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You J, Wang S, Zhu Y, Zhang Z, Wang J, Lou Y, Yao Y, Hao Y, Liu P. Natural Killer Cells Reprogram Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells to Induce TNF-α Release via NKG2D-Ligand Interaction after Cryo-Thermal Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5151. [PMID: 38791188 PMCID: PMC11121051 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105151] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In our previous studies, a novel cryothermal therapy (CTT) was developed to induce systemic long-term anti-tumor immunity. Natural killer (NK) cells were found to play an important role in CTT-induced long-term immune-mediated tumor control at the late stage after CTT, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid cells that have potent immunosuppressive effects on T cells and weaken the long-term benefits of immunotherapy. Consequently, overcoming MDSC immunosuppression is essential for maintaining the long-term efficacy of immunotherapy. In this study, we revealed that NK cells considerably diminish MDSC accumulation at the late stage after CTT, boost T cell production, increase T cell activation, and promote MDSC maturation, culminating in Th1-dominant CD4+ T cell differentiation and enhancing NK and CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity. Additionally, NK cells activate ERK signaling in MDSCs through NKG2D-ligand interaction to increase the activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α converting enzyme (TACE)-cleaved membrane TNF-α. Furthermore, Increased TACE activity releases more soluble TNF-α from MDSCs to promote MDSC maturation. In our studies, we propose a novel mechanism by which NK cells can overcome MDSC-induced immunosuppression and maintain CTT-induced persistent anti-tumor immunity, providing a prospective therapeutic option to improve the performance of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ping Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; (J.Y.); (S.W.); (Y.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.W.); (Y.L.); (Y.Y.); (Y.H.)
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Zhai X, Chen B, Hu H, Deng Y, Chen Y, Hong Y, Ren X, Jiang C. Identification of the molecular subtypes and signatures to predict the prognosis, biological functions, and therapeutic response based on the anoikis-related genes in colorectal cancer. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7315. [PMID: 38785271 PMCID: PMC11117457 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7315] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumors that resist anoikis, a programmed cell death triggered by detachment from the extracellular matrix, promote metastasis; however, the role of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) stratification, prognosis, and biological functions remains unclear. METHODS We obtained transcriptomic profiles of CRC and 27 ARGs from The Cancer Genome Atlas, the Gene Expression Omnibus, and MSigDB databases, respectively. CRC tissue samples were classified into two clusters based on the expression pattern of ARGs, and their functional differences were explored. Hub genes were screened using weighted gene co-expression network analysis, univariate analysis, and least absolute selection and shrinkage operator analysis, and validated in cell lines, tissues, or the Human Protein Atlas database. We constructed an ARG-risk model and nomogram to predict prognosis in patients with CRC, which was validated using an external cohort. Multifaceted landscapes, including stemness, tumor microenvironment (TME), immune landscape, and drug sensitivity, between high- and low-risk groups were examined. RESULTS Patients with CRC were divided into C1 and C2 clusters. Cluster C1 exhibited higher TME scores, whereas cluster C2 had favorable outcomes and a higher stemness index. Eight upregulated hub ARGs (TIMP1, P3H1, SPP1, HAMP, IFI30, ADAM8, ITGAX, and APOC1) were utilized to construct the risk model. The qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry results were consistent with those of the bioinformatics analysis. Patients with high risk exhibited worse overall survival (p < 0.01), increased stemness, TME, immune checkpoint expression, immune infiltration, tumor mutation burden, and drug susceptibility compared with the patients with low risk. CONCLUSION Our results offer a novel CRC stratification based on ARGs and a risk-scoring system that could predict the prognosis, stemness, TME, immunophenotypes, and drug susceptibility of patients with CRC, thereby improving their prognosis. This stratification may facilitate personalized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhai
- Department of Colorectal and Anal SurgeryZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
| | - Baoxiang Chen
- Department of Colorectal and Anal SurgeryZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
| | - Heng Hu
- Department of Colorectal and Anal SurgeryZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
| | - Yanrong Deng
- Department of Colorectal and Anal SurgeryZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
| | - Yazhu Chen
- West China Hospital of Sichuan universityChengduChina
| | - Yuntian Hong
- Department of Colorectal and Anal SurgeryZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
| | - Xianghai Ren
- Department of Colorectal and Anal SurgeryZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
| | - Congqing Jiang
- Department of Colorectal and Anal SurgeryZhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhanChina
- Clinical Center of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases of Hubei Province (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases (Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University)WuhanChina
