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Zhang W, Li S, Li C, Li T, Huang Y. Remodeling tumor microenvironment with natural products to overcome drug resistance. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1051998. [PMID: 36439106 PMCID: PMC9685561 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1051998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
With cancer incidence rates continuing to increase and occurrence of resistance in drug treatment, there is a pressing demand to find safer and more effective anticancer strategy for cancer patients. Natural products, have the advantage of low toxicity and multiple action targets, are always used in the treatment of cancer prevention in early stage and cancer supplement in late stage. Tumor microenvironment is necessary for cancer cells to survive and progression, and immune activation is a vital means for the tumor microenvironment to eliminate cancer cells. A number of studies have found that various natural products could target and regulate immune cells such as T cells, macrophages, mast cells as well as inflammatory cytokines in the tumor microenvironment. Natural products tuning the tumor microenvironment via various mechanisms to activate the immune response have immeasurable potential for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, it highlights the research findings related to natural products regulating immune responses against cancer, especially reveals the possibility of utilizing natural products to remodel the tumor microenvironment to overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanlu Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shubo Li
- Liaoning Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Liaoning Agricultural Development Service Center, Shenyang, China
| | - Chunting Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tianye Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yongye Huang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
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2
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Kermi C, Lau L, Asadi Shahmirzadi A, Classon M. Disrupting Mechanisms that Regulate Genomic Repeat Elements to Combat Cancer and Drug Resistance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:826461. [PMID: 35602594 PMCID: PMC9114874 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.826461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advancements in understanding cancer pathogenesis and the development of many effective therapeutic agents, resistance to drug treatment remains a widespread challenge that substantially limits curative outcomes. The historical focus on genetic evolution under drug “pressure” as a key driver of resistance has uncovered numerous mechanisms of therapeutic value, especially with respect to acquired resistance. However, recent discoveries have also revealed a potential role for an ancient evolutionary balance between endogenous “viral” elements in the human genome and diverse factors involved in their restriction in tumor evolution and drug resistance. It has long been appreciated that the stability of genomic repeats such as telomeres and centromeres affect tumor fitness, but recent findings suggest that de-regulation of other repetitive genome elements, including retrotransposons, might also be exploited as cancer therapy. This review aims to present an overview of these recent findings.
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3
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Fromme JE, Zigrino P. The Role of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Skin Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Resistance. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:864302. [PMID: 35558554 PMCID: PMC9086898 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.864302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix remodeling in the skin results from a delicate balance of synthesis and degradation of matrix components, ensuring tissue homeostasis. These processes are altered during tumor invasion and growth, generating a microenvironment that supports growth, invasion, and metastasis. Apart from the cellular component, the tumor microenvironment is rich in extracellular matrix components and bound factors that provide structure and signals to the tumor and stromal cells. The continuous remodeling in the tissue compartment sustains the developing tumor during the various phases providing matrices and proteolytic enzymes. These are produced by cancer cells and stromal fibroblasts. In addition to fostering tumor growth, the expression of specific extracellular matrix proteins and proteinases supports tumor invasion after the initial therapeutic response. Lately, the expression and structural modification of matrices were also associated with therapeutic resistance. This review will focus on the significant alterations in the extracellular matrix components and the function of metalloproteinases that influence skin cancer progression and support the acquisition of therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E. Fromme
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Mildred Scheel School of Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (MSSO ABCD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Paola Zigrino
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- *Correspondence: Paola Zigrino,
