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Iyer KA, Ivanov J, Tenchov R, Ralhan K, Rodriguez Y, Sasso JM, Scott S, Zhou QA. Emerging Targets and Therapeutics in Immuno-Oncology: Insights from Landscape Analysis. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38787632 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
In the ever-evolving landscape of cancer research, immuno-oncology stands as a beacon of hope, offering novel avenues for treatment. This study capitalizes on the vast repository of immuno-oncology-related scientific documents within the CAS Content Collection, totaling over 350,000, encompassing journals and patents. Through a pioneering approach melding natural language processing with the CAS indexing system, we unveil over 300 emerging concepts, depicted in a comprehensive "Trend Landscape Map". These concepts, spanning therapeutic targets, biomarkers, and types of cancers among others, are hierarchically organized into eight major categories. Delving deeper, our analysis furnishes detailed quantitative metrics showcasing growth trends over the past three years. Our findings not only provide valuable insights for guiding future research endeavors but also underscore the merit of tapping the vast and unparalleled breadth of existing scientific information to derive profound insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita A Iyer
- ACS International India Pvt. Ltd., Pune 411044, India
| | - Julian Ivanov
- CAS, A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Rumiana Tenchov
- CAS, A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | | | - Yacidzohara Rodriguez
- CAS, A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Janet M Sasso
- CAS, A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Sabina Scott
- CAS, A Division of the American Chemical Society, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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Chintamaneni PK, Pindiprolu SKSS, Swain SS, Karri VVSR, Nesamony J, Chelliah S, Bhaskaran M. Conquering chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer: Exploring novel drug therapies and delivery approaches amidst desmoplasia and hypoxia. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216782. [PMID: 38453046 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer poses a significant challenge within the field of oncology due to its aggressive behaviour, limited treatment choices, and unfavourable outlook. With a mere 10% survival rate at the 5-year mark, finding effective interventions becomes even more pressing. The intricate relationship between desmoplasia and hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment further complicates matters by promoting resistance to chemotherapy and impeding treatment efficacy. The dense extracellular matrix and cancer-associated fibroblasts characteristic of desmoplasia create a physical and biochemical barrier that impedes drug penetration and fosters an immunosuppressive milieu. Concurrently, hypoxia nurtures aggressive tumor behaviour and resistance to conventional therapies. a comprehensive exploration of emerging medications and innovative drug delivery approaches. Notably, advancements in nanoparticle-based delivery systems, local drug delivery implants, and oxygen-carrying strategies are highlighted for their potential to enhance drug accessibility and therapeutic outcomes. The integration of these strategies with traditional chemotherapies and targeted agents reveals the potential for synergistic effects that amplify treatment responses. These emerging interventions can mitigate desmoplasia and hypoxia-induced barriers, leading to improved drug delivery, treatment efficacy, and patient outcomes in pancreatic cancer. This review article delves into the dynamic landscape of emerging anticancer medications and innovative drug delivery strategies poised to overcome the challenges imposed by desmoplasia and hypoxia in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavan Kumar Chintamaneni
- Department of Pharmaceutics, GITAM School of Pharmacy, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Rudraram, 502329 Telangana, India.
| | | | - Swati Swagatika Swain
- Department of Pharmaceutics, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Jerry Nesamony
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Toledo HSC, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Selvam Chelliah
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX-77004, USA
| | - Mahendran Bhaskaran
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Toledo HSC, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA.
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Boda AR, Liu AJ, Castro-Pando S, Whitfield BT, Molldrem JJ, Al-Atrash G, Di Francesco ME, Jones P, Ager CR, Curran MA. Identification of Nonfunctional Alternatively Spliced Isoforms of STING in Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Res Commun 2024; 4:911-918. [PMID: 38477596 PMCID: PMC10962316 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Lack of robust activation of Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) pathway and subsequent induction of type I IFN responses is considered a barrier to antitumor immunity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Using common human AML cell lines as in vitro tools to evaluate the efficacy of novel STING agonists, we found most AML lines to be poor producers of IFNs upon exposure to extremely potent agonists, suggesting cell-intrinsic suppression of STING signaling may occur. We observed unexpected patterns of response that did not correlate with levels of STING pathway components or of known enzymes associated with resistance. To identify a genetic basis for these observations, we cloned and sequenced STING from the cDNA of human AML cell lines and found both frequent mutations and deviations from normal RNA splicing. We identified two novel spliced isoforms of STING in these lines and validated their expression in primary human AML samples. When transduced into reporter cells, these novel STING isoforms exhibited complete insensitivity to agonist stimulation. These observations identify alternative splicing as a mechanism of STING pathway suppression and suggest that most AML silences the STING pathway through direct modification rather than through engagement of external inhibitory factors. SIGNIFICANCE We find that AML acquires resistance to innate immune activation via the STING pathway through aberrant splicing of the STING transcript including two novel forms described herein that act as dominant negatives. These data broaden understanding of how cancers evolve STING resistance, and suggest that the AML tumor microenvironment, not the cancer cell, should be the target of therapeutic interventions to activate STING.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash R. Boda
- Immunology Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Arthur J. Liu
- Immunology Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Susana Castro-Pando
- Immunology Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Benjamin T. Whitfield
- Immunology Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey J. Molldrem
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gheath Al-Atrash
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Maria Emilia Di Francesco
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Philip Jones
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Casey R. Ager
- Department of Immunology, The Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona
| | - Michael A. Curran
- Immunology Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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Gupta KH, Giurini EF, Zloza A. Seasonal influenza vaccines differentially activate and modulate toll-like receptor expression within the tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1308651. [PMID: 38476365 PMCID: PMC10928891 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1308651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are well-known for their role in cancer development as well as in directing anti-tumor immunity. Because TLRs have also been implicated in the innate recognition of the influenza virus, it was of great interest to investigate the potential TLRs' contribution to the reduction in tumor growth following intratumoral injection of an unadjuvanted influenza vaccine and the lack of antitumor response from an adjuvanted vaccine. In our previous publication, we showed that the unadjuvanted flu vaccine modulates TLR7 expression leading to anti-tumor response in a murine model of melanoma. Here, we show that the unadjuvanted and adjuvanted flu vaccines robustly stimulate different sets of TLRs, TLR3 and TLR7, and TLR4 and TLR9, respectively. In addition, the reduction in tumor growth and improved survival from intratumoral administration of the unadjuvanted vaccine was found to be diminished in TLR7-deficient mice. Finally, we observed that both vaccines have the capacity to modulate TLR expression on both innate and adaptive immune cells. Our findings add to the mechanistic understanding of the parameters that influence tumor outcomes in unadjuvanted and adjuvanted influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kajal H. Gupta
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Eileena F. Giurini
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Andrew Zloza
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Division of Translational and Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
