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Rajkumari S, Singh J, Agrawal U, Agrawal S. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer: Current knowledge and future perspectives. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 142:112949. [PMID: 39236460 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112949] [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: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
MDSCs (myeloid-derived suppressor cells) are crucial for immune system evasion in cancer. They accumulate in peripheral blood and tumor microenvironment, suppressing immune cells like T-cells, natural killer cells and dendritic cells. They promote tumor angiogenesis and metastasis by secreting cytokines and growth factors and contribute to a tumor-promoting environment. The accumulation of MDSCs in cancer patients has been linked to poor prognosis and resistance to various cancer therapies. Targeting MDSCs and their immunosuppressive mechanisms may improve treatment outcomes and enhance immune surveillance by developing drugs that inhibit MDSC function, by preventing their accumulation and by disrupting the tumor-promoting environment. This review presents a detailed overview of the MDSC research in cancer with regulation of their development and function. The relevance of MDSC as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in different types of cancers, along with recent advancements on the therapeutic approaches to target MDSCs are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunanda Rajkumari
- ICMR National Institute of Medical Statistics, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Jaspreet Singh
- ICMR National Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital Campus, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Usha Agrawal
- Asian Institute of Public Health University (AIPH) University, 1001 Haridamada, Jatani, Near IIT Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar 751002, India
| | - Sandeep Agrawal
- Discovery Research Division, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India.
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2
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Libbrecht S, Vankerckhoven A, de Wijs K, Baert T, Thirion G, Vandenbrande K, Van Gorp T, Timmerman D, Coosemans A, Lagae L. A Microfluidics Approach for Ovarian Cancer Immune Monitoring in an Outpatient Setting. Cells 2023; 13:7. [PMID: 38201211 PMCID: PMC10778191 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010007] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Among cancer diagnoses in women, ovarian cancer has the fifth-highest mortality rate. Current treatments are unsatisfactory, and new therapies are highly needed. Immunotherapies show great promise but have not reached their full potential in ovarian cancer patients. Implementation of an immune readout could offer better guidance and development of immunotherapies. However, immune profiling is often performed using a flow cytometer, which is bulky, complex, and expensive. This equipment is centralized and operated by highly trained personnel, making it cumbersome and time-consuming. We aim to develop a disposable microfluidic chip capable of performing an immune readout with the sensitivity needed to guide diagnostic decision making as close as possible to the patient. As a proof of concept of the fluidics module of this concept, acquisition of a limited immune panel based on CD45, CD8, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1), and a live/dead marker was compared to a conventional flow cytometer (BD FACSymphony). Based on a dataset of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 15 patients with ovarian cancer across different stages of treatment, we obtained a 99% correlation coefficient for the detection of CD8+PD1+ T cells relative to the total amount of CD45+ white blood cells. Upon further system development comprising further miniaturization of optics, this microfluidics chip could enable immune monitoring in an outpatient setting, facilitating rapid acquisition of data without the need for highly trained staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Libbrecht
- Life Science Technologies, imec, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium; (S.L.)
| | - Ann Vankerckhoven
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Koen de Wijs
- Life Science Technologies, imec, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium; (S.L.)
| | - Thaïs Baert
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, UZ Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Gynecological Oncology, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gitte Thirion
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Katja Vandenbrande
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Toon Van Gorp
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, UZ Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, Gynecological Oncology, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Timmerman
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, UZ Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Coosemans
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory for Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Liesbet Lagae
- Life Science Technologies, imec, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium; (S.L.)
