IL-6 trans-signaling licenses mouse and human tumor microvascular gateways for trafficking of cytotoxic T cells

Dual implication of endothelial adhesion molecules in tumor progression and cancer immunity

Adhesion molecules are proteins expressed at the surface of various cell types. Their main contribution to immunity is to allow the infiltration of immune cells in an inflamed site. In cancer, adhesion molecules have been shown to promote tumor dissemination favoring the development of metastasis. While adhesion molecule inhibition approaches were unsuccessful for cancer control, their importance for the generation of an immune response alone or in combination with immunotherapies has gained interest over the past years. Currently, the balance of adhesion molecules for tumor promotion/inhibition is unclear. Here we review the role of selectins, intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM) and vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM) from the perspective of the dual contribution of adhesion molecules in tumor progression and immunity.

Doxorubicin loaded polylactide nanoparticles functionalized histamine promote apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells AGS

Gastric cancer is a dominating cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. The modern perspective in gastric cancer treatment is the application of nanoparticles (NPs) affecting the growth of cancer cells to increase the effectiveness of anti-tumor therapy. The use of advanced nanosystems that deliver anti-cancer drugs and biologically active substances may strongly rely on the expression of cancer-associated targets. The aim of this study was to examine the synergistic effect of doxorubicin (DOX) and histamine (His) in NPs DOX-loaded composed of poly(lactic) acid -PLA with histamine end groups (NPs-His-DOX) towards human gastric cancer cells (AGS) in vitro in conjunction with increasing oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell apoptosis, as well as diminishing cell proliferation. The influence of studied NPs on the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, which may facilitate the cytotoxic reaction of lymphocytes against gastric cancer cells, has also been determined. We showed a significant (p < 0.05) synergistic effect of His and DOX in the NPs His-DOX in increasing oxidative stress as demonstrated by an increased level of 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE), DNA damage, cell apoptosis, in conjunction with a significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of cell proliferation as well as the disintegration of the cell monolayer. Furthermore, NPs His-DOX upregulated a cell deposition of ICAM-1. This study shows that NPs His-DOX facilitates the delivery of the anticancer drug DOX into the milieu of cancer cells, which results in increased cell death. Furthermore, upregulation of ICAM-1 on gastric cancer cells may increase anti-tumor cytotoxic activity of immunocompetent cells.

C-reactive protein kinetics as prognostic biomarkers in advanced melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

C-reactive protein (CRP) kinetics has emerged as a potential biomarker for predicting treatment response and survival in various tumors treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, data on CRP kinetics in melanoma are limited. This study evaluates the relationship between CRP kinetic groups and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in 104 advanced melanoma patients treated with ICIs from 2015 to 2023. Patients were classified into four CRP kinetic groups: CRP flare responders, defined as patients whose CRP at least doubles within 1 month and then falls below baseline by 3 months; CRP responders, whose CRP decreases by ≥30% from baseline within 3 months without doubling; all-normal CRP, whose CRP remains below the upper limit of normal throughout the first 3 months; and CRP nonresponders, who do not meet these criteria. Amongst patients, 64.4% received anti-programmed death-1 monotherapy and 35.6% received the nivolumab-ipilimumab combination. Median PFS was 4.80 months in CRP nonresponders, 10.90 months in CRP responders, 8.83 months in CRP flare responders and 33.57 months in all-normal CRP patients (P < 0.001). Similarly, median OS was 11.9 months in CRP nonresponders, 38.1 months in CRP responders, 21.5 months in CRP flare responders and 54.5 months in all-normal CRP patients (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed CRP kinetic groups as an independent predictor of PFS, OS and objective response. CRP kinetic classification is a simple prognostic tool for advanced melanoma patients treated with ICIs and is associated with improved survival outcomes, underscoring the clinical value of CRP monitoring.

Cell-intrinsic PD-L1 signaling drives immunosuppression by myeloid-derived suppressor cells through IL-6/Jak/Stat3 in PD-L1-high lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Some patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) despite programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. To address the mechanism of ICI resistance in PD-L1-positive NSCLC, we investigated the role of tumor-cell-intrinsic function of PD-L1 in interleukin (IL)-6-mediated immunosuppression.

METHODS

Cohorts of NSCLC patients treated with ICI and public datasets were analyzed. PD-L1-overexpressing and PD-L1-knockdown NSCLC cells were submitted to RNA-seq, in vitro analyses, chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR, CUT&Tag, and biochemical assays. Human myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) sorted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were co-cultured with NSCLC cells and then assessed for their immunosuppressive activity on T-cells. Mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells with PD-L1 overexpression or knockdown were subcutaneously injected into wild-type or PD-1-knockout C57BL/6 mice in the presence of IL-6 and/or PD-1 blockade.

RESULTS

In the ICI cohort with RNA-seq data, the IL-6/Jak/Stat3 pathway was enriched, and IL-6 expression was higher in patients with PD-L1-high NSCLCs who did not respond to ICIs. In another cohort, a higher baseline serum IL-6 level was associated with poor clinical outcomes after ICI therapy. IL-6 expression and the IL-6/Jak/Stat3 pathway were enhanced in PD-L1-high NSCLCs in the ICI cohorts and The Cancer Genome Atlas analysis. IL-6 expression correlated positively with tumor-infiltrating MDSCs in NSCLCs. In NSCLC cells, PD-L1 activated Jak2/Stat3 signaling by binding to and inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B. PD-L1 also bound to p-Stat3 in the nucleus, thus promoting the activity of p-Stat3 in the transcription of several cytokines (IL-6, TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-1β) and chemokines. PD-L1-overexpressing NSCLC cells enhanced the migration and immunosuppressive activity of human MDSCs in vitro, mediated by IL-6 and CXCL1. In both wild-type and PD-1-knockout mice, PD-L1-overexpressing LLC tumors were infiltrated by increased MDSCs with high immunosuppressive function, increased Tregs, and decreased granzyme B+ or IFNγ+ CD8 T-cells. These responses were mediated by IL-6 secreted from PD-L1-overexpressing tumor cells. Combined blockade of PD-1 and IL-6 was effective in tumor control and decreased MDSCs while increasing granzyme B+ or IFNγ+ CD8 T-cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The tumor-cell-intrinsic function of PD-L1 drives immunosuppression and tumor progression through the PD-L1/Jak/Stat3/IL-6/MDSC axis. This pathway represents a potential therapeutic target to improve ICI efficacy in PD-L1-high NSCLC.

From cold to hot: mechanisms of hyperthermia in modulating tumor immunology for enhanced immunotherapy

The emergence of immunotherapies has revolutionized cancer treatment by leveraging the immune system to target malignancies, offering new hope where traditional therapies often fall short. Within this context, hyperthermia (HT) has re-emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment, capable of enhancing the effectiveness of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. HT influences both the innate and adaptive immune systems, enhancing the activity of immune cells such as neutrophils, NK cells, and dendritic cells, while also modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) to promote immunogenic cell death (ICD) and reduce immunosuppressive conditions. These effects contribute to the transformation of immunologically "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors, making them more susceptible to immune-mediated destruction. Furthermore, HT can amplify the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by improving immune cell infiltration, inducing damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) release, and enhancing antigen presentation. Preclinical and clinical studies support the combination of HT with ICIs, demonstrating improved outcomes in otherwise resistant tumors. However, the full therapeutic potential of the different technologies allowing to apply HT remains to be fully understood, and further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols, explore the differential impacts of local versus whole-body hyperthermia, and identify biomarkers for patient stratification. This review underscores the multifaceted role of HT in immunity and its potential to significantly enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Silencing PADI-2 induces antitumor effects by downregulating NF-κB, Nrf2/HO-1 and AKT1 in A549 lung cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the tumorigenic role and regulatory pathways of peptidyl arginine deiminase 2 (PAD-2) in A549 lung cancer cells following treatment with small interfering RNA (PADI-2 siRNA) or the pharmacological pan-PAD inhibitor BB-Cl amidine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A549 lung cancer cells were treated with PADI-2 siRNA to knock down PADI-2 expression or with BB-Cl amidine to inhibit PAD2 activity. The effects on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle phases were assessed. Additionally, the expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukin 6 (IL6), and p53 were analyzed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved.

