Increased Th17 cells and IL-17A exist in patients with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and promote proliferation and resistance to daunorubicin through activation of Akt signaling

The modulation of immune cell death in connection to microRNAs and natural products

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) spatiotemporally regulates damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) derived from dying cancer cells to signal the immune response. Intriguingly, these DAMPs and cytokines also induce cellular responses in non-immune cells, particularly cancer cells. Several ICD-modulating natural products and miRNAs have been reported to regulate the DAMP, cytokine, and cell death responses, but they lack systemic organization and connection. This review summarizes the impacts of natural products and miRNAs on the DAMP and cytokine responses and cancer cell death responses (apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis). We establish the rationale that ICD inducers of natural products have modulating effects on miRNAs, targeting DAMPs and cytokines for immune and cancer cell death responses. In conclusion, DAMP, cytokine, and cell death responses are intricately linked in cancer cells, and they are influenced by ICD-modulating natural products and miRNAs.

PPIH Expression Correlates with Tumor Aggressiveness and Immune Dysregulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PURPOSE

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) features a complex pathophysiology and unpredictable immunosuppressive microenvironment, which limit the effectiveness of traditional therapies and lead to poor patient outcomes. Understanding the immune characteristics of HCC is essential for elucidating the immune microenvironment and developing more effective treatments. This study investigates the role of Peptidyl-prolyl isomerase H (PPIH) in HCC by analyzing its expression, prognosis, methylation levels, and relationship with immune cell infiltration.

METHODS

We utilized bulk sequencing and clinical data from UCSC Xena and the GTEx database for preprocessing and subsequent differential expression analysis of PPIH in tumor and adjacent normal tissues, evaluating prognostic parameters like overall survival and disease-free interval between low and high PPIH expression groups. Immune infiltration was analyzed via CIBERSORT and ssGSEA, while DNA methylation and somatic mutation analyses were performed using MExpress and "maftools", respectively, alongside in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess PPIH's functional roles.

RESULTS

Our findings indicated that PPIH is significantly upregulated in various cancer types, correlating with poor patient prognosis, increased somatic mutations, and altered gene methylation patterns. High PPIH levels were linked to enhanced T regulatory (Treg) cell infiltration and a decline in Th17 cell populations, impacting vital pathways related to DNA damage repair and tumor proliferation. Furthermore, PPIH knockdown in vitro led to reduced cell viability, proliferation, and invasion while promoting apoptosis. In vivo, PPIH knockdown repressed tumor growth and modified the immune microenvironment by attenuating Th17 cell infiltration and potentially increasing Treg cell accumulation.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasizes PPIH's critical role in HCC progression by facilitating tumor growth and survival while modulating the immune landscape, thereby positioning PPIH as a potential therapeutic target for HCC management.

Act1 drives chemoresistance via regulation of antioxidant RNA metabolism and redox homeostasis

The IL-17 receptor adaptor molecule Act1, an RNA-binding protein, plays a critical role in IL-17-mediated cancer progression. Here, we report a novel mechanism of how IL-17/Act1 induces chemoresistance by modulating redox homeostasis through epitranscriptomic regulation of antioxidant RNA metabolism. Transcriptome-wide mapping of direct Act1-RNA interactions revealed that Act1 binds to the 5'UTR of antioxidant mRNAs and Wilms' tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP), a key regulator in m6A methyltransferase complex. Strikingly, Act1's binding sites are located in proximity to m6A modification sites, which allows Act1 to promote the recruitment of elF3G for cap-independent translation. Loss of Act1's RNA binding activity or Wtap knockdown abolished IL-17-induced m6A modification and translation of Wtap and antioxidant mRNAs, indicating a feedforward mechanism of the Act1-WTAP loop. We then developed antisense oligonucleotides (Wtap ASO) that specifically disrupt Act1's binding to Wtap mRNA, abolishing IL-17/Act1-WTAP-mediated antioxidant protein production during chemotherapy. Wtap ASO substantially increased the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin, demonstrating a potential therapeutic strategy for chemoresistance.

