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Cao Z, Guan M, Cheng C, Wang F, Jing Y, Zhang K, Jiao J, Ruan L, Chen Z. KIF20B and MET, hub genes of DIAPHs, predict poor prognosis and promote pancreatic cancer progression. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155046. [PMID: 38266456 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The DIAPHs (DIAPH1, DIAPH2, and DIAPH3) are members of the diaphanous subfamily of the formin family. KIF20B and MET, hub genes of DIAPHs, play crucial roles in cytoskeletal remodeling, cell migration, and adhesion. However, their combined prognostic and treatment value in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC) warrants further investigation. METHODS Multiomics analysis tools were used to comprehensively assess the genomic expression and prognostic value of KIF20B and MET in PC. Immune cell infiltration, functional enrichment, single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA) analysis, potential therapeutic drugs, and nomograms were established and analyzed. CCK-8 levels, transwell assay, Co-IP assay, mass spectrometry, and western blotting were performed to assess the role of KIF20B and MET as modulators of β-catenin and Lactate Dehydrogenase A (LDHA) in vitro. Xenograft tumor models were used to evaluate the anti-tumor effects in vivo. RESULTS DIAPHs, KIF20B, and MET were overexpressed and functioned as poor prognostic markers of PC. Immunoinfiltration analysis revealed that pDC and NK cells were enriched with low expression levels of KIF20B and MET, whereas Th2 cells were enriched with high expression levels of these two genes. The copy number variations (CNVs) in KIF20B and MET were positively correlated with B cell and CD4 + T cell infiltration. Immunological checkpoints NT5E and CD44 were positively correlated with KIF20B and MET expression. Moreover, the nomogram constructed based on KIF20B and MET demonstrated predictive value for overall survival. scRNA-Seq analysis indicated that KIF20B and MET were enriched in endothelial, malignant, B, T, and CD8 + T cells, which correlated with glycolysis and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The interactions of KIF20B and MET with β-catenin and LDHA were verified by Co-IP assay and mass spectrometry. Knockdown of KIF20B and MET downregulates β-catenin and LDHA in vitro. Furthermore, dual knockdown of KIF20B and MET exhibited a synergistic suppressive effect on PC progression in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION DIAPHs, KIF20B, and MET are promising candidates for the prognosis and treatment of PC. More importantly, downregulation of KIF20B and MET inhibited pancreatic cancer progression by regulating LDHA and EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangqi Cao
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mingwei Guan
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chienshan Cheng
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Fengjiao Wang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yanhua Jing
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Juying Jiao
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Linjie Ruan
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Integrative Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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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] [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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3
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Pang Z, Lu MM, Zhang Y, Gao Y, Bai JJ, Gu JY, Xie L, Wu WZ. Neoantigen-targeted TCR-engineered T cell immunotherapy: current advances and challenges. Biomark Res 2023; 11:104. [PMID: 38037114 PMCID: PMC10690996 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00534-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy using T cell receptor-engineered T cells (TCR-T) is a promising approach for cancer therapy with an expectation of no significant side effects. In the human body, mature T cells are armed with an incredible diversity of T cell receptors (TCRs) that theoretically react to the variety of random mutations generated by tumor cells. The outcomes, however, of current clinical trials using TCR-T cell therapies are not very successful especially involving solid tumors. The therapy still faces numerous challenges in the efficient screening of tumor-specific antigens and their cognate TCRs. In this review, we first introduce TCR structure-based antigen recognition and signaling, then describe recent advances in neoantigens and their specific TCR screening technologies, and finally summarize ongoing clinical trials of TCR-T therapies against neoantigens. More importantly, we also present the current challenges of TCR-T cell-based immunotherapies, e.g., the safety of viral vectors, the mismatch of T cell receptor, the impediment of suppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, we highlight new insights and directions for personalized TCR-T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Pang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Man-Man Lu
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Jin-Jin Bai
- Liver Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jian-Ying Gu
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lu Xie
- Shanghai-MOST Key Laboratory of Health and Disease Genomics, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, 200237, China.