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Kudruk S, Forsyth CM, Dion MZ, Hedlund Orbeck JK, Luo J, Klein RS, Kim AH, Heimberger AB, Mirkin CA, Stegh AH, Artzi N. Multimodal neuro-nanotechnology: Challenging the existing paradigm in glioblastoma therapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2306973121. [PMID: 38346200 PMCID: PMC10895370 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306973121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Integrating multimodal neuro- and nanotechnology-enabled precision immunotherapies with extant systemic immunotherapies may finally provide a significant breakthrough for combatting glioblastoma (GBM). The potency of this approach lies in its ability to train the immune system to efficiently identify and eradicate cancer cells, thereby creating anti-tumor immune memory while minimizing multi-mechanistic immune suppression. A critical aspect of these therapies is the controlled, spatiotemporal delivery of structurally defined nanotherapeutics into the GBM tumor microenvironment (TME). Architectures such as spherical nucleic acids or poly(beta-amino ester)/dendrimer-based nanoparticles have shown promising results in preclinical models due to their multivalency and abilities to activate antigen-presenting cells and prime antigen-specific T cells. These nanostructures also permit systematic variation to optimize their distribution, TME accumulation, cellular uptake, and overall immunostimulatory effects. Delving deeper into the relationships between nanotherapeutic structures and their performance will accelerate nano-drug development and pave the way for the rapid clinical translation of advanced nanomedicines. In addition, the efficacy of nanotechnology-based immunotherapies may be enhanced when integrated with emerging precision surgical techniques, such as laser interstitial thermal therapy, and when combined with systemic immunotherapies, particularly inhibitors of immune-mediated checkpoints and immunosuppressive adenosine signaling. In this perspective, we highlight the potential of emerging treatment modalities, combining advances in biomedical engineering and neurotechnology development with existing immunotherapies to overcome treatment resistance and transform the management of GBM. We conclude with a call to action for researchers to leverage these technologies and accelerate their translation into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergej Kudruk
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Connor M Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Michelle Z Dion
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Jenny K Hedlund Orbeck
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Jingqin Luo
- The Brain Tumor Center, Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Robyn S Klein
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Center for Neuroimmunology and Neuroinfectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Albert H Kim
- The Brain Tumor Center, Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Amy B Heimberger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Alexander H Stegh
- The Brain Tumor Center, Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Natalie Artzi
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Medicine, Engineering in Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02115
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Filderman JN, Taylor JL, Wang J, Zhang Y, Singh P, Ross MA, Watkins SC, Nedal Al Bzour A, Karapetyan L, Kalinski P, Storkus WJ. Antagonism of regulatory ISGs enhances the anti-melanoma efficacy of STING agonists. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1334769. [PMID: 38312842 PMCID: PMC10835797 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1334769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) is a dsDNA sensor that triggers type I inflammatory responses. Recent data from our group and others support the therapeutic efficacy of STING agonists applied intratumorally or systemically in a range of murine tumor models, with treatment benefits associated with tumor vascular normalization and improved immune cell recruitment and function within the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, such interventions are rarely curative and STING agonism coordinately upregulates expression of immunoregulatory interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) including Arg2, Cox2, Isg15, Nos2, and Pdl1 that may limit treatment benefits. We hypothesized that combined treatment of melanoma-bearing mice with STING agonist ADU-S100 together with antagonists of regulatory ISGs would result in improved control of tumor growth vs. treatment with ADU-S100 alone. Methods Mice bearing either B16 (BRAFWTPTENWT) or BPR20 (BRAFV600EPTEN-/-) melanomas were treated with STING agonist ADU-S100 plus various inhibitors of ARG2, COX2, NOS2, PD-L1, or ISG15. Tumor growth control and changes in the TME were evaluated for combination treatment vs ADU-S100 monotherapy by tumor area measurements and flow cytometry/transcriptional profiling, respectively. Results In the B16 melanoma model, we noted improved antitumor efficacy only when ADU-S100 was combined with neutralizing/blocking antibodies against PD-L1 or ISG15, but not inhibitors of ARG2, COX2, or NOS2. Conversely, in the BPR20 melanoma model, improved tumor growth control vs. ADU-S100 monotherapy was only observed when combining ADU-S100 with ARG2i, COX2i, and NOS2i, but not anti-PD-L1 or anti-ISG15. Immune changes in the TME associated with improved treatment outcomes were subtle but included increases in proinflammatory innate immune cells and activated CD8+CD69+ T cells and varied between the two tumor models. Conclusions These data suggest contextual differences in the relative contributions of individual regulatory ISGs that serve to operationally limit the anti-tumor efficacy of STING agonists which should be considered in future design of novel combination protocols for optimal treatment benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica N Filderman
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer L Taylor
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Yali Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Prashant Singh
- Genomics Shared Resource, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Mark A Ross
- Center for Biologic Imaging, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Simon C Watkins
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ayah Nedal Al Bzour
- Department of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Lilit Karapetyan
- Department of Cutaneous Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Pawel Kalinski
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Walter J Storkus
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Liu A, Gammon ST, Pisaneschi F, Boda A, Ager CR, Piwnica-Worms D, Hong DS, Curran MA. Hypoxia-activated prodrug and antiangiogenic therapies cooperatively treat pancreatic cancer but elicit immunosuppressive G-MDSC infiltration. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e169150. [PMID: 37988164 PMCID: PMC10906452 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.169150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously showed that ablation of tumor hypoxia can sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Here, we used a Kras+/G12D TP53+/R172H Pdx1-Cre-derived (KPC-derived) model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma to examine the tumor response and adaptive resistance mechanisms involved in response to 2 established methods of hypoxia-reducing therapy: the hypoxia-activated prodrug TH-302 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) blockade. The combination of both modalities normalized tumor vasculature, increased DNA damage and cell death, and delayed tumor growth. In contrast with prior cancer models, the combination did not alleviate overall tissue hypoxia or sensitize these KPC tumors to ICB therapy despite qualitative improvements to the CD8+ T cell response. Bulk tumor RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, and adoptive myeloid cell transfer suggested that treated tumor cells increased their capacity to recruit granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs) through CCL9 secretion. Blockade of the CCL9/CCR1 axis could limit G-MDSC migration, and depletion of Ly6G-positive cells could sensitize tumors to the combination of TH-302, anti-VEGFR-2, and ICB. Together, these data suggest that pancreatic tumors modulate G-MDSC migration as an adaptive response to vascular normalization and that these immunosuppressive myeloid cells act in a setting of persistent hypoxia to maintain adaptive immune resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Liu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Immunology program, Houston, Texas, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Immunology, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Seth T. Gammon
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Federica Pisaneschi
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Akash Boda
- The University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Immunology program, Houston, Texas, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Immunology, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Casey R. Ager
- Mayo Clinic, Department of Immunology, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - David Piwnica-Worms