Immunocytes interact directly with cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment: one coin with two sides and future perspectives

The tumor microenvironment is closely linked to the initiation, promotion, and progression of solid tumors. Among its constitutions, immunologic cells emerge as critical players, facilitating immune evasion and tumor progression. Apart from their indirect impact on anti-tumor immunity, immunocytes directly influence neoplastic cells, either bolstering or impeding tumor advancement. However, current therapeutic modalities aimed at alleviating immunosuppression from regulatory cells on effector immune cell populations may not consistently yield satisfactory results in various solid tumors, such as breast carcinoma, colorectal cancer, etc. Therefore, this review outlines and summarizes the direct, dualistic effects of immunocytes such as T cells, innate lymphoid cells, B cells, eosinophils, and tumor-associated macrophages on tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment. The review also delves into the underlying mechanisms involved and presents the outcomes of clinical trials based on these direct effects, aiming to propose innovative and efficacious therapeutic strategies for addressing solid tumors.

Targeting IL-17A enhances imatinib efficacy in Philadelphia chromosome-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Dysregulated hematopoietic niches remodeled by leukemia cells lead to imbalances in immunological mediators that support leukemogenesis and drug resistance. Targeting immune niches may ameliorate disease progression and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in Philadelphia chromosome-positive B-ALL (Ph+ B-ALL). Here, we show that T helper type 17 (Th17) cells and IL-17A expression are distinctively elevated in Ph+ B-ALL patients. IL-17A promotes the progression of Ph+ B-ALL. Mechanistically, IL-17A activates BCR-ABL, IL6/JAK/STAT3, and NF-kB signalling pathways in Ph+ B-ALL cells, resulting in robust cell proliferation and survival. In addition, IL-17A-activated Ph+ B-ALL cells secrete the chemokine CXCL16, which in turn promotes Th17 differentiation, attracts Th17 cells and forms a positive feedback loop supporting leukemia progression. These data demonstrate an involvement of Th17 cells in Ph+ B-ALL progression and suggest potential therapeutic options for Ph+ B-ALL with Th17-enriched niches.

Cytokine network imbalance in children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at diagnosis

Immune imbalance has been proved to be involved in the pathogenesis of hematologic neoplasm. However, little research has been reported altered cytokine network in childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) at diagnosis. Our study aimed to evaluate the cytokine network in peripheral blood of newly diagnosed pediatric patients with B-ALL. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferon (IFN)-γ, and IL-17A in 45 children with B-ALL and 37 healthy control children were measured by cytometric bead array, while the level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the serum was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients showed a significant increase in IL-6 (p < 0.001), IL-10 (p < 0.001), IFN-γ (p = 0.023) and a significant reduction in TGF-β1 (p = 0.001). The levels of IL-2, IL-4, TNF and IL-17A were similar in the two groups. Higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines were associated with febrile in patients without apparent infection by using unsupervised machine learning algorithms. In conclusion, our results indicated a critical role for aberrant cytokine expression profiles in the progression of childhood B-ALL. Distinct cytokine subgroups with different clinical features and immune response have been identified in patients with B-ALL at the time of diagnosis.

A novel immune-related prognostic signature based on Chemoradiotherapy sensitivity predicts long-term survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

There is a heterogenous clinical response following chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, we aimed to study signaling pathway genes that affect CRT sensitivity and prognosis.

Methods

Gene expression analyses were performed in the GEO and TCGA datasets. A immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis was performed in pretreatment biopsies.

Results

MMP13 was found to be highly expressed in the "Pathologic Complete Response (pCR)" and "Complete Remission (CR)" and "Alive" groups. Th17 cells and MMP9/13 showed a negative correlation in immune infiltration analysis. In GSEA analysis, IL-4 and IL-13 signaling pathways were highly enriched in patients exhibiting high MMP expression in pCR and CR groups. IHC results suggested higher MMP13 & IL-4 and lower IL-17A & RORC expression in the CR group compared to the 0.70, and the model could well distinguish high-risk and low-risk subgroups.

Conclusion

The above results may provide guidance for developing novel treatment and prognostic strategies in ESCC patients.

Significance of Th17 and Treg in Treatment Efficacy and Outcome in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia represents a malignant proliferation of lymphoid cells blocked at an early stage of cell differentiation. It is the most common cancer occurring in children. Despite favorable prognosis, the survival rate of patients with poor treatment response or relapse remains dismal. The interaction between leukemic cells and the tumor immune microenvironment is pivotal in mediating tumor progression. In this study we evaluated associations between Treg and Th17 lymphocytes and the clinical presentation of ALL pediatric patients to validate their value in monitoring treatment outcome. The peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirates from 35 pediatric patients with ALL and 48 healthy control subjects were selected for the experiment. We demonstrated the numbers of Th17 lymphocytes and Tregs were increased in the bone marrow of ALL patients at the moment of diagnosis compared to the healthy control group, with the latter significantly decreasing during the course of ALL treatment. Patients with lower Th17 were found to demonstrate higher risk of blasts prevalence in bone marrow at day 33. ALL patients with lower WBC demonstrated higher frequency of Tregs. In summary, we identified a significant role of Th17 and Treg lymphocytes in ALL of pediatric patients and their contribution to disease-related parameters.

