated antigens and numerous bioactive molecules. This release can potentiate a host immune response, thereby overcoming resistance to immunotherapy. Nanoparticles (NPs) with their biocompatible and immunomodulatory properties, are emerging as promising vehicles for the delivery of ICD-inducing agents and immune-stimulatory adjuvants to enhance immune cells tumoral infiltration and augment immunotherapy efficacy. This review explores the mechanisms underlying immunotherapy resistance, and offers an in-depth examination of ICD, including its principles and diverse modalities of cell death that contribute to it. We also provide a thorough overview of how NPs are being utilized to trigger ICD and bolster antitumor immunity. Lastly, we highlight the potential of NPs in combination with immunotherapy to revolutionize cancer treatment.

Idarubicin-loaded degradable hydrogel for TACE therapy enhances anti-tumor immunity in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and deadly cancer, often diagnosed at advanced stages, limiting surgical options. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a primary treatment for inoperable and involves the use of drug-eluting microspheres to slowly release chemotherapy drugs. However, patient responses to TACE vary, with some experiencing tumor progression and recurrence. Traditional TACE uses agents like oil-based drug emulsions and polyvinyl alcohol particles, which can permanently block blood vessels and increase tumor hypoxia. Additionally, TACE can suppress the immune system by reducing immune cell numbers and function, contributing to poor treatment outcomes. New approaches, like TACE using degradable starch microspheres and hydrogel-based materials, offer the potential to create different tumor environments that could improve both safety and efficacy. In our research, we developed a composite hydrogel (IF@Gel) made of Poloxamer-407 gel and Fe3O4 nanoparticles, loaded with idarubicin, to use as an embolic material for TACE in a rat model of orthotopic HCC. We observed promising therapeutic effects and investigated the impact on the tumor immune microenvironment, focusing on the role of immunogenic cell death (ICD). The composite hydrogel demonstrated excellent potential as an embolic material for TACE, and IF@Gel-based TACE demonstrated significant efficacy in rat HCC. Furthermore, our findings highlight the potential synergistic effects of ICD with anti-PD-L1 therapy, providing new insights into HCC treatment strategies. This study aims to provide improved treatment options for HCC and to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of TACE and tumor environment regulation.

The hallmarks of cancer immune evasion

According to the widely accepted "three Es" model, the host immune system eliminates malignant cell precursors and contains microscopic neoplasms in a dynamic equilibrium, preventing cancer outgrowth until neoplastic cells acquire genetic or epigenetic alterations that enable immune escape. This immunoevasive phenotype originates from various mechanisms that can be classified under a novel "three Cs" conceptual framework: (1) camouflage, which hides cancer cells from immune recognition, (2) coercion, which directly or indirectly interferes with immune effector cells, and (3) cytoprotection, which shields malignant cells from immune cytotoxicity. Blocking the ability of neoplastic cells to evade the host immune system is crucial for increasing the efficacy of modern immunotherapy and conventional therapeutic strategies that ultimately activate anticancer immunosurveillance. Here, we review key hallmarks of cancer immune evasion under the "three Cs" framework and discuss promising strategies targeting such immunoevasive mechanisms.

Bioinformatic and experimental data pertaining to the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in ovarian cancer

The Nod-Like Receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a role in regulating inflammatory signaling and is a well-established contributor to pyroptotic cell death. It has been investigated extensively in cancer but there remains limited evidence of its role within ovarian cancer (OC). Bioinformatic investigation of gene expression data has highlighted that higher expression of NLRP3 and genes associated with the NLRP3 complex appear to be positively correlated with OC and may also have prognostic significance. However, heterogeneity exists within the results and experimental data is limited and contradictory. If the NLRP3 inflammasome is to be exploited as a therapeutic target, further laboratory-based investigation is required to determine its role in cancer. Furthermore, its relationship with clinically important characteristics such as histopathological subtype may be of key significance in developing targeted therapies towards specific cohorts of patients.