- Physics Department, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Okła K. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) in Ovarian Cancer-Looking Back and Forward. Cells 2023; 12:1912. [PMID: 37508575 PMCID: PMC10377883 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141912] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a significant role in the immune system and have been extensively studied in cancer. MDSCs are a heterogeneous population of myeloid cells that accumulate in the tumor microenvironment. Consequently, the high abundance of these cells often leads to immunosuppression, tumor growth, treatment failure, and poor prognosis. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female genital tract. Currently, there is a lack of effective clinical strategies for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Although several studies underline the negative role of human MDSCs in ovarian cancer, this topic is still understudied. The works on MDSCs are summarized here, along with an explanation of why focusing on these cells would be a promising approach for treating ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Okła
- The First Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Caro AA, Deschoemaeker S, Allonsius L, Coosemans A, Laoui D. Dendritic Cell Vaccines: A Promising Approach in the Fight against Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14164037. [PMID: 36011029 PMCID: PMC9406463 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14164037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary With an overall 5-year survival of only 20% for advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients, enduring and effective therapies are a highly unmet clinical need. Current standard-of-care therapies are able to improve progression-free survival; however, patients still relapse. Moreover, immunotherapy has not resulted in clear patient benefits so far. In this situation, dendritic cell vaccines can serve as a potential therapeutic addition against ovarian cancer. In the current review, we provide an overview of the different dendritic cell subsets and the roles they play in ovarian cancer. We focus on the advancements in dendritic cell vaccination against ovarian cancer and highlight the key outcomes and pitfalls associated with currently used strategies. Finally, we address future directions that could be taken to improve the dendritic cell vaccination outcomes in ovarian cancer. Abstract Ovarian cancer (OC) is the deadliest gynecological malignancy in developed countries and is the seventh-highest cause of death in women diagnosed with cancer worldwide. Currently, several therapies are in use against OC, including debulking surgery, chemotherapy, as well as targeted therapies. Even though the current standard-of-care therapies improve survival, a vast majority of OC patients relapse. Additionally, immunotherapies have only resulted in meager patient outcomes, potentially owing to the intricate immunosuppressive nexus within the tumor microenvironment. In this scenario, dendritic cell (DC) vaccination could serve as a potential addition to the therapeutic options available against OC. In this review, we provide an overview of current therapies in OC, focusing on immunotherapies. Next, we highlight the potential of using DC vaccines in OC by underscoring the different DC subsets and their functions in OC. Finally, we provide an overview of the advances and pitfalls of current DC vaccine strategies in OC while providing future perspectives that could improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarushi Audhut Caro
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Deschoemaeker
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lize Allonsius
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - An Coosemans
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Damya Laoui
- Laboratory of Myeloid Cell Immunology, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-2-6291969
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Wouters R, Westrøm S, Vankerckhoven A, Thirion G, Ceusters J, Claes S, Schols D, Bønsdorff TB, Vergote I, Coosemans A. Effect of Particle Carriers for Intraperitoneal Drug Delivery on the Course of Ovarian Cancer and Its Immune Microenvironment in a Mouse Model. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040687. [PMID: 35456521 PMCID: PMC9031420 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel treatment strategies are needed to provide a better prognosis for ovarian cancer. For this purpose, the current study was designed to evaluate the effects of different types of particle drug carriers on tumor response and on the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) after intraperitoneal (IP) administration in a murine tumor model. Mice with ID8-fLuc ovarian cancer were injected IP with pegylated liposomes, hydroxyapatite, polystyrene, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) microparticles to evaluate the effect of the candidate carriers without drugs. Our results show that several types of microparticle drug carriers caused hyperproliferation of the tumor when injected IP, as reflected in a reduced survival or an accelerated onset of ascites. Alterations of the product formulation of CaCO3 microparticles could result in less hyperproliferation. The hyperproliferation caused by CaCO3 and PLGA was largely driven by a strong innate immune suppression. A combination with chemotherapy was not able to sufficiently counteract the tumor progression caused by the drug carriers. This research points towards the importance of evaluating a drug carrier before using it in a therapeutic setting, since drug carriers themselves can detrimentally influence tumor progression and immune status of the TME. However, it remains to be determined whether the hyperproliferation in this model will be of relevance in other cancer models or in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Wouters
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.V.); (G.T.); (J.C.); (A.C.)
- Oncoinvent AS, 0484 Oslo, Norway; (S.W.); (T.B.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Sara Westrøm
- Oncoinvent AS, 0484 Oslo, Norway; (S.W.); (T.B.B.)
| | - Ann Vankerckhoven
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.V.); (G.T.); (J.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Gitte Thirion
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.V.); (G.T.); (J.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Jolien Ceusters
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.V.); (G.T.); (J.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Sandra Claes
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Dominique Schols
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.C.); (D.S.)
| | | | - Ignace Vergote
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Department of Oncology, Gynecological Oncology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Coosemans
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (A.V.); (G.T.); (J.C.); (A.C.)