RESULTS

The manipulation of PAD-2 expression or activity significantly influenced tumor cell behavior. Knockdown of PADI-2 in A549 cells reduced cell proliferation by inhibiting the S and G2 phases and decreasing cell migration and invasion. Inhibition of PADI-2 expression also suppressed the protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 via suppression of the AKT/NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, this inhibition enhanced the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) through the regulation of IL6 and p53, resulted in significant upregulation of SASP factors mainly, p21, Lamin B1 and HMGB1.

CONCLUSION

Downregulation of PADI-2 attenuated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 lung cancer cells by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1/AKT signaling pathway. It also increased senescence in A549 lung cancer cells via IL6 and p53 key regulators. These findings highlight the potential of PADI-2 as a therapeutic target in lung cancer treatment.

The antitumor activity of TGFβ-specific T cells is dependent on IL-6 signaling

Although interleukin (IL)-6 is considered immunosuppressive and tumor-promoting, emerging evidence suggests that it may support antitumor immunity. While combining immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and radiotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) has yielded promising clinical results, the addition of an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody has failed to elicit clinical benefits. Notably, a robust TGFβ-specific immune response at baseline in PC patients treated solely with ICIs and radiotherapy correlated with improved survival. Recent preclinical studies demonstrated the efficacy of a TGFβ-based immune modulatory vaccine in controlling PC tumor growth, underscoring the important role of TGFβ-specific immunity in PC. Here, we explored the importance of IL-6 for TGFβ-specific immunity in PC. In a murine model of PC, coadministration of the TGFβ-based immune modulatory vaccine with an anti-IL-6R antibody rendered the vaccine ineffective. IL-6R blockade hampered the development of vaccine-induced T-cells and tumoral T-cell infiltration. Furthermore, it impaired the myeloid population, resulting in increased tumor-associated macrophage infiltration and an enhanced immunosuppressive phenotype. In PC patients, in contrast to those receiving only ICIs and radiotherapy, robust TGFβ-specific T-cell responses at baseline did not correlate with improved survival in patients receiving ICIs, radiotherapy and IL-6R blockade. Peripheral blood immunophenotyping revealed that IL-6R blockade altered the T-cell and monocytic compartments, which was consistent with the findings in the murine model. Our data suggest that the antitumor efficacy of TGFβ-specific T cells in PC depends on the presence of IL-6 within the tumor. Consequently, caution should be exercised when employing IL-6R blockade in patients receiving cancer immunotherapy.

Acquired resistance to PD-L1 inhibition enhances a type I IFN-regulated secretory program in tumors

Therapeutic inhibition of programmed cell death ligand (PD-L1) is linked to alterations in interferon (IFN) signaling. Since IFN-regulated intracellular signaling can control extracellular secretory programs in tumors to modulate immunity, we examined IFN-related secretory changes in tumor cells following resistance to PD-L1 inhibition. Here we report an anti-PD-L1 treatment-induced secretome (PTIS) in tumor models of acquired resistance that is regulated by type I IFNs. These secretory changes can suppress activation of T cells ex vivo while diminishing tumor cell cytotoxicity, revealing that tumor-intrinsic treatment adaptations can exert broad tumor-extrinsic effects. When reimplanted in vivo, resistant tumor growth can slow or stop when PTIS components are disrupted individually, or when type I IFN signaling machinery is blocked. Interestingly, genetic and therapeutic disruption of PD-L1 in vitro can only partially recapitulate the PTIS phenotype highlighting the importance of developing in vivo-based resistance models to more faithfully mimic clinically-relevant treatment failure. Together, this study shows acquired resistance to immune-checkpoint inhibitors 'rewires' tumor secretory programs controlled by type I IFNs that, in turn, can protect from immune cell attack.

Emerging Mechanisms of Physical Exercise Benefits in Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Cancer Immunotherapy

The primary factors that can be modified in one's lifestyle are the most influential determinants and significant preventable causes of various types of cancer. Exercise has demonstrated numerous advantages in preventing cancer and aiding in its treatment. However, the precise mechanisms behind these effects are still not fully understood. To contribute to our comprehension of exercise's impact on cancer immunotherapy and provide recommendations for future research in exercise oncology, we will examine the roles and underlying mechanisms of exercise on immune cells. In addition to reducing the likelihood of developing cancer, exercise can also improve the effectiveness of certain approved anticancer treatments, such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. Exercise is a pivotal modulator of the immune response, and thus, it can play an emerging important role in new immunotherapies. The mechanisms responsible for these effects involve the regulation of intra-tumoral angiogenesis, myokines, adipokines, their associated pathways, cancer metabolism, and anticancer immunity. Our review assesses the potential of physical exercise as an adjuvant/neoadjuvant tool, reducing the burden of cancer relapse, and analyzes emerging molecular mechanisms predicting favorable adjuvanticity effects.

Subverting Attachment to Prevent Attacking: Alteration of Effector Immune Cell Migration and Adhesion as a Key Mechanism of Tumor Immune Evasion

Cell adhesion regulates specific migratory patterns, location, communication with other cells, physical interactions with the extracellular matrix, and the establishment of effector programs. Proper immune control of cancer strongly depends on all these events occurring in a highly accurate spatiotemporal sequence. In response to cancer-associated inflammatory signals, effector immune cells navigating the bloodstream shift from their patrolling exploratory migration mode to establish adhesive interactions with vascular endothelial cells. This interaction enables them to extravasate through the blood vessel walls and access the cancer site. Further adhesive interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are crucial for coordinating their distribution in situ and for mounting an effective anti-tumor immune response. In this review, we examine how alterations of adhesion cues in the tumor context favor tumor escape by affecting effector immune cell infiltration and trafficking within the TME. We discuss the mechanisms by which tumors directly modulate immune cell adhesion and migration patterns to affect anti-tumor immunity and favor tumor evasion. We also explore indirect immune escape mechanisms that involve modifications of TME characteristics, such as vascularization, immunogenicity, and structural topography. Finally, we highlight the significance of these aspects in designing more effective drug treatments and cellular immunotherapies.

PHF8/KDM7B: A Versatile Histone Demethylase and Epigenetic Modifier in Nervous System Disease and Cancers

Many human diseases, such as malignant tumors and neurological diseases, have a complex pathophysiological etiology, often accompanied by aberrant epigenetic changes including various histone modifications. Plant homologous domain finger protein 8 (PHF8), also known as lysine-specific demethylase 7B (KDM7B), is a critical histone lysine demethylase (KDM) playing an important role in epigenetic modification. Characterized by the zinc finger plant homology domain (PHD) and the Jumonji C (JmjC) domain, PHF8 preferentially binds to H3K4me3 and erases repressive methyl marks, including H3K9me1/2, H3K27me1, and H4K20me1. PHF8 is indispensable for developmental processes and the loss of PHF8 enzyme activity is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. Moreover, increasing evidence shows that PHF8 is highly expressed in multiple tumors as an oncogenic factor. These findings indicate that studying the role of PHF8 will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic agents by the manipulation of PHF8 demethylation activity. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge of PHF8 about its structure and demethylation activity and its involvement in development and human diseases, with an emphasis on nervous system disorders and cancer. This review will update our understanding of PHF8 and promote the clinical transformation of its predictive and therapeutic value.

Locoregional therapies combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors for liver metastases

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have achieved remarkable success in clinical research and practice. Notably, liver metastasis is not sensitive to ICIs. Liver locoregional therapies can cause irreversible damage to tumor cells and release tumor antigens, thereby providing a rationale for immunotherapy treatments in liver metastasis. The combination therapy of ICIs with locoregional therapies is a promising option for patients with liver metastasis. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that combining ICIs with locoregional therapies produces a significantly synergistic anti-tumor effect. However, the current evidence for the efficacy of ICIs combined with locoregional therapies remains insufficient. Therefore, we review the literature on the mechanisms of locoregional therapies in treating liver metastasis and the clinical research progress of their combination with ICIs.