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - David S. Hong
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michael A. Curran
- The University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Immunology program, Houston, Texas, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Immunology, Houston, Texas, USA
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Kennedy PT, Zannoupa D, Son MH, Dahal LN, Woolley JF. Neuroblastoma: an ongoing cold front for cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007798. [PMID: 37993280 PMCID: PMC10668262 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most frequent extracranial childhood tumour but effective treatment with current immunotherapies is challenging due to its immunosuppressive microenvironment. Efforts to date have focused on using immunotherapy to increase tumour immunogenicity and enhance anticancer immune responses, including anti-GD2 antibodies; immune checkpoint inhibitors; drugs which enhance macrophage and natural killer T (NKT) cell function; modulation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes pathway; and engineering neuroblastoma-targeting chimeric-antigen receptor-T cells. Some of these strategies have strong preclinical foundation and are being tested clinically, although none have demonstrated notable success in treating paediatric neuroblastoma to date. Recently, approaches to overcome heterogeneity of neuroblastoma tumours and treatment resistance are being explored. These include rational combination strategies with the aim of achieving synergy, such as dual targeting of GD2 and tumour-associated macrophages or natural killer cells; GD2 and the B7-H3 immune checkpoint; GD2 and enhancer of zeste-2 methyltransferase inhibitors. Such combination strategies provide opportunities to overcome primary resistance to and maximize the benefits of immunotherapy in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Kennedy
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Demetra Zannoupa
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Meong Hi Son
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Lekh N Dahal
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - John F Woolley
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Zhao K, Huang J, Zhao Y, Wang S, Xu J, Yin K. Targeting STING in cancer: Challenges and emerging opportunities. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188983. [PMID: 37717857 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway is a key pathway through which the host regulates immune responses by recognizing cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA of abnormal origin, and it plays an important role in tumor growth as well as metastasis, with relevant molecular details constantly being explored and updated. The significant immunomodulatory effects make STING an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy, and STING agonists have been receiving great attention for their development and clinical translation. Despite exciting results in preclinical work, the application of STING agonists to cancer therapy remains challenging due to their poor pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties, as well as toxic side effects they produce. Here, we summarize the dichotomous role of cGAS-STING in cancer and discuss the limitations of cancer immunotherapy based on STING activation as well as feasible strategies to overcome them to achieve tumor regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China; Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jiaojiao Huang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Shengjun Wang
- Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
| | - Juan Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China.
| | - Kai Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
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Tran LC, Özdemir BC, Berger MD. The Role of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Current State and Outlook. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1411. [PMID: 37895882 PMCID: PMC10609661 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest tumors, characterized by its aggressive tumor biology and poor prognosis. While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) play a major part in the treatment algorithm of various solid tumors, there is still no evidence of clinical benefit from ICI in patients with metastatic PDAC (mPDAC). This might be due to several reasons, such as the inherent low immunogenicity of pancreatic cancer, the dense stroma-rich tumor microenvironment that precludes an efficient migration of antitumoral effector T cells to the cancer cells, and the increased proportion of immunosuppressive immune cells, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), facilitating tumor growth and invasion. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state of ICIs in mPDAC, report on the biological rationale to implement ICIs into the treatment strategy of pancreatic cancer, and discuss preclinical studies and clinical trials in this field. Additionally, we shed light on the challenges of implementing ICIs into the treatment strategy of PDAC and discuss potential future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martin D. Berger
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
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Chibaya L, Lusi CF, DeMarco KD, Kane GI, Brassil ML, Parikh CN, Murphy KC, Li J, Naylor TE, Cerrutti J, Peura J, Pitarresi JR, Zhu LJ, Fitzgerald KA, Atukorale PU, Ruscetti M. Nanoparticle delivery of innate immune agonists combines with senescence-inducing agents to mediate T cell control of pancreatic cancer. bioRxiv 2023:2023.09.18.558307. [PMID: 37790484 PMCID: PMC10542133 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.18.558307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has quickly risen to become the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related death. This is in part due to its fibrotic tumor microenvironment (TME) that contributes to poor vascularization and immune infiltration and subsequent chemo- and immunotherapy failure. Here we investigated an innovative immunotherapy approach combining local delivery of STING and TLR4 innate immune agonists via lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs) co-encapsulation with senescence-inducing RAS-targeted therapies that can remodel the immune suppressive PDAC TME through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Treatment of transplanted and autochthonous PDAC mouse models with these regimens led to enhanced uptake of NPs by multiple cell types in the PDAC TME, induction of type I interferon and other pro-inflammatory signaling, increased antigen presentation by tumor cells and antigen presenting cells, and subsequent activation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. This two-pronged approach produced potent T cell-driven and Type I interferon-dependent tumor regressions and long-term survival in preclinical PDAC models. STING and TLR4-mediated Type I interferon signaling were also associated with enhanced NK and CD8+ T cell immunity in human PDAC. Thus, combining localized immune agonist delivery with systemic tumor-targeted therapy can synergize to orchestrate a coordinated innate and adaptive immune assault to overcome immune suppression and activate durable anti-tumor T cell responses against PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loretah Chibaya
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Christina F. Lusi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Kelly D. DeMarco
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Griffin I. Kane
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Meghan L. Brassil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Chaitanya N. Parikh
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Katherine C. Murphy
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Junhui Li
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Tiana E. Naylor
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Julia Cerrutti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
| | - Jessica Peura
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jason R. Pitarresi
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Prabhani U. Atukorale
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA USA
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA. USA
| | - Marcus Ruscetti
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA. USA
- Immunology and Microbiology Program, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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12