Breaking the shield of solid tumors: a combined approach for enhanced efficacy of CAR-T cells

The use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells has enhanced the range of available therapeutic modalities in the context of cancer treatment. CAR-T cells have demonstrated considerable efficacy in the targeted eradication of blood cancer cells, thereby stimulating substantial interest in the advancement of such therapeutic approaches. However, the efficacy of CAR-T cells against solid tumor cells has been limited due to the presence of various obstacles. Solid tumors exhibit antigenic diversity and an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which presents a challenge for immune cells attempting to penetrate the tumor. CAR-T cells also demonstrate decreased proliferative activity and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, concerns exist regarding tumor antigen loss and therapy-associated toxicity. Currently, scientists are working to enhance the structure of the CAR and improve the survival and efficiency of CAR-T cells in recognizing tumor antigens in solid tumors. Chemotherapy drugs are frequently employed in the treatment of malignant neoplasms and can also be used prior to cell therapy to enhance CAR-T cell engraftment. Recent studies have demonstrated that chemotherapy drugs can mitigate the suppressive impact of TME, eliminate the physical barrier by destroying the tumor stroma, and facilitate greater penetration of immune cells and CAR-T cells into the tumor. This, in turn, increases their survival, persistence, and cytotoxicity, as well as affects the metabolism of immune cells inside the tumor. However, the effectiveness of the combined approach against solid tumors depends on several factors, including the type of tumor, dosage, population of CAR-T cells, and individual characteristics of the body. This review examines the principal obstacles to the utilization of CAR-T cells against solid tumors, proposes solutions to these issues, and assesses the potential advantages of a combined approach to radiation exposure, which has the potential to enhance the sensitivity of the tumor to other agents.

Immune modulation through secretory autophagy

Autophagy is a central mechanism of cellular homeostasis through the degradation of a wide range of cellular constituents. However, recent evidence suggests that autophagy actively provides information to neighboring cells via a process called secretory autophagy. Secretory autophagy couples the autophagy machinery to the secretion of cellular content via extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs carry a variety of cargo, that reflect the pathophysiological state of the originating cells and have the potential to change the functional profile of recipient cells, to modulate cell biology. The immune system has evolved to maintain local and systemic homeostasis. It is able to sense a wide array of molecules signaling disturbed homeostasis, including EVs and their content. In this review, we explore the emerging concept of secretory autophagy as a means to communicate cellular, and in total tissue pathophysiological states to the immune system to initiate the restoration of tissue homeostasis. Understanding how autophagy mediates the secretion of immunogenic factors may hold great potential for therapeutic intervention.

Melittin-incorporated nanomedicines for enhanced cancer immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a rapidly developing and effective strategy for cancer therapy. Among various immunotherapy approaches, peptides have garnered significant attention due to their potent immunomodulatory effects. In particular, melittin emerged as a promising candidate to enhance cancer immunotherapy by inducing immunogenic cell death, promoting the maturation of antigen-presenting cells, activating T cells, enhancing the infiltration and cytotoxicity of effector lymphocytes, and modulating macrophage phenotypes for relieving immunosuppression. However, the clinical application of melittin is limited by poor targeting and systemic toxicity. To overcome these challenges, melittin has been incorporated into biomaterials and related nanotechnologies, resulting in extended circulation time in vivo, improved targeting, reduced adverse effects, and enhanced anti-cancer immunological action. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the immunomodulatory effects of melittin-incorporated nanomedicines and examines their development and challenges for clinical cancer immunotherapy.

