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Rahman MM, Wells G, Rantala JK, Helleday T, Muthana M, Danson SJ. In-vitro assays for immuno-oncology drug efficacy assessment and screening for personalized cancer therapy: scopes and challenges. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:821-838. [PMID: 38546609 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2336583] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immunotherapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, but often fail to produce desirable therapeutic outcomes in all patients. Due to the inter-patient heterogeneity and complexity of the tumor microenvironment, personalized treatment approaches are gaining demand. Researchers have long been using a range of in-vitro assays including 2D models, organoid co-cultures, and cancer-on-a-chip platforms for cancer drug screening. A comparative analysis of these assays with their suitability, high-throughput capacity, and clinical translatability is required for optimal translational use. AREAS COVERED The review summarized in-vitro platforms with their comparative advantages and limitations including construction strategies, and translational potential for immuno-oncology drug efficacy assessment. We also discussed end-point analysis strategies so that researchers can contextualize their usefulness and optimally design experiments for personalized immunotherapy efficacy prediction. EXPERT OPINION Researchers developed several in-vitro platforms that can provide information on personalized immunotherapy efficacy from different angles. Image-based assays are undoubtedly more suitable to gather a wide range of information including cellular morphology and phenotypical behaviors but need significant improvement to overcome issues including background noise, sample preparation difficulty, and long duration of experiment. More studies and clinical trials are needed to resolve these issues and validate the assays before they can be used in real-life scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Marufur Rahman
- Sheffield Ex vivo Group, Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine & Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Directorate General of Health Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Greg Wells
- Sheffield Ex vivo Group, Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine & Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Juha K Rantala
- Sheffield Ex vivo Group, Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine & Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Misvik Biology Ltd, Turku, Finland
| | - Thomas Helleday
- Sheffield Ex vivo Group, Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine & Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Munitta Muthana
- Nanobug Oncology Sheffield, Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine & Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sarah J Danson
- Sheffield Ex vivo Group, Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine & Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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2
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Zhang T, An W, You S, Chen S, Zhang S. G protein-coupled receptors and traditional Chinese medicine: new thinks for the development of traditional Chinese medicine. Chin Med 2024; 19:92. [PMID: 38956679 PMCID: PMC11218379 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-024-00964-4] [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: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) widely exist in vivo and participate in many physiological processes, thus emerging as important targets for drug development. Approximately 30% of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs target GPCRs. To date, the 'one disease, one target, one molecule' strategy no longer meets the demands of drug development. Meanwhile, small-molecule drugs account for 60% of FDA-approved drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered widespread attention for its unique theoretical system and treatment methods. TCM involves multiple components, targets and pathways. Centered on GPCRs and TCM, this paper discusses the similarities and differences between TCM and GPCRs from the perspectives of syndrome of TCM, the consistency of TCM's multi-component and multi-target approaches and the potential of GPCRs and TCM in the development of novel drugs. A novel strategy, 'simultaneous screening of drugs and targets', was proposed and applied to the study of GPCRs. We combine GPCRs with TCM to facilitate the modernisation of TCM, provide valuable insights into the rational application of TCM and facilitate the research and development of novel drugs. This study offers theoretical support for the modernisation of TCM and introduces novel ideas for development of safe and effective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611100, China
| | - Wenqiao An
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611100, China
| | - Shengjie You
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Shilin Chen
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Sanyin Zhang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611100, China.