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Johnson RL, Cummings M, Thangavelu A, Theophilou G, de Jong D, Orsi NM. Barriers to Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: Metabolic, Genomic, and Immune Perturbations in the Tumour Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6231. [PMID: 34944851 PMCID: PMC8699358 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A lack of explicit early clinical signs and effective screening measures mean that ovarian cancer (OC) often presents as advanced, incurable disease. While conventional treatment combines maximal cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy, patients frequently develop chemoresistance and disease recurrence. The clinical application of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) aims to restore anti-cancer T-cell function in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Disappointingly, even though tumour infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with superior survival in OC, ICB has offered limited therapeutic benefits. Herein, we discuss specific TME features that prevent ICB from reaching its full potential, focussing in particular on the challenges created by immune, genomic and metabolic alterations. We explore both recent and current therapeutic strategies aiming to overcome these hurdles, including the synergistic effect of combination treatments with immune-based strategies and review the status quo of current clinical trials aiming to maximise the success of immunotherapy in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Racheal Louise Johnson
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Michele Cummings
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (M.C.); (N.M.O.)
| | - Amudha Thangavelu
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Georgios Theophilou
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Diederick de Jong
- Department Gynaecological Oncology, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (A.T.); (G.T.); (D.d.J.)
| | - Nicolas Michel Orsi
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK; (M.C.); (N.M.O.)
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De Bruyn C, Ceusters J, Landolfo C, Baert T, Thirion G, Claes S, Vankerckhoven A, Wouters R, Schols D, Timmerman D, Vergote I, Coosemans A. Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy Reduces, and Surgery Increases Immunosuppression in First-Line Treatment for Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5899. [PMID: 34885008 PMCID: PMC8656504 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In monotherapy, immunotherapy has a poor success rate in ovarian cancer. Upgrading to a successful combinatorial immunotherapy treatment implies knowledge of the immune changes that are induced by chemotherapy and surgery. METHODOLOGY Patients with a new d ovarian cancer diagnosis underwent longitudinal blood samples at different time points during primary treatment. RESULTS Ninety patients were included in the study (33% primary debulking surgery (PDS) with adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT), 61% neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with interval debulking surgery (IDS), and 6% debulking surgery only). Reductions in immunosuppression were observed after NACT, but surgery reverted this effect. The immune-related proteins showed a pronounced decrease in immune stimulation and immunosuppression when primary treatment was completed. NACT with IDS leads to a transient amelioration of the immune microenvironment compared to PDS with ACT. CONCLUSION The implementation of immunotherapy in the primary treatment schedule of ovarian cancer cannot be induced blindly. Carboplatin-paclitaxel seems to ameliorate the hostile immune microenvironment in ovarian cancer, which is less pronounced at the end of primary treatment. This prospective study during primary therapy for ovarian cancer that also looks at the evolution of immune-related proteins provides us with an insight into the temporary windows of opportunity in which to introduce immunotherapy during primary treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine De Bruyn
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.D.B.); (J.C.); (C.L.); (T.B.); (G.T.); (A.V.); (R.W.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Antwerp, 2650 Edegem, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.T.); (I.V.)
| | - Jolien Ceusters
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.D.B.); (J.C.); (C.L.); (T.B.); (G.T.); (A.V.); (R.W.)
| | - Chiara Landolfo
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.D.B.); (J.C.); (C.L.); (T.B.); (G.T.); (A.V.); (R.W.)
- Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Thaïs Baert
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.D.B.); (J.C.); (C.L.); (T.B.); (G.T.); (A.V.); (R.W.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.T.); (I.V.)
- Department of Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Kliniken Essen Mitte, 45136 Essen, Germany
| | - Gitte Thirion
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.D.B.); (J.C.); (C.L.); (T.B.); (G.T.); (A.V.); (R.W.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.T.); (I.V.)
| | - Sandra Claes
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy (Rega Institute), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Ann Vankerckhoven
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.D.B.); (J.C.); (C.L.); (T.B.); (G.T.); (A.V.); (R.W.)
| | - Roxanne Wouters
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.D.B.); (J.C.); (C.L.); (T.B.); (G.T.); (A.V.); (R.W.)
- Oncoinvent AS, 0484 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dominique Schols
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy (Rega Institute), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.C.); (D.S.)
| | - Dirk Timmerman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.T.); (I.V.)
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ignace Vergote
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (D.T.); (I.V.)