Autophagy activator-loaded bicomponent peptide nanocarriers for phototherapy-triggered immunity enhancement against metastatic breast cancer

Mild autophagy accompanied with immunogenic cell death (ICD) effect destructs immune-associated antigens, weakening the immune response against tumor growth. To address this dilemma, we develop a peptide-based bicomponent nanocarrier with encapsulation of a cellular hyperautophagy activator (STF-62247) for near-infrared (NIR) photo/immunotherapy to eliminate primary and metastatic breast tumors. The electrostatic-driven nanodrug (PPNPs@STF) with active-targeting and efficient endosomal escape can induce specific ICD effect upon NIR laser irradiation, and trigger autophagy to a mild activation state. Notably, the simultaneously released STF-62247 precisely promotes autophagy to an overactivated state, resulting in autophagic death of tumor cells and further boosting ICD-related antigen presentation. More importantly, the combined photo/immunotherapy of PPNPs@STF not only inhibits tumor cell proliferation, but also promotes dendritic cells (DCs)-associated immune response. In 4 T1 tumor-bearing mice, PPNPs@STF effectively inhibits growth of primary and distant tumors, and suppresses lung metastasis with a minimized side effect. This study provides a hyperautophagy activator-assisted strategy that can enhance ICD-based antitumor immune response for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Novel bispecific antibody-drug conjugate targeting PD-L1 and B7-H3 enhances antitumor efficacy and promotes immune-mediated antitumor responses

BACKGROUND

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) offer a promising approach, combining monoclonal antibodies with chemotherapeutic drugs to target cancer cells effectively while minimizing toxicity.

METHODS

This study examined the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanisms of a bispecific ADC (BsADC) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This BsADC selectively targets the immune checkpoints programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and B7-H3, and the precise delivery of the small-molecule toxin monomethyl auristatin E.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrated that the BsADC outperformed its bispecific antibody and PD-L1 or B7-H3 ADC counterparts, particularly in terms of in vitro/in vivo tumor cytotoxicity, demonstrating remarkable immune cytotoxicity. Additionally, we observed potent activation of tumor-specific immunity and significant induction of markers of immunogenic cell death (ICD) and potential endoplasmic reticulum stress.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this novel BsADC, through immune checkpoint inhibition and promotion of ICD, amplified durable tumor immune cytotoxicity, providing novel insights and potential avenues for future cancer treatments and overcoming resistance.

Reshaped Local and Systemic Immune Responses Triggered by a Biomimetic Multifunctional Nanoplatform Coordinating Multi-Pathways for Cancer Therapy

Immunotherapy has fundamentally transformed the clinical cancer treatment landscape; however, achieving intricate and multifaceted modulation of the immune systems remains challenging. Here, a multipathway coordination of immunogenic cell death (ICD), autophagy, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) was achieved by a biomimetic nano-immunomodulator assembled from a chemotherapeutic agent (doxorubicin, DOX), small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules targeting IDO1 (siIDO1), and the zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). After being camouflaged with a macrophage membrane, the biomimetic nanosystem, named mRDZ, enriched in tumors, which allowed synergistic actions of its components within tumor cells. The chemotherapeutic intervention led to a compensatory upregulation in the expression of IDO1, consequently exerting an inhibitory effect on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and autophagic responses triggered by DOX and ZIF-8. Precise gene silencing of IDO1 by siIDO1 alleviated its suppressive influence, thereby facilitating increased ROS production and improved autophagy, ultimately bolstering tumor immunogenicity. mRDZ exhibited strong capability to boost potent local and systemic antitumor immune responses with a feature of memory, which led to the effective suppression of the growth, lung metastasis, and recurrence of the tumor. Serving as an exemplary model for the straightforward and potent reshaping of the immune system against tumors, mRDZ offers valuable insights into the development of immunomodulatory nanomaterials for cancer therapy.

DAMPening Tumor Immune Escape: The Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperones in Immunogenic Chemotherapy

Significance: Preclinical and clinical research in the past two decades has redefined the mechanism of action of some chemotherapeutics that are able to activate the immune system against cancer when cell death is perceived by the immune cells. This immunogenic cell death (ICD) activates antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T cells to induce immune-mediated tumor clearance. One of the key requirements to achieve this effect is the externalization of the damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), molecules released or exposed by cancer cells during ICD that increase the visibility of the cancer cells by the immune system. Recent Advances: In this review, we focus on the role of calreticulin (CRT) and other endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones, such as the heat-shock proteins (HSPs) and the protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs), as surface-exposed DAMPs. Once exposed on the cell membrane, these proteins shift their role from that of ER chaperone and regulator of Ca2+ and protein homeostasis to act as an immunogenic signal for APCs, driving dendritic cell (DC)-mediated phagocytosis and T-mediated antitumor response. Critical Issues: However, cancer cells exploit several mechanisms of resistance to immune attack, including subverting the exposure of ER chaperones on their surface to avoid immune recognition. Future Directions: Overcoming these mechanisms of resistance represents a potential therapeutic opportunity to improve cancer treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes.