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Czapla J, Drzyzga A, Matuszczak S, Cichoń T, Rusin M, Jarosz-Biej M, Pilny E, Smolarczyk R. Antitumor effect of anti-vascular therapy with STING agonist depends on the tumor microenvironment context. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1249524. [PMID: 37655095 PMCID: PMC10465696 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1249524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Targeting tumor vasculature is an efficient weapon to fight against cancer; however, activation of alternative pathways to rebuild the disrupted vasculature leads to rapid tumor regrowth. Immunotherapy that exploits host immune cells to elicit and sustain potent antitumor response has emerged as one of the most promising tools for cancer treatment, yet many treatments fail due to developed resistance mechanisms. Therefore, our aim was to examine whether combination of immunotherapy and anti-vascular treatment will succeed in poorly immunogenic, difficult-to-treat melanoma and triple-negative breast tumor models. Methods Our study was performed on B16-F10 melanoma and 4T1 breast tumor murine models. Mice were treated with the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway agonist (cGAMP) and vascular disrupting agent combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P). Tumor growth was monitored. The tumor microenvironment (TME) was comprehensively investigated using multiplex immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. We also examined if such designed therapy sensitizes investigated tumor models to an immune checkpoint inhibitor (anti-PD-1). Results The use of STING agonist cGAMP as monotherapy was insufficient to effectively inhibit tumor growth due to low levels of STING protein in 4T1 tumors. However, when additionally combined with an anti-vascular agent, a significant therapeutic effect was obtained. In this model, the obtained effect was related to the TME polarization and the stimulation of the innate immune response, especially activation of NK cells. Combination therapy was unable to activate CD8+ T cells. Due to the lack of PD-1 upregulation, no improved therapeutic effect was observed when additionally combined with the anti-PD-1 inhibitor. In B16-F10 tumors, highly abundant in STING protein, cGAMP as monotherapy was sufficient to induce potent antitumor response. In this model, the therapeutic effect was due to the infiltration of the TME with activated NK cells. cGAMP also caused the infiltration of CD8+PD-1+ T cells into the TME; hence, additional benefits of using the PD-1 inhibitor were observed. Conclusion The study provides preclinical evidence for a great influence of the TME on the outcome of applied therapy, including immune cell contribution and ICI responsiveness. We pointed the need of careful TME screening prior to antitumor treatments to achieve satisfactory results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Czapla
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ryszard Smolarczyk
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice, Poland
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13
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Abstract
Myeloid immune cells (MICs) are potent innate immune cells serving as first responders to invading pathogens and internal changes to cellular homeostasis. Cancer is a stage of altered cellular homeostasis that can originate in response to different pathogens, chemical carcinogens, and internal genetic/epigenetic changes. MICs express several pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on their membranes, cytosol, and organelles, recognizing systemic, tissue, and organ-specific altered homeostasis. cGAS/STING signaling is a cytosolic PRR system for identifying cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in a sequence-independent but size-dependent manner. The longer the cytosolic dsDNA size, the stronger the cGAS/STING signaling activation with increased type 1 interferon (IFN) and NF-κB-dependent cytokines and chemokines' generation. The present article discusses tumor-supportive changes occurring in the tumor microenvironment (TME) or tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) MICs, specifically emphasizing cGAS/STING signaling-dependent alteration. The article further discusses utilizing MIC-specific cGAS/STING signaling modulation as critical tumor immunotherapy to alter TIME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70012, USA.
| | - Caitlin Bauer
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70012, USA
| | - John H Stewart
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70012, USA.
- Louisiana Children's Medical Center Cancer Center, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70012, USA.
- Surgery, Section of Surgical Oncology, Louisiana State University New Orleans-Louisiana Children's Medical Center Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC), 1700 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70012, USA.
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14
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Obradovic A, Ager C, Turunen M, Nirschl T, Khosravi-Maharlooei M, Iuga A, Jackson CM, Yegnasubramanian S, Tomassoni L, Fernandez EC, McCann P, Rogava M, DeMarzo AM, Kochel CM, Allaf M, Bivalacqua T, Lim M, Realubit R, Karan C, Drake CG, Califano A. Systematic elucidation and pharmacological targeting of tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cell master regulators. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:933-949.e11. [PMID: 37116491 PMCID: PMC10193511 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Due to their immunosuppressive role, tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells (TI-Tregs) represent attractive immuno-oncology targets. Analysis of TI vs. peripheral Tregs (P-Tregs) from 36 patients, across four malignancies, identified 17 candidate master regulators (MRs) as mechanistic determinants of TI-Treg transcriptional state. Pooled CRISPR-Cas9 screening in vivo, using a chimeric hematopoietic stem cell transplant model, confirmed the essentiality of eight MRs in TI-Treg recruitment and/or retention without affecting other T cell subtypes, and targeting one of the most significant MRs (Trps1) by CRISPR KO significantly reduced ectopic tumor growth. Analysis of drugs capable of inverting TI-Treg MR activity identified low-dose gemcitabine as the top prediction. Indeed, gemcitabine treatment inhibited tumor growth in immunocompetent but not immunocompromised allografts, increased anti-PD-1 efficacy, and depleted MR-expressing TI-Tregs in vivo. This study provides key insight into Treg signaling, specifically in the context of cancer, and a generalizable strategy to systematically elucidate and target MR proteins in immunosuppressive subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Obradovic
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Casey Ager
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Hematology Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mikko Turunen
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Nirschl
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Alina Iuga
- Department of Pathology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christopher M Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Lorenzo Tomassoni
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ester Calvo Fernandez
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick McCann
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meri Rogava
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Angelo M DeMarzo
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christina M Kochel
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mohamad Allaf
- Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Trinity Bivalacqua
- Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Lim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Ronald Realubit
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; J.P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles Karan
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; J.P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles G Drake
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; J.P. Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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15
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Huang C, Li W, Ren X, Tang M, Zhang K, Zhuo F, Dou X, Yu B. The Crucial Roles and Research Advances of cGAS-STING Pathway in Cutaneous Disorders. Inflammation 2023:10.1007/s10753-023-01812-7. [PMID: 37083899 PMCID: PMC10119538 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-023-01812-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
The cGAS-STING signaling pathway senses the presence of cytosolic DNA, induces strong type I interferon responses, and enhances inflammatory cytokine production, placing it as an important axis in infection, autoimmunity, and tumor immunity. Recent studies have shown that the abnormalities and/or dysfunctions of cGAS-STING signaling are closely related to the pathogenesis of skin diseases and/or cancers. Additionally, a variety of new therapeutics targeting the cGAS-STING signaling are in development for the treatment of skin disorders. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of cGAS-STING-mediated cutaneous disorders have not been fully elucidated. In this review, we will summarize the regulatory roles and mechanisms of cGAS-STING signaling in skin disorders and recent progresses of cGAS-STING-related drugs as well as their potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Xuanyao Ren
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University - the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Mindan Tang
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University - the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Kaoyuan Zhang
- Biomedical Research Institute, Shenzhen Peking University - the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Fan Zhuo
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Xia Dou
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Research Institute of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China.