| | - Wei-Zhong Wu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Montagne JM, Jaffee EM, Fertig EJ. Multiomics Empowers Predictive Pancreatic Cancer Immunotherapy. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:859-868. [PMID: 36947820 PMCID: PMC10236355 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Advances in cancer immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, have dramatically improved the prognosis for patients with metastatic melanoma and other previously incurable cancers. However, patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) generally do not respond to these therapies. PDAC is exceptionally difficult to treat because of its often late stage at diagnosis, modest mutation burden, and notoriously complex and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Simultaneously interrogating features of cancer, immune, and other cellular components of the PDAC tumor microenvironment is therefore crucial for identifying biomarkers of immunotherapeutic resistance and response. Notably, single-cell and multiomics technologies, along with the analytical tools for interpreting corresponding data, are facilitating discoveries of the systems-level cellular and molecular interactions contributing to the overall resistance of PDAC to immunotherapy. Thus, in this review, we will explore how multiomics and single-cell analyses provide the unprecedented opportunity to identify biomarkers of resistance and response to successfully sensitize PDAC to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle M Montagne
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Elizabeth M Jaffee
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Bloomberg Kimmel Immunology Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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Zhu YH, Zheng JH, Jia QY, Duan ZH, Yao HF, Yang J, Sun YW, Jiang SH, Liu DJ, Huo YM. Immunosuppression, immune escape, and immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer: focused on the tumor microenvironment. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:17-48. [PMID: 36367669 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00741-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer, is characterized by poor treatment response and low survival time. The current clinical treatment for advanced PDAC is still not effective. In recent years, the research and application of immunotherapy have developed rapidly and achieved substantial results in many malignant tumors. However, the translational application in PDAC is still far from satisfactory and needs to be developed urgently. To carry out the study of immunotherapy, it is necessary to fully decipher the immune characteristics of PDAC. This review summarizes the recent progress of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of PDAC and highlights its link with immunotherapy. We describe the molecular cues and corresponding intervention methods, collate several promising targets and progress worthy of further study, and put forward the importance of integrated immunotherapy to provide ideas for future research of TME and immunotherapy of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Heng Zhu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Hao Zheng
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin-Yuan Jia
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Zong-Hao Duan
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Fei Yao
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Wei Sun
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shu-Heng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 800 Dongchuan Road, 200240, People's Republic of China.
| | - De-Jun Liu
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yan-Miao Huo
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, People's Republic of China.
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Veinalde R, Pidelaserra-Martí G, Moulin C, Tan CL, Schäfer TE, Kang N, Ball CR, Leichsenring J, Stenzinger A, Kaderali L, Jäger D, Ungerechts G, Engeland CE. Virotherapy combined with anti-PD-1 transiently reshapes the tumor immune environment and induces anti-tumor immunity in a preclinical PDAC model. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1096162. [PMID: 36726983 PMCID: PMC9886093 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1096162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is largely refractory to cancer immunotherapy with PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Oncolytic virotherapy has been shown to synergize with ICB. In this work, we investigated the combination of anti-PD-1 and oncolytic measles vaccine in an immunocompetent transplantable PDAC mouse model. Methods We characterized tumor-infiltrating T cells by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and T cell receptor sequencing. Further, we performed gene expression profiling of tumor samples at baseline, after treatment, and when tumors progressed. Moreover, we analyzed systemic anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity. Results Combination treatment significantly prolonged survival compared to monotherapies. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells were increased after virotherapy. Gene expression profiling revealed a unique, but transient signature of immune activation after combination treatment. However, systemic anti-tumor immunity was induced by virotherapy and remained detectable even when tumors progressed. Anti-PD-1 treatment did not impact anti-viral immunity. Discussion Our results indicate that combined virotherapy and ICB induces anti-tumor immunity and reshapes the tumor immune environment. However, further refinement of this approach may be required to develop its full potential and achieve durable efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rūta Veinalde
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gemma Pidelaserra-Martí
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Research and Education (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany,Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Coline Moulin
- Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Research and Education (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany,Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Chin Leng Tan
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany,Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Theresa E. Schäfer
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Na Kang
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Claudia R. Ball
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT) Heidelberg and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Center for Personalized Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Faculty of Medicine and Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jonas Leichsenring
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany,Institut für Pathologie, Zytologie und molekulare Diagnostik, Regiomed Klinikum Coburg, Coburg, Germany
| | | | - Lars Kaderali
- Institute for Bioinformatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guy Ungerechts
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine E. Engeland
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Virotherapy, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Research and Education (ZBAF), Institute of Virology and Microbiology, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany,Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany and National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany,*Correspondence: Christine E. Engeland, ;