Overview of the role of purinergic signaling and insights into its role in cancer therapy

Innovation of cancer therapy has received a dramatic acceleration over the last fifteen years thanks to the introduction of the novel immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). On the other hand, the conspicuous scientific knowledge accumulated in purinergic signaling since the early seventies is finally being transferred to the clinic. Several Phase I/II clinical trials are currently underway to investigate the effect of drugs interfering with purinergic signaling as stand-alone or combination therapy in cancer. This is supporting the novel concept of "purinergic immune checkpoint" (PIC) in cancer therapy. In the present review we will address a) the basic pharmacology and cell biology of the purinergic system; b) principles of its pathophysiology in human diseases; c) implications for cell death, cell proliferation and cancer; d) novel molecular tools to investigate nucleotide homeostasis in the extracellular environment; e) recent developments in the pharmacology of P1, P2 receptors and related ecto-enzymes; f) P1 and P2 ligands as novel diagnostic tools; g) current issues in PIC-based anti-cancer therapy. This review will provide an appraisal of the current status of purinergic signaling in cancer and will help identify future avenues of development.

Immune-related cell death index and its application for hepatocellular carcinoma

Regulated cell death (RCD) plays a crucial role in the immune microenvironment, development, and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, reliable immune-related cell death signatures have not been explored. In this study, we collected 12 RCD modes (e.g., apoptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis), including 1078 regulators, to identify immune-related cell death genes based on HCC immune subgroups. Using a developed competitive machine learning framework, nine genes were screened to construct the immune-related cell death index (IRCDI), which is available for online application. Multi-omics data, along with clinical features, were analyzed to explore the HCC malignant heterogeneity. To validate the efficacy of this model, more than 18 independent cohorts, including survival and diverse treatment cohorts and datasets, were utilized. These findings were further validated using in-house samples and molecular biological experiments. Overall, the IRCDI may have a wide application in individual therapeutic decision-making and improving outcomes for HCC patients.

Cancer cell metabolism and antitumour immunity

Accumulating evidence suggests that metabolic rewiring in malignant cells supports tumour progression not only by providing cancer cells with increased proliferative potential and an improved ability to adapt to adverse microenvironmental conditions but also by favouring the evasion of natural and therapy-driven antitumour immune responses. Here, we review cancer cell-intrinsic and cancer cell-extrinsic mechanisms through which alterations of metabolism in malignant cells interfere with innate and adaptive immune functions in support of accelerated disease progression. Further, we discuss the potential of targeting such alterations to enhance anticancer immunity for therapeutic purposes.

Autophagy in aging-related diseases and cancer: Principles, regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Macroautophagy/autophagy is primarily accountable for the degradation of damaged organelles and toxic macromolecules in the cells. Regarding the essential function of autophagy for preserving cellular homeostasis, changes in, or dysfunction of, autophagy flux can lead to disease development. In the current paper, the complicated function of autophagy in aging-associated pathologies and cancer is evaluated, highlighting the underlying molecular mechanisms that can affect longevity and disease pathogenesis. As a natural biological process, a reduction in autophagy is observed with aging, resulting in an accumulation of cell damage and the development of different diseases, including neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The MTOR, AMPK, and ATG proteins demonstrate changes during aging, and they are promising therapeutic targets. Insulin/IGF1, TOR, PKA, AKT/PKB, caloric restriction and mitochondrial respiration are vital for lifespan regulation and can modulate or have an interaction with autophagy. The specific types of autophagy, such as mitophagy that degrades mitochondria, can regulate aging by affecting these organelles and eliminating those mitochondria with genomic mutations. Autophagy and its specific types contribute to the regulation of carcinogenesis and they are able to dually enhance or decrease cancer progression. Cancer hallmarks, including proliferation, metastasis, therapy resistance and immune reactions, are tightly regulated by autophagy, supporting the conclusion that autophagy is a promising target in cancer therapy.