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3
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Li Z, Xia Q, He Y, Li L, Yin P. MDSCs in bone metastasis: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Cancer Lett 2024; 592:216906. [PMID: 38649108 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216906] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Bone metastasis (BM) is a frequent complication associated with advanced cancer that significantly increases patient mortality. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a pivotal role in BM progression by promoting angiogenesis, inhibiting immune responses, and inducing osteoclastogenesis. MDSCs induce immunosuppression through diverse mechanisms, including the generation of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and immunosuppressive cytokines. Within the bone metastasis niche (BMN), MDSCs engage in intricate interactions with tumor, stromal, and bone cells, thereby establishing a complex regulatory network. The biological activities and functions of MDSCs are regulated by the microenvironment within BMN. Conversely, MDSCs actively contribute to microenvironmental regulation, thereby promoting BM development. A comprehensive understanding of the indispensable role played by MDSCs in BM is imperative for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This review highlights the involvement of MDSCs in BM development, their regulatory mechanisms, and their potential as viable therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Li
- Interventional Cancer Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China; Department of General Surgery, Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Umbilical Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Qi Xia
- Interventional Cancer Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yujie He
- Interventional Cancer Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Lei Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Peihao Yin
- Interventional Cancer Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China.
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4
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Epperly R, Gottschalk S, DeRenzo C. CAR T cells redirected to B7-H3 for pediatric solid tumors: Current status and future perspectives. EJC PAEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY 2024; 3:100160. [PMID: 38957786 PMCID: PMC11218663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcped.2024.100160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite intensive therapies, pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors have poor outcomes and need novel treatments. Immune therapies offer an alternative to conventional treatment options but require the identification of differentially expressed antigens to direct antitumor activity to sites of disease. B7-H3 (CD276) is an immune regulatory protein that is expressed in a range of malignancies and has limited expression in normal tissues. B7-H3 is highly expressed in pediatric solid tumors including osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, and many rare tumors. In this article we review B7-H3-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (B7-H3-CAR) T cell therapies for pediatric solid tumors, reporting preclinical development strategies and outlining the landscape of active pediatric clinical trials. We identify challenges to the success of CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors including localizing to and penetrating solid tumor sites, evading the hostile tumor microenvironment, supporting T cell expansion and persistence, and avoiding intrinsic tumor resistance. We highlight strategies to overcome these challenges and enhance the effect of B7-H3-CAR T cells, including advanced CAR T cell design and incorporation of combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Epperly
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Christopher DeRenzo
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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5
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Zhang Z, Yang N, Lu H, Chen Y, Xu L, Wang Z, Lu Q, Zhong K, Zhu Z, Wang G, Li H, Zheng M, Zhang W, Yang H, Peng X, Zhou L, Tong A. Improved antitumor effects elicited by an oncolytic HSV-1 expressing a novel B7H3nb/CD3 BsAb. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216760. [PMID: 38428724 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216760] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses have emerged as a promising modality for cancer treatment due to their unique abilities to directly destroy tumor cells and modulate the tumor microenvironment. Bispecific T-cell engagers (BsAbs) have been developed to activate and redirect cytotoxic T lymphocytes, enhancing the antitumor response. To take advantage of the specific infection capacity and carrying ability of exogenous genes, we generated a recombinant herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-1dko-B7H3nb/CD3 or HSV-1dko-B7H3nb/mCD3, carrying a B7H3nb/CD3 or B7H3nb/mCD3 BsAb that replicates and expresses BsAb in tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. The new generation of oncolytic viruses has been genetically modified using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and the cre-loxp system to increase the efficiency of HSV genome editing. Additionally, we used two fully immunocompetent models (GL261 and MC38) to assess the antitumor effect of HSV-1dko-B7H3nb/mCD3. Compared with the HSV-1dko control virus, HSV-1dko-B7H3nb/mCD3 induced enhanced anti-tumor immune responses and T-cell infiltration in both GL261 and MC38 models, resulting in improved treatment efficacy in the latter. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis of the tumor microenvironment confirmed an increase in NK cells and effector CD8+ T cells, and a decrease in immunosuppressive cells, including FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and CD206+ macrophages (M2). Overall, our study identified a novel camel B7H3 nanobody and described the genetic modification of the HSV-1 genome using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and the cre-loxp system. Our findings indicate that expressing B7H3nb/CD3 BsAb could improve the antitumor effects of HSV-1 based oncolytic virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongliang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Nian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Huaqing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Yongdong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Long Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Zeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Qizhong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Kunhong Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Zhixiong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Guoqing Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, West China Medical School, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Hexian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Meijun Zheng
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Xingchen Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China.
| | - Liangxue Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Fifth People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Shizuishan, Ningxia, 753000, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan, 621000, China.
| | - Aiping Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Research Unit of Gene and Immunotherapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan Province, 610041, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, China.
