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Wu Y, Wang A, Feng G, Pan X, Shuai W, Yang P, Zhang J, Ouyang L, Luo Y, Wang G. Autophagy modulation in cancer therapy: Challenges coexist with opportunities. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 276:116688. [PMID: 39033611 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Autophagy, a crucial intracellular degradation process facilitated by lysosomes, plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The elucidation of autophagy key genes and signaling pathways has significantly advanced our understanding of this process and has led to the exploration of autophagy as a promising therapeutic approach. This review comprehensively assesses the latest developments in small molecule modulators targeting autophagy. Moreover, the review delves into the most recent strategies for drug discovery, specifically focusing on selective agents that exploit autophagosomes and lysosomes for targeted protein degradation. Additionally, this article highlights the prevailing challenges and outlines potential future advancements in the field. By amalgamating the cutting-edge knowledge in the field, we aim to offer valuable insights and references for the anti-cancer drug development of autophagy-targeted therapies, thus contributing to the advancement of novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongya Wu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Aoxue Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Guotai Feng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaoli Pan
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wen Shuai
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Panpan Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Guan Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Orthopedics, Orthopedic Research Institute, West China Hospital, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Hassan AMIA, Zhao Y, Chen X, He C. Blockage of Autophagy for Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7459. [PMID: 39000565 PMCID: PMC11242824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of cancer are increasing, making it a leading cause of death worldwide. Conventional treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy face significant limitations due to therapeutic resistance. Autophagy, a cellular self-degradation mechanism, plays a crucial role in cancer development, drug resistance, and treatment. This review investigates the potential of autophagy inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for cancer. A systematic search was conducted on Embase, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases from 1967 to 2024 to identify studies on autophagy inhibitors and their mechanisms in cancer therapy. The review includes original articles utilizing in vitro and in vivo experimental methods, literature reviews, and clinical trials. Key terms used were "Autophagy", "Inhibitors", "Molecular mechanism", "Cancer therapy", and "Clinical trials". Autophagy inhibitors such as chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have shown promise in preclinical studies by inhibiting lysosomal acidification and preventing autophagosome degradation. Other inhibitors like wortmannin and SAR405 target specific components of the autophagy pathway. Combining these inhibitors with chemotherapy has demonstrated enhanced efficacy, making cancer cells more susceptible to cytotoxic agents. Clinical trials involving CQ and HCQ have shown encouraging results, although further investigation is needed to optimize their use in cancer therapy. Autophagy exhibits a dual role in cancer, functioning as both a survival mechanism and a cell death pathway. Targeting autophagy presents a viable strategy for cancer therapy, particularly when integrated with existing treatments. However, the complexity of autophagy regulation and the potential side effects necessitate further research to develop precise and context-specific therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR 999078, China (X.C.)
| | - Xiuping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR 999078, China (X.C.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Chengwei He
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR 999078, China (X.C.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR 999078, China
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Fan Z, Hao Y, Huo Y, Cao F, Li L, Xu J, Song Y, Yang K. Modulators for palmitoylation of proteins and small molecules. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116408. [PMID: 38621327 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
As an essential form of lipid modification for maintaining vital cellular functions, palmitoylation plays an important role in in the regulation of various physiological processes, serving as a promising therapeutic target for diseases like cancer and neurological disorders. Ongoing research has revealed that palmitoylation can be categorized into three distinct types: N-palmitoylation, O-palmitoylation and S-palmitoylation. Herein this paper provides an overview of the regulatory enzymes involved in palmitoylation, including palmitoyltransferases and depalmitoylases, and discusses the currently available broad-spectrum and selective inhibitors for these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeshuai Fan
- Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Yuchen Hao
- Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Yidan Huo
- Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Fei Cao
- Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis, Ministry of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071002, China
| | - Longfei Li
- Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis, Ministry of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071002, China
| | - Jianmei Xu
- Department of hematopathology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Yali Song
- Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis, Ministry of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071002, China
| | - Kan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Quality Control of Hebei Province, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis, Ministry of Education, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, 071002, China.