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Fibroblasts Influence Metastatic Melanoma Cell Sensitivity to Combined BRAF and MEK Inhibition. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194761. [PMID: 34638245 PMCID: PMC8507536 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Preclinical 3D in vitro coculture models are known to be more complex systems than monolayer cell culture and mimic the physiological environment more closely. Three-dimensional dermal equivalents provide a relevant environment for cutaneous metastatic melanoma cells and are capable of modulating a cancer cell’s response to drugs. We showed that a combined targeted therapy (vemurafenib and cobimetinib) efficiently inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, especially in the 3D coculture model. A cancer-associated fibroblast population isolated from a cutaneous melanoma was also sensitive to the treatment but with no detectable induction of apoptosis. To better understand the complex crosstalk between melanoma cells and their microenvironment, we compared the influence of conditioned media obtained from healthy or cancer-associated fibroblasts on the response of metastatic melanomas to the drugs. Our data indicate that normal fibroblast supernatants potentialize the therapy’s efficiency, whereas cancer-associated fibroblast secretomes favor melanoma cell survival. Abstract The sensitivity of melanoma cells to targeted therapy compounds depends on the tumor microenvironment. Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro coculture systems better reflect the native structural architecture of tissues and are ideal for investigating cellular interactions modulating cell sensitivity to drugs. Metastatic melanoma (MM) cells (SK-MEL-28 BRAF V600E mutant and SK-MEL-2 BRAF wt) were cultured as a monolayer (2D) or cocultured on 3D dermal equivalents (with fibroblasts) and treated with a BRAFi (vemurafenib) combined with a MEK inhibitor (MEKi, cobimetinib). The drug combination efficiently inhibited 2D and 3D MM cell proliferation and survival regardless of their BRAF status. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), isolated from a cutaneous MM biopsy, were also sensitive to the targeted therapy. Conditioned media obtained from healthy dermal fibroblasts or CAFs modulated the MM cell’s response differently to the treatment: while supernatants from healthy fibroblasts potentialized the efficiency of drugs on MM, those from CAFs tended to increase cell survival. Our data indicate that the secretory profiles of fibroblasts influence MM sensitivity to the combined vemurafenib and cobimetinib treatment and highlight the need for 3D in vitro cocultures representing the complex crosstalk between melanoma and CAFs during preclinical studies of drugs.
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The evolution of acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitor is sustained by IGF1-driven tumor vascular remodeling. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:445-458. [PMID: 34358527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.07.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
As hallmark of cancer, angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. The correlation between angiogenesis and evolution of BRAF inhibitor acquired resistance is, however, still poorly understood. Here, we reported that the molecular signatures of angiogenesis were enriched in early on-treated biopsies but not in disease progressed biopsies. The process of drug resistance development was accompanied by remodeling of vascular morphology, which was potentially manipulated by tumor-secreted pro-angiogenic factors. Further transcriptomic dissection indicated that tumor-secreted IGF1 drove the vascular remodeling through activating IGF1/IGF1R axis on endothelial cells, and sustained the prompt re-growth of resistant tumor. Blockade of IGF1R with small molecules at early stage of response disrupted vascular reconstruction, and subsequently delayed tumor relapse. Our findings not only demonstrated the correlation between IGF1-mediated tumor vascular remodeling and the development of acquired resistance to BRAFi but also provided a potential therapeutic strategy for the prevention of tumor relapse in clinical application.
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Korn P, Kampmann A, Spalthoff S, Jehn P, Tavassol F, Lentge F, Gellrich NC, Zimmerer R. Suitability of CD133 as a Marker for Cancer Stem Cells in Melanoma. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2021; 22:1591-1597. [PMID: 34048190 PMCID: PMC8408398 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2021.22.5.1591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: CD133 is considered a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in various malignancies; however, its role as a biomarker of malignant melanoma remains controversial. The present study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of CD133 surface antigen as a CSC marker in melanoma. Methods: Human melanoma cells were fractionally separated by magnetic cell separation depending on the CD133 phenotype and transplanted into immunodeficient mice to evaluate their tumorigenic capacity. Furthermore, the time until the development of a palpable tumor and the growth rate were measured, and the final tumor volume was assessed after 8 weeks. The immunohistochemical expression of CD133 in the induced neoplasia was then compared using histomorphometry. Results: Notably, neoplasms were induced in all the groups (n = 48), including in the CD133-negative group. Tumors induced by unsorted cells had the largest volume (p = 0.014) but were detected significantly later in this group (p ≤ 0.001). Interestingly, all explanted tumors expressed CD133, with no significant differences among groups. Conclusions: In contrast to the results obtained in prior studies, the suitability of CD133 as a CSC marker could not be demonstrated. The current encouraging progress in targeted therapy for malignant melanoma highlights the need to identify more effective targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Korn
