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Wang F, Fu K, Wang Y, Pan C, Wang X, Liu Z, Yang C, Zheng Y, Li X, Lu Y, To KKW, Xia C, Zhang J, Shi Z, Hu Z, Huang M, Fu L. Small-molecule agents for cancer immunotherapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:905-952. [PMID: 38486980 PMCID: PMC10935485 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, exemplified by the remarkable clinical benefits of the immune checkpoint blockade and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, is revolutionizing cancer therapy. They induce long-term tumor regression and overall survival benefit in many types of cancer. With the advances in our knowledge about the tumor immune microenvironment, remarkable progress has been made in the development of small-molecule drugs for immunotherapy. Small molecules targeting PRR-associated pathways, immune checkpoints, oncogenic signaling, metabolic pathways, cytokine/chemokine signaling, and immune-related kinases have been extensively investigated. Monotherapy of small-molecule immunotherapeutic drugs and their combinations with other antitumor modalities are under active clinical investigations to overcome immune tolerance and circumvent immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance. Here, we review the latest development of small-molecule agents for cancer immunotherapy by targeting defined pathways and highlighting their progress in recent clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Kai Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yujue Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Can Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xueping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Zeyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Chuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Ying Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaopeng Li
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yu Lu
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Kenneth Kin Wah To
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Chenglai Xia
- Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Zhi Shi
- Department of Cell Biology & Institute of Biomedicine, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zeping Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Min Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Liwu Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Esophageal Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
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Yue M, Chen MM, Zhang B, Wang Y, Li P, Zhao Y. The functional roles of chemokines and chemokine receptors in colorectal cancer progression. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116040. [PMID: 38113624 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116040] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy with significant rates of morbidity and mortality. A number of factors, including the tumor microenvironment, chemokines, the inflammatory response, have an impact on the development of colorectal cancer. A critical component of the tumor microenvironment is chemokines. Various cell subsets are attracted to the tumor microenvironment through interactions with chemokine receptors. These cells have varying effects on the development of the tumor and the effectiveness of treatment. Additionally, chemokines can participate in inflammatory processes and have effects that are either pro- or anti-tumor. Chemokines can be exploited as targets for medication resistance and treatment in colorectal cancer. In this review, we discuss the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors, and their relationship with immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. At the same time, we also collect and discuss the significance of chemokines and chemokine receptors in colorectal cancer progression, and their potential as molecular targets for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Yue
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Meng-Meng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cancer and Immune Cells of Qingdao, Qingdao 266021, China; Qingdao Restore Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Qingdao, Shandong 266111, PR China
| | - Bingqiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer and Immune Cells of Qingdao, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Peifeng Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province affiliated to Qingdao University, Shandong Province, China.
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3
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Khalili S, Zeinali F, Moghadam Fard A, Taha SR, Fazlollahpour Naghibi A, Bagheri K, Shariat Zadeh M, Eslami Y, Fattah K, Asadimanesh N, Azarimatin A, Khalesi B, Almasi F, Payandeh Z. Macrophage-Based Therapeutic Strategies in Hematologic Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3722. [PMID: 37509382 PMCID: PMC10378576 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are types of immune cells, with ambivalent functions in tumor growth, which depend on the specific environment in which they reside. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a diverse population of immunosuppressive myeloid cells that play significant roles in several malignancies. TAM infiltration in malignancies has been linked to a poor prognosis and limited response to treatments, including those using checkpoint inhibitors. Understanding the precise mechanisms through which macrophages contribute to tumor growth is an active area of research as targeting these cells may offer potential therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment. Numerous investigations have focused on anti-TAM-based methods that try to eliminate, rewire, or target the functional mediators released by these cells. Considering the importance of these strategies in the reversion of tumor resistance to conventional therapies and immune modulatory vaccination could be an appealing approach for the immunosuppressive targeting of myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The combination of reprogramming and TAM depletion is a special feature of this approach compared to other clinical strategies. Thus, the present review aims to comprehensively overview the pleiotropic activities of TAMs and their involvement in various stages of cancer development as a potent drug target, with a focus on hematologic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Khalili
