Kita-Kyushu Lung Cancer Antigen-1 (KK-LC-1): A Promising Cancer Testis Antigen

Expression of Cancer-Testis Antigens MAGE-A1, MAGE-A4, NY-ESO-1 and PRAME in Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas: The Experience From a Single Center in China

OBJECTIVE

Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of malignancies, low disease-control levels and the limited durability of responses have prompted the exploration of various novel immunotherapeutic approaches. To preliminarily explore the feasibility of cancer vaccines based on cancer testis antigen in the immunotherapy of sarcomas, we investigate the expression of Cancer/Testis Antigens (CTA) MAGE-A4, PRAME, MAGE-A1, KK-LC-1, and NY-ESO-1 in bone and soft tissue sarcomas, with the aim of assessing their potential for use in sarcoma immunotherapy and determining their expression levels in different subtypes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We employed immunohistochemistry and multiplex immunostaining microarrays (MI chips) to assess the expression of MAGE-A4, PRAME, MAGE-A1, KK-LC-1, and NY-ESO-1 in 21 cases of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), 26 cases of smooth muscle sarcoma, 28 cases of liposarcoma, 40 cases of osteosarcoma (OS), and 13 cases of chondrosarcoma. MAGE-A1 showed the highest expression in osteosarcoma (32.50%), while it was lower in liposarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (10.71% and 10.00%) and undetectable in chondrosarcoma. MAGE-A4 expression was elevated in osteosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (40.00% and 33.00%), but lower in liposarcoma and smooth muscle sarcoma (17.00% and 33.00%). NY-ESO-1 expression was relatively low across all sarcoma subtypes. PRAME expression was highest in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (47.62%) and low in chondrosarcoma (7.69%). None of the sarcomas expressed KK-LC-1. Additionally, while there was no statistically significant correlation between CTA expression and patient age or gender, some differences related to age and gender were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

CTA expression in bone and soft tissue sarcomas was correlated with both CTA type and sarcoma subtype, showing relatively high levels of expression in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and osteosarcoma (OS). The poly-expression of MAGE-A4, PRAME, and MAGE-A1 across all subtypes suggests that these antigens may serve as potential targets for sarcoma-specific immunotherapy.

A panel of cancer testis antigens in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, head and neck, and esophagus: implication for biomarkers and therapeutic targets

This study aims to investigate the expression of seven cancer testis antigens (MAGE-A1, MAGE-A4, MAGE-A10, MAGE-A11, PRAME, NY-ESO-1 and KK-LC-1) in pan squamous cell carcinoma and their prognostic value, thus assessing the potential of these CTAs as immunotherapeutic targets. The protein expression of these CTAs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 60 lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), 62 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCA) and 62 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). The relationship between CTAs expression and progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed. PD-L1 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were also collected and correlated with CTAs expression. The prognostic impact of CTAs gene expression was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier Plotter website. CTAs expression was 0-48% in ESCA, 3%-77% in LUSC, and 3%-71% in HNSC. Analysis of PFS showed that MAGE-A1 expression in HNSC (**p < 0.01), PRAME in LUSC (p = 0.008, **p < 0.01), MAGE-A10 (p = 0.012, *p < 0.05) and PRAME (p = 0.021, *p < 0.05) in ESCA were significantly correlated with PFS. In all three cancers, coexpression of three CTAs was used as a cutoff value for grouping, and the results showed a significant difference in PFS between these two groups. Moreover, CTAs expression was significantly correlated with PD-L1 expression and T cell infiltration. These findings indicate a high incidence of CTA expression in HNSC, LUSC and ESCA, which was correlated with PD-L1 expression, T cell infiltration, and tumor progression. The results suggest that cancer testis antigens could be feasible vaccine targets in squamous cell carcinoma.

CRABP2 regulates infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune response in melanoma

Finding biomarkers for immunotherapy is an urgent issue in cancer treatment. Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 (CRABP2) is a controversial factor in the occurrence and development of human tumors. However, there is limited research on the relationship between CRABP2 and immunotherapy response. This study found that negative correlations of CRABP2 and immune checkpoint markers (PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4) were observed in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA), skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) and testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT). In particular, in SKCM patients who were treated with PD-1 inhibitors, high levels of CRABP2 predicted poor prognosis. Additionally, CRABP2 expression was elevated in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) at the single-cell level. The expression of CRABP2 was positively correlated with markers of CAFs, such as MFAP5, PDPN, ITGA11, PDGFRα/β and THY1 in SKCM. To validate the tumor-promoting effect of CRABP2 in vivo, SKCM xenograft mice models with CRABP2 overexpression have been constructed. These models showed an increase in tumor weight and volume. Enrichment analysis indicated that CRABP2 may be involved in immune-related pathways of SKCM, such as extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor interaction and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The study suggests that CRABP2 may regulate immunotherapy in SKCM patients by influencing infiltration of CAFs. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the role of CRABP2 in immunotherapy response. The findings suggest that CRABP2 may be a promising biomarker for PD-1 inhibitors in SKCM patients. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to explore the clinical implications of CRABP2 in immunotherapy.