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16
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Kikuyama F, Suzuki S, Jibiki A, Yokoyama Y, Kawazoe H, Kitanaka S, Nakamura T. Ingenol mebutate inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro via STING with an efficacy comparable to that of clinically used anticancer agents. J Nat Med 2023; 77:343-351. [PMID: 36694038 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-023-01682-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is associated with a poor prognosis; thus, there is an urgent need to develop new and effective treatments. Ingenol mebutate (IM), which is isolated from the latex of Euphorbia peplus, was recently shown to be effective against pancreatic cancer cell lines; however, its mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we focused on the less drug-sensitive pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1 and compared IM to commercially available anticancer drugs using cell survival assays. In addition, we aimed to identify novel biomolecules that may be involved in the mechanism of action of IM using RNA sequencing, western blotting, and inhibition assays. The IC50 values after 72 h of exposure to IM and SN-38, drugs to which the Panc-1 cells are most sensitive among the tested anticancer agents, were 43.1 ± 16.8 nM and 165 ± 37 nM, respectively. IM showed a cytostatic effect equal to or greater than that of the clinically used pancreatic cancer therapeutic drugs. RNA sequencing and protein expression analysis revealed that expression of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) increased at low IM concentration, whereas cell viability decreased. Co-exposure of IM and STING inhibitor, H-151, to Panc-1 or MIA PaCa-2 cell lines canceled the growth-inhibitory effects of IM alone. In conclusion, IM may have an efficacy comparable to that of existing pancreatic cancer therapeutic agents on the less drug-sensitive Panc-1 cell line and the immune-related molecule STING plays a role in the mechanism of action of IM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiro Kikuyama
- Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Sayo Suzuki
- Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan.
- Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Sciences Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan.
| | - Aya Jibiki
- Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Sciences Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Yuta Yokoyama
- Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
- Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Sciences Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kawazoe
- Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
- Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Sciences Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Susumu Kitanaka
- Dios Medical Science Institute, 4-3-21 Mimomi, Narashino, Chiba, 275-0002, Japan
| | - Tomonori Nakamura
- Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
- Center for Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Sciences Division of Pharmaceutical Care Sciences, Keio University Faculty of Pharmacy, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
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17
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Jacoberger-Foissac C, Cousineau I, Bareche Y, Allard D, Chrobak P, Allard B, Pommey S, Messaoudi N, McNicoll Y, Soucy G, Koseoglu S, Masia R, Lake AC, Seo H, Eeles CB, Rohatgi N, Robson SC, Turcotte S, Haibe-Kains B, Stagg J. CD73 Inhibits cGAS-STING and Cooperates with CD39 to Promote Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:56-71. [PMID: 36409930 PMCID: PMC9812927 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 catalyze extracellular ATP to immunosuppressive adenosine, and as such, represent potential cancer targets. We investigated biological impacts of CD39 and CD73 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) by studying clinical samples and experimental mouse tumors. Stromal CD39 and tumoral CD73 expression significantly associated with worse survival in human PDAC samples and abolished the favorable prognostic impact associated with the presence of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. In mouse transplanted KPC tumors, both CD39 and CD73 on myeloid cells, as well as CD73 on tumor cells, promoted polarization of infiltrating myeloid cells towards an M2-like phenotype, which enhanced tumor growth. CD39 on tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and pancreatic stellate cells also suppressed IFNγ production by T cells. Although therapeutic inhibition of CD39 or CD73 alone significantly delayed tumor growth in vivo, targeting of both ectonucleotidases exhibited markedly superior antitumor activity. CD73 expression on human and mouse PDAC tumor cells also protected against DNA damage induced by gemcitabine and irradiation. Accordingly, large-scale pharmacogenomic analyses of human PDAC cell lines revealed significant associations between CD73 expression and gemcitabine chemoresistance. Strikingly, increased DNA damage in CD73-deficient tumor cells associated with activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. Moreover, cGAS expression in mouse KPC tumor cells was required for antitumor activity of the CD73 inhibitor AB680 in vivo. Our study, thus, illuminates molecular mechanisms whereby CD73 and CD39 seemingly cooperate to promote PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Jacoberger-Foissac
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal., Cancer Axis, Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada., Institut du Cancer de Montréal
| | - Isabelle Cousineau
- Cancer Axis, Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada., Institut du Cancer de Montréal
| | - Yacine Bareche
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal., Cancer Axis, Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada., Institut du Cancer de Montréal
| | - David Allard
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal., Cancer Axis, Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada., Institut du Cancer de Montréal
| | - Pavel Chrobak
- Cancer Axis, Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada., Institut du Cancer de Montréal
| | - Bertrand Allard
- Cancer Axis, Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada., Institut du Cancer de Montréal
| | - Sandra Pommey
- Cancer Axis, Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada., Institut du Cancer de Montréal
| | - Nouredin Messaoudi
- Department of Surgery, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium., Department of Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel and Europe Hospitals, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yannic McNicoll
- Surgery Department, Hôpital Jean-Talon, CIUSSS NIM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Geneviève Soucy
- Pathology Service, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Ricard Masia
- Surface Oncology, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Heewon Seo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher B. Eeles
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neha Rohatgi
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon C. Robson
- Center for Inflammation Research, Gastroenterology, Departments of Medicine and Anesthesia, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Simon Turcotte
- Cancer Axis, Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada., Institut du Cancer de Montréal., Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation Service, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Benjamin Haibe-Kains
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada., Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Stagg
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal., Cancer Axis, Centre de Recherche Du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada., Institut du Cancer de Montréal.,Correspondence: 900 St-Denis Street, Montréal, QC, Canada, H2X 0A9; ; Tel: 514-890-8000 ex:25170
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18