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Winidmanokul P, Panya A, Okada S. Tri-specific killer engager: unleashing multi-synergic power against cancer. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:432-448. [PMID: 38745768 PMCID: PMC11090690 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer continues to be a global health concern, necessitating innovative solutions for treatment. Tri-specific killer engagers (TriKEs) have emerged as a promising class of immunotherapeutic agents, offering a multifaceted approach to cancer treatment. TriKEs simultaneously engage and activate natural killer (NK) cells while specifically targeting cancer cells, representing an outstanding advancement in immunotherapy. This review explores the generation and mechanisms of TriKEs, highlighting their advantages over other immunotherapies and discussing their potential impact on clinical trials and cancer treatment. TriKEs are composed of three distinct domains, primarily antibody-derived building blocks, linked together by short amino acid sequences. They incorporate critical elements, anti-cluster of differentiation 16 (CD16) and interleukin-15 (IL-15), which activate and enhance NK cell function, together with specific antibody to target each cancer. TriKEs exhibit remarkable potential in preclinical and early clinical studies across various cancer types, making them a versatile tool in cancer immunotherapy. Comparative analyses with other immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), cytokine therapies, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), reveal the unique advantages of TriKEs. They offer a safer pathway for immunotherapy by targeting cancer cells without hyperactivating T cells, reducing off-target effects and complications. The future of TriKEs involves addressing challenges related to dosing, tumor-associated antigen (TAA) expression, and NK cell suppression. Researchers are exploring innovative dosing strategies, enhancing specificity through tumor-specific antigens (TSAs), and combining TriKEs with other therapies for increased efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peeranut Winidmanokul
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Division of Hematopoiesis, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Aussara Panya
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
- Cell Engineering for Cancer Therapy Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Seiji Okada
- Division of Hematopoiesis, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
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Zhang H, Zhang P, Lin X, Tan L, Wang Y, Jia X, Wang K, Li X, Sun D. Integrative single-cell analysis of LUAD: elucidating immune cell dynamics and prognostic modeling based on exhausted CD8+ T cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1366096. [PMID: 38596689 PMCID: PMC11002145 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1366096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in the progression and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the detailed characteristics of LUAD and its associated microenvironment are yet to be extensively explored. This study aims to delineate a comprehensive profile of the immune cells within the LUAD microenvironment, including CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and myeloid cells. Subsequently, based on marker genes of exhausted CD8+ T cells, we aim to establish a prognostic model for LUAD. Method Utilizing the Seurat and Scanpy packages, we successfully constructed an immune microenvironment atlas for LUAD. The Monocle3 and PAGA algorithms were employed for pseudotime analysis, pySCENIC for transcription factor analysis, and CellChat for analyzing intercellular communication. Following this, a prognostic model for LUAD was developed, based on the marker genes of exhausted CD8+ T cells, enabling effective risk stratification in LUAD patients. Our study included a thorough analysis to identify differences in TME, mutation landscape, and enrichment across varying risk groups. Moreover, by integrating risk scores with clinical features, we developed a new nomogram. The expression of model genes was validated via RT-PCR, and a series of cellular experiments were conducted, elucidating the potential oncogenic mechanisms of GALNT2. Results Our study developed a single-cell atlas for LUAD from scRNA-seq data of 19 patients, examining crucial immune cells in LUAD's microenvironment. We underscored pDCs' role in antigen processing and established a Cox regression model based on CD8_Tex-LAYN genes for risk assessment. Additionally, we contrasted prognosis and tumor environments across risk groups, constructed a new nomogram integrating clinical features, validated the expression of model genes via RT-PCR, and confirmed GALNT2's function in LUAD through cellular experiments, thereby enhancing our understanding and approach to LUAD treatment. Conclusion The creation of a LUAD single-cell atlas in our study offered new insights into its tumor microenvironment and immune cell interactions, highlighting the importance of key genes associated with exhausted CD8+ T cells. These discoveries have enabled the development of an effective prognostic model for LUAD and identified GALNT2 as a potential therapeutic target, significantly contributing to the improvement of LUAD diagnosis and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Clinical School of Thoracic, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Pengpeng Zhang
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Lin Tan
- Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuhang Wang
- Clinical School of Thoracic, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoteng Jia
- Clinical School of Thoracic, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Li
- Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Daqiang Sun
- Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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Zhou Q, Meng Y, Li D, Yao L, Le J, Liu Y, Sun Y, Zeng F, Chen X, Deng G. Ferroptosis in cancer: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:55. [PMID: 38453898 PMCID: PMC10920854 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01769-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death characterized by the lethal accumulation of iron-dependent membrane-localized lipid peroxides. It acts as an innate tumor suppressor mechanism and participates in the biological processes of tumors. Intriguingly, mesenchymal and dedifferentiated cancer cells, which are usually resistant to apoptosis and traditional therapies, are exquisitely vulnerable to ferroptosis, further underscoring its potential as a treatment approach for cancers, especially for refractory cancers. However, the impact of ferroptosis on cancer extends beyond its direct cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. Ferroptosis induction not only inhibits cancer but also promotes cancer development due to its potential negative impact on anticancer immunity. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the role of ferroptosis in cancer is crucial for the successful translation of ferroptosis therapy from the laboratory to clinical applications. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advancements in understanding ferroptosis in cancer, covering molecular mechanisms, biological functions, regulatory pathways, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment. We also summarize the potential applications of ferroptosis induction in immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy, as well as ferroptosis inhibition for cancer treatment in various conditions. We finally discuss ferroptosis markers, the current challenges and future directions of ferroptosis in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Furong Laboratory, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yu Meng
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Furong Laboratory, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Daishi Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Furong Laboratory, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lei Yao
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jiayuan Le
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Furong Laboratory, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yihuang Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Furong Laboratory, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yuming Sun
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Furong Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
- Furong Laboratory, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Guangtong Deng
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Personalized Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
- Furong Laboratory, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, China.
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Di Ceglie I, Carnevale S, Rigatelli A, Grieco G, Molisso P, Jaillon S. Immune cell networking in solid tumors: focus on macrophages and neutrophils. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1341390. [PMID: 38426089 PMCID: PMC10903099 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is composed of tumor cells, stromal cells and leukocytes, including innate and adaptive immune cells, and represents an ecological niche that regulates tumor development and progression. In general, inflammatory cells are considered to contribute to tumor progression through various mechanisms, including the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Macrophages and neutrophils are important components of the tumor microenvironment and can act as a double-edged sword, promoting or inhibiting the development of the tumor. Targeting of the immune system is emerging as an important therapeutic strategy for cancer patients. However, the efficacy of the various immunotherapies available is still limited. Given the crucial importance of the crosstalk between macrophages and neutrophils and other immune cells in the formation of the anti-tumor immune response, targeting these interactions may represent a promising therapeutic approach against cancer. Here we will review the current knowledge of the role played by macrophages and neutrophils in cancer, focusing on their interaction with other immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giovanna Grieco
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Piera Molisso
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Sebastien Jaillon
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
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Zeng S, Wang Q, Zhou R, Wang D. KIF4A functions as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and regulates tumor immune microenvironment in skin cutaneous melanoma. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 254:155166. [PMID: 38286055 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND KIF4A is upregulated in various malignancies and serves as an independent risk factor. However, its function in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) and the regulation of the immunological environment remains unknown. METHODS We first explored the mRNA and protein levels of KIF4A in SKCM through public databases. Then, the co-expressed genes with KIF4A in SKCM and their functional enrichment analysis were performed. Moreover, the clinical value, relationship with immune infiltration and tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as the correlation between KIF4A and immunomodulators were evaluated. In addition, we validated the function of KIF4A by in vitro experiments such as CCK-8 assay, clone formation and wound healing assay. RESULTS Our data reveal that the mRNA and protein levels of KIF4A are highly expressed in SKCM. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis of the top 50 co-expressed genes with KIF4A showed significant association with organelle fission, tubulin binding and immune processes. KIF4A can distinguish SKCM from normal tissue and predict a poorer prognosis. A negative association was observed between KIF4A and TME, and KIF4A exhibited a negative correlation with most immunomodulators. Additionally, the knockdown of KIF4A inhibited the proliferation and migration ability of A375 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that KIF4A promotes the progression of SKCM and is negatively associated with immune infiltration and immunomodulators, which indicates a poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Zeng
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Qirui Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Renpeng Zhou
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Danru Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, People's Republic of China.