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Bestion E, Rachid M, Tijeras-Raballand A, Roth G, Decaens T, Ansaldi C, Mezouar S, Raymond E, Halfon P. Ezurpimtrostat, A Palmitoyl-Protein Thioesterase-1 Inhibitor, Combined with PD-1 Inhibition Provides CD8 + Lymphocyte Repopulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Target Oncol 2024; 19:95-106. [PMID: 38133710 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-023-01019-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palmitoyl-protein thioesterase-1 (PPT1) is a clinical stage druggable target for inhibiting autophagy in cancer. OBJECTIVE We aimed to determine the cellular and molecular activity of targeting PPT1 using ezurpimtrostat, in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody. METHODS In this study we used a transgenic immunocompetent mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS Herein, we revealed that inhibition of PPT1 using ezurpimtrostat decreased the liver tumor burden in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing the penetration of lymphocytes into tumors when combined with anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1). Inhibition of PPT1 potentiates the effects of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by increasing the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I at the surface of liver cancer cells and modulates immunity through recolonization and activation of cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS Ezurpimtrostat turns cold tumors into hot tumors and, thus, could improve T cell-mediated immunotherapies in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïne Bestion
- Genoscience Pharma, 10, Rue d'Iéna, 13006, Marseille, France
| | - Madani Rachid
- Genoscience Pharma, 10, Rue d'Iéna, 13006, Marseille, France
| | | | - Gael Roth
- Centre hospitalouniversitaire Grenoble Alpes/Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Centre national de la recherché scienti-fique, Unité mixte de recherche 5309-Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale U1209, University Grenoble Alpes/Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Department, 38043, Grenoble, France
| | - Thomas Decaens
- Centre hospitalouniversitaire Grenoble Alpes/Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Centre national de la recherché scienti-fique, Unité mixte de recherche 5309-Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale U1209, University Grenoble Alpes/Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Department, 38043, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Soraya Mezouar
- Genoscience Pharma, 10, Rue d'Iéna, 13006, Marseille, France
- Etablissement français du sang, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Anthropologie bio-culturelle, droit, éthique et santé, "Biologie des Groupes Sanguins", Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Raymond
- Genoscience Pharma, 10, Rue d'Iéna, 13006, Marseille, France
- Oncology Department, Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint Joseph, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Halfon
- Genoscience Pharma, 10, Rue d'Iéna, 13006, Marseille, France.
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Li M, Zhang L, Chen CW. Diverse Roles of Protein Palmitoylation in Cancer Progression, Immunity, Stemness, and Beyond. Cells 2023; 12:2209. [PMID: 37759431 PMCID: PMC10526800 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182209] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein S-palmitoylation, a type of post-translational modification, refers to the reversible process of attachment of a fatty acyl chain-a 16-carbon palmitate acid-to the specific cysteine residues on target proteins. By adding the lipid chain to proteins, it increases the hydrophobicity of proteins and modulates protein stability, interaction with effector proteins, subcellular localization, and membrane trafficking. Palmitoylation is catalyzed by a group of zinc finger DHHC-containing proteins (ZDHHCs), whereas depalmitoylation is catalyzed by a family of acyl-protein thioesterases. Increasing numbers of oncoproteins and tumor suppressors have been identified to be palmitoylated, and palmitoylation is essential for their functions. Understanding how palmitoylation influences the function of individual proteins, the physiological roles of palmitoylation, and how dysregulated palmitoylation leads to pathological consequences are important drivers of current research in this research field. Further, due to the critical roles in modifying functions of oncoproteins and tumor suppressors, targeting palmitoylation has been used as a candidate therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. Here, based on recent literatures, we discuss the progress of investigating roles of palmitoylation in regulating cancer progression, immune responses against cancer, and cancer stem cell properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Li
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Leisi Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
| | - Chun-Wei Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA;
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Bestion E, Raymond E, Mezouar S, Halfon P. Update on Autophagy Inhibitors in Cancer: Opening up to a Therapeutic Combination with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Cells 2023; 12:1702. [PMID: 37443736 PMCID: PMC10341243 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a highly conserved and natural degradation process that helps maintain cell homeostasis through the elimination of old, worn, and defective cellular components, ensuring proper cell energy intake. The degradative pathway constitutes a protective barrier against diverse human diseases including cancer. Autophagy basal level has been reported to be completely dysregulated during the entire oncogenic process. Autophagy influences not only cancer initiation, development, and maintenance but also regulates cancer response to therapy. Currently, autophagy inhibitor candidates mainly target the early autophagy process without any successful preclinical/clinical development. Lessons learned from autophagy pharmaceutical manipulation as a curative option progressively help to improve drug design and to encounter new targets of interest. Combinatorial strategies with autophagy modulators are supported by abundant evidence, especially dealing with immune checkpoint inhibitors, for which encouraging preclinical results have been recently published. GNS561, a PPT1 inhibitor, is a promising autophagy modulator as it has started a phase 2 clinical trial in liver cancer indication, combined with atezolizumab and bevacizumab, an assessment without precedent in the field. This approach paves a new road, leading to the resurgence of anticancer autophagy inhibitors as an attractive therapeutic target in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïne Bestion
- Genoscience Pharma, 13006 Marseille, France; (E.R.); (S.M.); (P.H.)