LAG-3 : recent developments in combinational therapies in cancer

The study of anticancer immune responses and in particular the action of immune checkpoint inhibitors that overcome T cell inhibition has revolutionized metastatic patients' care. Unfortunately, many patients are resistant to these innovative immunotherapies. Over the last decade, several immune checkpoint inhibitors, currently available in the clinic, have been developed, such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1 or anti-CTLA-4. More recently, other immune checkpoints have been characterized, among them lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3). LAG-3 has been the subject of numerous therapeutic studies and may be involved in cancer-associated immune resistance phenomena. This review summarizes the latest knowledge on LAG-3 as an immunotherapeutic target, particularly in combination with standard or innovative therapies. Indeed, many studies are looking at combining LAG-3 inhibitors with chemotherapeutic, immunotherapeutic, radiotherapeutic treatments, or adoptive cell therapies to potentiate their antitumor effects and/or to overcome patients' resistance. We will particularly focus on the association therapies that are currently in phase III clinical trials and innovative combinations in preclinical phase. These new discoveries highlight the possibility of developing other types of therapeutic combinations currently unavailable in the clinic, which could broaden the therapeutic spectrum of personalized medicine.

Cancer stem cell mimicry for immune evasion and therapeutic resistance

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are heterogeneous, possess self-renewal attributes, and orchestrate important crosstalk in tumors. We propose that the CSC state represents "mimicry" by cancer cells that leads to phenotypic plasticity. CSC mimicry is suggested as CSCs can impersonate immune cells, vasculo-endothelia, or lymphangiogenic cells to support cancer growth. CSCs facilitate both paracrine and juxtracrine signaling to prime tumor-associated immune and stromal cells to adopt pro-tumoral phenotypes, driving therapeutic resistance. Here, we outline the ingenuity of CSCs' mimicry in their quest to evade immune detection, which leads to immunotherapeutic resistance, and highlight CSC-mimicry-targeted therapeutic strategies for robust immunotherapy.

Immune-inflammatory modulation by natural products derived from edible and medicinal herbs used in Chinese classical prescriptions

BACKGROUND

Edible and medicinal herbs1 (EMHs) refer to a class of substances with dual attribution of food and medicine. These substances are traditionally used as food and also listed in many international pharmacopoeias, including the European Pharmacopoeia, the United States Pharmacopoeia, and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Some classical formulas that are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine include a series of EMHs, which have been shown to be effective with obvious characteristics and advantages. Notably, these EMHs and Chinese classical prescriptions2 (CCPs) have also attracted attention in international herbal medicine research because of their low toxicity and high efficiency as well as the rich body of experience for their long-term clinical use.

PURPOSE

Our purpose is to explore the potential therapeutic effect of EMHs with immune-inflammatory modulation for the study of modern cancer drugs.

STUDY DESIGN

In the present study, we present a detailed account of some EMHs used in CCPs that have shown considerable research potential in studies exploring modern drugs with immune-inflammatory modulation.

METHODS

Approximately 500 publications in the past 30 years were collected from PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect using the keywords, such as natural products, edible and medicinal herbs, Chinese medicine, classical prescription, immune-inflammatory, tumor microenvironment and some related synonyms. The active ingredients instead of herbal extracts or botanical mixtures were focused on and the research conducted over the past decade were discussed emphatically and analyzed comprehensively.

RESULTS

More than ten natural products derived from EMHs used in CCPs are discussed and their immune-inflammatory modulation activities, including enhancing antitumor immunity, regulating inflammatory signaling pathways, lowering the proportion of immunosuppressive cells, inhibiting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, immunosuppressive factors, and inflammatory mediators, are summarized.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate the immune-inflammatory modulating role of those EMHs used in CCPs and provide new ideas for cancer treatment in clinical settings.

AI-2 quorum sensing controlled delivery of cytolysin-A by tryptophan auxotrophic low-endotoxic Salmonella and its anticancer effects in CT26 mice with colon cancer

INTRODUCTION

The limitations of conventional cancer therapies necessitate target-oriented, highly invasive, and safe treatment approaches. Hence, the intrinsic anti-tumor activity of Salmonella can offer better options to combat cancers.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to utilize attenuated Salmonella and deliver cytolytic protein cytolysin A (ClyA) under quorum sensing (QS) signaling for precise localized expression in tumors but not in healthy organs.

METHODS

The therapeutic delivery strain was imposed with tryptophan auxotroph for selective colonization in tumors by trpA and trpE deletion, and lipid-A and O-antigen were altered by pagL and rfaL deletions using lambda red recombination method. The strain was transformed with the designed QS-controlled ClyA expression vector which was validated by western blot. The in vivo passaged therapeutic strain was used for treatment four times at a weekly interval, with a dose of 5 × 106 CFU/mouse for cancer therapy.

RESULTS

The attenuated strain induced minimal endotoxicity-related cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ and exhibited adequate colonization despite earlier exposure in mice. The QS-controlled ClyA expression was confirmed by western blot from bacterial cultures grown at different cell densities. The results demonstrated that the in vivo passaged strain preferentially colonized the tumor after vacating the spleen, liver, and lung, leaving no outward histological scars. The anti-cancer effect of the designed construct was evaluated in the murine CT26 colon cancer model. The expression of ClyA increased tumoricidal activity by 67 % compared to vector control.

CONCLUSION

Hence, the anti-tumor effect of the engineered Salmonella strain was improved by ClyA expression via QS activation after achieving the threshold bacterial cell density. Further, immunohistochemical staining of the tumor and other organs corroborated the QS-controlled tumor-specific expression of ClyA. Overall, the results imply that the developed anti-cancer Salmonella has low endotoxicity and QS-controlled expression of ClyA as beneficial safety elements and supports recurrent Salmonella inoculation by O-antigen deficiency.

Immunomodulatory and Anticancer Effects of Fridericia chica Extract-Loaded Nanocapsules in Myeloid Leukemia

Nanocapsules provide selective delivery and increase the bioavailability of bioactive compounds. In this study, we examined the anticancer and immunomodulatory potential of Fridericia chica (crajiru) extract encapsulated in nanocapsules targeting myeloid leukemias. Nanocapsules containing crajiru (nanocapsules-CRJ) were prepared via interfacial polymer deposition and solvent displacement. Size and polydispersity were measured by dynamic light scattering. Biological assays were performed on leukemia cell lines HL60 and K562 and on non-cancerous Vero cells and human PBMC. The anticancer activity was evaluated using cytotoxicity and clonogenic assays, while the immunomodulatory activity was evaluated by measuring the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in PBMC supernatants treated with concentrations of nanocapsules-CRJ. Nanocapsules-CRJ exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against HL60 and K562 cells at concentrations ranging from 0.75 to 50 μg/mL, with the greatest reductions in cell viability observed at 50 μg/mL (p < 0.001 for HL60; p < 0.01 for K562), while not affecting non-cancerous Vero cells and human PBMCs. At concentrations of 25 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL, nanocapsules-CRJ reduced the formation of HL60 and K562 colonies by more than 90% (p < 0.0001). Additionally, at a concentration of 12 μg/mL, nanocapsules-CRJ induced the production of the cytokines IL-6 (p = 0.0002), IL-10 (p = 0.0005), IL-12 (p = 0.001), and TNF-α (p = 0.005), indicating their immunomodulatory potential. These findings suggest that nanocapsules-CRJ hold promise as a potential therapeutic agent with both cytotoxic and immunomodulatory properties.

Mechanisms Underlying the Rarity of Skeletal Muscle Cancers

Skeletal muscle (SKM), despite comprising ~40% of body mass, rarely manifests cancer. This review explores the mechanisms that help to explain this rarity, including unique SKM architecture and function, which prohibits the development of new cancer as well as negates potential metastasis to SKM. SKM also presents a unique immune environment that may magnify the anti-tumorigenic effect. Moreover, the SKM microenvironment manifests characteristics such as decreased extracellular matrix stiffness and altered lactic acid, pH, and oxygen levels that may interfere with tumor development. SKM also secretes anti-tumorigenic myokines and other molecules. Collectively, these mechanisms help account for the rarity of SKM cancer.

Expression and clinical significance of interleukin-6 pathway in cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a typical inflammation-induced malignancy, and elevated serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels have been reported to be linked to the onset and progression of CCA. We aim to investigate the potential prognostic value of the IL-6 pathway for CCA.

Methods

We detected the expressions of IL-6, IL-6R, glycoprotein (gp130), C-reactive protein (CRP), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in CCA tissue microarray using multiplex immunofluorescence. Furthermore, the clinical associations and prognostic values were assessed. Finally, single-cell transcriptome analysis was performed to evaluate the expression level of IL-6 pathway genes in CCA.