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Xu J, Xia Q, Wu T, Shao Y, Wang Y, Jin N, Tian P, Wu L, Lu X. Prophylactic treatment with Bacteroides uniformis and Bifidobacterium bifidum counteracts hepatic NK cell immune tolerance in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis induced by high fat diet. Gut Microbes 2024; 16:2302065. [PMID: 38196273 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2302065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic immunity is one of the driving forces for the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and targeting gut microbiota is believed to affect the hepatic immune constitution. Here, we aimed to investigate the hepatic immunological state in NASH, with a specific emphasis on natural killer (NK) cells. In addition, we aimed to identify the contributing species that target hepatic immunity to provide new directions and support the feasibility of immunotherapy for NASH. A possible NASH population was determined by combination of long-term severe fatty liver, metabolic disorders and increased serum CK18 to detect serum immune factors and gut microbiota. NASH was induced in mice fed a high-fat diet to verify the prophylactic effect of the functional species on the immunopathology and development of NASH. Hepatic immunologic state was examined, and the effector functions of NK cells were detected. Hepatic transcriptome, proteomic, and fecal metagenome were performed. We observed a statistical increase in serum IL-10 (p < 0.001) and non-statistical decrease in interferon-γ and IL-6 in NASH population, hinting at the possibility of immune tolerance. Fecal Bacteroides uniformis and Bifidobacterium bifidum were abundant in healthy population but depleted in NASH patients. In NASH mice, hepatic CD8+T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells were increased (p < 0.01), and NK cells were inhibited, which were identified with decreased granzyme B (p < 0.05). Bacteroides uniformis and Bifidobacterium bifidum improved hepatic pathological and metabolic cues, increased hepatic NK cells and reduced macrophages (p < 0.05). Bacteroides uniformis also restored hepatic NK cell function, which was identified as increased CD107a (p < 0.05). Transcriptional and translational profiling revealed that the functional species might restore the function of hepatic NK cells through multiple pathways, such as reduction of inhibitory molecules in NK cells. Bacteroides uniformis and Bifidobacterium bifidum are novel prophylactics for NASH that restore the impaired function of hepatic NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyuan Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qiaoyun Xia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Wu
- Department of Citizen Health, Community Health Service Center of Jinxi Town, Kunshan, China
| | - Yong Shao
- Department of Citizen Health, Community Health Service Center of Jinxi Town, Kunshan, China
| | - Yatao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Nuyun Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Peiying Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Longyun Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolan Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
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Peng X, Zheng J, Liu T, Zhou Z, Song C, Geng Y, Wang Z, Huang Y. Tumor Microenvironment Heterogeneity, Potential Therapeutic Avenues, and Emerging Therapies. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:288-307. [PMID: 37537777 DOI: 10.2174/1568009623666230712095021] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This review describes the comprehensive portrait of tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, we provided a panoramic perspective on the transformation and functions of the diverse constituents in TME, and the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance, beginning with the immune cells and metabolic dynamics within TME. Lastly, we summarized the most auspicious potential therapeutic strategies. RESULTS TME is a unique realm crafted by malignant cells to withstand the onslaught of endogenous and exogenous therapies. Recent research has revealed many small-molecule immunotherapies exhibiting auspicious outcomes in preclinical investigations. Furthermore, some pro-immune mechanisms have emerged as a potential avenue. With the advent of nanosystems and precision targeting, targeted therapy has now transcended the "comfort zone" erected by cancer cells within TME. CONCLUSION The ceaseless metamorphosis of TME fosters the intransigent resilience and proliferation of tumors. However, existing therapies have yet to surmount the formidable obstacles posed by TME. Therefore, scientists should investigate potential avenues for therapeutic intervention and design innovative pharmacological and clinical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintong Peng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jingfan Zheng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Tianzi Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Ziwen Zhou
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Chen Song
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yan Geng
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Zichuan Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
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10
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Sankar P, Mishra BB. Early innate cell interactions with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in protection and pathology of tuberculosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1260859. [PMID: 37965344 PMCID: PMC10641450 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1260859] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, claiming the lives of up to 1.5 million individuals annually. TB is caused by the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which primarily infects innate immune cells in the lungs. These immune cells play a critical role in the host defense against Mtb infection, influencing the inflammatory environment in the lungs, and facilitating the development of adaptive immunity. However, Mtb exploits and manipulates innate immune cells, using them as favorable niche for replication. Unfortunately, our understanding of the early interactions between Mtb and innate effector cells remains limited. This review underscores the interactions between Mtb and various innate immune cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, granulocytes, NK cells, innate lymphocytes-iNKT and ILCs. In addition, the contribution of alveolar epithelial cell and endothelial cells that constitutes the mucosal barrier in TB immunity will be discussed. Gaining insights into the early cellular basis of immune reactions to Mtb infection is crucial for our understanding of Mtb resistance and disease tolerance mechanisms. We argue that a better understanding of the early host-pathogen interactions could inform on future vaccination approaches and devise intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bibhuti Bhusan Mishra