- Department of Biology Sciences, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Tehran 1678815811, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Zeinali
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Atousa Moghadam Fard
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 4188783417, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Taha
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Andarz Fazlollahpour Naghibi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol 4717641367, Iran
| | - Kimia Bagheri
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol 4717641367, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Shariat Zadeh
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Yeghaneh Eslami
- Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 4815733971, Iran
| | - Khashayar Fattah
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717411, Iran
| | - Naghmeh Asadimanesh
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717411, Iran
| | - Armin Azarimatin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar 5381637181, Iran
| | - Bahman Khalesi
- Department of Research and Production of Poultry Viral Vaccine, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj 3197619751, Iran
| | - Faezeh Almasi
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Lab, Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 1416634793, Iran
| | - Zahra Payandeh
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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Cheruku S, Rao V, Pandey R, Rao Chamallamudi M, Velayutham R, Kumar N. Tumor-associated macrophages employ immunoediting mechanisms in colorectal tumor progression: Current research in Macrophage repolarization immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109569. [PMID: 36773572 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute the most prolific resident of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that regulate its TME into tumor suppressive or progressive milieu by utilizing immunoediting machinery. Here, the tumor cells construct an immunosuppressive microenvironment that educates TAMs to polarize from anti-tumor TAM-M1 to pro-tumor TAM-M2 phenotype consequently contributing to tumor progression. In colorectal cancer (CRC), the TME displays a prominent pro-tumorigenic immune profile with elevated expression of immune-checkpoint molecules notably PD-1, CTLA4, etc., in both MSI and ultra-mutated MSS tumors. This authenticated immune-checkpoint inhibition (ICI) immunotherapy as a pre-requisite for clinical benefit in CRC. However, in response to ICI, specifically, the MSIhi tumors evolved to produce novel immune escape variants thus undermining ICI. Lately, TAM-directed therapies extending from macrophage depletion to repolarization have enabled TME alteration. While TAM accrual implicates clinical benefit in CRC, sustained inflammatory insult may program TAMs to shift from M1 to M2 phenotype. Their ability to oscillate on both facets of the spectrum represents macrophage repolarization immunotherapy as an effective approach to treating CRC. In this review, we briefly discuss the differentiation heterogeneity of colonic macrophages that partake in macrophage-directed immunoediting mechanisms in CRC progression and its employment in macrophage re-polarization immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- SriPragnya Cheruku
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal- 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Vanishree Rao
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal- 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Ruchi Pandey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, and Research, Hajipur, Export Promotions Industrial Park (EPIP), Industrial area, Hajipur, Vaishali, 844102, Bihar, India
| | - Mallikarjuna Rao Chamallamudi
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal- 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Ravichandiran Velayutham
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, and Research, Hajipur, Export Promotions Industrial Park (EPIP), Industrial area, Hajipur, Vaishali, 844102, Bihar, India
| | - Nitesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education, and Research, Hajipur, Export Promotions Industrial Park (EPIP), Industrial area, Hajipur, Vaishali, 844102, Bihar, India.
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5
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San-Román-Gil M, Torres-Jiménez J, Pozas J, Esteban-Villarrubia J, Albarrán-Fernández V, Álvarez-Ballesteros P, Chamorro-Pérez J, Rosero-Rodríguez D, Orejana-Martín I, Martínez-Delfrade Í, Reguera-Puertas P, Fuentes-Mateos R, Ferreiro-Monteagudo R. Current Landscape and Potential Challenges of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Microsatellite Stable Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030863. [PMID: 36765821 PMCID: PMC9913409 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030863] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Europe. High microsatellite instability (MSI-H) due to a deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) system can be found in 5% of metastatic CRC (mCRC) and has been established as a biomarker of response to immunotherapy in these tumors. Therefore, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in mCRC with these characteristics were evaluated with results showing remarkable response rates and durations of response. The majority of mCRC cases have high levels of DNA mismatch repair proteins (pMMR) with consequent microsatellite stability or low instability (MSS or MSI-low), associated with an inherent resistance to ICIs. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the possible approaches to overcome the mechanisms of resistance and evaluates potential biomarkers to establish the role of ICIs in pMMR/MSS/MSI-L (MSS) mCRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- María San-Román-Gil
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.S.-R.-G.); (J.T.-J.)