Results

The results revealed that the expression of IL-6 was lower, while the expression of STAT3 was higher in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Especially in tumor microenvironment, the expression of IL-6 pathway genes was generally downregulated. Importantly, gp130 was strongly correlated with JAK2 in tumor tissues, while it was moderately correlated with JAK2 in normal tissue. Although none of the gene expressions were directly associated with overall survival and disease-free survival, our study found that IL-6, IL-6R, CRP, gp130, and JAK2 were inversely correlated with vascular invasion, which is a risk factor for poor prognosis in patients with CCA.

Conclusion

The findings from this study suggest that the IL-6 signaling pathway may have a potential prognostic value for CCA. Further investigation is needed to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of the IL-6 pathway in CCA.

Immune Cell Migration to Cancer

Immune cell migration is required for the development of an effective and robust immune response. This elegant process is regulated by both cellular and environmental factors, with variables such as immune cell state, anatomical location, and disease state that govern differences in migration patterns. In all cases, a major factor is the expression of cell surface receptors and their cognate ligands. Rapid adaptation to environmental conditions partly depends on intrinsic cellular immune factors that affect a cell's ability to adjust to new environment. In this review, we discuss both myeloid and lymphoid cells and outline key determinants that govern immune cell migration, including molecules required for immune cell adhesion, modes of migration, chemotaxis, and specific chemokine signaling. Furthermore, we summarize tumor-specific elements that contribute to immune cell trafficking to cancer, while also exploring microenvironment factors that can alter these cellular dynamics within the tumor in both a pro and antitumor fashion. Specifically, we highlight the importance of the secretome in these later aspects. This review considers a myriad of factors that impact immune cell trajectory in cancer. We aim to highlight the immunotherapeutic targets that can be harnessed to achieve controlled immune trafficking to and within tumors.

Deciphering the dual roles of PHD finger proteins from oncogenic drivers to tumor suppressors

PHD (plant homeodomain) finger proteins emerge as central epigenetic readers and modulators in cancer biology, orchestrating a broad spectrum of cellular processes pivotal to oncogenesis and tumor suppression. This review delineates the dualistic roles of PHD fingers in cancer, highlighting their involvement in chromatin remodeling, gene expression regulation, and interactions with cellular signaling networks. PHD fingers' ability to interpret specific histone modifications underscores their influence on gene expression patterns, impacting crucial cancer-related processes such as cell proliferation, DNA repair, and apoptosis. The review delves into the oncogenic potential of certain PHD finger proteins, exemplified by PHF1 and PHF8, which promote tumor progression through epigenetic dysregulation and modulation of signaling pathways like Wnt and TGFβ. Conversely, it discusses the tumor-suppressive functions of PHD finger proteins, such as PHF2 and members of the ING family, which uphold genomic stability and inhibit tumor growth through their interactions with chromatin and transcriptional regulators. Additionally, the review explores the therapeutic potential of targeting PHD finger proteins in cancer treatment, considering their pivotal roles in regulating cancer stem cells and influencing the immune response to cancer therapy. Through a comprehensive synthesis of current insights, this review underscores the complex but promising landscape of PHD finger proteins in cancer biology, advocating for further research to unlock novel therapeutic avenues that leverage their unique cellular roles.

Liposomal Phenylephrine Nanoparticles Enhance the Antitumor Activity of Intratumoral Chemotherapy in a Preclinical Model of Melanoma

Intratumoral injection of anticancer agents has limited efficacy and is not routinely used for most cancers. In this study, we aimed to improve the efficacy of intratumoral chemotherapy using a novel approach comprising peri-tumoral injection of sustained-release liposomal nanoparticles containing phenylephrine, which is a potent vasoconstrictor. Using a preclinical model of melanoma, we have previously shown that systemically administered (intravenous) phenylephrine could transiently shunt blood flow to the tumor at the time of drug delivery, which in turn improved antitumor responses. This approach was called dynamic control of tumor-associated vessels. Herein, we used liposomal phenylephrine nanoparticles as a "local" dynamic control strategy for the B16 melanoma. Local dynamic control was shown to increase the retention and exposure time of tumors to intratumorally injected chemotherapy (melphalan). C57BL/6 mice bearing B16 tumors were treated with intratumoral melphalan and peri-tumoral injection of sustained-release liposomal phenylephrine nanoparticles (i.e., the local dynamic control protocol). These mice had statistically significantly improved antitumor responses compared to melphalan alone (p = 0.0011), whereby 58.3% obtained long-term complete clinical response. Our novel approach of local dynamic control demonstrated significantly enhanced antitumor efficacy and is the subject of future clinical trials being designed by our group.

M-MDSCs mediated trans-BBB drug delivery for suppression of glioblastoma recurrence post-standard treatment

We found that immunosuppressive monocytic-myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) were more likely to be recruited by glioblastoma (GBM) through adhesion molecules on GBM-associated endothelial cells upregulated post-chemoradiotherapy. These cells are continuously generated during tumor progression, entering tumors and expressing PD-L1 at a high level, allowing GBM to exhaust T cells and evade attack from the immune system, thereby facilitating GBM relapse. αLy-6C-LAMP is composed of (i) drug cores with slightly negative charges condensed by cationic protamine and plasmids encoding PD-L1 trap protein, (ii) pre-formulated cationic liposomes targeted to Ly-6C for encapsulating the drug cores, and (iii) a layer of red blood cell membrane on the surface for effectuating long-circulation. αLy-6C-LAMP persistently targets peripheral, especially splenic, M-MDSCs and delivers secretory PD-L1 trap plasmids, leveraging M-MDSCs to transport the plasmids crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thus expressing PD-L1 trap protein in tumors to inhibit PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. Our proposed drug delivery strategy involving intermediaries presents an efficient cross-BBB drug delivery concept that incorporates live-cell targeting and long-circulating nanotechnology to address GBM recurrence.

Single-cell adhesive profiling in an optofluidic device elucidates CD8+ T lymphocyte phenotypes in inflamed vasculature-like microenvironments

Tissue infiltration by circulating leukocytes occurs via adhesive interactions with the local vasculature, but how the adhesive quality of circulating cells guides the homing of specific phenotypes to different vascular microenvironments remains undefined. We developed an optofluidic system enabling fluorescent labeling of photoactivatable cells based on their adhesive rolling velocity in an inflamed vasculature-mimicking microfluidic device under physiological fluid flow. In so doing, single-cell level multidimensional profiling of cellular characteristics could be characterized and related to the associated adhesive phenotype. When applied to CD8+ T cells, ligand/receptor expression profiles and subtypes associated with adhesion were revealed, providing insight into inflamed tissue infiltration capabilities of specific CD8+ T lymphocyte subsets and how local vascular microenvironmental features may regulate the quality of cellular infiltration. This methodology facilitates rapid screening of cell populations for enhanced homing capabilities under defined biochemical and biophysical microenvironments, relevant to leukocyte homing modulation in multiple pathologies.

Hyperthermia in Combination with Emerging Targeted and Immunotherapies as a New Approach in Cancer Treatment

Despite significant advancements in the development of novel therapies, cancer continues to stand as a prominent global cause of death. In many cases, the cornerstone of standard-of-care therapy consists of chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT), or a combination of both. Notably, hyperthermia (HT), which has been in clinical use in the last four decades, has proven to enhance the effectiveness of CT and RT, owing to its recognized potency as a sensitizer. Furthermore, HT exerts effects on all steps of the cancer-immunity cycle and exerts a significant impact on key oncogenic pathways. Most recently, there has been a noticeable expansion of cancer research related to treatment options involving immunotherapy (IT) and targeted therapy (TT), a trend also visible in the research and development pipelines of pharmaceutical companies. However, the potential results arising from the combination of these innovative therapeutic approaches with HT remain largely unexplored. Therefore, this review aims to explore the oncology pipelines of major pharmaceutical companies, with the primary objective of identifying the principal targets of forthcoming therapies that have the potential to be advantageous for patients by specifically targeting molecular pathways involved in HT. The ultimate goal of this review is to pave the way for future research initiatives and clinical trials that harness the synergy between emerging IT and TT medications when used in conjunction with HT.

PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in cold colorectal cancer: challenges and strategies

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer mortality, with mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) and/or microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC making up more than 80% of metastatic CRC. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are approved as monotherapy in many cancers including a subset of advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with deficiency in mismatch repair (dMMR) and/or high microsatellite instability (MSI-H). However, proficient mismatch repair and microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) cold CRCs have not shown clinical response to ICIs alone. To potentiate the anti-tumor response of PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors in patients with MSS cold cancer, combination strategies currently being investigated include dual ICI, and PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) /VEGF receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitors, and signal transducer and activation of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitors. This paper will review the mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 ICI resistance in pMMR/MSS CRC and potential combination strategies to overcome this resistance, summarize the published clinical experience with different combination therapies, and make recommendations for future avenues of research.

Albendazole induces an anti-tumor effect and potentiates PD-L1 blockade immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Previously, albendazole (ABZ) has been reported as an anti-parasitic drug rather than anti-tumor drug. Our study aim to investigate whether ABZ also has a potential anti-tumor effect by shaping the tumor immune microenvironment and interrogate whether ABZ could synergize with the PD-L1 blockade.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice (C57) were intravenously injected with B16F10-luciferase (B16-luc) cells to establish a lung metastatic melanoma model and subcutaneously inoculated with B16-luc cells to establish a subcutaneous tumor model. The tumor volume and tumor metastasis loci of the mice were measured by a vernier caliper and in vivo imaging. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the different genes and pathways of immune cells in the tumors. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the different subsets of tumor-infiltrating immune cells.

RESULTS

The results suggested that ABZ significantly inhibited lung melanoma metastasis with decreased fluorescence intensity and nodule score and mediated the regression of subcutaneous melanoma in mice with decreased tumor volume. Moreover, RNA sequencing results showed that ABZ regulated the gene expression levels and pathways of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Meanwhile, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence showed that the number and percentage of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and TH1 cells were enhanced in tumors after ABZ treatment. Furthermore, the combination of ABZ and anti-PD-L1 treatment significantly potentiated anti-tumor efficacy in both lung metastasis and subcutaneous melanoma models and mediated an increase in the percentage of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and TH1 cells as compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

ABZ inhibits melanoma growth and metastasis. Moreover, ABZ synergized with PD-L1 blockade mediates tumor regression.

The exercise IL-6 enigma in cancer

Interleukin (IL)-6 elicits both anticancer and procancer effects depending on the context, which we have termed the 'exercise IL-6 enigma'. IL-6 is released from skeletal muscles during exercise to regulate short-term energy availability. Exercise-induced IL-6 provokes biological effects that may protect against cancer by improving insulin sensitivity, stimulating the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, mobilising immune cells, and reducing DNA damage in early malignant cells. By contrast, IL-6 continuously produced by leukocytes in inflammatory sites drives tumorigenesis by promoting chronic inflammation and activating tumour-promoting signalling pathways. How can a molecule have such opposing effects on cancer? Here, we review the roles of IL-6 in chronic inflammation, tumorigenesis, and exercise-associated cancer prevention and define the factors that underpin the exercise IL-6 enigma.

Pharmacological assessment of the antineoplastic and immunomodulatory properties of a new spiroindolone derivative (7',8'-Dimethoxy-1',3'-dimethyl-1,2,3',4'-tetrahydrospiro[indole-3,5'-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinolin]-2-one) in chronic myeloid leukemia

The discovery and development of effective novel compounds is paramount in oncology for improving cancer therapy. In this study, we developed a new derivative of spiroindolone (7',8'-Dimethoxy-1',3'-dimethyl-1,2,3',4'-tetrahydrospiro[indole-3,5'- pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinolin]-2-one) and evaluated its anticancer- and immunomodulatory potential in a vitro model of chronic leukemia. We utilized the chronic leukemia cell line K562, as well as non-cancerous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and Vero cells (kidney epithelium of Cercopithecus aethiops). We assessed the cytotoxicity of the compound using the MTT assay, and performed cell cycle assays to determine its impact on different stages of the cell cycle. To evaluate its antineoplastic activity, we conducted a colony formation test to measure the effect of the compound on the clonal growth of cancer cells. Furthermore, we evaluated the immunomodulatory activity of the compound by measuring the levels of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The study findings demonstrate that the spiroindolone-derived compound exerted noteworthy cytotoxic effects against K562 cells, with an IC50 value of 25.27 µg/mL. Additionally, it was observed that the compound inhibited the clonal proliferation of K562 cells while displaying minimal toxicity to normal cells. The compound exhibited its antiproliferative activity by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest, preventing the entry of K562 cells into mitosis. Notably, the compound demonstrated an immunomodulatory effect by upregulating the production of cytokines IL-6 and IL-12/23p40. In conclusion, the spiroindolone-derived compound evaluated in this study has demonstrated significant potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Further investigations are warranted to explore its clinical applications.

Blockade of innate inflammatory cytokines TNF, IL-1, or IL-6 overcomes virotherapy-induced cancer equilibrium to promote tumor regression

Cancer therapeutics can lead to immune equilibrium in which the immune response controls tumor cell expansion without fully eliminating the cancer. The factors involved in this equilibrium remain incompletely understood, especially those that would antagonize the anti-tumor immune response and lead to tumor outgrowth. We previously demonstrated that continuous treatment with a non-replicating herpes simplex virus 1 expressing interleukin (IL)-12 induces a state of cancer immune equilibrium highly dependent on interferon-γ. We profiled the IL-12 virotherapy-induced immune equilibrium in murine melanoma, identifying blockade of innate inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), IL-1β, or IL-6 as possible synergistic interventions. Antibody depletions of each of these cytokines enhanced survival in mice treated with IL-12 virotherapy and helped to overcome equilibrium in some tumors. Single-cell RNA-sequencing demonstrated that blockade of inflammatory cytokines resulted in downregulation of overlapping inflammatory pathways in macrophages, shifting immune equilibrium towards tumor clearance, and raising the possibility that TNFα blockade could synergize with existing cancer immunotherapies.

Cytotoxic and immunomodulatory potential of a novel [2-(4-(2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine] in myeloid leukemia

Cancer ranks among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. However, the efficacy of commercially available anticancer drugs is compromised by the emerging challenge of drug resistance. This study aimed to investigate the anticancer and immunomodulatory potential of a recently developed a novel [2-(4-(2,5-dimethyl-1 H-pyrrol-1-yl)- 1 H-pyrazol-3-yl) pyridine]. The cytotoxic potential of the compound was assessed using the MTT assay on both cancerous HL60 (acute myeloid leukemia) and K562 (chronic myeloid leukemia) cell lines, as well as non-cancerous Vero cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). A clonogenic assay was employed to evaluate the anticancer efficacy of the compound, while flow cytometry was utilized to investigate its effect on cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, the immunomodulatory potential of the compound was assessed by quantifying inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in the supernatant of PBMCs previously treated with the compound. Our study revealed that the novel pyridine ensemble exhibits selective cytotoxicity against HL60 (IC₅₀ = 25.93 µg/mL) and K562 (IC₅₀ = 10.42 µg/mL) cell lines, while displaying no significant cytotoxic effect on non-cancerous cells. In addition, the compound induced a decrease of 18% and 19% in the overall activity of COX-1 and COX-2, respectively. Concurrently, it upregulated the expression of cytokines including IL4, IL6, IL10, and IL12/23p40, while downregulating INFγ expression. These findings suggest that the compound has the potential to serve as a promising candidate for the treatment of acute and chronic myeloid leukemias due to its effective antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities, without causing cytotoxicity in non-cancerous cells.

mRNAs encoding IL-12 and a decoy-resistant variant of IL-18 synergize to engineer T cells for efficacious intratumoral adoptive immunotherapy

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene transfer enhances the therapeutic potency of adoptive T cell therapies. We previously reported that transient engineering of tumor-specific CD8 T cells with IL-12 mRNA enhanced their systemic therapeutic efficacy when delivered intratumorally. Here, we mix T cells engineered with mRNAs to express either single-chain IL-12 (scIL-12) or an IL-18 decoy-resistant variant (DRIL18) that is not functionally hampered by IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). These mRNA-engineered T cell mixtures are repeatedly injected into mouse tumors. Pmel-1 T cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic T cells electroporated with scIL-12 or DRIL18 mRNAs exert powerful therapeutic effects in local and distant melanoma lesions. These effects are associated with T cell metabolic fitness, enhanced miR-155 control on immunosuppressive target genes, enhanced expression of various cytokines, and changes in the glycosylation profile of surface proteins, enabling adhesiveness to E-selectin. Efficacy of this intratumoral immunotherapeutic strategy is recapitulated in cultures of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells on IL-12 and DRIL18 mRNA electroporation.