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Kampmann
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Simon Spalthoff
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Philipp Jehn
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Tavassol
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Fritjof Lentge
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nils-Claudius Gellrich
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Zimmerer
- Department of Oral, Craniomaxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany
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Montoyo-Pujol YG, Wang X, Bermúdez-Sánchez S, Martin A, Almazan F, López-Nevot MÁ. Measurement of 45 cytokine, chemokine and growth factors in established cell culture supernatants and autologous serum from advanced melanoma patients. Carcinogenesis 2021; 42:714-723. [PMID: 33421057 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgab004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of human cancer and its incidence has significantly increased worldwide over the last decades. This neoplasia has been characterized by the release of a wide variety of soluble factors, which could stimulate tumor cell proliferation and survival in an autocrine and paracrine manner. Consequently, we sought to evaluate the pattern of soluble factors produced by pre-metastatic and metastatic melanoma established cultures, and to determine whether these factors can be detected in the autologous serum of malignant melanoma patients. Our results showed that both melanoma cultures had a common profile of 27 soluble factors mainly characterized by the high expression of VEGF-A, IL-6, MCP-1, IL-8, and SDF-1. In addition, when we compared supernatants, we observed significant differences in VEGF-A, BDNF, FGF-2, and NGF-β concentrations. As we found in melanoma cultures, serum samples also had their specific production pattern composed by 21 soluble factors. Surprisingly, PDGF-BB and EGF were only found in serum, whereas IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, IL31, FGF2, and GRO-α were only expressed in the supernatant. Significant differences in PDGF-BB, MIP-1β, HGF, PIGF-1, BDNF, EGF, Eotaxin, and IP-10 were also found after comparing autologous serum with healthy controls. According to this, no correlation was found between culture supernatants and autologous serum samples, which suggests that some factors may act locally, and others systemically. Nonetheless, after validation of our results in an independent cohort of patients, we concluded that PDGF-BB, VEGF-A, and IP-10 serum levels could be used to monitor different melanoma stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoel Genaro Montoyo-Pujol
- Servicio de Inmunología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.,Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante e Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Xu Wang
- Servicio de Inmunología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.,Programa de doctorado en Biomedicina, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Aurelio Martin
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Almazan
- Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Cecilio, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel López-Nevot
- Servicio de Inmunología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain.,Departamento Bioquímica, Biología Molecular e Inmunología III, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada. Avda. de la Investigación, Granada, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria I, Granada, Spain
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8
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Simiczyjew A, Dratkiewicz E, Mazurkiewicz J, Ziętek M, Matkowski R, Nowak D. The Influence of Tumor Microenvironment on Immune Escape of Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8359. [PMID: 33171792 PMCID: PMC7664679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The low efficiency of currently-used anti-cancer therapies poses a serious challenge, especially in the case of malignant melanoma, a cancer characterized by elevated invasiveness and relatively high mortality rate. The role of the tumor microenvironment in the progression of melanoma and its acquisition of resistance to treatment seems to be the main focus of recent studies. One of the factors that, in normal conditions, aids the organism in its fight against the cancer and, following the malignant transformation, adapts to facilitate the development of the tumor is the immune system. A variety of cell types, i.e., T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic and natural killer cells, as well as neutrophils, support the growth and invasiveness of melanoma cells, utilizing a plethora of mechanisms, including secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules, induction of inhibitory receptors expression, or depletion of essential nutrients. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the processes regulated by tumor-associated cells that promote the immune escape of melanoma cells. The described mechanisms offer potential new targets for anti-cancer treatment and should be further studied to improve currently-employed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Simiczyjew
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Ewelina Dratkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Justyna Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Marcin Ziętek
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (R.M.)
- Wroclaw Comprehensive Cancer Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland; (E.D.); (J.M.); (D.N.)