| | - Javier Torres-Jiménez
- Medical Oncology Department, Clínico San Carlos University Hospital, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.S.-R.-G.); (J.T.-J.)
| | - Javier Pozas
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Jesús Chamorro-Pérez
- Medical Oncology Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, 28034 Madrid, Spain
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Johnson CS, Cook LM. Osteoid cell-derived chemokines drive bone-metastatic prostate cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1100585. [PMID: 37025604 PMCID: PMC10070788 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1100585] [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: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the greatest challenges in improving prostate cancer (PCa) survival is in designing new therapies to effectively target bone metastases. PCa regulation of the bone environment has been well characterized; however, bone-targeted therapies have little impact on patient survival, demonstrating a need for understanding the complexities of the tumor-bone environment. Many factors contribute to creating a favorable microenvironment for prostate tumors in bone, including cell signaling proteins produced by osteoid cells. Specifically, there has been extensive evidence from both past and recent studies that emphasize the importance of chemokine signaling in promoting PCa progression in the bone environment. Chemokine-focused strategies present promising therapeutic options for treating bone metastasis. These signaling pathways are complex, with many being produced by (and exerting effects on) a plethora of different cell types, including stromal and tumor cells of the prostate tumor-bone microenvironment. This review highlights an underappreciated molecular family that should be interrogated for treatment of bone metastatic prostate cancer (BM-PCa).
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine S. Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Leah M. Cook
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- *Correspondence: Leah M. Cook,
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7
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González-Arriagada WA, García IE, Martínez-Flores R, Morales-Pison S, Coletta RD. Therapeutic Perspectives of HIV-Associated Chemokine Receptor (CCR5 and CXCR4) Antagonists in Carcinomas. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010478. [PMID: 36613922 PMCID: PMC9820365 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010478] [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: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction between malignant cells and the tumor microenvironment is critical for tumor progression, and the chemokine ligand/receptor axes play a crucial role in this process. The CXCR4/CXCL12 and CCR5/CCL5 axes, both related to HIV, have been associated with the early (epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasion) and late events (migration and metastasis) of cancer progression. In addition, these axes can also modulate the immune response against tumors. Thus, antagonists against the receptors of these axes have been proposed in cancer therapy. Although preclinical studies have shown promising results, clinical trials are needed to include these drugs in the oncological treatment protocols. New alternatives for these antagonists, such as dual CXCR4/CCR5 antagonists or combined therapy in association with immunotherapy, need to be studied in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfredo Alejandro González-Arriagada
- Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Los Andes, Santiago 7620086, Chile
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica (CIIB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620086, Chile
- Patología Oral y Maxilofacial, Hospital El Carmen Luis Valentín Ferrada, Maipú 9251521, Chile
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +562-2618-1000
| | - Isaac E. García
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Biofísica, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2360004, Chile
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Odontológicas y Médicas, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2360004, Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2381850, Chile
| | - René Martínez-Flores
- Unidad de Patología y Medicina Oral, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña del Mar 2531015, Chile
| | - Sebastián Morales-Pison
- Centro de Oncología de Precisión (COP), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 7560908, Chile
| | - Ricardo D. Coletta
- Department of Oral Diagnosis and Graduate Program in Oral Biology, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba 13414-903, SP, Brazil
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8
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Single-molecule and super-resolved imaging deciphers membrane behavior of onco-immunogenic CCR5. iScience 2022; 25:105675. [PMID: 36561885 PMCID: PMC9763858 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105675] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of tumors to establish a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment is an important point of investigation in the search for new therapeutics. Tumors form microenvironments in part by the "education" of immune cells attracted via chemotactic axes such as that of CCR5-CCL5. Further, CCR5 upregulation by cancer cells, coupled with its association with pro-tumorigenic features such as drug resistance and metastasis, has suggested CCR5 as a therapeutic target. However, with several conformational "pools" being reported, phenotypic investigations must be capable of unveiling conformational heterogeneity. Addressing this challenge, we performed super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and single molecule partially TIRF-coupled HILO (PaTCH) microscopy of CCR5 in fixed cells. SIM data revealed a non-random spatial distribution of CCR5 assemblies, while Intensity-tracking of CCR5 assemblies from PaTCH images indicated dimeric sub-units independent of CCL5 perturbation. These biophysical methods can provide important insights into the structure and function of onco-immunogenic receptors and many other biomolecules.