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6
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Fu J, Feng Y, Sun Y, Yi R, Tian J, Zhao W, Sun D, Zhang C. A Multi-Drug Concentration Gradient Mixing Chip: A Novel Platform for High-Throughput Drug Combination Screening. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:212. [PMID: 38785686 PMCID: PMC11117479 DOI: 10.3390/bios14050212] [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: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Combinatorial drug therapy has emerged as a critically important strategy in medical research and patient treatment and involves the use of multiple drugs in concert to achieve a synergistic effect. This approach can enhance therapeutic efficacy while simultaneously mitigating adverse side effects. However, the process of identifying optimal drug combinations, including their compositions and dosages, is often a complex, costly, and time-intensive endeavor. To surmount these hurdles, we propose a novel microfluidic device capable of simultaneously generating multiple drug concentration gradients across an interlinked array of culture chambers. This innovative setup allows for the real-time monitoring of live cell responses. With minimal effort, researchers can now explore the concentration-dependent effects of single-agent and combination drug therapies. Taking neural stem cells (NSCs) as a case study, we examined the impacts of various growth factors-epithelial growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-on the differentiation of NSCs. Our findings indicate that an overdose of any single growth factor leads to an upsurge in the proportion of differentiated NSCs. Interestingly, the regulatory effects of these growth factors can be modulated by the introduction of additional growth factors, whether singly or in combination. Notably, a reduced concentration of these additional factors resulted in a decreased number of differentiated NSCs. Our results affirm that the successful application of this microfluidic device for the generation of multi-drug concentration gradients has substantial potential to revolutionize drug combination screening. This advancement promises to streamline the process and accelerate the discovery of effective therapeutic drug combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Photon-Technology in Western China Energy, Institute of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
| | - Yibo Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Photon-Technology in Western China Energy, Institute of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China (R.Y.)
| | - Ruiya Yi
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China (R.Y.)
| | - Jing Tian
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China (R.Y.)
- Huaxin Microfish Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Taicang 215400, China
- Center for Automated and Innovative Drug Discovery, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Photon-Technology in Western China Energy, Institute of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
| | - Dan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Photon-Technology in Western China Energy, Institute of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
- Huaxin Microfish Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Taicang 215400, China
- Center for Automated and Innovative Drug Discovery, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
| | - Ce Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Photon-Technology in Western China Energy, Institute of Photonics and Photon-Technology, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
- Huaxin Microfish Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Taicang 215400, China
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Cattaneo G, Ventin M, Arya S, Kontos F, Michelakos T, Sekigami Y, Cai L, Villani V, Sabbatino F, Chen F, Sadagopan A, Deshpande V, Moore PA, Ting DT, Bardeesy N, Wang X, Ferrone S, Ferrone CR. Interplay between B7-H3 and HLA class I in the clinical course of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216713. [PMID: 38364961 PMCID: PMC11146152 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216713] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I defects are associated with cancer progression. However, their prognostic significance is controversial and may be modulated by immune checkpoints. Here, we investigated whether the checkpoint B7-H3 modulates the relationship between HLA class I and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) prognosis. PDAC tumors were analyzed for the expression of B7-H3, HLA class I, HLA class II molecules, and for the presence of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. We observed defective HLA class I and HLA class II expressions in 75% and 59% of PDAC samples, respectively. HLA class I and B7-H3 expression were positively related at mRNA and protein level, potentially because of shared regulation by RELA, a sub-unit of NF-kB. High B7-H3 expression and low CD8+ T cell density were indicators of poor survival, while HLA class I was not. Defective HLA class I expression was associated with unfavorable survival only in patients with low B7-H3 expression. Favorable survival was observed only when HLA class I expression was high and B7-H3 expression low. Our results provide the rationale for targeting B7-H3 in patients with PDAC tumors displaying high HLA class I levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cattaneo
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States. https://twitter.com/GCattaneoPhD
| | - Marco Ventin
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shahrzad Arya