T cells in health and disease

T cells are crucial for immune functions to maintain health and prevent disease. T cell development occurs in a stepwise process in the thymus and mainly generates CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Upon antigen stimulation, naïve T cells differentiate into CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic effector and memory cells, mediating direct killing, diverse immune regulatory function, and long-term protection. In response to acute and chronic infections and tumors, T cells adopt distinct differentiation trajectories and develop into a range of heterogeneous populations with various phenotype, differentiation potential, and functionality under precise and elaborate regulations of transcriptional and epigenetic programs. Abnormal T-cell immunity can initiate and promote the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of T cell development, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell classification, and differentiation in physiological settings. We further elaborate the heterogeneity, differentiation, functionality, and regulation network of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in infectious disease, chronic infection and tumor, and autoimmune disease, highlighting the exhausted CD8+ T cell differentiation trajectory, CD4+ T cell helper function, T cell contributions to immunotherapy and autoimmune pathogenesis. We also discuss the development and function of γδ T cells in tissue surveillance, infection, and tumor immunity. Finally, we summarized current T-cell-based immunotherapies in both cancer and autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on their clinical applications. A better understanding of T cell immunity provides insight into developing novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies in human diseases.

Low IL-23 levels in peripheral blood and bone marrow at diagnosis of acute leukemia in children increased with the elimination of leukemic burden

IL-23 is an IL-12 cytokine family member with pleiotropic functions that regulates tumour growth in various cancer types, exhibiting both anti-tumorigenic and pro-tumorigenic properties. Preclinical studies have shown a potential anti-leukemic action on childhood B-ALL cells. The study involved 65 children with acute leukemia [59 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 6 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)] and 27 healthy controls. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we aimed to determine the IL-23 levels in the peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) of patients at diagnosis and at the end of the induction therapy (EIT). PB IL-23 levels were lower in leukemia patients compared to the healthy controls. In all acute leukemia patients, IL-23 levels were significantly lower at diagnosis both in PB (P = .015) and in BM (P = .037) compared to the PB and BM concentrations at the EIT. The same pattern was present in both subgroups of ALL and AML patients. The high leukemic burden at diagnosis was related with lower IL-23 levels, which were increased with the disease remission. Considering the anti-leukemic potential of this cytokine, the elevation of the IL-23 concentration at the disease remission indicates a beneficial role of IL-23 in paediatric acute leukemia.

Recent advances in the role of Th17/Treg cells in tumor immunity and tumor therapy

Th17 and Treg cells play an important role in regulating tissue inflammation and maintaining the stability of the immune system. They regulate inflammatory responses, participate in the occurrence and development of autoimmune diseases and tumors, and determine the disease progress. Malignant tumor is one of the diseases with the highest mortality rate in the world. However, the efficacy of traditional treatment is limited, so it is necessary to find safe and efficient treatment methods. Studies have shown that the balance of Th17/Treg cells plays a critical role in tumor progression. In this paper, we review the antitumor and tumor-suppressing effects of Th17/Treg cells, and new strategies for tumor therapy, combined with new research hotspots such as immune checkpoint therapy, miRNA-related gene therapy, and metabolic pathway regulation of Th17/Treg cell differentiation and tumor generation. The synergistic therapy is expected to be widely used in the future clinical practice, providing a new choice for the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors.

Immune-Mediated Dermatoses in Patients with Haematological Malignancies: A Comprehensive Review

Haematological malignancies induce important alterations of the immune system, which account for the high frequency of autoimmune complications observed in patients. Cutaneous immune-mediated diseases associated with haematological malignancies encompass a heterogeneous group of dermatoses, including, among others, neutrophilic and eosinophilic dermatoses, autoantibody-mediated skin diseases, vasculitis and granulomatous dermatoses. Some of these diseases, such as paraneoplastic pemphigus, are associated with an increased risk of death; others, such as eosinophilic dermatoses of haematological malignancies, run a benign clinical course but portend a significant negative impairment on a patient’s quality of life. In rare cases, the skin eruption reflects immunological alterations associated with an unfavourable prognosis of the associated haematological disorder. Therapeutic management of immune-mediated skin diseases in patients with haematological malignancies is often challenging. Systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs are considered frontline therapies but may considerably augment the risk of serious infections. Indeed, developing a specific targeted therapeutic approach is of crucial importance for this particularly fragile patient population. This review provides an up-to-date overview on the immune-mediated skin diseases most frequently encountered by patients with onco-haematological disorders, discussing new pathogenic advances and therapeutic options on the horizon.