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Chen R, Liu M, Jiang Q, Meng X, Wei J. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon genes pathway as a potential target for tumor immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1121603. [PMID: 37153627 PMCID: PMC10160662 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) detects infections or tissue damage by binding to microbial or self-DNA in the cytoplasm. Upon binding DNA, cGAS produces cGAMP that binds to and activates the adaptor protein stimulator of interferon genes (STING), which then activates the kinases IKK and TBK1 to induce the secretion of interferons and other cytokines. Recently, a series of studies demonstrated that the cGAS-STING pathway, a vital component of host innate immunity, might play an important role in anticancer immunity, though its mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this review, we highlight the latest understanding of the cGAS-STING pathway in tumor development and the advances in combination therapy of STING agonists and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Mingxia Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Quanhong Jiang
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Meili Lake Translational Research Park, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiangbo Meng
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Meili Lake Translational Research Park, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Junmin Wei, ; Xiangbo Meng,
| | - Junmin Wei
- Department of Medical Oncology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- *Correspondence: Junmin Wei, ; Xiangbo Meng,
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19
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Huang R, Ning Q, Zhao J, Zhao X, Zeng L, Yi Y, Tang S. Targeting STING for cancer immunotherapy: From mechanisms to translation. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109304. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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20
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Kim JC, Liu X, Fitzgerald K, Eng JS, Orf J, O’brien SA, Belmontes B, Casbon A, Novitskiy SV, Tarbell KV, Devoss J, Egen JG. Brief report: STING expressed in tumor and non-tumor compartments has distinct roles in regulating anti-tumor immunity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022. [PMID: 36394642 PMCID: PMC10110659 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03327-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractType I interferon-mediated activation of immune cells can facilitate the generation of productive tumor antigen-specific T cell responses in solid tumors. The cGAS/STING DNA sensing pathway is a critical upstream mediator of type I interferon production and is an important regulator of anti-tumor immunity. Numerous STING pathway agonists are now being tested in clinical trials, but the effectiveness of this approach is not yet clear and a better understanding of the relative importance of this pathway in various tumor settings is needed. We have evaluated syngeneic tumor models with different baseline inflammatory states to determine the contributions of STING activity in both tumor and non-tumor cellular compartments to anti-tumor immune responses. We find that productive anti-tumor immune responses in the poorly immunogenic B16F10 model show a strong dependence on STING expression in non-tumor cells. In the immunogenic MC38 model, constitutive STING activation in tumor cells can partially bypass the requirement for STING-dependent activity from immune cells. Our findings reveal multiple, context-dependent roles for STING activity in the regulation of anti-tumor immunity and the response to immunotherapy. In preclinical models where STING is basally active, checkpoint inhibition is more likely to have a therapeutic effect and removal of STING signaling from either the tumor or the non-tumor compartment has a minimal effect. Removal of STING signaling in both, however, diminishes the efficacy derived from checkpoint therapy. Further work is needed to understand the heterogeneity of STING signaling in patients, both in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, and the best means of harnessing this pathway to generate anti-tumor immunity and improve therapeutic outcomes.
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21
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Zhu Z, McGray AJR, Jiang W, Lu B, Kalinski P, Guo ZS. Improving cancer immunotherapy by rationally combining oncolytic virus with modulators targeting key signaling pathways. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:196. [PMID: 36221123 PMCID: PMC9554963 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01664-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) represent a new class of multi-modal immunotherapies for cancer, with OV-elicited antitumor immunity being key to their overall therapeutic efficacy. Currently, the clinical effectiveness of OV as monotherapy remains limited, and thus investigators have been exploring various combinations with other anti-cancer agents and demonstrated improved therapeutic efficacy. As cancer cells have evolved to alter key signaling pathways for enhanced cell proliferation, cancer progression and metastasis, these cellular and molecular changes offer promising targets for rational cancer therapy design. In this regard, key molecules in relevant signaling pathways for cancer cells or/and immune cells, such as EGFR-KRAS (e.g., KRASG12C), PI3K-AKT-mTOR, ERK-MEK, JAK-STAT, p53, PD-1-PD-L1, and epigenetic, or immune pathways (e.g., histone deacetylases, cGAS-STING) are currently under investigation and have the potential to synergize with OV to modulate the immune milieu of the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby improving and sustaining antitumor immunity. As many small molecule modulators of these signaling pathways have been developed and have shown strong therapeutic potential, here we review key findings related to both OV-mediated immunotherapy and the utility of small molecule modulators of signaling pathways in immuno-oncology. Then, we focus on discussion of the rationales and potential strategies for combining OV with selected modulators targeting key cellular signaling pathways in cancer or/and immune cells to modulate the TME and enhance antitumor immunity and therapeutic efficacy. Finally, we provide perspectives and viewpoints on the application of novel experimental systems and technologies that can propel this exciting branch of medicine into a bright future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zhu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - A J Robert McGray
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Weijian Jiang
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Binfeng Lu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Pawel Kalinski
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Zong Sheng Guo
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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22
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Liu T, Cheng S, Xu Q, Wang Z. Management of Advanced Pancreatic Cancer through Stromal Depletion and Immune Modulation. Medicina (Kaunas) 2022; 58:medicina58091298. [PMID: 36143975 PMCID: PMC9502806 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58091298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Unfortunately, therapeutic gains in the treatment of other cancers have not successfully translated to pancreatic cancer treatments. Management of pancreatic cancer is difficult due to the lack of effective therapies and the rapid development of drug resistance. The cytotoxic agent gemcitabine has historically been the first-line treatment, but combinations of other immunomodulating and stroma-depleting drugs are currently undergoing clinical testing. Moreover, the treatment of pancreatic cancer is complicated by its heterogeneity: analysis of genomic alterations and expression patterns has led to the definition of multiple subtypes, but their usefulness in the clinical setting is limited by inter-tumoral and inter-personal variability. In addition, various cell types in the tumor microenvironment exert immunosuppressive effects that worsen prognosis. In this review, we discuss current perceptions of molecular features and the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer, and we summarize emerging drug options that can complement traditional chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Sihang Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100006, China
- Correspondence: (Q.X.); (Z.W.); Tel.: +86-10-69156007 (Q.X.); +86-10-69159567 (Z.W.)
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Department of Radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100006, China
- Correspondence: (Q.X.); (Z.W.); Tel.: +86-10-69156007 (Q.X.); +86-10-69159567 (Z.W.)
