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Splendiani E, Besharat ZM, Covre A, Maio M, Di Giacomo AM, Ferretti E. Immunotherapy in melanoma: Can we predict response to treatment with circulating biomarkers? Pharmacol Ther 2024; 256:108613. [PMID: 38367867 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, representing approximately 4% of all cutaneous neoplasms and accounting for up to 80% of deaths. Advanced stages of melanoma involve metastatic processes and are associated with high mortality and morbidity, mainly due to the rapid dissemination and heterogeneous responses to current therapies, including immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are currently used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma (MM) and despite being linked to an increase in patient survival, a high percentage of them still do not benefit from it. Accordingly, the number of therapeutic regimens for MM patients using ICIs either alone or in combination with other therapies has increased, together with the need for reliable biomarkers that can both predict and monitor response to ICIs. In this context, circulating biomarkers, such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and cells, have emerged due to their ability to reflect disease status. Moreover, blood tests are minimally invasive and provide an attractive option to detect biomarkers, avoiding stressful medical procedures. This systematic review aims to evaluate the possibility of a non-invasive biomarker signature that can guide therapeutic decisions. The studies reported here offer valuable insight into how circulating biomarkers can have a role in personalized treatments for melanoma patients receiving ICIs therapy, emphasizing the need for rigorous clinical trials to confirm findings and establish standardized procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Splendiani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessia Covre
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Maio
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Di Giacomo
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; Medical Oncology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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2
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Zhang X, Cai X, Yan C. Opportunities and challenges in combining immunotherapy and radiotherapy in esophageal cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:18253-18270. [PMID: 37985502 PMCID: PMC10725359 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05499-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy has shown promise in the treatment of esophageal cancer, but using it alone only benefits a small number of patients. Most patients either do not have a significant response or develop secondary drug resistance. The combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy appears to be a promising approach to treating esophageal cancer. PURPOSE We reviewed milestone clinical trials of radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy for esophageal cancer. We then discussed potential biomarkers for radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy, including programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) status, tumor mutation burden (TMB), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, ct-DNA, imaging biomarkers, and clinical factors. Furthermore, we emphasize the key mechanisms of radiation therapy-induced immune stimulation and immune suppression in order to propose strategies for overcoming immune resistance in radiation therapy (RT). Lastly, we discussed the emerging role of low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) , which has become a promising approach to overcome the limitations of high-dose radiotherapy. CONCLUSION Radiotherapy can be considered a triggering factor for systemic anti-tumor immune response and, with the assistance of immunotherapy, can serve as a systemic treatment option and potentially become the standard treatment for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhang
- Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 666 Weizhou Road, Weifang, 261000, Shandong, China
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250000, Shandong, China
| | - Xinsheng Cai
- Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 666 Weizhou Road, Weifang, 261000, Shandong, China
| | - Chaoguang Yan
- Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 666 Weizhou Road, Weifang, 261000, Shandong, China.
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Anagnostou V, Ho C, Nicholas G, Juergens RA, Sacher A, Fung AS, Wheatley-Price P, Laurie SA, Levy B, Brahmer JR, Balan A, Niknafs N, Avrutin E, Zhu L, Sausen M, Bradbury PA, O'Donnell-Tormey J, Gaudreau PO, Ding K, Dancey J. ctDNA response after pembrolizumab in non-small cell lung cancer: phase 2 adaptive trial results. Nat Med 2023; 29:2559-2569. [PMID: 37814061 PMCID: PMC10579094 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02598-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has shown promise in capturing primary resistance to immunotherapy. BR.36 is a multi-center, randomized, ctDNA-directed, phase 2 trial of molecular response-adaptive immuno-chemotherapy for patients with lung cancer. In the first of two independent stages, 50 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer received pembrolizumab as standard of care. The primary objectives of stage 1 were to ascertain ctDNA response and determine optimal timing and concordance with radiologic Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) response. Secondary endpoints included the evaluation of time to ctDNA response and correlation with progression-free and overall survival. Maximal mutant allele fraction clearance at the third cycle of pembrolizumab signified molecular response (mR). The trial met its primary endpoint, with a sensitivity of ctDNA response for RECIST response of 82% (90% confidence interval (CI): 52-97%) and a specificity of 75% (90% CI: 56.5-88.5%). Median time to ctDNA response was 2.1 months (90% CI: 1.5-2.6), and patients with mR attained longer progression-free survival (5.03 months versus 2.6 months) and overall survival (not reached versus 7.23 months). These findings are incorporated into the ctDNA-driven interventional molecular response-adaptive second stage of the BR.36 trial in which patients at risk of progression are randomized to treatment intensification or continuation of therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04093167 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Valsamo Anagnostou