- Department of Oncology, Gynaecological Oncology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Coosemans
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (C.D.B.); (J.C.); (C.L.); (T.B.); (G.T.); (A.V.); (R.W.)
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8
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Sprooten J, Vankerckhoven A, Vanmeerbeek I, Borras DM, Berckmans Y, Wouters R, Laureano RS, Baert T, Boon L, Landolfo C, Testa AC, Fischerova D, Van Holsbeke C, Bourne T, Chiappa V, Froyman W, Schols D, Agostinis P, Timmerman D, Tejpar S, Vergote I, Coosemans A, Garg AD. Peripherally-driven myeloid NFkB and IFN/ISG responses predict malignancy risk, survival, and immunotherapy regime in ovarian cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-003609. [PMID: 34795003 PMCID: PMC8603275 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tumors can influence peripheral immune macroenvironment, thereby creating opportunities for non-invasive serum/plasma immunobiomarkers for immunostratification and immunotherapy designing. However, current approaches for immunobiomarkers’ detection are largely quantitative, which is unreliable for assessing functional peripheral immunodynamics of patients with cancer. Hence, we aimed to design a functional biomarker modality for capturing peripheral immune signaling in patients with cancer for reliable immunostratification. Methods We used a data-driven in silico framework, integrating existing tumor/blood bulk-RNAseq or single-cell (sc)RNAseq datasets of patients with cancer, to inform the design of an innovative serum-screening modality, that is, serum-functional immunodynamic status (sFIS) assay. Next, we pursued proof-of-concept analyses via multiparametric serum profiling of patients with ovarian cancer (OV) with sFIS assay combined with Luminex (cytokines/soluble immune checkpoints), CA125-antigen detection, and whole-blood immune cell counts. Here, sFIS assay’s ability to determine survival benefit or malignancy risk was validated in a discovery (n=32) and/or validation (n=699) patient cohorts. Lastly, we used an orthotopic murine metastatic OV model, with anti-OV therapy selection via in silico drug–target screening and murine serum screening via sFIS assay, to assess suitable in vivo immunotherapy options. Results In silico data-driven framework predicted that peripheral immunodynamics of patients with cancer might be best captured via analyzing myeloid nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) signaling and interferon-stimulated genes' (ISG) responses. This helped in conceptualization of an ‘in sitro’ (in vitro+in situ) sFIS assay, where human myeloid cells were exposed to patients’ serum in vitro, to assess serum-induced (si)-NFκB or interferon (IFN)/ISG responses (as active signaling reporter activity) within them, thereby ‘mimicking’ patients’ in situ immunodynamic status. Multiparametric serum profiling of patients with OV established that sFIS assay can: decode peripheral immunology (by indicating higher enrichment of si-NFκB over si-IFN/ISG responses), estimate survival trends (si-NFκB or si-IFN/ISG responses associating with negative or positive prognosis, respectively), and coestimate malignancy risk (relative to benign/borderline ovarian lesions). Biologically, we documented dominance of pro-tumorigenic, myeloid si-NFκB responseHIGHsi-IFN/ISG responseLOW inflammation in periphery of patients with OV. Finally, in an orthotopic murine metastatic OV model, sFIS assay predicted the higher capacity of chemo-immunotherapy (paclitaxel–carboplatin plus anti-TNF antibody combination) in achieving a pro-immunogenic peripheral milieu (si-IFN/ISG responseHIGHsi-NFκB responseLOW), which aligned with high antitumor efficacy. Conclusions We established sFIS assay as a novel biomarker resource for serum screening in patients with OV to evaluate peripheral immunodynamics, patient survival trends and malignancy risk, and to design preclinical chemo-immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Sprooten
- Laboratory of Cell Stress & Immunity, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ann Vankerckhoven
- Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isaure Vanmeerbeek
- Laboratory of Cell Stress & Immunity, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniel M Borras
- Laboratory of Cell Stress & Immunity, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yani Berckmans
- Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roxanne Wouters
- Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raquel S Laureano
- Laboratory of Cell Stress & Immunity, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thais Baert
- Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Gynaecologic Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Chiara Landolfo
- Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK.,Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Carla Testa
- Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Tom Bourne
- Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK
| | | | - Wouter Froyman
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrizia Agostinis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cell Death Research and Therapy Laboratory, KU Leuven, Belgium.,VIB Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Timmerman
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sabine Tejpar
- Laboratory for Molecular Digestive Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ignace Vergote
- Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Gynaecologic Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Coosemans
- Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abhishek D Garg