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9
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Licarete E, Rauca VF, Luput L, Drotar D, Stejerean I, Patras L, Dume B, Toma VA, Porfire A, Gherman C, Sesarman A, Banciu M. Overcoming Intrinsic Doxorubicin Resistance in Melanoma by Anti-Angiogenic and Anti-Metastatic Effects of Liposomal Prednisolone Phosphate on Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082968. [PMID: 32340166 PMCID: PMC7215436 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Regardless of recent progress, melanoma is very difficult to treat, mainly due to the drug resistance modulated by tumor cells as well as by the tumor microenvironment (TME). Among the immune cells recruited at the tumor site, tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant, promoting important tumorigenic processes: angiogenesis, inflammation and invasiveness. Furthermore, it has been shown that TAMs are involved in mediating the drug resistance of melanoma cells. Thus, in the present study, we used liposomal formulation of prednisolone disodium phosphate (LCL-PLP) to inhibit the protumor function of TAMs with the aim to sensitize the melanoma cells to the cytotoxic drug doxorubicin (DOX) to which human melanoma has intrinsic resistance. Consequently, we evaluated the in vivo effects of the concomitant administration of LCL-PLP and liposomal formulation of DOX (LCL-DOX) on B16.F10 melanoma growth and on the production of key molecular markers for tumor development. Our results demonstrated that the concomitant administration of LCL-PLP and LCL-DOX induced a strong inhibition of tumor growth, primarily by inhibiting TAMs-mediated angiogenesis as well as the tumor production of MMP-2 and AP-1. Moreover, our data suggested that the combined therapy also affected TME as the number of infiltrated macrophages in melanoma microenvironment was reduced significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Licarete
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.L.); (V.F.R.); (L.L.); (D.D.); (I.S.); (L.P.); (B.D.); (V.A.T.); (M.B.)
- Molecular Biology Centre, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Valentin Florian Rauca
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.L.); (V.F.R.); (L.L.); (D.D.); (I.S.); (L.P.); (B.D.); (V.A.T.); (M.B.)
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lavinia Luput
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.L.); (V.F.R.); (L.L.); (D.D.); (I.S.); (L.P.); (B.D.); (V.A.T.); (M.B.)
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Denise Drotar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.L.); (V.F.R.); (L.L.); (D.D.); (I.S.); (L.P.); (B.D.); (V.A.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Ioana Stejerean
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.L.); (V.F.R.); (L.L.); (D.D.); (I.S.); (L.P.); (B.D.); (V.A.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Laura Patras
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.L.); (V.F.R.); (L.L.); (D.D.); (I.S.); (L.P.); (B.D.); (V.A.T.); (M.B.)
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Bogdan Dume
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.L.); (V.F.R.); (L.L.); (D.D.); (I.S.); (L.P.); (B.D.); (V.A.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Vlad Alexandru Toma
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.L.); (V.F.R.); (L.L.); (D.D.); (I.S.); (L.P.); (B.D.); (V.A.T.); (M.B.)
- Institute of Biological Research, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alina Porfire
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Claudia Gherman
- Department of Functional Genomics and Experimental Pathology, The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta”, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Alina Sesarman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.L.); (V.F.R.); (L.L.); (D.D.); (I.S.); (L.P.); (B.D.); (V.A.T.); (M.B.)
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-264-431-691; Fax: +40-264-431-858
| | - Manuela Banciu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (E.L.); (V.F.R.); (L.L.); (D.D.); (I.S.); (L.P.); (B.D.); (V.A.T.); (M.B.)
- Centre of Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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10
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Modern Aspects of Immunotherapy with Checkpoint Inhibitors in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072367. [PMID: 32235439 PMCID: PMC7178114 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although melanoma is one of the most immunogenic tumors, it has an ability to evade anti-tumor immune responses by exploiting tolerance mechanisms, including negative immune checkpoint molecules. The most extensively studied checkpoints represent cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), which were broadly applied for melanoma treatment in the past decade, can unleash anti-tumor immune responses and result in melanoma regression. Patients responding to the ICI treatment showed long-lasting remission or disease control status. However, a large group of patients failed to respond to this therapy, indicating the development of resistance mechanisms. Among them are intrinsic tumor properties, the dysfunction of effector cells, and the generation of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). This review discusses achievements of ICI treatment in melanoma, reasons for its failure, and promising approaches for overcoming the resistance. These methods include combinations of different ICI with each other, strategies for neutralizing the immunosuppressive TME and combining ICI with other anti-cancer therapies such as radiation, oncolytic viral, or targeted therapy. New therapeutic approaches targeting other immune checkpoint molecules are also discussed.