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Cheryl Ho
- BCCA-Vancouver Cancer Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Adrian Sacher
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea S Fung
- Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Benjamin Levy
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Julie R Brahmer
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Archana Balan
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Noushin Niknafs
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Egor Avrutin
- Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Liting Zhu
- Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Mark Sausen
- Personal Genome Diagnostics (LabCorp), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Penelope A Bradbury
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Keyue Ding
- Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Janet Dancey
- Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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Filatova AA, Alekseeva LA, Savin IA, Sen'kova AV, Zenkova MA, Mironova NL. The Effect of Cell-Free DNA from Blood Serum of Mice with Metastatic Melanoma on Enhancement of Oncogenic Properties of Melanoma Cells. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:995-1007. [PMID: 37751869 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923070118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Currently, a significant increase in the levels of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in the blood of patients is considered as a generally recognized marker of the development of oncological diseases. Although the tumor-associated cfDNA has been well studied, its biological functions remain unclear. In this work, we investigated the effect of cfDNA isolated from the blood serum of the mice with B16-F10 metastatic melanoma on the properties of the B16-F10 melanoma cells in vitro. It was found that the profile of cfDNA isolated from the blood serum of mice with melanoma differs significantly from the cfDNA isolated from the blood serum of healthy mice, and is similar to the genomic DNA of B16 cells with regards to abundance of oncogenes and mobile genetic elements (MGE). It was shown that the cfDNA of mice with melanoma penetrated into B16 cells, resulting in the increase in abundance of oncogenes and MGE fragments, and caused 5-fold increase of the mRNA level of the secreted DNase Dnase1l3 and a slight increase of the mRNA level of the Jun, Fos, Ras, and Myc oncogenes. cfDNA of the healthy mice caused increase of the mRNA level of intracellular regulatory DNase EndoG and 4-fold increase of the mRNA level of Fos and Ras oncogenes, which are well-known triggers of a large number of signal cascades, from apoptosis inhibition to increased tumor cell proliferation. Thus, it is obvious that the circulating cfDNA of tumor origin is able to penetrate into the cells and, despite the fact that no changes were found in the level of viability and migration activity of the tumor cells, cfDNA, even with a single exposure, can cause changes at the cellular level that increase oncogenicity of the recipient cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina A Filatova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Ludmila A Alekseeva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - Innokenty A Savin
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - Aleksandra V Sen'kova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - Marina A Zenkova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - Nadezhda L Mironova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
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Sivapalan L, Murray JC, Canzoniero JV, Landon B, Jackson J, Scott S, Lam V, Levy BP, Sausen M, Anagnostou V. Liquid biopsy approaches to capture tumor evolution and clinical outcomes during cancer immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-005924. [PMID: 36657818 PMCID: PMC9853269 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) can serve as a real-time biomarker of tumor burden and provide unique insights into the evolving molecular landscape of cancers under the selective pressure of immunotherapy. Tracking the landscape of genomic alterations detected in ctDNA may reveal the clonal architecture of the metastatic cascade and thus improve our understanding of the molecular wiring of therapeutic responses. While liquid biopsies may provide a rapid and accurate evaluation of tumor burden dynamics during immunotherapy, the complexity of antitumor immune responses is not fully captured through single-feature ctDNA analyses. This underscores a need for integrative studies modeling the tumor and the immune compartment to understand the kinetics of tumor clearance in association with the quality of antitumor immune responses. Clinical applications of ctDNA testing in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown both predictive and prognostic value through the detection of genomic biomarkers, such as tumor mutational burden and microsatellite instability, as well as allowing for real-time monitoring of circulating tumor burden and the assessment of early on-therapy responses. These efforts highlight the emerging role of liquid biopsies in selecting patients for cancer immunotherapy, monitoring therapeutic efficacy, determining the optimal duration of treatment and ultimately guiding treatment selection and sequencing. The clinical translation of liquid biopsies is propelled by the increasing number of ctDNA-directed interventional clinical trials in the immuno-oncology space, signifying a critical step towards implementation of liquid biopsies in precision immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavanya Sivapalan