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Li C, Chen S, Liu C, Mo C, Gong W, Hu J, He M, Xie L, Hou X, Tang J, Ou M. CCR5 as a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltrates in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by bioinformatic study. Hereditas 2022; 159:37. [PMID: 36167571 PMCID: PMC9513963 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-022-00251-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) has recently been recognized as an underlying therapeutic target for various malignancies. However, the association of CCR5 with prognosis in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) patients and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is unclear. Methods In the current experiment, methods such as the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource Analysis (TIMER), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), UALCAN, and Kaplan-Meier plotter Analysis were used to comprehensively evaluate the expression of CCR5 in human various malignancies and the clinical prognosis in HNSC patients. Subsequently, we used the TIMER database and the TISIDB platform to investigate the correlation between CCR5 expression levels and immune cell infiltration in the HNSC tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, immunomodulatory and chemokine profiling were performed using the TISIDB platform to analyse the correlation between CCR5 expression levels and immunomodulation in HNSC patients. Results We found that CCR5 expression in HNSC tumor tissues was significantly upregulated than in normal tissues. In HNSC, patients with high CCR5 expression levels had worse overall survival (OS, HR = 0.59, p = 0.00015) and worse recurrence-free survival (RFS, HR = 3.27, p = 0.00098). Upregulation of CCR5 expression is closely associated with immunomodulators, chemokines, and infiltrating levels of CD4+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and myeloid dendritic cells. Furthermore, upregulated CCR5 was significantly associated with different immune markers in the immune cell subsets of HNSC. Conclusions High expression of CCR5 plays an important prognostic role in HNSC patients and may serve as a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltration, and further studies are still needed to investigate therapeutic targeting HNSC patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhong Li
- Central Laboratory, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China
| | - Shanlin Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China.,College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China
| | - Chuanyu Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541001, PR China
| | - Chune Mo
- Central Laboratory, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China
| | - Weiwei Gong
- Central Laboratory, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China
| | - Jiahua Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China
| | - Min He
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China
| | - Lei Xie
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China.,College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China
| | - Xianliang Hou
- Central Laboratory, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China.
| | - Jianhong Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China. .,College of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China.
| | - Minglin Ou
- Central Laboratory, Guangxi Health Commission Key Laboratory of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China.
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10
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Braoudaki M, Ahmad MS, Mustafov D, Seriah S, Siddiqui MN, Siddiqui SS. Chemokines and chemokine receptors in colorectal cancer; multifarious roles and clinical impact. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:436-449. [PMID: 35700938 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered the second cause of cancer death worldwide. The early diagnosis plays a key role in patient prognosis and subsequently overall survival. Similar to several types of cancer, colorectal cancer is also characterised by drug resistance and heterogeneity that contribute to its complexity -especially at advanced stages. However, despite the extensive research related to the identification of biomarkers associated to early diagnosis, accurate prognosis and the management of CRC patients, little progress has been made thus far. Therefore, the mortality rates, especially at advanced stages, remain high. A large family of chemoattractant cytokines called chemokines are known for their significant role in inflammation and immunity. Chemokines released by the different tumorous cells play a key role in increasing the complexity of the tumour's microenvironment. The current review investigates the role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in colorectal cancer and their potential as clinical molecular signatures that could be effectively used as a personalised therapeutic approach. We discussed how chemokine and chemokine receptors regulate the microenvironment and lead to heterogeneity in CRC. An important aspect of chemokines is their role in drug resistance which has been extensively discussed. This review also provides an overview of the current advances in the search for chemokines and chemokine receptors in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Braoudaki
- Dept of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Mohammed Saqif Ahmad
- Dept of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Denis Mustafov
- Dept of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Sara Seriah
- Dept of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Mohammad Naseem Siddiqui
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Shoib Sarwar Siddiqui
- Dept of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK.