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, United States
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11
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Ji ZZ, Chan MKK, Chan ASW, Leung KT, Jiang X, To KF, Wu Y, Tang PMK. Tumour-associated macrophages: versatile players in the tumour microenvironment. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1261749. [PMID: 37965573 PMCID: PMC10641386 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1261749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) are one of the pivotal components of the tumour microenvironment. Their roles in the cancer immunity are complicated, both pro-tumour and anti-cancer activities are reported, including not only angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, immunosuppression, drug resistance but also phagocytosis and tumour regression. Interestingly, TAMs are highly dynamic and versatile in solid tumours. They show anti-cancer or pro-tumour activities, and interplay between the tumour microenvironment and cancer stem cells and under specific conditions. In addition to the classic M1/M2 phenotypes, a number of novel dedifferentiation phenomena of TAMs are discovered due to the advanced single-cell technology, e.g., macrophage-myofibroblast transition (MMT) and macrophage-neuron transition (MNT). More importantly, emerging information demonstrated the potential of TAMs on cancer immunotherapy, suggesting by the therapeutic efficiency of the checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor engineered cells based on macrophages. Here, we summarized the latest discoveries of TAMs from basic and translational research and discussed their clinical relevance and therapeutic potential for solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoey Zeyuan Ji
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Max Kam-Kwan Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alex Siu-Wing Chan
- Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kam-Tong Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ka-Fai To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yi Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
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12
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Lin X, Zong C, Zhang Z, Fang W, Xu P. Progresses in biomarkers for cancer immunotherapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e387. [PMID: 37799808 PMCID: PMC10547938 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy has emerged as prevailing treatment modality for diverse cancers. However, immunotherapy as a first-line therapy has not consistently yielded durable responses. Moreover, the risk of immune-related adverse events increases with combination regimens. Thus, the development of predictive biomarkers is needed to optimize individuals benefit, minimize risk of toxicities, and guide combination approaches. The greatest focus has been on tumor programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), microsatellite instability (MSI), and tumor mutational burden (TMB). However, there remains a subject of debate due to thresholds variability and significant heterogeneity. Major unmet challenges in immunotherapy are the discovery and validation of predictive biomarkers. Here, we show the status of tumor PD-L1, MSI, TMB, and emerging data on novel biomarker strategies with oncogenic signaling and epigenetic regulation. Considering the exploration of peripheral and intestinal immunity has served as noninvasive alternative in predicting immunotherapy, this review also summarizes current data in systemic immunity, encompassing solute PD-L1 and TMB, circulating tumor DNA and infiltrating lymphocytes, routine emerging inflammatory markers and cytokines, as well as gut microbiota. This review provides up-to-date information on the evolving field of currently available biomarkers in predicting immunotherapy. Future exploration of novel biomarkers is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuwen Lin
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenGuangdong ProvinceChina
- Department of Internal MedicineShantou University Medical CollegeShantouGuangdong ProvinceChina
| | - Chenyu Zong
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenGuangdong ProvinceChina
- Department of Internal MedicineZunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhou ProvinceChina
| | - Zhihan Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenGuangdong ProvinceChina
| | - Weiyi Fang
- Cancer Research InstituteSchool of Basic Medical ScienceSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong ProvinceChina
- Cancer CenterIntegrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdong ProvinceChina
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicinePeking University Shenzhen HospitalShenzhenGuangdong ProvinceChina
- Department of Internal MedicineZunyi Medical UniversityZunyiGuizhou ProvinceChina
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13
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Miller KD, O'Connor S, Pniewski KA, Kannan T, Acosta R, Mirji G, Papp S, Hulse M, Mukha D, Hlavaty SI, Salcido KN, Bertolazzi F, Srikanth YVV, Zhao S, Wellen KE, Shinde RS, Claiborne DT, Kossenkov A, Salvino JM, Schug ZT. Acetate acts as a metabolic immunomodulator by bolstering T-cell effector function and potentiating antitumor immunity in breast cancer. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:1491-1507. [PMID: 37723305 PMCID: PMC10615731 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00636-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Acetate metabolism is an important metabolic pathway in many cancers and is controlled by acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of acetate to acetyl-CoA. While the metabolic role of ACSS2 in cancer is well described, the consequences of blocking tumor acetate metabolism on the tumor microenvironment and antitumor immunity are unknown. We demonstrate that blocking ACSS2, switches cancer cells from acetate consumers to producers of acetate thereby freeing acetate for tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to use as a fuel source. We show that acetate supplementation metabolically bolsters T-cell effector functions and proliferation. Targeting ACSS2 with CRISPR-Cas9 guides or a small-molecule inhibitor promotes an antitumor immune response and enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy in preclinical breast cancer models. We propose a paradigm for targeting acetate metabolism in cancer in which inhibition of ACSS2 dually acts to impair tumor cell metabolism and potentiate antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn D Miller