Elevated temperatures and longer durations improve the efficacy of oxaliplatin- and mitomycin C-based hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in a confirmed rat model for peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer origin

Introduction

In patients with limited peritoneal metastasis (PM) originating from colorectal cancer, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a potentially curative treatment option. This combined treatment modality using HIPEC with mitomycin C (MMC) for 90 minutes proved to be superior to systemic chemotherapy alone, but no benefit of adding HIPEC to CRS alone was shown using oxaliplatin-based HIPEC during 30 minutes. We investigated the impact of treatment temperature and duration as relevant HIPEC parameters for these two chemotherapeutic agents in representative preclinical models. The temperature- and duration- dependent efficacy for both oxaliplatin and MMC was evaluated in an in vitro setting and in a representative animal model.

Methods

In 130 WAG/Rij rats, PM were established through i.p. injections of rat CC-531 colon carcinoma cells with a signature similar to the dominant treatment-resistant CMS4 type human colorectal PM. Tumor growth was monitored twice per week using ultrasound, and HIPEC was applied when most tumors were 4-6 mm. A semi-open four-inflow HIPEC setup was used to circulate oxaliplatin or MMC through the peritoneum for 30, 60 or 90 minutes with inflow temperatures of 38°C or 42°C to achieve temperatures in the peritoneum of 37°C or 41°C. Tumors, healthy tissue and blood were collected directly or 48 hours after treatment to assess the platinum uptake, level of apoptosis and proliferation and to determine the healthy tissue toxicity.

Results

In vitro results show a temperature- and duration- dependent efficacy for both oxaliplatin and MMC in both CC-531 cells and organoids. Temperature distribution throughout the peritoneum of the rats was stable with normothermic and hyperthermic average temperatures in the peritoneum ranging from 36.95-37.63°C and 40.51-41.37°C, respectively. Treatments resulted in minimal body weight decrease (&lt;10%) and only 7/130 rats did not reach the endpoint of 48 hours after treatment.

Conclusions

Both elevated temperatures and longer treatment duration resulted in a higher platinum uptake, significantly increased apoptosis and lower proliferation in PM tumor lesions, without enhanced normal tissue toxicity. Our results demonstrated that oxaliplatin- and MMC-based HIPEC procedures are both temperature- and duration-dependent in an in vivo tumor model.

A dhesion analysis via a tumor vasculature-like microfluidic device identifies CD8+ T cells with enhanced tumor homing to improve cell therapy

CD8⁺ T cell recruitment to the tumor microenvironment is critical for the success of adoptive cell therapy (ACT). Unfortunately, only a small fraction of transferred cells home to solid tumors. Adhesive ligand-receptor interactions have been implicated in CD8⁺ T cell homing; however, there is a lack of understanding of how CD8⁺ T cells interact with tumor vasculature-expressed adhesive ligands under the influence of hemodynamic flow. Here, the capacity of CD8⁺ T cells to home to melanomas is modeled ex vivo using an engineered microfluidic device that recapitulates the hemodynamic microenvironment of the tumor vasculature. Adoptively transferred CD8⁺ T cells with enhanced adhesion in flow in vitro and tumor homing in vivo improve tumor control by ACT in combination with immune checkpoint blockade. These results show that engineered microfluidic devices can model the microenvironment of the tumor vasculature to identify subsets of T cells with enhanced tumor infiltrating capabilities, a key limitation in ACT.

Human intravital microscopy in the study of sarcomas: an early trial of feasibility

Sarcomas comprise a vast and heterogenous group of rare tumors. Because of their diversity, it is challenging to study sarcomas as a whole with regard to their biological and molecular characteristics. This diverse set of tumors may also possess differences related to their tumor-associated vasculature, which in turn may impact the ability to deliver systemic therapies (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy). Consequently, response to systemic treatment may also be variable as these depend on the ability of the therapy to reach the tumor target via the tumor-associated vasculature. There is a paucity of data regarding sarcoma-related tumor vessels, likely in part to the rarity and heterogeneity of this cancer as well as the previously limited ability to image tumor-associated vessels in real time. Our group has previously utilized confocal fluorescent imaging technology to observe and characterize tumor-associated vessels in real time during surgical resection of tumors, including cutaneous melanoma and carcinomatosis implants derived from gastrointestinal, gynecological, or primary peritoneal (e.g., mesothelioma) tumors. Our prior studies have demonstrated the feasibility of real-time, human intravital microscopy in the study of these tumor types, leading to early but important new data regarding tumor vessel characteristics and their potential implications on drug delivery and efficacy. In this brief report, we present our latest descriptive findings in a cohort of patients with sarcoma who underwent surgical resection and real-time, intravital microscopy of their tumors. Overall, intravital imaging was feasible during the surgical resection of large sarcomas.

Clinical trial registrations

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03517852; ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03823144.

Carboplatin enhances lymphocyte-endothelial interactions to promote CD8+ T cell trafficking into the ovarian tumor microenvironment

OBJECTIVES

Standard chemotherapy agents, including carboplatin, have known immunogenic properties. We sought to determine how carboplatin may influence lymphocyte trafficking to tumor sites.

METHODS

Murine models of ovarian cancer were utilized to examine lymphocyte trafficking with common clinically used agents including carboplatin, anti-PD-1 antibody, or anti-VEGFR-2 antibody. Adhesion interactions of lymphocytes with tumor vasculature were measured using intravital microscopy, lymphocyte homing with immunohistochemistry, and treatment groups followed for overall survival.

RESULTS

Carboplatin chemotherapy profoundly alters the tumor microenvironment to promote lymphocyte adhesive interactions with tumor vasculature and resultant improvement in lymphocyte trafficking. The measured results seen with carboplatin in the tumor microenvironment were superior to anti-PD-1 treatment or anti-VEGFR-2 which may have contributed to increased overall survival in carboplatin treated groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These novel findings suggest a role for chemotherapeutic agents to broadly influence anti-tumor immune responses beyond the induction of immunogenic tumor cell death.

A zebrafish HCT116 xenograft model to predict anandamide outcomes on colorectal cancer

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, cannabinoids have been extensively studied for their potential anticancer effects and symptom management. Several in vitro studies reported anandamide's (AEA) ability to block cancer cell proliferation and migration, but evidence from in vivo studies is still lacking. Thus, in this study, the effects of AEA exposure in zebrafish embryos transplanted with HCT116 cells were evaluated. Totally, 48 hpf xenografts were exposed to 10 nM AEA, 10 nM AM251, one of the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1) antagonist/inverse agonists, and to AEA + AM251, to verify the specific effect of AEA treatment. AEA efficacy was evaluated by confocal microscopy, which demonstrated that these xenografts presented a smaller tumor size, reduced tumor angiogenesis, and lacked micrometastasis formation. To gain deeper evidence into AEA action, microscopic observations were completed by molecular analyses. RNA seq performed on zebrafish transcriptome reported the downregulation of genes involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and the immune system. Conversely, HCT116 cell transcripts resulted not affected by AEA treatment. In vitro HCT116 culture, in fact, confirmed that AEA exposure did not affect cell proliferation and viability, thus suggesting that the reduced tumor size mainly depends on direct effects on the fish rather than on the transplanted cancer cells. AEA reduced cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis, as suggested by socs3 and pcnp mRNAs and Vegfc protein levels, and exerted anti-inflammatory activity, as indicated by the reduction of il-11a, mhc1uba, and csf3b mRNA. Of note, are the results obtained in groups exposed to AM251, which presence nullifies AEA's beneficial effects. In conclusion, this study promotes the efficacy of AEA in personalized cancer therapy, as suggested by its ability to drive tumor growth and metastasis, and strongly supports the use of zebrafish xenograft as an emerging model platform for cancer studies.

NK cells reduce anergic T cell development in early-stage tumors by promoting myeloid cell maturation

Introduction

Studies of NK cells in tumors have primarily focused on their direct actions towards tumor cells. We evaluated the impact of NK cells on expression of homing receptor ligands on tumor vasculature, intratumoral T cell number and function, and T cell activation in tumor draining lymph node.