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Herbert A, Balachandran S. Z-DNA enhances immunotherapy by triggering death of inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005704. [PMID: 36450382 PMCID: PMC9716847 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogeneous population of cells. At one end of the spectrum are alpha-smooth muscle actin expressing myoCAFs (myofibroblast CAFs) and at the other end are the interferon (IFN) and Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription responsive iCAFs (inflammatory CAFs). Both types of CAFs promote tumor growth. While myoCAFs foster immune exclusion and limit tumor spread, iCAFs create a highly immunosuppressive environment and foster the seeding of distant metastases. However, iCAFs also represent a tumor vulnerability. They are competent to undergo necroptosis, a highly immunogenic form of cell death that is triggered when Z-DNA or Z-RNA (collectively called ZNA) is sensed by the IFN-induced ZNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1). The sequestering of ZNA ligands by the p150 isoform of the double-stranded RNA-specific deaminase ADAR1 protects iCAFs from cell death. ZBP1-dependent necroptosis in iCAFs can be triggered by administering an orally available small molecule that generates sufficient amounts of ZNA to bypass ADAR1 inhibition. The therapeutic approach of targeting Z-prone sequences (called flipons) is agnostic to the mutations driving cancer progression. By exploiting the tumor vulnerability posed by expression of ZBP1-dependent immunogenic cell death pathways in iCAFs, flipon therapeutics offer new hope for improved clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Herbert
- Discovery, InsideOutBio Inc, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Siddharth Balachandran
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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8
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Hung YH, Chen LT, Hung WC. The Trinity: Interplay among Cancer Cells, Fibroblasts, and Immune Cells in Pancreatic Cancer and Implication of CD8 + T Cell-Orientated Therapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040926. [PMID: 35453676 PMCID: PMC9026398 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The microenvironment in tumors is complicated and is constituted by different cell types and stromal proteins. Among the cell types, the abundance of cancer cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells is high and these cells work as the “Trinity” in promoting tumorigenesis. Although unidirectional or bidirectional crosstalk between two independent cell types has been well characterized, the multi-directional interplays between cancer cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells in vitro and in vivo are still unclear. We summarize recent studies in addressing the interaction of the “Trinity” members in the tumor microenvironment and propose a functional network for how these members communicate with each other. In addition, we discuss the underlying mechanisms mediating the interplay. Moreover, correlations of the alterations in the distribution and functionality of cancer cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells under different circumstances are reviewed. Finally, we point out the future application of CD8+ T cell-oriented therapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsuan Hung
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (L.-T.C.); (W.-C.H.)
| | - Wen-Chun Hung
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (L.-T.C.); (W.-C.H.)
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9
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Fitzgerald AA, Wang S, Agarwal V, Marcisak EF, Zuo A, Jablonski SA, Loth M, Fertig EJ, MacDougall J, Zhukovsky E, Trivedi S, Bhatia D, O'Neill V, Weiner LM. DPP inhibition alters the CXCR3 axis and enhances NK and CD8+ T cell infiltration to improve anti-PD1 efficacy in murine models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002837. [PMID: 34737215 PMCID: PMC8578994 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer death in the USA by 2030. Immune checkpoint inhibitors fail to control most PDAC tumors because of PDAC’s extensive immunosuppressive microenvironment and poor immune infiltration, a phenotype also seen in other non-inflamed (ie, ‘cold’) tumors. Identifying novel ways to enhance immunotherapy efficacy in PDAC is critical. Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) inhibition can enhance immunotherapy efficacy in other cancer types; however, the impact of DPP inhibition on PDAC tumors remains unexplored. Methods We examined the effects of an oral small molecule DPP inhibitor (BXCL701) on PDAC tumor growth using mT3-2D and Pan02 subcutaneous syngeneic murine models in C57BL/6 mice. We explored the effects of DPP inhibition on the tumor immune landscape using RNAseq, immunohistochemistry, cytokine evaluation and flow cytometry. We then tested if BXCL701 enhanced anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD1) efficacy and performed immune cell depletion and rechallenged studies to explore the relevance of cytotoxic immune cells to combination treatment efficacy. Results In both murine models of PDAC, DPP inhibition enhanced NK and T cell immune infiltration and reduced tumor growth. DPP inhibition also enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD1. The efficacy of dual anti-PD1 and BXCL701 therapy was dependent on both CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Mice treated with this combination therapy developed antitumor immune memory that cleared some tumors after re-exposure. Lastly, we used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to demonstrate that increased NK cell content, but not T cell content, in human PDAC tumors is correlated with longer overall survival. We propose that broad DPP inhibition enhances antitumor immune response via two mechanisms: (1) DPP4 inhibition increases tumor content of CXCL9/10, which recruits CXCR3+ NK and T cells, and (2) DPP8/9 inhibition activates the inflammasome, resulting in proinflammatory cytokine release and Th1 response, further enhancing the CXCL9/10-CXCR3 axis. Conclusions These findings show that DPP inhibition with BXCL701 represents a pharmacologic strategy to increase the tumor microenvironment immune cell content to improve anti-PD1 efficacy in PDAC, suggesting BXCL701 can enhance immunotherapy efficacy in ‘cold’ tumor types. These findings also highlight the potential importance of NK cells along with T cells in regulating PDAC tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison A Fitzgerald
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shangzi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Veena Agarwal
- Immune-oncology, BioXcel Therapeutics Inc, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Emily F Marcisak
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of the Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Annie Zuo
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Sandra A Jablonski
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Melanie Loth
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of the Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - Dimple Bhatia
- BioXcel Therapeutics Inc, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vince O'Neill
- BioXcel Therapeutics Inc, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Louis M Weiner
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
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