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11
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Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2022; 36:603-626. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2022.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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12
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Propper DJ, Balkwill FR. Harnessing cytokines and chemokines for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:237-253. [PMID: 34997230 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00588-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 285] [Impact Index Per Article: 142.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
During the past 40 years, cytokines and cytokine receptors have been extensively investigated as either cancer targets or cancer treatments. A strong preclinical rationale supports therapeutic strategies to enhance the growth inhibitory and immunostimulatory effects of interferons and interleukins, including IL-2, IL-7, IL-12 and IL-15, or to inhibit the inflammatory and tumour-promoting actions of cytokines such as TNF, IL-1β and IL-6. This rationale is underscored by the discovery of altered and dysregulated cytokine expression in all human cancers. These findings prompted clinical trials of several cytokines or cytokine antagonists, revealing relevant biological activity but limited therapeutic efficacy. However, most trials involved patients with advanced-stage disease, which might not be the optimal setting for cytokine-based therapy. The advent of more effective immunotherapies and an increased understanding of the tumour microenvironment have presented new approaches to harnessing cytokine networks in the treatment of cancer, which include using cytokine-based therapies to enhance the activity or alleviate the immune-related toxicities of other treatments as well as to target early stage cancers. Many challenges remain, especially concerning delivery methods, context dependencies, and the pleiotropic, redundant and often conflicting actions of many cytokines. Herein, we discuss the lessons learnt from the initial trials of single-agent cytokine-based therapies and subsequent efforts to better exploit such agents for the treatment of solid tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Propper
- Centre for the Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Frances R Balkwill
- Centre for the Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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13
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Boukouris AE, Theochari M, Stefanou D, Papalambros A, Felekouras E, Gogas H, Ziogas DC. Latest evidence on immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic colorectal cancer: A 2022 update. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 173:103663. [PMID: 35351582 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The long-term remissions induced by immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in many types of cancers have opened up the possibility of a broader use of immunotherapy in less immunogenic but genetically heterogeneous tumours. Regarding metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), in first-line setting, pembrolizumab has been approved as preferred option and nivolumab, alone or in combination with ipilimumab as alternative option for patients with mismatch-repair-deficient and microsatellite instability-high (dMMR/MSI-H) disease, independently of their eligibility for intensive chemotherapy. In subsequent lines, both these immunotherapeutic regimens (e.g., pembrolizumab and nivolumab+/-ipilimumab) as well as dostarlimab-gxly are currently recommended for patients with dMMR/MSI-H chemo-resistant mCRC who have not previously received an ICI. Beginning from the rationale behind the immune-mediated interplay in the dMMR/MSI-H bowel microenvironment, we provide here an update on the evolution status of all available, approved or not, ICIs in mCRC, describing their efficacy and toxicity profile with an emphasis on the pivotal trials supporting current colorectal indications. For each ICI agent, the results from combinations under investigation, particularly for those being upgraded in clinical phasing, the perspectives but also the limitations of main ongoing trials are thoroughly discussed. In the close future, upcoming data are expected to confirm the clinical benefit of ICIs and to further expand their role in mCRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristeidis E Boukouris
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Korgialeneion-Benakeion General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Maria Theochari
- First Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - Dimitra Stefanou
- First Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - Alexandros Papalambros
- First Department of Surgery, Laikon General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Evangelos Felekouras
- First Department of Surgery, Laikon General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Helen Gogas
- First Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - Dimitrios C Ziogas
- First Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
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14
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The Colorectal Cancer Tumor Microenvironment and Its Impact on Liver and Lung Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246206. [PMID: 34944826 PMCID: PMC8699466 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Metastasis to secondary organs, such as the liver and lungs, is a key driver of CRC-related mortality. The tumor microenvironment, which consists of the primary cancer cells, as well as associated support and immune cells, significantly affects the behavior of CRC cells at the primary tumor site, as well as in metastatic lesions. In this paper, we review the role of the individual components of the tumor microenvironment on tumor progression, immune evasion, and metastasis, and we discuss the implications of these components on antitumor therapies. Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. A total of 20% of CRC patients present with distant metastases, most frequently to the liver and lung. In the primary tumor, as well as at each metastatic site, the cellular components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to tumor engraftment and metastasis. These include immune cells (macrophages, neutrophils, T lymphocytes, and dendritic cells) and stromal cells (cancer-associated fibroblasts and endothelial cells). In this review, we highlight how the TME influences tumor progression and invasion at the primary site and its function in fostering metastatic niches in the liver and lungs. We also discuss emerging clinical strategies to target the CRC TME.