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph C Murray
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jenna VanLiere Canzoniero
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Blair Landon
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Susan Scott
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vincent Lam
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Benjamin P. Levy
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark Sausen
- Personal Genome Diagnostics, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Valsamo Anagnostou
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Kasi PM, Chakrabarti S, Sawyer S, Krainock M, Poklepovic A, Ansstas G, Maninder M, Malhotra M, Ensor J, Gao L, Eroglu Z, Ellers S, Billings P, Rodriguez A, Aleshin A. BESPOKE IO protocol: a multicentre, prospective observational study evaluating the utility of ctDNA in guiding immunotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumours. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060342. [PMID: 35636789 PMCID: PMC9152946 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immunotherapy (IO) has transformed the treatment paradigm for a wide variety of solid tumours. However, assessment of response can be challenging with conventional radiological imaging (eg, iRECIST), which do not precisely capture the unique response patterns of tumours treated with IO. Emerging data suggest that circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) can aid in response assessment in patients with solid tumours receiving IO. The short half-life of ctDNA puts it in a unique position for early treatment response monitoring. The BESPOKE IO study is designed to investigate the clinical utility of serial ctDNA testing to assess treatment response using a tumour-informed, bespoke ctDNA assay (Signatera) and to determine its impact on clinical decision-making with respect to continuation/discontinuation, or escalation/de-escalation of immunotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumours. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The BESPOKE IO is a multicentre, prospective, observational study with a goal to enroll over 1500 patients with solid tumours receiving IO in up to 100 US sites. Patients will be followed for up to 2 years with serial ctDNA analysis, timed with every other treatment cycle. The primary endpoint is to determine the percentage of patients who will have their treatment regimen changed as guided by post-treatment bespoke ctDNA results along with standard response assessment tools. The major secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, overall survival and overall response rate based on the ctDNA dynamics. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The BESPOKE IO study was approved by the WCG Institutional Review Board (Natera-20-043-NCP BESPOKE Study of ctDNA Guided Immunotherapy (BESPOKE IO)) on 22 February 2021. Data protection and privacy regulations will be strictly observed in the capturing, forwarding, processing and storing patients' data. Natera will approve the publication of any study results in accordance with the site-specific contract. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04761783.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ling Gao
- VA Long Beach Healthcare, Long Beach, California, USA
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
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Stadler JC, Belloum Y, Deitert B, Sementsov M, Heidrich I, Gebhardt C, Keller L, Pantel K. Current and Future Clinical Applications of ctDNA in Immuno-Oncology. Cancer Res 2022; 82:349-358. [PMID: 34815256 PMCID: PMC9397642 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-1718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Testing peripheral blood for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) offers a minimally invasive opportunity to diagnose, characterize, and monitor the disease in individual cancer patients. ctDNA can reflect the actual tumor burden and specific genomic state of disease and thus might serve as a prognostic and predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Recent studies in various cancer entities (e.g., melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, and urothelial cancer) have shown that sequential ctDNA analyses allow for the identification of responders to ICI therapy, with a significant lead time to imaging. ctDNA assessment may also help distinguish pseudoprogression under ICI therapy from real progression. Developing dynamic changes in ctDNA concentrations as a potential surrogate endpoint of clinical efficacy in patients undergoing adjuvant immunotherapy is ongoing. Besides overall ctDNA burden, further ctDNA characterization can help uncover tumor-specific determinants (e.g., tumor mutational burden and microsatellite instability) of responses or resistance to immunotherapy. In future studies, standardized ctDNA assessments need to be included in interventional clinical trials across cancer entities to demonstrate the clinical utility of ctDNA as a biomarker for personalized cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia-Christina Stadler
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS4, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yassine Belloum
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Deitert
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mark Sementsov
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Isabel Heidrich
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center HaTriCS4, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christoffer Gebhardt
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Keller
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Corresponding Authors: Klaus Pantel, Institute for Tumor Biologie, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, Hamburg, 20246, Germany. E-mail: ; and Laura Keller, E-mail:
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Corresponding Authors: Klaus Pantel, Institute for Tumor Biologie, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, Hamburg, 20246, Germany. E-mail: ; and Laura Keller, E-mail:
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Predictive Biomarkers for Outcomes of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) in Melanoma: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246366. [PMID: 34944986 PMCID: PMC8699321 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have strongly improved the survival of melanoma patients. However, as durable response to ICIs are only seen in a minority, there is an unmet need to identify biomarkers that predict response. Therefore, we provide a systematic review that evaluates all biomarkers studied in association with outcomes of melanoma patients receiving ICIs. We searched Pubmed, COCHRANE Library, Embase, Emcare, and Web of Science for relevant articles that were published before June 2020 and studied blood, tumor, or fecal biomarkers that predicted response or survival in melanoma patients treated with ICIs. Of the 2536 identified reports, 177 were included in our review. Risk of bias was high in 40%, moderate in 50% and low in 10% of all studies. Biomarkers that correlated with response were myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), CD8+ memory T-cells, T-cell receptor (TCR) diversity, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), gene expression profiling (GEP), and a favorable gut microbiome. This review shows that biomarkers for ICIs in melanoma patients are widely studied, but heterogeneity between studies is high, average sample sizes are low, and validation is often lacking. Future studies are needed to further investigate the predictive utility of some promising candidate biomarkers.
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Olmedillas-López S, Olivera-Salazar R, García-Arranz M, García-Olmo D. Current and Emerging Applications of Droplet Digital PCR in Oncology: An Updated Review. Mol Diagn Ther 2021; 26:61-87. [PMID: 34773243 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-021-00562-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the era of personalized medicine and targeted therapies for the management of patients with cancer, ultrasensitive detection methods for tumor genotyping, such as next-generation sequencing or droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), play a significant role. In the search for less invasive strategies for diagnosis, prognosis and disease monitoring, the number of publications regarding liquid biopsy approaches using ddPCR has increased substantially in recent years. There is a long list of malignancies in which ddPCR provides a reliable and accurate tool for detection of nucleic acid-based markers derived from cell-free DNA, cell-free RNA, circulating tumor cells, extracellular vesicles or exosomes when isolated from whole blood, plasma and serum, helping to anticipate tumor relapse or unveil intratumor heterogeneity and clonal evolution in response to treatment. This updated review describes recent developments in ddPCR platforms and provides a general overview about the major applications of liquid biopsy in blood, including its utility for molecular response and minimal residual disease monitoring in hematological malignancies or the therapeutic management of patients with colorectal or lung cancer, particularly for the selection and monitoring of treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Although plasma is the main source of genetic material for tumor genomic profiling, liquid biopsy by ddPCR is being investigated in a wide variety of biologic fluids, such as cerebrospinal fluid, urine, stool, ocular fluids, sputum, saliva, bronchoalveolar lavage, pleural effusion, mucin, peritoneal fluid, fine needle aspirate, bile or pancreatic juice. The present review focuses on these "alternative" sources of genetic material and their analysis by ddPCR in different kinds of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Olmedillas-López
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rocío Olivera-Salazar
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariano García-Arranz
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Damián García-Olmo
- New Therapies Laboratory, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (IIS-FJD), Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Surgery, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital (FJD), 28040, Madrid, Spain
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10
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Gracie L, Pan Y, Atenafu EG, Ward DG, Teng M, Pallan L, Stevens NM, Khoja L. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in metastatic melanoma, a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Cancer 2021; 158:191-207. [PMID: 34757258 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is an emerging biomarker in melanoma. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore its clinical utility as a prognostic, pharmacodynamic (PD) and predictive biomarker. METHODS A systematic search was conducted from Jan 2015 to April 2021, of the electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Library and Ovid MEDLINE to identify studies. Studies were restricted to those published in English within the last 5 years, evaluating ctDNA in humans in ≥10 patients. Survival data were extracted for meta-analysis using pooled treatment effect (TE), i.e. log hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding standard error of TE for progression-free survival or overall survival differences in patients who were ctDNA positive or negative. PRISMA statement guidelines were followed. RESULTS A meta-analysis of 19 studies grouped according to methodology of ctDNA detection, revealed a combined estimate for HR of progression-free survival (13 studies using droplet digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR) methodology (N = 1002) of 2.10 (95% CI: 1.71-2.59) revealing a poorer prognosis when ctDNA was detected. This result was confirmed in the smaller analysis of (non-ddPCR, N = 347) five studies: HR = 2.45 (95% CI: 1.29-4.63). Similar findings were found in the overall survival analysis of nine studies (ddPCR methodology, N = 841) where the combined HR was 2.78 (95% CI: 2.21-3.49) and of the five studies (non-ddPCR methodology, N = 326) where the combined HR was 2.58 (95% CI: 1.74-3.84). Serial ctDNA levels on treatment showed a pharmacodynamic role reflecting response or resistance earlier than radiological assessment. CONCLUSIONS Circulating tumour DNA is a predictive, prognostic and PD biomarker in melanoma. Technical standardisation of assays is required before clinical adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Gracie