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23
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Mirji G, Worth A, Bhat SA, Sayed ME, Kannan T, Goldman AR, Tang HY, Liu Q, Auslander N, Dang CV, Abdel-Mohsen M, Kossenkov A, Stanger BZ, Shinde RS. The microbiome-derived metabolite TMAO drives immune activation and boosts responses to immune checkpoint blockade in pancreatic cancer. Sci Immunol 2022; 7:eabn0704. [PMID: 36083892 PMCID: PMC9925043 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abn0704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The composition of the gut microbiome can control innate and adaptive immunity and has emerged as a key regulator of tumor growth, especially in the context of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. However, the underlying mechanisms for how the microbiome affects tumor growth remain unclear. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tends to be refractory to therapy, including ICB. Using a nontargeted, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomic screen, we identified the gut microbe-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which enhanced antitumor immunity to PDAC. Delivery of TMAO intraperitoneally or via a dietary choline supplement to orthotopic PDAC-bearing mice reduced tumor growth, associated with an immunostimulatory tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) phenotype, and activated effector T cell response in the tumor microenvironment. Mechanistically, TMAO potentiated the type I interferon (IFN) pathway and conferred antitumor effects in a type I IFN-dependent manner. Delivering TMAO-primed macrophages intravenously produced similar antitumor effects. Combining TMAO with ICB (anti-PD1 and/or anti-Tim3) in a mouse model of PDAC significantly reduced tumor burden and improved survival beyond TMAO or ICB alone. Last, the levels of bacteria containing CutC (an enzyme that generates trimethylamine, the TMAO precursor) correlated with long-term survival in patients with PDAC and improved response to anti-PD1 in patients with melanoma. Together, our study identifies the gut microbial metabolite TMAO as a driver of antitumor immunity and lays the groundwork for potential therapeutic strategies targeting TMAO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauri Mirji
- Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alison Worth
- Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sajad Ahmad Bhat
- Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mohamed El Sayed
- Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Toshitha Kannan
- Bioinformatics Facility, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aaron R Goldman
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hsin-Yao Tang
- Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qin Liu
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Noam Auslander
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chi V Dang
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY USA
| | - Mohamed Abdel-Mohsen
- Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew Kossenkov
- Bioinformatics Facility, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rahul S Shinde
- Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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24
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Tripathi S, Najem H, Mahajan AS, Zhang P, Low JT, Stegh AH, Curran MA, Ashley DM, James CD, Heimberger AB. cGAS-STING pathway targeted therapies and their applications in the treatment of high-grade glioma. F1000Res 2022; 11:1010. [PMID: 36324813 PMCID: PMC9597127 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.125163.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Median survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) treated with standard of care which consists of maximal safe resection of the contrast-enhancing portion of the tumor followed by radiation therapy with concomitant adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) remains 15 months. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is known to contain immune suppressive myeloid cells with minimal effector T cell infiltration. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an important activator of immune response and results in production of Type 1 interferon and antigen presentation by myeloid cells. This review will discuss important developments in STING agonists, potential biomarkers for STING response, and new combinatorial therapeutic approaches in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashwat Tripathi
- Department of Neurological Surgery,, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Hinda Najem
- Department of Neurological Surgery,, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Akanksha Sanjay Mahajan
- Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Neurological Surgery,, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Justin T Low
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Alexander H Stegh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Brain Tumor Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Michael A Curran
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - David M Ashley
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical School, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Charles David James
- Department of Neurological Surgery,, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Amy B Heimberger
- Department of Neurological Surgery,, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA,
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25
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Skorupan N, Palestino Dominguez M, Ricci SL, Alewine C. Clinical Strategies Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4209. [PMID: 36077755 PMCID: PMC9454553 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has a complex tumor microenvironment which engages in extensive crosstalk between cancer cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and immune cells. Many of these interactions contribute to tumor resistance to anti-cancer therapies. Here, new therapeutic strategies designed to modulate the cancer-associated fibroblast and immune compartments of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas are described and clinical trials of novel therapeutics are discussed. Continued advances in our understanding of the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment are generating stromal and immune-modulating therapeutics that may improve patient responses to anti-tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nebojsa Skorupan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Medical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mayrel Palestino Dominguez
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Samuel L. Ricci
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Christine Alewine
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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26
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Wang Y, Johnson KCC, Gatti-Mays ME, Li Z. Emerging strategies in targeting tumor-resident myeloid cells for cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:118. [PMID: 36031601 PMCID: PMC9420297 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01335-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death protein 1, programmed death-ligand 1, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 provide deep and durable treatment responses which have revolutionized oncology. However, despite over 40% of cancer patients being eligible to receive immunotherapy, only 12% of patients gain benefit. A key to understanding what differentiates treatment response from non-response is better defining the role of the innate immune system in anti-tumor immunity and immune tolerance. Teleologically, myeloid cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, monocytes, and neutrophils, initiate a response to invading pathogens and tissue repair after pathogen clearance is successfully accomplished. However, in the tumor microenvironment (TME), these innate cells are hijacked by the tumor cells and are imprinted to furthering tumor propagation and dissemination. Major advancements have been made in the field, especially related to the heterogeneity of myeloid cells and their function in the TME at the single cell level, a topic that has been highlighted by several recent international meetings including the 2021 China Cancer Immunotherapy workshop in Beijing. Here, we provide an up-to-date summary of the mechanisms by which major myeloid cells in the TME facilitate immunosuppression, enable tumor growth, foster tumor plasticity, and confer therapeutic resistance. We discuss ongoing strategies targeting the myeloid compartment in the preclinical and clinical settings which include: (1) altering myeloid cell composition within the TME; (2) functional blockade of immune-suppressive myeloid cells; (3) reprogramming myeloid cells to acquire pro-inflammatory properties; (4) modulating myeloid cells via cytokines; (5) myeloid cell therapies; and (6) emerging targets such as Siglec-15, TREM2, MARCO, LILRB2, and CLEVER-1. There is a significant promise that myeloid cell-based immunotherapy will help advance immuno-oncology in years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Division of Medical Oncology, Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Margaret E Gatti-Mays
- Division of Medical Oncology, Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Zihai Li
- Division of Medical Oncology, Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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27
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Chamma H, Vila IK, Taffoni C, Turtoi A, Laguette N. Activation of STING in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment: A novel therapeutic opportunity. Cancer Lett 2022; 538:215694. [PMID: 35489447 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a cancer of poor prognosis that presents with a dense desmoplastic stroma that contributes to therapeutic failure. PDAC patients are mostly unresponsive to immunotherapy. However, hopes to elicit response to immunotherapy have emerged with novel strategies targeting the Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) protein, which is a major regulator of tumor-associated inflammation. Combination of STING agonists with conventional immunotherapy approaches has proven to potentiate therapeutic benefits in several cancers. However, recent data underscore that the output of STING activation varies depending on the cellular and tissue context. This suggests that tumor heterogeneity, and in particular the heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME), is a key factor determining whether STING activation would bear benefits for patients. In this review, we discuss the potential benefits of STING activation in PDAC. To this aim, we describe the major components of the PDAC TME, and the expected consequences of STING activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanane Chamma
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Molecular Basis of Inflammation Laboratory, Montpellier, France
| | - Isabelle K Vila
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Molecular Basis of Inflammation Laboratory, Montpellier, France
| | - Clara Taffoni
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Molecular Basis of Inflammation Laboratory, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrei Turtoi
- Tumor Microenvironment Laboratory, Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, INSERM U1194, 34000, Montpellier, France.
| | - Nadine Laguette
- Institut de Génétique Humaine, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Molecular Basis of Inflammation Laboratory, Montpellier, France.