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Seamus O'Connor
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katherine A Pniewski
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Toshitha Kannan
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Reyes Acosta
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gauri Mirji
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sara Papp
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael Hulse
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dzmitry Mukha
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sabina I Hlavaty
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelsey N Salcido
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Fabrizio Bertolazzi
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Yellamelli V V Srikanth
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Steven Zhao
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kathryn E Wellen
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rahul S Shinde
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Immunology, Microenvironment & Metastasis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel T Claiborne
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew Kossenkov
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph M Salvino
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zachary T Schug
- The Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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14
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Sivonen M, Sirviö KA, Wojciechowski S, Kailaanmäki A, Kaipainen S, Bailey A, Villalba M, Kekarainen T. Cytokines impact natural killer cell phenotype and functionality against glioblastoma in vitro. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1227064. [PMID: 37841273 PMCID: PMC10569479 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1227064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Natural killer (NK) cells are a part of the innate immune system and first-line defense against cancer. Since they possess natural mechanisms to recognize and kill tumor cells, NK cells are considered as a potential option for an off-the-shelf allogeneic cell-based immunotherapy. Here, our objective was to identify the optimal cytokine-based, feeder-free, activation and expansion protocol for cytotoxic NK cells against glioblastoma in vitro. Methods NK cells were enriched from human peripheral blood and expanded for 16 days with different activation and cytokine combinations. The expansion conditions were evaluated based on NK cell viability, functionality, expansion rate and purity. The cytotoxicity and degranulation of the expanded NK cells were measured in vitro from co‑cultures with the glioma cell lines U‑87 MG, U‑87 MG EGFR vIII, LN-229, U-118 and DK-MG. The best expansion protocols were selected from ultimately 39 different conditions: three magnetic cell‑selection steps (Depletion of CD3+ cells, enrichment of CD56+ cells, and depletion of CD3+ cells followed by enrichment of CD56+ cells); four activation protocols (continuous, pre-activation, re-activation, and boost); and four cytokine combinations (IL-2/15, IL‑21/15, IL‑27/18/15 and IL-12/18/15). Results The expansion rates varied between 2-50-fold, depending on the donor and the expansion conditions. The best expansion rate and purity were gained with sequential selection (Depletion of CD3+ cells and enrichment of CD56+ cells) from the starting material and pre-activation with IL‑12/18/15 cytokines, which are known to produce cytokine-induced memory-like NK cells. The cytotoxicity of these memory-like NK cells was enhanced with re-activation, diminishing the donor variation. The most cytotoxic NK cells were produced when cells were boosted at the end of the expansion with IL-12/18/15 or IL-21/15. Conclusion According to our findings the ex vivo proliferation capacity and functionality of NK cells is affected by multiple factors, such as the donor, composition of starting material, cytokine combination and the activation protocol. The cytokines modified the NK cells' phenotype and functionality, which was evident in their reactivity against the glioma cell lines. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive comparative study performed to this extent, and these findings could be used for upscaling clinical NK cell manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Sivonen
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Satu Kaipainen
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Aubrey Bailey
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Martin Villalba
- IRMB, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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15
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Kim HA, Kim H, Nam MK, Park JK, Lee MY, Chung S, Lee KM, Kuh HJ. Suppression of the antitumoral activity of natural killer cells under indirect coculture with cancer-associated fibroblasts in a pancreatic TIME-on-chip model. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:219. [PMID: 37759302 PMCID: PMC10536815 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03064-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, natural killer (NK) cells emerged as a treatment option for various solid tumors. However, the immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) can reduce the cytotoxic ability of NK cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer-associated fibroblasts within the tumor stroma can suppress immune surveillance by dysregulating factors involved in the cellular activity of NK cells. Herein, the effect of activated pancreatic stellate cells (aPSCs) on NK cell-mediated anticancer efficacy under three-dimensional (3D) coculture conditions was investigated. METHODS 3D cocultures of PANC-1 tumor spheroids (TSs) with aPSCs and NK-92 cells in a collagen matrix were optimized to identify the occurring cellular interactions and differential cytokine profiles in conditioned media using microchannel chips. PANC-1 TSs and aPSCs were indirectly cocultured, whereas NK-92 cells were allowed to infiltrate the TS channel using convective medium flow. RESULTS Coculture with aPSCs promoted PANC-1 TSs growth and suppressed the antitumor cytotoxic effects of NK-92 cells. Mutual inhibition of cellular activity without compromising migration ability was observed between aPSCs and NK-92 cells. Moreover, the reduced killing activity of NK-92 cells was found to be related with reduced granzyme B expression in NK cells. CONCLUSIONS Herein, a novel TIME-on-chip model based on the coculture of PANC-1 TSs, aPSCs, and NK-92 cells was described. This model may be useful for studying the detailed mechanisms underlying NK cells dysregulation and for exploring future therapeutic interventions to restore NK cell activity in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Ah Kim
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunsoo Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Kyung Nam
- Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Kook Park
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 24252 Republic of Korea
| | - Moo-Yeal Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, 3940 North Elm Street, Denton, TX 76207 USA
| | - Seok Chung
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Mi Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Jeong Kuh
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Life Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-ku, Seoul, 06591 Republic of Korea
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16
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Kan LLY, Chan BCL, Leung PC, Wong CK. Natural-Product-Derived Adjunctive Treatments to Conventional Therapy and Their Immunoregulatory Activities in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Molecules 2023; 28:5804. [PMID: 37570775 PMCID: PMC10421415 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155804] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an invasive and persistent subtype of breast cancer that is likely to be resistant to conventional treatments. The rise in immunotherapy has created new modalities to treat cancer, but due to high costs and unreliable efficacy, adjunctive and complementary treatments have sparked interest in enhancing the efficacy of currently available treatments. Natural products, which are bioactive compounds derived from natural sources, have historically been used to treat or ameliorate inflammatory diseases and symptoms. As TNBC patients have shown little to no response to immunotherapy, the potential of natural products as candidates for adjuvant immunotherapy is being explored, as well as their immunomodulatory effects on cancer. Due to the complexity of TNBC and the ever-changing tumor microenvironment, there are challenges in determining the feasibility of using natural products to enhance the efficacy or counteract the toxicity of conventional treatments. In view of technological advances in molecular docking, pharmaceutical networking, and new drug delivery systems, natural products show promise as potential candidates in adjunctive therapy. In this article, we summarize the mechanisms of action of selected natural-product-based bioactive compounds and analyze their roles and applications in combination treatments and immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Ling-Yu Kan
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.L.-Y.K.); (B.C.-L.C.); (P.-C.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ben Chung-Lap Chan
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.L.-Y.K.); (B.C.-L.C.); (P.-C.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ping-Chung Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.L.-Y.K.); (B.C.-L.C.); (P.-C.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun-Kwok Wong
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (L.L.-Y.K.); (B.C.-L.C.); (P.-C.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Research on Bioactivities and Clinical Applications of Medicinal Plants, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R & D Centre for Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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17
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Muhammad S, Fan T, Hai Y, Gao Y, He J. Reigniting hope in cancer treatment: the promise and pitfalls of IL-2 and IL-2R targeting strategies. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:121. [PMID: 37516849 PMCID: PMC10385932 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor (IL-2R) are essential in orchestrating immune responses. Their function and expression in the tumor microenvironment make them attractive targets for immunotherapy, leading to the development of IL-2/IL-2R-targeted therapeutic strategies. However, the dynamic interplay between IL-2/IL-2R and various immune cells and their dual roles in promoting immune activation and tolerance presents a complex landscape for clinical exploitation. This review discusses the pivotal roles of IL-2 and IL-2R in tumorigenesis, shedding light on their potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers and their therapeutic manipulation in cancer. It underlines the necessity to balance the anti-tumor activity with regulatory T-cell expansion and evaluates strategies such as dose optimization and selective targeting for enhanced therapeutic effectiveness. The article explores recent advancements in the field, including developing genetically engineered IL-2 variants, combining IL-2/IL-2R-targeted therapies with other cancer treatments, and the potential benefits of a multidimensional approach integrating molecular profiling, immunological analyses, and clinical data. The review concludes that a deeper understanding of IL-2/IL-2R interactions within the tumor microenvironment is crucial for realizing the full potential of IL-2-based therapies, heralding the promise of improved outcomes for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Muhammad
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Tao Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yang Hai
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yibo Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- Central Laboratory & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Precision Medicine for Cancers, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, 518116, China.