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Filippos Kontos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Theodoros Michelakos
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yurie Sekigami
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lei Cai
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Vincenzo Villani
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Ananthan Sadagopan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Vikram Deshpande
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - David T Ting
- MassGeneral Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nabeel Bardeesy
- MassGeneral Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xinhui Wang
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Cristina R Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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8
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Lee HW, O'Reilly C, Beckett AN, Currier DG, Chen T, DeRenzo C. A high-content screen of FDA approved drugs to enhance CAR T cell function: ingenol-3-angelate improves B7-H3-CAR T cell activity by upregulating B7-H3 on the target cell surface via PKCα activation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:97. [PMID: 38561833 PMCID: PMC10985962 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03022-x] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CAR T cell therapy is a promising approach to improve outcomes and decrease toxicities for patients with cancer. While extraordinary success has been achieved using CAR T cells to treat patients with CD19-positive malignancies, multiple obstacles have so far limited the benefit of CAR T cell therapy for patients with solid tumors. Novel manufacturing and engineering approaches show great promise to enhance CAR T cell function against solid tumors. However, similar to single agent chemotherapy approaches, CAR T cell monotherapy may be unable to achieve high cure rates for patients with difficult to treat solid tumors. Thus, combinatorial drug plus CAR T cell approaches are likely required to achieve widespread clinical success. METHODS We developed a novel, confocal microscopy based, high-content screen to evaluate 1114 FDA approved drugs for the potential to increase expression of the solid tumor antigen B7-H3 on the surface of osteosarcoma cells. Western blot, RT-qPCR, siRNA knockdown and flow cytometry assays were used to validate screening results and identify mechanisms of drug-induced B7-H3 upregulation. Cytokine and cytotoxicity assays were used to determine if drug pre-treatment enhanced B7-H3-CAR T cell effector function. RESULTS Fifty-five drugs were identified to increase B7-H3 expression on the surface of LM7 osteosarcoma cells using a novel high-content, high-throughput screen. One drug, ingenol-3-angelate (I3A), increased B7-H3 expression by up to 100%, and was evaluated in downstream experiments. Validation assays confirmed I3A increased B7-H3 expression in a biphasic dose response and cell dependent fashion. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that I3A increased B7-H3 (CD276) mRNA, total protein, and cell surface expression via protein kinase C alpha activation. Functionally, I3A induced B7-H3 expression enhanced B7-H3-CAR T cell function in cytokine production and cytotoxicity assays. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a novel high-content and high-throughput screen can identify drugs to enhance CAR T cell activity. This and other high-content technologies will pave the way to develop clinical trials implementing rational drug plus CAR T cell combinatorial therapies. Importantly, the technique could also be repurposed for an array of basic and translational research applications where drugs are needed to modulate cell surface protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Won Lee
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Carla O'Reilly
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Alex N Beckett
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Duane G Currier
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Christopher DeRenzo
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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9
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Pellegrino M, Secli V, D’Amico S, Petrilli LL, Caforio M, Folgiero V, Tumino N, Vacca P, Vinci M, Fruci D, de Billy E. Manipulating the tumor immune microenvironment to improve cancer immunotherapy: IGF1R, a promising target. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1356321. [PMID: 38420122 PMCID: PMC10899349 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1356321] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has made impressive advances in improving the outcome of patients affected by malignant diseases. Nonetheless, some limitations still need to be tackled to more efficiently and safely treat patients, in particular for those affected by solid tumors. One of the limitations is related to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which impairs anti-tumor immunity. Efforts to identify targets able to turn the TME into a milieu more auspicious to current immuno-oncotherapy is a real challenge due to the high redundancy of the mechanisms involved. However, the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), an attractive drug target for cancer therapy, is emerging as an important immunomodulator and regulator of key immune cell functions. Here, after briefly summarizing the IGF1R signaling pathway in cancer, we review its role in regulating immune cells function and activity, and discuss IGF1R as a promising target to improve anti-cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marsha Pellegrino