- Laboratory of Cell Stress & Immunity, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Gjorgoska M, Rižner TL. Estrogens and the Schrödinger's Cat in the Ovarian Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13195011. [PMID: 34638494 PMCID: PMC8508344 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13195011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ovarian cancer is a complex pathology for which we require effective screening and therapeutical strategies. Apart from the cancer cell portion, there exist plastic immune and non-immune cell populations, jointly constituting the context-adaptive tumor microenvironment, which is pivotal in tumorigenesis. Estrogens might be synthesized in the ovarian tumor tissue and actively contribute to the shaping of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Current immune therapies have limited effectiveness as a multitude of factors influence the outcome. A thorough understanding of the ovarian cancer biology is crucial in the efforts to reestablish homeostasis. Abstract Ovarian cancer is a heterogeneous disease affecting the aging ovary, in concert with a complex network of cells and signals, together representing the ovarian tumor microenvironment. As in the “Schrödinger’s cat” thought experiment, the context-dependent constituents of the—by the time of diagnosis—well-established tumor microenvironment may display a tumor-protective and -destructive role. Systemic and locally synthesized estrogens contribute to the formation of a pro-tumoral microenvironment that enables the sustained tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. Here we focus on the estrogen biosynthetic and metabolic pathways in ovarian cancer and elaborate their actions on phenotypically plastic, estrogen-responsive, aging immune cells of the tumor microenvironment, altogether highlighting the multicomponent-connectedness and complexity of cancer, and contributing to a broader understanding of the ovarian cancer biology.
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10
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Jareid M, Snapkov I, Holden M, Busund LTR, Lund E, Nøst TH. The blood transcriptome prior to ovarian cancer diagnosis: A case-control study in the NOWAC postgenome cohort. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256442. [PMID: 34449791 PMCID: PMC8396762 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has a 5-year relative survival of 50%, partly because markers of early-stage disease are not available in current clinical diagnostics. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether EOC is associated with transcriptional profiles in blood collected up to 7 years before diagnosis. For this, we used RNA-stabilized whole blood, which contains circulating immune cells, from a sample of EOC cases from the population-based Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) postgenome cohort. We explored case-control differences in gene expression in all EOC (66 case-control pairs), as well as associations between gene expression and metastatic EOC (56 pairs), serous EOC (45 pairs, 44 of which were metastatic), and interval from blood sample collection to diagnosis (≤3 or >3 years; 34 and 31 pairs, respectively). Lastly, we assessed differential expression of genes associated with EOC in published functional genomics studies that used blood samples collected from newly diagnosed women. After adjustment for multiple testing, this nested case-control study revealed no significant case-control differences in gene expression in all EOC (false discovery rate q>0.96). With the exception of a few probes, the log2 fold change values obtained in gene-wise linear models were below ±0.2. P-values were lowest in analyses of metastatic EOC (80% of which were serous EOC). No common transcriptional profile was indicated by interval to diagnosis; when comparing the 100 genes with the lowest p-values in gene-wise tests in samples collected ≤3 and >3 years before EOC diagnosis, no overlap in these genes was observed. Among 86 genes linked to ovarian cancer in previous publications, our data contained expression values for 42, and of these, tests of LIME1, GPR162, STAB1, and SKAP1, resulted in unadjusted p<0.05. Although limited by sample size, our findings indicated less variation in blood gene expression between women with similar tumor characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mie Jareid
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Igor Snapkov
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Lill-Tove Rasmussen Busund
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Biology, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Eiliv Lund
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Therese Haugdahl Nøst
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Community Medicine, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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11
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Targeting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Ovarian Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020329. [PMID: 33562495 PMCID: PMC7914407 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells that exhibit immunosuppressive activity. They also directly stimulate tumor cell proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. In ovarian cancer, there are increased numbers of circulating or tumor-infiltrating MDSCs, and increased frequencies of MDSCs are associated with a poor prognosis or an advanced clinical stage. Moreover, in murine models of ovarian cancer, MDSC depletion has shown significant growth-inhibitory effects and enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of existing anticancer therapies. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on MDSC biology, clinical significance of MDSC, and potential MDSC-targeting strategies in ovarian cancer.