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Yi Pan
- Centre for Computational Biology and Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Eshetu G Atenafu
- Biostatistics Department, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, University Way, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Douglas G Ward
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Mabel Teng
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Department of Oncology, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
| | - Lallit Pallan
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Department of Oncology, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
| | - Neil M Stevens
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Leila Khoja
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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11
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Meng L, Xu J, Ye Y, Wang Y, Luo S, Gong X. The Combination of Radiotherapy With Immunotherapy and Potential Predictive Biomarkers for Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Front Immunol 2021; 12:723609. [PMID: 34621270 PMCID: PMC8490639 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.723609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is an effective local treatment modality of NSCLC. Its capabilities of eliminating tumor cells by inducing double strand DNA (dsDNA) damage and modulating anti-tumor immune response in irradiated and nonirradiated sites have been elucidated. The novel ICIs therapy has brought hope to patients resistant to traditional treatment methods, including radiotherapy. The integration of radiotherapy with immunotherapy has shown improved efficacy to control tumor progression and prolong survival in NSCLC. In this context, biomarkers that help choose the most effective treatment modality for individuals and avoid unnecessary toxicities caused by ineffective treatment are urgently needed. This article summarized the effects of radiation in the tumor immune microenvironment and the mechanisms involved. Outcomes of multiple clinical trials investigating immuno-radiotherapy were also discussed here. Furthermore, we outlined the emerging biomarkers for the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockades and radiation therapy and discussed their predictive value in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Meng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfang Xu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Ye
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingying Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shilan Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomei Gong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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12
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Feng SN, Cen XT, Tan R, Wei SS, Sun LD. The prognostic value of circulating tumor DNA in patients with melanoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101072. [PMID: 33744725 PMCID: PMC7985561 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been investigated as a potential prognostic biomarker to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and disease progression in melanoma patients, yet results remain inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the prognostic value of ctDNA in melanoma. OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical prognostic value of ctDNA for melanoma patients. METHODS Searched for eligible articles from Pubmed, Web of Science and Embase. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the association between ctDNA at baseline or during treatment and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS A total of 9 articles were obtained, involving 617 melanoma patients. The pooled HRs revealed that compared with baseline undetectable ctDNA patients, detectable ctDNA was highly correlated with poor OS (HR 2.91, 95% CI: 2.22-3.82; p < 0.001) and PFS (HR 2.75, 95% CI: 1.98-3.83; p < 0.001). A meta-analysis of these adjusted HRs was performed and confirmed that ctDNA collected at baseline was associated with poorer OS/PFS (OS: HR 3.00, 95% CI 2.19-4.11, p < 0.001/PFS: HR 2.68, 95% CI 1.77-4.06, p < 0.001). During treatment, a significant association was shown between ctDNA and poorer OS/PFS (OS: HR 6.26, 95% CI 2.48-15.80, p < 0.001; PFS: HR 4.93, 95% CI 2.36-10.33, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Investigation and application of ctDNA will improve "liquid biopsy" and play a role in early prediction, monitoring disease progression and precise adjusting treatment strategies in melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S N Feng
- Department of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 253 Gongye Avenue, Guangzhou, China
| | - X T Cen
- Department of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 253 Gongye Avenue, Guangzhou, China
| | - R Tan
- Department of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 253 Gongye Avenue, Guangzhou, China
| | - S S Wei
- Department of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 253 Gongye Avenue, Guangzhou, China
| | - L D Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, No. 253 Gongye Avenue, Guangzhou, China; Departmet of Dermatology, the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, No.566 Congcheng Avenue, Guangzhou, China.