[IL-17A/lL-17RA reduces cisplatin sensitivity of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells by regulating autophagy]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) on chemosensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin (DDP) and explore the mechanism in light of autophagy regulation.

METHODS

Ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells cultured in vitro were treated with different concentrations of DDP (1-20 μg/mL). MTT assay was used to observe the changes in proliferation of the treated cells and the effect of treatment with 100 ng/mL IL-17A for 24 h on DDP-induced apoptosis of SKOV3 cells. We then examined the expression of IL-17A receptor (IL-17RA) in SKOV3 cells using flow cytometry. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was used to detect the cell apoptosis rate, and early apoptosis of the cells was detected with JC-1 assay. A neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) against IL-17RA was used to block IL-17RA. We also observed the effects of IL-17RA silencing mediated by a siRNA targeting IL-17RA (siRNA-IL-17RA) and treatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) for inhibiting autophagy on DDP-induced apoptosis of SKOV3 cells. The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3) and autophagy-related proteins (P62 and Beclin-1) in the treated cells were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTS

DDP increased the expression of IL-17RA in ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells. Treatment with IL-17A significantly reduced the susceptibility of SKOV3 cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis (P < 0.05). DDP obviously augmented the expression of Beclin-1 and reduced the autophagy degradation substrate P62 protein in the cells (P < 0.05). IL-17A/IL-17RA strongly enhanced the DDPinducted autophagy of the cells (P < 0.05). Blocking autophagy with 3-MA significantly increased DDP- induced apoptosis of SKOV3 cells with IL-17RA silencing, lowered the expression of Bcl-2 and enhanced Bax expression in the cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

IL-17A/IL-17RA can decrease chemosensitivity of SKOV3 cells to DDP by upregulating DDP-induced autophagy.

Bioengineered tissue models for the development of dynamic immuno-associated tumor models and high-throughput immunotherapy cytotoxicity assays

Cancer immunotherapy is rapidly developing, with numerous therapies approved over the past decade and more therapies expected to gain approval in the future. However, immunotherapy of solid tumors has been less successful because immunosuppressive barriers limit immune cell trafficking and function against cancer cells. Interactions between suppressive immune cells, cytokines, and inhibitory factors are central to cancer immunotherapy approaches. In this review, we discuss recent advances in utilizing microfluidic platforms for understanding cancer-suppressive immune system interactions. Dendritic cell (DC)-mediated tumor models, infiltrated lymphocyte-mediated tumor models [e.g., natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and macrophages], monocyte-mediated tumor models, and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) tumor models are among the various bioengineered immune cell-cancer cell interactions that we reviewed herein.

The role of interleukin-17 in tumor development and progression

IL-17, a potent proinflammatory cytokine, has been shown to intimately contribute to the formation, growth, and metastasis of a wide range of malignancies. Recent studies implicate IL-17 as a link among inflammation, wound healing, and cancer. While IL-17-mediated production of inflammatory mediators mobilizes immune-suppressive and angiogenic myeloid cells, emerging studies reveal that IL-17 can directly act on tissue stem cells to promote tissue repair and tumorigenesis. Here, we review the pleotropic impacts of IL-17 on cancer biology, focusing how IL-17-mediated inflammatory response and mitogenic signaling are exploited to equip its cancer-promoting function and discussing the implications in therapies.