Methods

Using an implantable mouse model of melanoma, T cell responses and homing receptor ligand expression on the vasculature were evaluated with and without NK cells present during the early stages of the tumor response by flow cytometry.

Results

NK cells in early-stage tumors are one source of IFNγ that augments homing receptor ligand expression. More significantly, NK cell depletion resulted in increased numbers of intratumoral T cells with an anergic phenotype. Anergic T cell development in tumor draining lymph node was associated with increased T-cell receptor signaling but decreased proliferation and effector cell activity, and an incomplete maturation phenotype of antigen presenting cells. These effects of NK depletion were similar to those of blocking CD40L stimulation.

Discussion

We conclude that an important function of NK cells is to drive proper APC maturation via CD40L during responses to early-stage tumors, reducing development of anergic T cells. The reduced development of anergic T cells resulting in improved tumor control and T cell responses when NK cells were present.

Vanadyl sulfate-enhanced oncolytic virus immunotherapy mediates the antitumor immune response by upregulating the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are promising anticancer treatments that specifically replicate in and kill cancer cells and have profound immunostimulatory effects. We previously reported the potential of vanadium-based compounds such as vanadyl sulfate (VS) as immunostimulatory enhancers of OV immunotherapy. These compounds, in conjunction with RNA-based OVs such as oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSVΔ51), improve viral spread and oncolysis, leading to long-term antitumor immunity and prolonged survival in resistant tumor models. This effect is associated with a virus-induced antiviral type I IFN response shifting towards a type II IFN response in the presence of vanadium. Here, we investigated the systemic impact of VS+VSVΔ51 combination therapy to understand the immunological mechanism of action leading to improved antitumor responses. VS+VSVΔ51 combination therapy significantly increased the levels of IFN-γ and IL-6, and improved tumor antigen-specific T-cell responses. Supported by immunological profiling and as a proof of concept for the design of more effective therapeutic regimens, we found that local delivery of IL-12 using VSVΔ51 in combination with VS further improved therapeutic outcomes in a syngeneic CT26WT colon cancer model.

Roles of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in colorectal cancer: expression, functions, prognosis, tumorigenesis, polymorphisms and therapeutic implications

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health problem and one of the major causes of cancer-related death worldwide. It is very important to understand the pathogenesis of CRC for early diagnosis, prevention strategies and identification of new therapeutic targets. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, CD54) displays an important role in the the pathogenesis of CRC. It is a cell surface glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily and plays an essential role in cell-cell, cell-extracellular matrix interaction, cell signaling and immune process. It is also expressed by tumor cells and modulates their functions, including apoptosis, cell motility, invasion and angiogenesis. The interaction between ICAM-1 and its ligand may facilitate adhesion of tumor cells to the vascular endothelium and subsequently in the promotion of metastasis. ICAM-1 expression determines malignant potential of cancer. In this review, we will discuss the expression, function, prognosis, tumorigenesis, polymorphisms and therapeutic implications of ICAM-1 in CRC.

Physical Activity as the Best Supportive Care in Cancer: The Clinician's and the Researcher's Perspectives

Multidisciplinary supportive care, integrating the dimensions of exercise alongside oncological treatments, is now regarded as a new paradigm to improve patient survival and quality of life. Its impact is important on the factors that control tumor development, such as the immune system, inflammation, tissue perfusion, hypoxia, insulin resistance, metabolism, glucocorticoid levels, and cachexia. An increasing amount of research has been published in the last years on the effects of physical activity within the framework of oncology, marking the appearance of a new medical field, commonly known as "exercise oncology". This emerging research field is trying to determine the biological mechanisms by which, aerobic exercise affects the incidence of cancer, the progression and/or the appearance of metastases. We propose an overview of the current state of the art physical exercise interventions in the management of cancer patients, including a pragmatic perspective with tips for routine practice. We then develop the emerging mechanistic views about physical exercise and their potential clinical applications. Moving toward a more personalized, integrated, patient-centered, and multidisciplinary management, by trying to understand the different interactions between the cancer and the host, as well as the impact of the disease and the treatments on the different organs, this seems to be the most promising method to improve the care of cancer patients.

Cancer resistance to immunotherapy: What is the role of cancer stem cells?

Immunotherapy is an emerging form of cancer therapy that is associated with promising outcomes. However, most cancer patients either do not respond to immunotherapy or develop resistance to treatment. The resistance to immunotherapy is poorly understood compared to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Since immunotherapy targets cells within the tumor microenvironment, understanding the behavior and interactions of different cells within that environment is essential to adequately understand both therapy options and therapy resistance. This review focuses on reviewing and analyzing the special features of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which we believe may contribute to cancer resistance to immunotherapy. The mechanisms are classified into three main categories: mechanisms related to surface markers which are differentially expressed on CSCs and help CSCs escape from immune surveillance and immune cells killing; mechanisms related to CSC-released cytokines which can recruit immune cells and tame hostile immune responses; and mechanisms related to CSC metabolites which modulate the activities of infiltrated immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. This review also discusses progress made in targeting CSCs with immunotherapy and the prospect of developing novel cancer therapies.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor regulation of peripheral node addressin biosynthetic components in tumor endothelial cells

Tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures are ectopic lymphoid aggregates that have considerable morphological, cellular, and molecular similarity to secondary lymphoid organs, particularly lymph nodes. Tumor vessels expressing peripheral node addressin (PNAd) are hallmark features of these structures. Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that PNAd is displayed on intratumoral vasculature of murine tumors, and its expression is controlled by the engagement of lymphotoxin-α₃, secreted by effector CD8 T cells, with tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFR) on tumor endothelial cells (TEC). The goals of the present work were: 1) to identify differences in expression of genes encoding the scaffolding proteins and glycosyl transferases associated with PNAd biosynthesis in TEC and lymph node blood endothelial cells (LN BEC); and 2) to determine which of these PNAd associated components are regulated by TNFR signaling. We found that the same genes encoding scaffolding proteins and glycosyl transferases were upregulated in PNAd⁺ LN BEC and PNAd⁺ TEC relative to their PNAd^neg counterparts. The lower level of PNAd expression on TEC vs LN BEC was associated with relatively lower expression of these genes, particularly the carbohydrate sulfotransferase Chst4. Loss of PNAd on TEC in the absence of TNFR signaling was associated with lack of upregulation of these same genes. A small subset of PNAd⁺ TEC remaining in the absence of TNFR signaling showed normal upregulation of a subset of these genes, but reduced upregulation of genes encoding the scaffolding proteins podocalyxin and nepmucin, and carbohydrate sulfotransferase Chst2. Lastly, we found that checkpoint immunotherapy augmented both the fraction of TEC expressing PNAd and their surface level of this ligand. This work points to strong similarities in the regulation of PNAd expression on TEC by TNFR signaling and on LN BEC by lymphotoxin-β receptor signaling, and provides a platform for the development of novel strategies that manipulate PNAd expression on tumor vasculature as an element of cancer immunotherapy.

Biological modeling in thermoradiotherapy: present status and ongoing developments toward routine clinical use

Biological modeling for anti-cancer treatments using mathematical models can be very supportive in gaining more insight into dynamic processes responsible for cellular response to treatment, and predicting, evaluating and optimizing therapeutic effects of treatment. This review presents an overview of the current status of biological modeling for hyperthermia in combination with radiotherapy (thermoradiotherapy). Various distinct models have been proposed in the literature, with varying complexity; initially aiming to model the effect of hyperthermia alone, and later on to predict the effect of the combined thermoradiotherapy treatment. Most commonly used models are based on an extension of the linear-quadratic (LQ)-model enabling an easy translation to radiotherapy where the LQ model is widely used. Basic predictions of cell survival have further progressed toward 3 D equivalent dose predictions, i.e., the radiation dose that would be needed without hyperthermia to achieve the same biological effect as the combined thermoradiotherapy treatment. This approach, with the use of temperature-dependent model parameters, allows theoretical evaluation of the effectiveness of different treatment strategies in individual patients, as well as in patient cohorts. This review discusses the significant progress that has been made in biological modeling for hyperthermia combined with radiotherapy. In the future, when adequate temperature-dependent LQ-parameters will be available for a large number of tumor sites and normal tissues, biological modeling can be expected to be of great clinical importance to further optimize combined treatments, optimize clinical protocols and guide further clinical studies.