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11
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Georgescu SR, Tampa M, Mitran CI, Mitran MI, Caruntu C, Caruntu A, Lupu M, Matei C, Constantin C, Neagu M. Tumour Microenvironment in Skin Carcinogenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1226:123-142. [PMID: 32030681 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-36214-0_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumour microenvironment is a complex system comprising cells and molecules that will provide the necessary conditions for tumour development and progression. Cells residing in the tumour microenvironment gain specific phenotypes and specific functions that are pro-tumorigenic. Tumour progression is in fact a combination between tumour cell characteristics and its interplay with tumour microenvironment. This dynamic network will allow tumour cells to grow, migrate and invade tissues. In the present chapter, we are highlighting some traits that characterise tumour microenvironment in basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous melanoma. In skin cancers, there are some common tumour microenvironment characteristics such as the presence of tumour-associated macrophages and regulatory T lymphocytes that are non-tumour cells promoting tumorigenesis. There are also skin cancer type differences in terms of tumour microenvironment characteristics. Thus, markers such as macrophage migration inhibitory factor in melanoma or the extraordinary diverse genetic make-up in the cancer-associated fibroblasts associated to squamous cell carcinoma are just a few of specific traits in skin cancer types. New technological advances for evaluation of tumour environment are presented. Thus, non-invasive skin imaging techniques such as reflectance confocal microscopy can evaluate skin tumour inflammatory infiltrates for density and cellular populations. Analysing tumour micromedium in depth may offer new insights into cancer therapy and identify new therapy targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Roxana Georgescu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,"Victor Babes" Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mircea Tampa
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. .,"Victor Babes" Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Cristina Iulia Mitran
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,"Cantacuzino" National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Madalina Irina Mitran
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,"Cantacuzino" National Medico-Military Institute for Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Constantin Caruntu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. .,Department of Dermatology, "Prof. N. Paulescu" National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Ana Caruntu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, "Carol Davila" Central Military Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Preclinical Sciences, "Titu Maiorescu" University, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihai Lupu
- Department of Dermatology, MEDAS Medical Center, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Clara Matei
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carolina Constantin
- Immunology Department, "Victor Babes" National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.,Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Neagu
- Immunology Department, "Victor Babes" National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania. .,Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania. .,Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania.
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Limonta P, Queirolo P. New insights in melanoma biology: Running fast towards precision medicine. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 59:161-164. [PMID: 31562958 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Paola Queirolo
- Medical Oncology of Melanoma, Sarcoma and Rare Tumors, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milano, Italy.
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Metabolic flexibility in melanoma: A potential therapeutic target. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 59:187-207. [PMID: 31362075 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma (CM) represents one of the most metastasizing and drug resistant solid tumors. CM is characterized by a remarkable metabolic plasticity and an important connection between oncogenic activation and energetic metabolism. In fact, melanoma cells can use both cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during cancer progression. However, the CM energetic demand mainly depends on glycolysis, whose upregulation is strictly linked to constitutive activation of BRAF/MAPK pathway affected by BRAFV600E kinase mutant. Furthermore, the impressive metabolic plasticity of melanoma allows the development of resistance mechanisms to BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi) and the adaptation to microenvironmental changes. The metabolic interaction between melanoma cells and tumor microenvironment affects the immune response and CM growth. In this review article, we describe the regulation of melanoma metabolic alterations and the metabolic interactions between cancer cells and microenvironment that influence melanoma progression and immune response. Finally, we summarize the hallmarks of melanoma therapies and we report BRAF/MEK pathway targeted therapy and mechanisms of metabolic resistance.
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