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13
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Valenti F, Falcone I, Ungania S, Desiderio F, Giacomini P, Bazzichetto C, Conciatori F, Gallo E, Cognetti F, Ciliberto G, Morrone A, Guerrisi A. Precision Medicine and Melanoma: Multi-Omics Approaches to Monitoring the Immunotherapy Response. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3837. [PMID: 33917181 PMCID: PMC8067863 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment and management of patients with metastatic melanoma have evolved considerably in the "era" of personalized medicine. Melanoma was one of the first solid tumors to benefit from immunotherapy; life expectancy for patients in advanced stage of disease has improved. However, many progresses have yet to be made considering the (still) high number of patients who do not respond to therapies or who suffer adverse events. In this scenario, precision medicine appears fundamental to direct the most appropriate treatment to the single patient and to guide towards treatment decisions. The recent multi-omics analyses (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, radiomics, etc.) and the technological evolution of data interpretation have allowed to identify and understand several processes underlying the biology of cancer; therefore, improving the tumor clinical management. Specifically, these approaches have identified new pharmacological targets and potential biomarkers used to predict the response or adverse events to treatments. In this review, we will analyze and describe the most important omics approaches, by evaluating the methodological aspects and progress in melanoma precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Valenti
- Oncogenomics and Epigenetics, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (F.V.); (P.G.)
| | - Italia Falcone
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (I.F.); (C.B.); (F.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Sara Ungania
- Medical Physics and Expert Systems Laboratory, Department of Research and Advanced Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Flora Desiderio
- Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Department of Clinical and Dermatological Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Patrizio Giacomini
- Oncogenomics and Epigenetics, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (F.V.); (P.G.)
| | - Chiara Bazzichetto
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (I.F.); (C.B.); (F.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Fabiana Conciatori
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (I.F.); (C.B.); (F.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Enzo Gallo
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Cognetti
- Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (I.F.); (C.B.); (F.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Direction IRCSS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Aldo Morrone
- Scientific Direction, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Antonino Guerrisi
- Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Department of Clinical and Dermatological Research, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, 00144 Rome, Italy;
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14
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Adam T, Becker TM, Chua W, Bray V, Roberts TL. The Multiple Potential Biomarkers for Predicting Immunotherapy Response-Finding the Needle in the Haystack. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020277. [PMID: 33451015 PMCID: PMC7828488 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are being increasingly utilised in a variety of advanced malignancies. Despite promising outcomes in certain patients, the majority will not derive benefit and are at risk of potentially serious immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The development of predictive biomarkers is therefore critical to personalise treatments and improve outcomes. A number of biomarkers have shown promising results, including from tumour (programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), tumour mutational burden (TMB), stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC)), from blood (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), exosomes, cytokines and metal chelators) and finally the microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamiem Adam
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, 1 Campbell St, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.M.B.); (W.C.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2170, Australia
- Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Corner of Goulburn and Elizabeth Streets, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia;
- Correspondence: (T.A.); (T.L.R.)
| | - Therese M. Becker
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, 1 Campbell St, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.M.B.); (W.C.)
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Wei Chua
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, 1 Campbell St, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.M.B.); (W.C.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2170, Australia
- Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Corner of Goulburn and Elizabeth Streets, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia;
| | - Victoria Bray
- Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Corner of Goulburn and Elizabeth Streets, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia;
| | - Tara L. Roberts
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, 1 Campbell St, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (T.M.B.); (W.C.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2170, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
- Correspondence: (T.A.); (T.L.R.)