| | - Eric Raymond
- Genoscience Pharma, 13006 Marseille, France; (E.R.); (S.M.); (P.H.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Paris Saint-Joseph Hospital Group, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Soraya Mezouar
- Genoscience Pharma, 13006 Marseille, France; (E.R.); (S.M.); (P.H.)
- Établissement Français du Sang, Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur et Corse, Marseille, France; «Biologie des Groupes Sanguins», Aix Marseille Univ-CNRS-EFS-ADÉS, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Halfon
- Genoscience Pharma, 13006 Marseille, France; (E.R.); (S.M.); (P.H.)
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Jain V, Harper SL, Versace AM, Fingerman D, Brown GS, Bhardwaj M, Crissey MAS, Goldman AR, Ruthel G, Liu Q, Zivkovic A, Stark H, Herlyn M, Gimotty PA, Speicher DW, Amaravadi RK. Targeting UGCG Overcomes Resistance to Lysosomal Autophagy Inhibition. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:454-473. [PMID: 36331284 PMCID: PMC9905280 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomal autophagy inhibition (LAI) with hydroxychloroquine or DC661 can enhance cancer therapy, but tumor regrowth is common. To elucidate LAI resistance, proteomics and immunoblotting demonstrated that LAI induced lipid metabolism enzymes in multiple cancer cell lines. Lipidomics showed that LAI increased cholesterol, sphingolipids, and glycosphingolipids. These changes were associated with striking levels of GM1+ membrane microdomains (GMM) in plasma membranes and lysosomes. Inhibition of cholesterol/sphingolipid metabolism proteins enhanced LAI cytotoxicity. Targeting UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) synergistically augmented LAI cytotoxicity. Although UGCG inhibition decreased LAI-induced GMM and augmented cell death, UGCG overexpression led to LAI resistance. Melanoma patients with high UGCG expression had significantly shorter disease-specific survival. The FDA-approved UGCG inhibitor eliglustat combined with LAI significantly inhibited tumor growth and improved survival in syngeneic tumors and a therapy-resistant patient-derived xenograft. These findings nominate UGCG as a new cancer target, and clinical trials testing UGCG inhibition in combination with LAI are warranted. SIGNIFICANCE We discovered UGCG-dependent lipid remodeling drives resistance to LAI. Targeting UGCG with a drug approved for a lysosomal storage disorder enhanced LAI antitumor activity without toxicity. LAI and UGCG inhibition could be tested clinically in multiple cancers. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 247.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Jain
- Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Amanda M. Versace
- Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | | | - Monika Bhardwaj
- Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mary Ann S. Crissey
- Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Gordon Ruthel
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qin Liu
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Aleksandra Zivkovic
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Holgar Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Phyllis A. Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David W. Speicher
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Corresponding authors: Ravi K. Amaravadi, MD, University of Pennsylvania, 852 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Tel: 215-796-5159, ; David W. Speicher, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Tel: 215-898-3972,
| | - Ravi K. Amaravadi
- Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Corresponding authors: Ravi K. Amaravadi, MD, University of Pennsylvania, 852 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Tel: 215-796-5159, ; David W. Speicher, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Tel: 215-898-3972,
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De Lorenzo S, Tovoli F, Trevisani F. Mechanisms of Primary and Acquired Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:4616. [PMID: 36230538 PMCID: PMC9564277 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer and a relevant global health problem. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent the most effective systemic treatment for HCC. However, due to primary resistance, approximately 40% of HCC patients do not achieve a disease control with ICIs. Moreover, a similar proportion will experience disease progression after an initial response caused by secondary resistance. This review describes the mechanisms of primary and secondary resistance and reports the ongoing therapeutic strategies to overcome these obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Tovoli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Franco Trevisani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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