Immune modulation by molecularly targeted photothermal ablation in a mouse model of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis

Immunotherapy is a promising new treatment approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but there are numerous barriers to immunotherapy in HCC, including an immunosuppressive microenvironment and the "immunotolerance" of the liver. Hyperthermia treatment modalities are standard of care for early stage HCC, and hyperthermia is known to have immunomodulatory effects. We have developed a molecularly targeted photothermal ablation (MTPA) technology that provides thermally tunable, tumor-specific heat generation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphologic and immunologic effects of MTPA in an immunotherapy-resistant syngeneic mouse model of HCC in a background of toxin-induced cirrhosis. We found that the anatomic, cellular, and molecular features of this model recapitulate the characteristics of advanced human HCC. MTPA as a monotherapy and in combination with immune checkpoint therapy significantly increased intratumoral CD3+ and activated CD8+ T cells while decreasing regulatory T cells relative to control or immune checkpoint therapy alone based on immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and single cell RNA sequencing data. Furthermore, we identified evidence of MTPA's influence on systemic tumor immunity, with suppression of remote tumor growth following treatment of orthotopic tumors. The results of this study suggest that tumor-specific hyperthermia may help overcome resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy in advanced HCC.

Manipulating adrenergic stress receptor signalling to enhance immunosuppression and prolong survival of vascularized composite tissue transplants

BACKGROUND

Vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA) to replace limbs or faces damaged beyond repair is now possible. The resulting clear benefit to quality of life is a compelling reason to attempt this complex procedure. Unfortunately, the high doses of immunosuppressive drugs required to protect this type of allograft result in significant morbidity and mortality giving rise to ethical concerns about performing this surgery in patients with non-life-threatening conditions. Here we tested whether we could suppress anti-graft immune activity by using a safe β2 -adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist, terbutaline, to mimic the natural immune suppression generated by nervous system-induced signalling through AR.

METHODS

A heterotopic hind limb transplantation model was used with C57BL/6 (H-2b) as recipients and BALB/c (H-2d) mice as donors. To test the modulation of the immune response, graft survival was investigated after daily intraperitoneal injection of β2 -AR agonist with and without tacrolimus. Analyses of immune compositions and quantification of pro-inflammatory cytokines were performed to gauge functional immunomodulation. The contributions to allograft survival of β2 -AR signalling in donor and recipient tissue were investigated with β2 -AR-/- strains.

RESULTS

Treatment with the β2 -AR agonist delayed VCA rejection, even with a subtherapeutic dose of tacrolimus. β2 -AR agonist decreased T-cell infiltration into the transplanted grafts and decreased memory T-cell populations in recipient's circulation. In addition, decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL-1/10 and CCL3/4/5/7) were detected following β2 -AR agonist treatment, and there was a decreased expression of ICAM-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in donor stromal cells.

CONCLUSIONS

β2 -AR agonist can be used safely to mimic the natural suppression of immune responses, which occurs during adrenergic stress-signalling and thereby can be used in combination regimens to reduce the dose needed of toxic immunosuppressive drugs such as tacrolimus. This strategy can be further evaluated for feasibility in the clinic.

The Therapeutic Role of PNU-74654 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma May Involve Suppression of NF-κB Signaling

Background and Objectives: PNU-74654, a Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor, has reported antitumor activities; however, the therapeutic potential of PNU-74654 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been investigated in detail. The aim of this study was to clarify the cytotoxic effects of PNU-74654 against HCC and to uncover its molecular mechanism. Materials and Methods: HepG2 and Huh7 liver cancer cell lines were selected to determine the antitumor properties of PNU-74654. Survival of the liver cancer cells in response to PNU-74654 was assessed by cell viability assays, and the apoptosis effect of PNU-74654 was analyzed by flow cytometry and visualized by Hoechst staining. An oncology array was used to explore the underlying molecular routes of PNU-74654 action in the cells. The migration properties were examined with a wound healing assay, and western blotting was conducted to evaluate protein expression. Results: Treatment with PNU-74654 decreased cell viability and inhibited cell migration. The cell cycle analysis and Hoechst staining revealed an increase in the population of cells at the sub-G1 stage and apoptotic morphological changes in the nucleus. The oncology array identified 84 oncology-related proteins and a suppressed expression of Bcl-xL and survivin. Western blotting showed that PNU-74654 could interfere with cell cycle-related proteins through the NF-κB pathway. Conclusions: PNU-74654 shows antiproliferative and antimigration effects against HepG2 and Huh7 cells, and its antitumor activity may be attributable to its interference in cell cycle regulation and the NF-κB pathway.

Nanotechnology Tools Enabling Biological Discovery

Over the years, the engineering aspect of nanotechnology has been significantly exploited. Medical intervention strategies have been developed by leveraging existing molecular biology knowledge and combining it with nanotechnology tools to improve outcomes. However, little attention has been paid to harnessing the strengths of nanotechnology as a biological discovery tool. Fundamental understanding of controlling dynamic biological processes at the subcellular level is key to developing personalized therapeutic and diagnostic interventions. Single-cell analyses using intravital microscopy, expansion microscopy, and microfluidic-based platforms have been helping to better understand cell heterogeneity in healthy and diseased cells, a major challenge in oncology. Also, single-cell analysis has revealed critical signaling pathways and biological intracellular components with key biological functions. The physical manipulation enabled by nanotools can allow real-time monitoring of biological changes at a single-cell level by sampling intracellular fluid from the same cell. The formation of intercellular highways by nanotube-like structures has important clinical implications such as metastasis development. The integration of nanomaterials into optical and molecular imaging techniques has rendered valuable morphological, structural, and biological information. Nanoscale imaging unravels mechanisms of temporality by enabling the visualization of nanoscale dynamics never observed or measured between individual cells with standard biological techniques. The exceptional sensitivity of nanozymes, artificial enzymes, make them perfect components of the next-generation mobile diagnostics devices. Here, we highlight these impactful cancer-related biological discoveries enabled by nanotechnology and producing a paradigm shift in cancer research and oncology.

Adhesion molecules in multiple myeloma oncogenesis and targeted therapy

Every day we march closer to finding the cure for multiple myeloma. The myeloma cells inflict their damage through specialized cellular meshwork and cytokines system. Implicit in these interactions are cellular adhesion molecules and their regulators which include but are not limited to integrins and syndecan-1/CD138, immunoglobulin superfamily cell adhesion molecules, such as CD44, cadherins such as N-cadherin, and selectins, such as E-selectin. Several adhesion molecules are respectively involved in myelomagenesis such as in the transition from the precursor disorder monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to indolent asymptomatic multiple myeloma (smoldering myeloma) then to active multiple myeloma or primary plasma cell leukemia, and in the pathological manifestations of multiple myeloma.

Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Acidified Metastatic Melanoma Cells Stimulate Growth, Migration, and Stemness of Normal Keratinocytes

Metastatic melanoma is a highly malignant tumor. Melanoma cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs), which contribute to the growth, metastasis, and malignancy of neighboring cells by transfer of tumor-promoting miRNAs, mRNA, and proteins. Melanoma microenvironment acidification promotes tumor progression and determines EVs’ properties. We studied the influence of EVs derived from metastatic melanoma cells cultivated at acidic (6.5) and normal (7.4) pH on the morphology and homeostasis of normal keratinocytes. Acidification of metastatic melanoma environment made EVs more prooncogenic with increased expression of prooncogenic mi221 RNA, stemless factor CD133, and pro-migration factor SNAI1, as well as with downregulated antitumor mir7 RNA. Incubation with EVs stimulated growth and migration both of metastatic melanoma cells and keratinocytes and changed the morphology of keratinocytes to stem-like phenotype, which was confirmed by increased expression of the stemness factors KLF and CD133. Activation of the AKT/mTOR and ERK signaling pathways and increased expression of epidermal growth factor receptor EGFR and SNAI1 were detected in keratinocytes upon incubation with EVs. Moreover, EVs reduced the production of different cytokines (IL6, IL10, and IL12) and adhesion factors (sICAM-1, sICAM-3, sPecam-1, and sCD40L) usually secreted by keratinocytes to control melanoma progression. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the correlation between decreased expression of these secreted factors and worse survival prognosis for patients with metastatic melanoma. Altogether, our data mean that metastatic melanoma EVs are important players in the transformation of normal keratinocytes.