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28
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Brown M. Engaging Pattern Recognition Receptors in Solid Tumors to Generate Systemic Antitumor Immunity. Cancer Treat Res 2022; 183:91-129. [PMID: 35551657 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-96376-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Malignant tumors frequently exploit innate immunity to evade immune surveillance. The priming, function, and polarization of antitumor immunity fundamentally depends upon context provided by the innate immune system, particularly antigen presenting cells. Such context is determined in large part by sensing of pathogen specific and damage associated features by pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). PRR activation induces the delivery of T cell priming cues (e.g. chemokines, co-stimulatory ligands, and cytokines) from antigen presenting cells, playing a decisive role in the cancer immunity cycle. Indeed, endogenous PRR activation within the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been shown to generate spontaneous antitumor T cell immunity, e.g., cGAS-STING mediated activation of antigen presenting cells after release of DNA from dying tumor cells. Thus, instigating intratumor PRR activation, particularly with the goal of generating Th1-promoting inflammation that stokes endogenous priming of antitumor CD8+ T cells, is a growing area of clinical investigation. This approach is analogous to in situ vaccination, ultimately providing a personalized antitumor response against relevant tumor associated antigens. Here I discuss clinical stage intratumor modalities that function via activation of PRRs. These approaches are being tested in various solid tumor contexts including melanoma, colorectal cancer, glioblastoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Their mechanism (s) of action relative to other immunotherapy approaches (e.g., antigen-defined cancer vaccines, CAR T cells, dendritic cell vaccines, and immune checkpoint blockade), as well as their potential to complement these approaches are also discussed. Examples to be reviewed include TLR agonists, STING agonists, RIG-I agonists, and attenuated or engineered viruses and bacterium. I also review common key requirements for effective in situ immune activation, discuss differences between various strategies inclusive of mechanisms that may ultimately limit or preclude antitumor efficacy, and provide a summary of relevant clinical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Brown
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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29
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Nel AE, Mei KC, Liao YP, Lu X. Multifunctional Lipid Bilayer Nanocarriers for Cancer Immunotherapy in Heterogeneous Tumor Microenvironments, Combining Immunogenic Cell Death Stimuli with Immune Modulatory Drugs. ACS Nano 2022; 16:5184-5232. [PMID: 35348320 PMCID: PMC9519818 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c01252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In addition to the contribution of cancer cells, the solid tumor microenvironment (TME) has a critical role in determining tumor expansion, antitumor immunity, and the response to immunotherapy. Understanding the details of the complex interplay between cancer cells and components of the TME provides an unprecedented opportunity to explore combination therapy for intervening in the immune landscape to improve immunotherapy outcome. One approach is the introduction of multifunctional nanocarriers, capable of delivering drug combinations that provide immunogenic stimuli for improvement of tumor antigen presentation, contemporaneous with the delivery of coformulated drug or synthetic molecules that provide immune danger signals or interfere in immune-escape, immune-suppressive, and T-cell exclusion pathways. This forward-looking review will discuss the use of lipid-bilayer-encapsulated liposomes and mesoporous silica nanoparticles for combination immunotherapy of the heterogeneous immune landscapes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and triple-negative breast cancer. We describe how the combination of remote drug loading and lipid bilayer encapsulation is used for the synthesis of synergistic drug combinations that induce immunogenic cell death, interfere in the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, inhibit the indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO-1) immune metabolic pathway, restore spatial access to activated T-cells to the cancer site, or reduce the impact of immunosuppressive stromal components. We show how an integration of current knowledge and future discovery can be used for a rational approach to nanoenabled cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- André E. Nel
- Division of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
- Correspondence should be addressed to: André E. Nel, Division of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 52-175 CHS, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA. Phone: 310.825.6620;
| | - Kuo-Ching Mei
- Division of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Yu-Pei Liao
- Division of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Xiangsheng Lu
- Division of NanoMedicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
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30
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Cattolico C, Bailey P, Barry ST. Modulation of Type I Interferon Responses to Influence Tumor-Immune Cross Talk in PDAC. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:816517. [PMID: 35273962 PMCID: PMC8902310 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.816517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of many cancer types. However, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) exhibit poor responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors with immunotherapy-based trials not generating convincing clinical activity. PDAC tumors often have low infiltration of tumor CD8+ T cells and a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment. These features classify PDAC as immunologically "cold." However, the presence of tumor T cells is a favorable prognostic feature in PDAC. Intrinsic tumor cell properties govern interactions with the immune system. Alterations in tumor DNA such as genomic instability, high tumor mutation burden, and/or defects in DNA damage repair are associated with responses to both immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Cytotoxic or metabolic stress produced by radiation and/or chemotherapy can act as potent immune triggers and prime immune responses. Damage- or stress-mediated activation of nucleic acid-sensing pathways triggers type I interferon (IFN-I) responses that activate innate immune cells and natural killer cells, promote maturation of dendritic cells, and stimulate adaptive immunity. While PDAC exhibits intrinsic features that have the potential to engage immune cells, particularly following chemotherapy, these immune-sensing mechanisms are ineffective. Understanding where defects in innate immune triggers render the PDAC tumor-immune interface less effective, or how T-cell function is suppressed will help develop more effective treatments and harness the immune system for durable outcomes. This review will focus on the pivotal role played by IFN-I in promoting tumor cell-immune cell cross talk in PDAC. We will discuss how PDAC tumor cells bypass IFN-I signaling pathways and explore how these pathways can be co-opted or re-engaged to enhance the therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Cattolico
- Bioscience, Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Bailey
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Section Surgical Research, University Clinic Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon T. Barry
- Bioscience, Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Mohseni G, Li J, Ariston Gabriel AN, Du L, Wang YS, Wang C. The Function of cGAS-STING Pathway in Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:781032. [PMID: 34858438 PMCID: PMC8630697 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.781032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signalling pathway has been suggested to promote the immune responses against malignancy. STING is activated in response to the detection of cytosolic DNA and can induce type I interferons and link innate immunity with the adaptive immune system. Due to accretive evidence demonstrating that the STING pathway regulates the immune cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME), STING as a cancer biotherapy has attracted considerable attention. Pancreatic cancer, with a highly immunosuppressive TME, remains fatal cancer. STING has been applied to the treatment of pancreatic cancer through distinct strategies. This review reveals the role of STING signalling on pancreatic tumors and other diseases related to the pancreas. We then discuss new advances of STING in either monotherapy or combination methods for pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazal Mohseni
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Abakundana Nsenga Ariston Gabriel
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, School of Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lutao Du
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yun-Shan Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chuanxin Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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