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15
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CCL4 Stimulates Cell Migration in Human Osteosarcoma via the mir-3927-3p/Integrin αvβ3 Axis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312737. [PMID: 34884541 PMCID: PMC8657600 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary malignant bone cancer, and it is associated with high rates of pulmonary metastasis. Integrin αvβ3 is critical for osteosarcoma cell migratory and invasive abilities. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL4) has diverse effects on different cancer cells through its interaction with its specific receptor, C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5). Analysis of mRNA expression in human osteosarcoma tissue identified upregulated levels of CCL4, integrin αv and β3 expression. Similarly, an analysis of records from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset showed that CCL4 was upregulated in human osteosarcoma tissue. Importantly, the expression of both CCL4 and integrin αvβ3 correlated positively with osteosarcoma clinical stages and lung metastasis. Analysis of osteosarcoma cell lines identified that CCL4 promotes integrin αvβ3 expression and cell migration by activating the focal adhesion kinase (FAK), protein kinase B (AKT), and hypoxia inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF-1α) signaling pathways, which can downregulate microRNA-3927-3p expression. Pharmacological inhibition of CCR5 by maraviroc (MVC) prevented increases in integrin αvβ3 expression and cell migration. This study is the first to implicate CCL4 as a potential target in the treatment of metastatic osteosarcoma.
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16
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Bule P, Aguiar SI, Aires-Da-Silva F, Dias JNR. Chemokine-Directed Tumor Microenvironment Modulation in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9804. [PMID: 34575965 PMCID: PMC8464715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokines are a large family of small chemotactic cytokines that coordinates immune cell trafficking. In cancer, they have a pivotal role in the migration pattern of immune cells into the tumor, thereby shaping the tumor microenvironment immune profile, often towards a pro-tumorigenic state. Furthermore, chemokines can directly target non-immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, including cancer, stromal and vascular endothelial cells. As such, chemokines participate in several cancer development processes such as angiogenesis, metastasis, cancer cell proliferation, stemness and invasiveness, and are therefore key determinants of disease progression, with a strong influence in patient prognosis and response to therapy. Due to their multifaceted role in the tumor immune response and tumor biology, the chemokine network has emerged as a potential immunotherapy target. Under the present review, we provide a general overview of chemokine effects on several tumoral processes, as well as a description of the currently available chemokine-directed therapies, highlighting their potential both as monotherapy or in combination with standard chemotherapy or other immunotherapies. Finally, we discuss the most critical challenges and prospects of developing targeted chemokines as therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Joana Nunes Ribeiro Dias
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.B.); (S.I.A.); (F.A.-D.-S.)
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17
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Liu N, Shan F, Ma M. Strategic enhancement of immune checkpoint inhibition in refractory Colorectal Cancer: Trends and future prospective. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 99:108017. [PMID: 34352568 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.108017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), known as a frequently fatal disease, ranking as the third most common malignancy, is the second leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Metastases are common in CRC patients which account for approximately 25% of the patients at diagnosis, 50% of patients during treatment which is associated closely with CRC mortality. Conventional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are standards of care for the treatment of CRC patients. However, primary tumor recurrence and secondary disease in patients receiving standard of care treatment modalities occur in 50% of patients so that new treatment modalities are needed. Immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has transformed the management of patients suffered from metastatic CRC (mCRC) with mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) and microsatellite instability (MSI) -high (MSI-H) while manifests ineffectiveness in preserved mismatch repair (pMMR) or microsatellite stable (MSS) "cold" tumors which makes up the majority (95%) of mCRC. In this review, we mainly lay emphasis on the development of combinations in therapy strategies with ICIs with other immune based treatment approaches to increase the intra-tumoral immune response and render tumors 'immune-reactive', thereby increasing the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Mingxing Ma
- Department of Colorectal Cancer Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning Province, China.