Multi-omics analysis of DNA replication-associated primase polymerase (PRIMPOL) in pan-cancer: a potential target for prognosis and immune response

BACKGROUND

It is critical to understand the mechanisms of human cancers in order to develop the effective anti-cancer therapeutic strategies. Recent studies indicated that primase polymerase (PRIMPOL) is strongly associated with the development of human cancers. Nevertheless, a systematic pan-cancer analysis of PRIMPOL remains to be further clarified.

METHOD

Comprehensive multi-omics bioinformatics algorithms, such as TIMER2.0, GEPIA2.0 and cBioPortal, were utilized to evaluate the biological roles of PRIMPOL in pan-cancer, including the expression profiles, genomic alterations, prognostic values and immune regulation.

RESULTS

PRIMPOL was upregulated in glioblastoma multiforme and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. The brain lower grade glioma patients with enhanced PRIMPOL expression displayed poor prognostic values. We also demonstrated the PRIMPOL's immunomodulating effects on pan-cancer as well as its genomic changes and methylation levels. The aberrant expression of PRIMPOL was linked to various cancer-associated pathways, including DNA damage response, DNA repair, and angiogenesis, according to single-cell sequencing and function enrichment.

CONCLUSIONS

This pan-cancer analysis offers a thorough review of the functional roles of PRIMPOL in human cancers, suggesting PRIMPOL as a potentially important biomarker for the progression and immunotherapy of various cancers.

Establishment, characterization, and drug screening of low-passage patient individual non-small cell lung cancer in vitro models including the rare pleomorphic subentity

INTRODUCTION

For pre-clinical drug development and precision oncology research, robust cancer cell models are essential. Patient-derived models in low passages retain more genetic and phenotypic characteristics of their original tumors than conventional cancer cell lines. Subentity, individual genetics, and heterogeneity greatly influence drug sensitivity and clinical outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, we report on the establishment and characterization of three patient-derived cell lines (PDCs) of different subentities of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): adeno-, squamous cell, and pleomorphic carcinoma. The in-depth characterization of our PDCs included phenotype, proliferation, surface protein expression, invasion, and migration behavior as well as whole-exome and RNA sequencing. Additionally, in vitro drug sensitivity towards standard-of-care chemotherapeutic regimens was evaluated.

RESULTS

The pathological and molecular properties of the patients' tumors were preserved in the PDC models HROLu22, HROLu55, and HROBML01. All cell lines expressed HLA I, while none were positive for HLA II. The epithelial cell marker CD326 and the lung tumor markers CCDC59, LYPD3, and DSG3 were also detected. The most frequently mutated genes included TP53, MXRA5, MUC16, and MUC19. Among the most overexpressed genes in tumor cells compared to normal tissue were the transcription factors HOXB9, SIM2, ZIC5, SP8, TFAP2A, FOXE1, HOXB13, and SALL4; the cancer testis antigen CT83; and the cytokine IL23A. The most downregulated genes on the RNA level encode the long non-coding RNA LANCL1-AS1, LINC00670, BANCR, and LOC100652999; the regulator of angiogenesis ANGPT4; the signaling molecules PLA2G1B and RS1; and the immune modulator SFTPD. Furthermore, neither pre-existing therapy resistances nor drug antagonistic effects could be observed.

CONCLUSION

In summary, we successfully established three novel NSCLC PDC models from an adeno-, a squamous cell, and a pleomorphic carcinoma. Of note, NSCLC cell models of the pleomorphic subentity are very rare. The detailed characterization including molecular, morphological, and drug-sensitivity profiling makes these models valuable pre-clinical tools for drug development applications and research on precision cancer therapy. The pleomorphic model additionally enables research on a functional and cell-based level of this rare NCSLC subentity.

Rationale and Clinical Research Progress on PD-1/PD-L1-Based Immunotherapy for Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), a highly aggressive and malignant tumor, currently lacks an effective treatment. There has been some progress in the treatment of mTNBC with programmed death receptor-1/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immunotherapy in recent years. The combination of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with other therapies is a noteworthy treatment strategy. Immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy or small-molecule inhibitors still faces many challenges. Additionally, there are some new immunotherapy targets in development. We aimed to further evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of immunotherapy for treating mTNBC and to propose new immunotherapy strategies. This review explains the rationale and results of existing clinical trials evaluating PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors alone or in combination for the treatment of mTNBC. For patients with aggressive tumors and poor health, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, either alone or in combination with other modalities, have proven to be effective. However, more research is needed to explore more effective immunotherapy regimens that will lead to new breakthroughs in the treatment of mTNBC.