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Chen B, Deng Y, Ren X, Zhao J, Jiang C. CRISPR/Cas9 screening: unraveling cancer immunotherapy's 'Rosetta Stone'. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00102-3. [PMID: 38763850 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.04.014] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based technology, a powerful toolset for the unbiased functional genomic screening of biological processes, has facilitated several scientific breakthroughs in the biomedical field. Cancer immunotherapy has advanced the treatment of numerous malignancies that previously had restricted treatment options or unfavorable outcomes. In the realm of cancer immunotherapy, the application of CRISPR/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-based genetic perturbation screening has enabled the identification of genes, biomarkers, and signaling pathways that govern various cancer immunoreactivities, as well as the development of effective immunotherapeutic targets. In this review, we summarize the advances in CRISPR/Cas9-based screening for cancer immunotherapy and outline the immunotherapeutic targets identified via CRISPR screening based on cancer-type classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoxiang Chen
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada
| | - Yanrong Deng
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xianghai Ren
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Jianhong Zhao
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Congqing Jiang
- Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Zhou Y, Li H, Zhang Y, Zhao E, Huang C, Pan X, Shu F, Liu Z, Tang N, Li F, Liao W. Deubiquitinase USP4 suppresses antitumor immunity by inhibiting IRF3 activation and tumor cell-intrinsic interferon response in colorectal cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 589:216836. [PMID: 38556105 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216836] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Despite the approval of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy for various tumor types, its effectiveness is limited to only approximately 15% of patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC). Approximately 80%-85% of CRC patients have a microsatellite stability (MSS) phenotype, which features a rare T-cell infiltration. Thus, elucidating the mechanisms underlying resistance to ICB in patients with MSS CRC is imperative. In this study, we demonstrate that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 4 (USP4) is upregulated in MSS CRC tumors and negatively regulates the immune response against tumors in CRC. Additionally, USP4 represses the cellular interferon (IFN) response and antigen presentation and impairs PRR signaling-mediated cell death. Mechanistically, USP4 impedes the nuclear localization of interferon regulator Factor 3 (IRF3) by deubiquitinating the K63-polyubiquitin chain of TRAF6 and IRF3. Knockdown of USP4 enhances the infiltration of T cells in CRC tumors and overcomes ICB resistance in an MC38 syngeneic mouse model. Moreover, published datasets revealed that patients showing higher USP4 expression exhibited decreased responsiveness to anti-PD-L1 therapy. These findings highlight an essential role of USP4 in the suppression of antitumor immunity in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Huali Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Yaxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Enen Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Chengmei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Xingyan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Feng Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Zhihao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China
| | - Na Tang
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Fengtian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China; School of Biosciences and Technology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, China.
| | - Wenting Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, PR China.
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Wang J, Lu Q, Chen X, Aifantis I. Targeting MHC-I inhibitory pathways for cancer immunotherapy. Trends Immunol 2024; 45:177-187. [PMID: 38433029 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2024.01.009] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The MHC-I antigen presentation (AP) pathway is key to shaping mammalian CD8+ T cell immunity, with its aberrant expression closely linked to low tumor immunogenicity and immunotherapy resistance. While significant attention has been given to genetic mutations and downregulation of positive regulators that are essential for MHC-I AP, there is a growing interest in understanding how tumors actively evade MHC-I expression and/or AP through the induction of MHC-I inhibitory pathways. This emerging field of study may offer more viable therapeutic targets for future cancer immunotherapy. Here, we explore potential mechanisms by which cancer cells evade MHC-I AP and function and propose therapeutic strategies that might target these MHC-I inhibitors to restore impaired T cell immunity within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Qiao Lu
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Xufeng Chen
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Iannis Aifantis
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Liu X, Sells BE, DeNardo DG. "RIPping" off Pancreas Cancer's Blockage of Immune Surveillance. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:208-210. [PMID: 38327192 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-1361] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
SUMMARY MHC-I downregulation is correlated with immunotherapy resistance in PDAC, but efficient strategies to increase cell-surface MHC-I are still lacking. This study by Sang, Zhou, Chen, Yu, and colleagues identified inhibition of tumor-intrinsic RIPK2 as a pharmacologic target to block the degradation of MHC-I on tumor cells and improved PDAC responses to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. See related article by Sang et al., p. 326 (1) .
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuting Liu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Blake E Sells
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - David G DeNardo
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Luo W, Wen T, Qu X. Tumor immune microenvironment-based therapies in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: time to update the concept. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:8. [PMID: 38167055 PMCID: PMC10759657 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02935-3] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal solid tumors. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) formed by interactions among cancer cells, immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and extracellular matrix (ECM) components drives PDAC in a more immunosuppressive direction: this is a major cause of therapy resistance and poor prognosis. In recent years, research has advanced our understanding of the signaling mechanism by which TIME components interact with the tumor and the evolution of immunophenotyping. Through revolutionary technologies such as single-cell sequencing, we have gone from simply classifying PDACs as "cold" and "hot" to a more comprehensive approach of immunophenotyping that considers all the cells and matrix components. This is key to improving the clinical efficacy of PDAC treatments. In this review, we elaborate on various TIME components in PDAC, the signaling mechanisms underlying their interactions, and the latest research into PDAC immunophenotyping. A deep understanding of these network interactions will contribute to the effective combination of TIME-based therapeutic approaches, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), adoptive cell therapy, therapies targeting myeloid cells, CAF reprogramming, and stromal normalization. By selecting the appropriate integrated therapies based on precise immunophenotyping, significant advances in the future treatment of PDAC are possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
- Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Ti Wen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
- Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
| | - Xiujuan Qu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anticancer Drugs and Biotherapy of Liaoning Province, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
- Clinical Cancer Research Center of Shenyang, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China.
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