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12
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Tsogas FK, Majerczyk D, Hart PC. Possible Role of Metformin as an Immune Modulator in the Tumor Microenvironment of Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020867. [PMID: 33467127 PMCID: PMC7830067 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that the immune component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) may be highly involved in the progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), as an immunosuppressive TME is associated with worse patient outcomes. Due to the poor prognosis of HGSOC, new therapeutic strategies targeting the TME may provide a potential path forward for preventing disease progression to improve patient survival. One such postulated approach is the repurposing of the type 2 diabetes medication, metformin, which has shown promise in reducing HGSOC tumor progression in retrospective epidemiological analyses and through numerous preclinical studies. Despite its potential utility in treating HGSOC, and that the immune TME is considered as a key factor in the disease’s progression, little data has definitively shown the ability of metformin to target this component of the TME. In this brief review, we provide a summary of the current understanding of the effects of metformin on leukocyte function in ovarian cancer and, coupled with data from other related disease states, posit the potential mechanisms by which the drug may enhance the anti-tumorigenic effects of immune cells to improve HGSOC patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faye K. Tsogas
- College of Science, Health and Pharmacy, Roosevelt University, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA; (F.K.T.); (D.M.)
| | - Daniel Majerczyk
- College of Science, Health and Pharmacy, Roosevelt University, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA; (F.K.T.); (D.M.)
- Loyola Medicine, Berwyn, IL 60402, USA
| | - Peter C. Hart
- College of Science, Health and Pharmacy, Roosevelt University, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA; (F.K.T.); (D.M.)
- Correspondence:
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13
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Landolfo C, Achten ETL, Ceusters J, Baert T, Froyman W, Heremans R, Vanderstichele A, Thirion G, Van Hoylandt A, Claes S, Oosterlynck J, Van Rompuy AS, Schols D, Billen J, Van Calster B, Bourne T, Van Gorp T, Vergote I, Timmerman D, Coosemans A. Assessment of protein biomarkers for preoperative differential diagnosis between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. Gynecol Oncol 2020; 159:811-819. [PMID: 32994054 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the diagnostic value of tumor and immune related proteins in the discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses, and between different subgroups of tumors. METHODS In this exploratory diagnostic study, 254 patients with an adnexal mass scheduled for surgery were consecutively enrolled at the University Hospitals Leuven (128 benign, 42 borderline, 22 stage I, 55 stage II-IV, and 7 secondary metastatic tumors). The quantification of 33 serum proteins was done preoperatively, using multiplex high throughput immunoassays (Luminex) and electrochemiluminescence immuno-assay (ECLIA). We calculated univariable areas under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves (AUCs). To discriminate malignant from benign tumors, multivariable ridge logistic regression with backward elimination was performed, using bootstrapping to validate the resulting AUCs. RESULTS CA125 had the highest univariable AUC to discriminate malignant from benign tumors (0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.79-0.89). Combining CA125 with CA72.4 and HE4 increased the AUC to 0.87. For benign vs borderline tumors, CA125 had the highest univariable AUC (0.74). For borderline vs stage I malignancy, no proteins were promising. For stage I vs II-IV malignancy, CA125, HE4, CA72.4, CA15.3 and LAP had univariable AUCs ≥0.80. CONCLUSIONS The results confirm the dominant role of CA125 for identifying malignancy, and suggest that other markers (HE4, CA72.4, CA15.3 and LAP) may help to distinguish between stage I and stage II-IV malignancies. However, further research is needed, also to investigate the added value over clinical and ultrasound predictors of malignancy, focusing on the differentiation between subtypes of malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Landolfo
- Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - E T L Achten
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Ceusters
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - T Baert
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Ev. Kliniken Essen Mitte (KEM), Essen, Germany
| | - W Froyman
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - R Heremans
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A Vanderstichele
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - G Thirion
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A Van Hoylandt
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - S Claes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy (Rega Institute), Belgium
| | - J Oosterlynck
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A S Van Rompuy
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - D Schols
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy (Rega Institute), Belgium
| | - J Billen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - B Van Calster
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - T Bourne
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - T Van Gorp
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - I Vergote
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - D Timmerman
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A Coosemans
- Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, ImmunOvar Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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14
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Martinez A, Delord JP, Ayyoub M, Devaud C. Preclinical and Clinical Immunotherapeutic Strategies in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1761. [PMID: 32630708 PMCID: PMC7409311 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past 20 years, the immune system has increasingly been recognized as a major player in tumor cell control, leading to considerable advances in cancer treatment. While promising with regards to melanoma, renal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, immunotherapy provides, for the time being, limited success in other cancers, including ovarian cancer, potentially due to insufficient immunogenicity or to a particularly immunosuppressive microenvironment. In this review, we provide a global description of the immune context of ovarian cancer, in particular epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We describe the adaptive and innate components involved in the EOC immune response, including infiltrating tumor-specific T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and natural killer and myeloid cells. In addition, we highlight the rationale behind the use of EOC preclinical mouse models to assess resistance to immunotherapy, and we summarize the main preclinical studies that yielded anti-EOC immunotherapeutic strategies. Finally, we focus on major published or ongoing immunotherapy clinical trials concerning EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Martinez
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité 1037, 31037 Toulouse, France; (A.M.); (J.-P.D.); (M.A.)