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18
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Gorchs L, Kaipe H. Interactions between Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and T Cells in the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment and the Role of Chemokines. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2995. [PMID: 34203869 PMCID: PMC8232575 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Less than 10% of patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) survive 5 years or more, making it one of the most fatal cancers. Accumulation of T cells in pancreatic tumors is associated with better prognosis, but immunotherapies to enhance the anti-tumor activity of infiltrating T cells are failing in this devastating disease. Pancreatic tumors are characterized by a desmoplastic stroma, which mainly consists of activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Pancreatic CAFs have emerged as important regulators of the tumor microenvironment by contributing to immune evasion through the release of chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors, which alters T-cell migration, differentiation and cytotoxic activity. However, recent discoveries have also revealed that subsets of CAFs with diverse functions can either restrain or promote tumor progression. Here, we discuss our current knowledge about the interactions between CAFs and T cells in PDAC and summarize different therapy strategies targeting the CAF-T cell axis with focus on CAF-derived soluble immunosuppressive factors and chemokines. Identifying the functions of different CAF subsets and understanding their roles in T-cell trafficking within the tumor may be fundamental for the development of an effective combinational treatment for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Gorchs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helen Kaipe
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 14152 Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Cendrowicz E, Sas Z, Bremer E, Rygiel TP. The Role of Macrophages in Cancer Development and Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1946. [PMID: 33919517 PMCID: PMC8073377 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are critical mediators of tissue homeostasis and influence various aspects of immunity. Tumor-associated macrophages are one of the main cellular components of the tumor microenvironment. Depending on their activation status, macrophages can exert a dual influence on tumorigenesis by either antagonizing the cytotoxic activity of immune cells or, less frequently, by enhancing antitumor responses. In most situations, TAMs suppress T cell recruitment and function or regulate other aspects of tumor immunity. The importance of TAMs targeting in cancer therapy is derived from the strong association between the high infiltration of TAMs in the tumor tissue with poor patient prognosis. Several macrophage-targeting approaches in anticancer therapy are developed, including TAM depletion, inhibition of new TAM differentiation, or re-education of TAM activation for cancer cell phagocytosis. In this review, we will describe the role of TAMs in tumor development, including such aspects as protumorigenic inflammation, immune suppression, neoangiogenesis, and enhancement of tissue invasion and distant metastasis. Furthermore, we will discuss therapeutic approaches that aim to deplete TAMs or, on the contrary, re-educate TAMs for cancer cell phagocytosis and antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Cendrowicz
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; (E.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Zuzanna Sas
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Nielubowicza 5 Street, Building F, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Edwin Bremer
- Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; (E.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Tomasz P. Rygiel
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, Nielubowicza 5 Street, Building F, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
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20
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Janssen E, Subtil B, de la Jara Ortiz F, Verheul HMW, Tauriello DVF. Combinatorial Immunotherapies for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071875. [PMID: 32664619 PMCID: PMC7408881 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent and deadly forms of cancer. About half of patients are affected by metastasis, with the cancer spreading to e.g., liver, lungs or the peritoneum. The majority of these patients cannot be cured despite steady advances in treatment options. Immunotherapies are currently not widely applicable for this disease, yet show potential in preclinical models and clinical translation. The tumour microenvironment (TME) has emerged as a key factor in CRC metastasis, including by means of immune evasion-forming a major barrier to effective immuno-oncology. Several approaches are in development that aim to overcome the immunosuppressive environment and boost anti-tumour immunity. Among them are vaccination strategies, cellular transplantation therapies, and targeted treatments. Given the complexity of the system, we argue for rational design of combinatorial therapies and consider the implications of precision medicine in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Janssen
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (E.J.); (B.S.); (F.d.l.J.O.)
| | - Beatriz Subtil
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (E.J.); (B.S.); (F.d.l.J.O.)
| | - Fàtima de la Jara Ortiz
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (E.J.); (B.S.); (F.d.l.J.O.)
| | - Henk M. W. Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HBNijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Daniele V. F. Tauriello
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (E.J.); (B.S.); (F.d.l.J.O.)
- Correspondence:
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