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, National Cancer Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
- Central Laboratory & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Precision Medicine for Cancers, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, 518116, China.
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18
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Sampaio-Ribeiro G, Ruivo A, Silva A, Santos AL, Oliveira RC, Gama J, Cipriano MA, Tralhão JG, Paiva A. Innate Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment of Liver Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer: Contribution to a Comprehensive Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3222. [PMID: 37370832 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent type of cancer, and liver metastasis is the most common site of metastatic development. In the tumor microenvironment (TME), various innate immune cells are known to influence cancer progression and metastasis occurrence. CD274 (PD-L1) and CD206 (MRC1) are proteins that have been associated with poor prognosis and disease progression. We conducted a study on tumoral and non-tumoral biopsies from 47 patients with CRC liver metastasis, using flow cytometry to phenotypically characterize innate immune cells. Our findings showed an increase in the expression of CD274 on classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes when comparing tumor with non-tumor samples. Furthermore, tumor samples with a desmoplastic growth pattern exhibited a significantly decreased percentage of CD274- and CD206-positive cells in all monocyte populations compared to non-desmoplastic samples. We found a correlation between a lower expression of CD206 or CD274 on classical, intermediate, and non-classical monocytes and increased disease-free survival, which points to a better prognosis for these patients. In conclusion, our study has identified potential new targets and biomarkers that could be incorporated into a personalized medicine approach to enhance the outcome for colorectal cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Sampaio-Ribeiro
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Clinical Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Ruivo
- Surgery Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Silva
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Clinical Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Lúcia Santos
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Clinical Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Caetano Oliveira
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Germano de Sousa-Centro de Diagnóstico Histopatológico CEDAP, 3000-377 Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre of Investigation on Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical and Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Gama
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Augusta Cipriano
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Guilherme Tralhão
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Surgery Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre of Investigation on Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical and Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Artur Paiva
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Clinical Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ciências Biomédicas Laboratoriais, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
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Shin MH, Oh E, Kim Y, Nam DH, Jeon SY, Yu JH, Minn D. Recent Advances in CAR-Based Solid Tumor Immunotherapy. Cells 2023; 12:1606. [PMID: 37371075 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) technology is one of the most advanced engineering platforms for cancer immunotherapy. CAR-T cells have shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, their limitations in solid tumors include an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), insufficient tumor infiltration, toxicity, and the absence of tumor-specific antigens. Although recent advances in CAR-T cell design-such as the incorporation of co-stimulatory domains and the development of armored CAR-T cells-have shown promising results in treating solid tumors, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. To overcome these limitations, other immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages (M), have been developed as attractive options for efficient cancer immunotherapy of solid tumors. CAR-NK cells exhibit substantial clinical improvements with "off-the-shelf" availability and low toxicity. CAR-M cells have promising therapeutic potential because macrophages can infiltrate the TME of solid tumors. Here, we review the recent advances and future perspectives associated with engineered immune cell-based cancer immunotherapies for solid tumors. We also summarize ongoing clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of engineered immune cells, such as CAR-T, CAR-NK, and CAR-M, for targeting solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hwa Shin
- Immune Research Institute, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 04805, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunha Oh
- Immune Research Institute, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 04805, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunjeong Kim
- Immune Research Institute, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 04805, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hwan Nam
- Immune Research Institute, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 04805, Republic of Korea
| | - So Young Jeon
- Immune Research Institute, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 04805, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hyuk Yu
- Immune Research Institute, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 04805, Republic of Korea
| | - Dohsik Minn
- Immune Research Institute, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 04805, Republic of Korea
- Department of Diagnostic Immunology, Seegene Medical Foundation, Seoul 04805, Republic of Korea
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