- Department of Surgery, Institut Claudius Regaud, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse (IUCT), 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Delord
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité 1037, 31037 Toulouse, France; (A.M.); (J.-P.D.); (M.A.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Claudius Regaud, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse, 31037 Toulouse, France
- Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Maha Ayyoub
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité 1037, 31037 Toulouse, France; (A.M.); (J.-P.D.); (M.A.)
- Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, 31037 Toulouse, France
- Immune Monitoring Core Facility, Institut Claudius Regaud, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse, 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Christel Devaud
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité 1037, 31037 Toulouse, France; (A.M.); (J.-P.D.); (M.A.)
- Immune Monitoring Core Facility, Institut Claudius Regaud, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse, 31037 Toulouse, France
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15
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Zheng ZM, Yang HL, Lai ZZ, Wang CJ, Yang SL, Li MQ, Shao J. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in obstetrical and gynecological diseases. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 84:e13266. [PMID: 32418253 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of myeloid-origin cells which have immunosuppressive activities in several conditions, such as cancer and inflammation. Recent research has also associated MDSCs with numerous obstetrical and gynecological diseases. During pregnancy, MDSCs accumulate to ensure maternal-fetal immune tolerance, whereas they are decreased in patients who suffer from early miscarriage or pre-eclampsia. While the etiology of endometriosis is still unknown, abnormal accumulation of MDSCs in the peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid, alongside an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), has been observed in these patients, which is central to the cellular immune regulations by MDSCs. Additionally, the regulation of MDSCs observed in tumours is also applicable to gynecologic neoplasms, including ovarian cancer and cervical cancer. More recently, emerging evidence has shown that there are high levels of MDSCs in premature ovarian failure (POF) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this review, the generation and mechanisms of MDSCs are summarized. In particular, the modulation of these cells in immune-related obstetrical and gynecological diseases is discussed, including potential treatment options targeting MDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Meng Zheng
- Insitute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui-Li Yang
- Insitute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Lai
- Insitute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng-Jie Wang
- Insitute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shao-Liang Yang
- Insitute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Qing Li
- Insitute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Shao
- Insitute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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16
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Opposite Macrophage Polarization in Different Subsets of Ovarian Cancer: Observation from a Pilot Study. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020305. [PMID: 32012728 PMCID: PMC7072171 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the innate immune system in ovarian cancer is gaining importance. The relevance of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) is insufficiently understood. In this pilot project, comprising the immunofluorescent staining of 30 biopsies taken from 24 patients with ovarian cancer, we evaluated the presence of total TAM (cluster of differentiation (CD) 68 expression), M1 (major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II expression), and M2 (anti-mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC1) expression), and the blood vessel diameter. We observed a high M1/M2 ratio in low-grade ovarian cancer compared to high-grade tumors, more total TAM and M2 in metastatic biopsies, and a further increase in total TAM and M2 at interval debulking, without beneficial effects of bevacizumab. The blood vessel diameter was indicative for M2 tumor infiltration (Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.65). These data mainly reveal an immune beneficial environment in low-grade ovarian cancer in contrast to high-grade serous ovarian cancer, where immune suppression is not altered by neoadjuvant therapy.
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