Regulation of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Implication of cytokines and miRNAs

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) is one of the immunosuppressive subsets of CD4⁺ T cells characterized by transcription factor forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) expression which are involved in tumor development and progression. Identification of the factors that influence Treg cell function is extremely important. Our current study aimed to evaluate the frequency of Treg cells, cytokine secretion and the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. The frequency of CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺ Treg was assessed by flow cytometry in 43 ALL patients versus 42 controls. Plasma levels of IL-10, transcription factor β (TGF-β), IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). miR-21, miR-24, miR-26a, miR133b, miR-148a and miR-155 expression were analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A slight insignificant increase in Treg cells in ALL patients compared to controls was observed. There was a significant elevation in IL-10 (p < 0.05), IL-6 (p < 0.01), IL-23 (p < 0.05) and TNF-α (p < 0.01) in ALL patients compared with controls. Meanwhile, a significant reduction in TGF-β (p < 0.001) was recorded. A slight insignificant decrease in IL-17 in ALL patients was observed.ALL patients showed a significant increase in miR-21 (p < 0.05), miR-148a (p < 0.01), miR-24 (p < 0.05) and a significant reduction in miR-155 (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the slight change in Treg cells frequency and alteration in related cytokines could possibly involve in the pathogenesis of ALL. Dysregulated miRNAs, as a regulatory mechanism of epigenetics, might contribute to these observed results. Further researches are required to confirm our interesting findings.

The role of interleukin-17 in tumor development and progression

IL-17, a potent proinflammatory cytokine, has been shown to intimately contribute to the formation, growth, and metastasis of a wide range of malignancies. Recent studies implicate IL-17 as a link among inflammation, wound healing, and cancer. While IL-17-mediated production of inflammatory mediators mobilizes immune-suppressive and angiogenic myeloid cells, emerging studies reveal that IL-17 can directly act on tissue stem cells to promote tissue repair and tumorigenesis. Here, we review the pleotropic impacts of IL-17 on cancer biology, focusing how IL-17-mediated inflammatory response and mitogenic signaling are exploited to equip its cancer-promoting function and discussing the implications in therapies.

Therapeutic Targeting of mTOR in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: An Update

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive blood malignancy that arises from the clonal expansion of transformed T-cell precursors. Although T-ALL prognosis has significantly improved due to the development of intensive chemotherapeutic protocols, primary drug-resistant and relapsed patients still display a dismal outcome. In addition, lifelong irreversible late effects from conventional therapy are a growing problem for leukemia survivors. Therefore, novel targeted therapies are required to improve the prognosis of high-risk patients. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is the kinase subunit of two structurally and functionally distinct multiprotein complexes, which are referred to as mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. These two complexes regulate a variety of physiological cellular processes including protein, lipid, and nucleotide synthesis, as well as autophagy in response to external cues. However, mTOR activity is frequently deregulated in cancer, where it plays a key oncogenetic role driving tumor cell proliferation, survival, metabolic transformation, and metastatic potential. Promising preclinical studies using mTOR inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in many human cancer types, including T-ALL. Here, we highlight our current knowledge of mTOR signaling and inhibitors in T-ALL, with an emphasis on emerging evidence of the superior efficacy of combinations consisting of mTOR inhibitors and either traditional or targeted therapeutics.

IL-17A promotes the invasion-metastasis cascade via the AKT pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

We previously demonstrated that interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A) is associated with the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its role in the invasion–metastasis cascade of HCC and the efficacy of IL‐17A‐targeting therapeutics in HCC remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that IL‐17A promoted intrahepatic and pulmonary metastasesis of HCC cells in an orthotopic implant model. Moreover, our results showed that IL‐17A induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promoted HCC cell colonization in vitro and in vivo, and the role of IL‐17A in invasion–metastasis was dependent on activation of the AKT pathway. Remarkably, combined therapy using both secukinumab and sorafenib has better inhibition on tumour growth and metastasis compared to sorafenib monotherapy. Additionally, the combination of intratumoral IL‐17A+ cells and E‐cadherin predicted the outcome of patients with HCC at an early stage after hepatectomy based on tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, our studies reveal that IL‐17A induces early EMT and promotes late colonization of HCC metastasis by activating AKT signalling. Secukinumab is a promising candidate for clinical development in combination with sorafenib for the management of HCC.

Ruxolitinib/nilotinib cotreatment inhibits leukemia-propagating cells in Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL

Background

As one of the major treatment obstacles in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph⁺ALL), relapse of Ph⁺ALL may result from the persistence of leukemia-propagating cells (LPCs). Research using a xenograft mouse assay recently determined that LPCs were enriched in the CD34⁺CD38⁻CD58⁻ fraction in human Ph⁺ALL. Additionally, a cohort study demonstrated that Ph⁺ALL patients with a LPCs phenotype at diagnosis exhibited a significantly higher cumulative incidence of relapse than those with the other cell phenotypes even with uniform front-line imatinib-based therapy pre- and post-allotransplant, thus highlighting the need for novel LPCs-based therapeutic strategies.