- Oncohematology and Pharmaceutical Factory Research Area, Pediatric Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Secli
- Oncohematology and Pharmaceutical Factory Research Area, Pediatric Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia D’Amico
- Oncohematology and Pharmaceutical Factory Research Area, Pediatric Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Lisa Petrilli
- Oncohematology and Pharmaceutical Factory Research Area, Pediatric Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Caforio
- Oncohematology and Pharmaceutical Factory Research Area, Pediatric Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Folgiero
- Oncohematology and Pharmaceutical Factory Research Area, Pediatric Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Tumino
- Immunology Research Area, Innate Lymphoid Cells Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Immunology Research Area, Innate Lymphoid Cells Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Vinci
- Oncohematology and Pharmaceutical Factory Research Area, Pediatric Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- Oncohematology and Pharmaceutical Factory Research Area, Pediatric Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emmanuel de Billy
- Oncohematology and Pharmaceutical Factory Research Area, Pediatric Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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10
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Lasser SA, Ozbay Kurt FG, Arkhypov I, Utikal J, Umansky V. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in cancer and cancer therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2024; 21:147-164. [PMID: 38191922 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00846-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Anticancer agents continue to dominate the list of newly approved drugs, approximately half of which are immunotherapies. This trend illustrates the considerable promise of cancer treatments that modulate the immune system. However, the immune system is complex and dynamic, and can have both tumour-suppressive and tumour-promoting effects. Understanding the full range of immune modulation in cancer is crucial to identifying more effective treatment strategies. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of myeloid cells that develop in association with chronic inflammation, which is a hallmark of cancer. Indeed, MDSCs accumulate in the tumour microenvironment, where they strongly inhibit anticancer functions of T cells and natural killer cells and exert a variety of other tumour-promoting effects. Emerging evidence indicates that MDSCs also contribute to resistance to cancer treatments, particularly immunotherapies. Conversely, treatment approaches designed to eliminate cancer cells can have important additional effects on MDSC function, which can be either positive or negative. In this Review, we discuss the interplay between MDSCs and various other cell types found in tumours as well as the mechanisms by which MDSCs promote tumour progression. We also discuss the relevance and implications of MDSCs for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha A Lasser
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Feyza G Ozbay Kurt
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ihor Arkhypov
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)), Heidelberg, Germany
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Viktor Umansky
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)), Heidelberg, Germany.
- DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
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11
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Jiang M, Chattopadhyay AN, Jeon T, Zhang X, Rotello VM. Sensor Array-Enabled Identification of Drugs for Repolarization of Macrophages to Anti-Inflammatory Phenotypes. Anal Chem 2023; 95:12177-12183. [PMID: 37535805 PMCID: PMC10612494 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages are key components of the innate immune system that have essential functions in physiological processes and diseases. The phenotypic plasticity of macrophages allows cells to be polarized into a multidimensional spectrum of phenotypes, broadly classed as pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) states. Repolarization of M1 to M2 phenotypes alters the immune response to ameliorate autoimmune and inflammation-associated diseases. Detection of this repolarization, however, is challenging to execute in high-throughput applications. In this work, we demonstrate the ability of a single polymer fabricated to provide a six-channel sensor array that can determine macrophage polarization phenotypes. This sensing platform provides a sensitive and high-throughput tool for detecting drug-induced M1-to-M2 repolarization, allowing the identification of new therapeutic leads for inflammatory diseases. The ability of this sensor array to discriminate different M2 subtypes induced by drugs can also improve the efficacy evaluation of anti-inflammatory drugs and avoid adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingdi Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Aritra Nath Chattopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Taewon Jeon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 230 Stockbridge Road, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA
| | - Xianzhi Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Vincent M. Rotello
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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