Metabolic crosstalk: Extracellular ATP and the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression and therapy

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is a vital element in energy information. It plays a critical role in transmitting signals inside the body, which is necessary for controlling the life activities of all cells, including tumor cells [1]. Its significance extends from intracellular signaling pathways to tumor regression. Purinergic signaling, a form of extracellular paracrine signaling, relies on purine nucleotides. Extracellular ectonucleotidases convert these purine nucleotides to their respective di and mono-phosphate nucleoside forms, contributing significantly to immune biology, cancer biology, and inflammation studies. ATP functions as a mighty damage-linked molecular pattern when released outside the cell, accumulating in inflammatory areas. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), purinergic receptors such as ATP-gated ion channels P2X1-5 and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) (P2Y) interact with ATP and other nucleotides, influencing diverse immune cell activities. CD39 and CD73-mediated extracellular ATP degradation contributes to immunosuppression by diminishing ATP-dependent activation and generating adenosine (ADO), potentially hindering antitumor immunity and promoting tumor development. Unraveling the complexities of extracellular ATP (e-ATP) and ADO effects on the TME poses challenges in identifying optimal treatment targets, yet ongoing investigations aim to devise strategies combating e-ATP/ADO-induced immunosuppression, ultimately enhancing anti-tumor immunity. This review explores e-ATP metabolism, its purinergic signaling, and therapeutic strategies targeting associated receptors and enzymes.

Light-Activated In Situ Vaccine with Enhanced Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Infiltration and Function for Potent Cancer Immunotherapy

In situ cancer vaccination is an attractive strategy that stimulates protective antitumor immunity. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are major mediators of the adaptive immune defenses, with critical roles in antitumor immune response and establishing immune memory, and are consequently extremely important for in situ vaccines to generate systemic and lasting antitumor efficacy. However, the dense extracellular matrix and hypoxia in solid tumors severely impede the infiltration and function of CTLs, ultimately compromising the efficacy of in situ cancer vaccines. To address this issue, a robust in situ cancer vaccine, Au@MnO2 nanoparticles (AMOPs), based on a gold nanoparticle core coated with a manganese dioxide shell is developed. The AMOPs modulated the unfavorable tumor microenvironment (TME) to restore CTLs infiltration and function and efficiently induced immunogenic cell death. The Mn2+-mediated stimulator of the interferon genes pathway can be activated to further augment the therapeutic efficacy of the AMOPs. Thus, the AMOPs vaccine successfully elicited long-lasting antitumor immunity to considerably inhibit primary, recurrent, and metastatic tumors. This study not only highlights the importance of revitalizing CTLs efficacy against solid tumors but also makes progress toward overcoming TME barriers for sustained antitumor immunity.

Emerging role of immunogenic cell death in cancer immunotherapy: Advancing next-generation CAR-T cell immunotherapy by combination

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a stress-driven form of regulated cell death (RCD) in which dying tumor cells' specific signaling pathways are activated to release damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), leading to the robust anti-tumor immune response as well as a reversal of the tumor immune microenvironment from "cold" to "hot". Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, as a landmark in anti-tumor immunotherapy, plays a formidable role in hematologic malignancies but falls short in solid tumors. The Gordian knot of CAR-T cells for solid tumors includes but is not limited to, tumor antigen heterogeneity or absence, physical and immune barriers of tumors. The combination of ICD induction therapy and CAR-T cell immunotherapy is expected to promote the intensive use of CAR-T cell in solid tumors. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of ICD, stress-responsive mechanism, and the synergistic effect of various ICD-based therapies with CAR-T cells to effectively improve anti-tumor capacity.