Methods

RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to analyze the gene expression profiles of the sorted LPCs and other cell fractions from patients with de novo Ph⁺ALL. In order to assess the effects of the selective BCR–ABL and/or Janus kinase (JAK)2 inhibition therapy by the treatment with single agents or a combination of ruxolitinib and imatinib or nilotinib on Ph⁺ALL LPCs, drug-induced apoptosis of LPCs was investigated in vitro, as well as in vivo using sublethally irradiated and anti-CD122-conditioned NOD/SCID xenograft mouse assay. Moreover, western blot analyses were performed on the bone marrow cells harvested from the different groups of recipient mice.

Results

RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR demonstrated that JAK2 was more highly expressed in the sorted LPCs than in the other cell fractions in de novo Ph⁺ALL patients. Combination treatment with a selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor (ruxolitinib) and nilotinib more effectively eliminated LPCs than either therapy alone or both in vitro and in humanized Ph⁺ALL mice by reducing phospho-CrKL and phospho-JAK2 activities at the molecular level.

Conclusions

In summary, this pre-clinical study provides a scientific rationale for simultaneously targeting BCR–ABL and JAK2 activities as a promising anti-LPCs therapeutic approach for patients with de novo Ph⁺ALL.

Cordycepin induces apoptosis of human acute monocytic leukemia cells via downregulation of the ERK/Akt signaling pathway

The aim of the present study was to examine the apoptotic effect of cordycepin (COR) on human THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia cells. THP-1 cells were exposed to different concentrations of COR for 24, 48, 72 or 96 h. The cell viability and apoptotic rate were analyzed. The gene expression of Akt1, Akt2, Akt3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were assessed by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein levels of phosphorylated (p)-Akt, p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cleaved caspase-3. It was found that the viability of THP-1 cells was inhibited by COR in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After treatment with 200 µM COR for 24 h, the percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly increased. COR also downregulated the levels of Bcl-2, Akt1, Akt2 and Akt3, and elevated the expression of Bax. The protein levels of p-Akt and p-ERK were suppressed and cleaved caspase-3 was increased after treatment of COR. In conclusion, COR was found to induce apoptosis of THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia cells through downregulation of ERK/Akt signaling.

Pediatric precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia: are T helper cells the missing link in the infectious etiology theory?

Precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), the most common childhood malignancy, arises from an expansion of malignant B cell precursors in the bone marrow. Epidemiological studies suggest that infections or immune responses to infections may promote such an expansion and thus BCP-ALL development. Nevertheless, a specific pathogen responsible for this process has not been identified. BCP-ALL cells critically depend on interactions with the bone marrow microenvironment. The bone marrow is also home to memory T helper (Th) cells that have previously expanded during an immune response in the periphery. In secondary lymphoid organs, Th cells can interact with malignant cells of mature B cell origin, while such interactions between Th cells and malignant immature B cell in the bone marrow have not been described yet. Nevertheless, literature supports a model where Th cells—expanded during an infection in early childhood—migrate to the bone marrow and support BCP-ALL cells as they support normal B cells. Further research is required to mechanistically confirm this model and to elucidate the interaction pathways between leukemia cells and cells of the tumor microenvironment. As benefit, targeting these interactions could be included in current treatment regimens to increase therapeutic efficiency and to reduce relapses.

Molecular pathway activation features of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblast leukemia (ALL) cells

Acute lymphoblast leukemia (ALL) is characterized by overproduction of immature white blood cells in the bone marrow. ALL is most common in the childhood and has high (>80%) cure rate. In contrast, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has far greater mortality rate than the ALL and is most commonly affecting older adults. However, AML is a leading cause of childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we compare gene expression and molecular pathway activation patterns in three normal blood, seven pediatric ALL and seven pediatric AML bone marrow samples. We identified 172/94 and 148/31 characteristic gene expression/pathway activation signatures, clearly distinguishing pediatric ALL and AML cells, respectively, from the normal blood. The pediatric AML and ALL cells differed by 139/34 gene expression/pathway activation biomarkers. For the adult 30 AML and 17 normal blood samples, we found 132/33 gene expression/pathway AML-specific features, of which only 7/2 were common for the adult and pediatric AML and, therefore, age-independent. At the pathway level, we found more differences than similarities between the adult and pediatric forms. These findings suggest that the adult and pediatric AMLs may require different treatment strategies.