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15
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Sacco A, Forgione L, Carotenuto M, De Luca A, Ascierto PA, Botti G, Normanno N. Circulating Tumor DNA Testing Opens New Perspectives in Melanoma Management. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2914. [PMID: 33050536 PMCID: PMC7601606 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma accounts for about 1% of all skin cancers, but it causes most of the skin cancer-related deaths. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing is emerging as a relevant tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer. The availability of highly sensitive techniques, including next generation sequencing (NGS)-based panels, has increased the fields of application of ctDNA testing. While ctDNA-based tests for the early detection of melanoma are not available yet, perioperative ctDNA analysis in patients with surgically resectable melanoma offers relevant prognostic information: i) the detection of ctDNA before surgery correlates with the extent and the aggressiveness of the disease; ii) ctDNA testing after surgery/adjuvant therapy identifies minimal residual disease; iii) testing ctDNA during the follow-up can detect a tumor recurrence, anticipating clinical/radiological progression. In patients with advanced melanoma, several studies have demonstrated that the analysis of ctDNA can better depict tumor heterogeneity and provides relevant prognostic information. In addition, ctDNA testing during treatment allows assessing the response to systemic therapy and identifying resistance mechanisms. Although validation in prospective clinical trials is needed for most of these approaches, ctDNA testing opens up new scenarios in the management of melanoma patients that could lead to improvements in the diagnosis and therapy of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Sacco
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.S.); (L.F.); (M.C.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Laura Forgione
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.S.); (L.F.); (M.C.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Marianeve Carotenuto
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.S.); (L.F.); (M.C.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Antonella De Luca
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.S.); (L.F.); (M.C.); (A.D.L.)
| | - Paolo A. Ascierto
- Department of Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Gerardo Botti
- Scientific Direction, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Nicola Normanno
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.S.); (L.F.); (M.C.); (A.D.L.)
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16
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Circulating Cell-Free Nucleic Acids: Main Characteristics and Clinical Application. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186827. [PMID: 32957662 PMCID: PMC7555669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsy recently became a very promising diagnostic method that has several advantages over conventional invasive methods. Liquid biopsy may serve as a source of several important biomarkers including cell-free nucleic acids (cf-NAs). Cf-DNA is widely used in prenatal testing in order to characterize fetal genetic disorders. Analysis of cf-DNA may provide information about the mutation profile of tumor cells, while cell-free non-coding RNAs are promising biomarker candidates in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Many of these markers have the potential to help clinicians in therapy selection and in the follow-up of patients. Thus, cf-NA-based diagnostics represent a new path in personalized medicine. Although several reviews are available in the field, most of them focus on a limited number of cf-NA types. In this review, we give an overview about all known cf-NAs including cf-DNA, cf-mtDNA and cell-free non-coding RNA (miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, piRNA, YRNA, and vtRNA) by discussing their biogenesis, biological function and potential as biomarker candidates in liquid biopsy. We also outline possible future directions in the field.
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17
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Nguyen B, Meehan K, Pereira MR, Mirzai B, Lim SH, Leslie C, Clark M, Sader C, Friedland P, Lindsay A, Tang C, Millward M, Gray ES, Lim AM. A comparative study of extracellular vesicle-associated and cell-free DNA and RNA for HPV detection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6083. [PMID: 32269293 PMCID: PMC7142128 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63180-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This study compares the detection sensitivity of two separate liquid biopsy sources, cell-free (cf) DNA/RNA and extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated DNA/RNA (EV-DNA/RNA), to identify circulating Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) DNA/RNA in plasma obtained from patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPCSCC). We also report on the longitudinal changes observed in HPV-DNA levels in response to treatment. Experimental design: A prospective study was conducted that included 22 patients with locally advanced disease and six patients with metastatic OPCSCC. Twenty-three patients had HPV-related OPCSCC defined by p16 immunohistochemistry. Levels of circulating HPV-DNA and HPV-RNA from plasma-derived cf-DNA/RNA and EV-DNA/RNA were quantified using digital droplet PCR. Results: Circulating HPV-DNA was detected with higher sensitivity in cf-DNA compared to EV-DNA at 91% vs. 42% (p = <0.001). Similarly, circulating tumoral HPV-RNA was detected at a higher sensitivity in cf-RNA compared to EV-RNA, at 83% vs. 50% (p = 0.0019). In the locally advanced cohort, 100% (n = 16) of HPV-OPCSCC patients demonstrated a reduction in circulating HPV-DNA levels in cf-DNA following curative treatment, with 81% of patients demonstrating complete clearance to undetectable levels. However, in metastatic HPV-OPCSCC patients (n = 4), HPV-DNA levels did not correlate with treatment response. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that although HPV-DNA/RNA can be detected in EV associated DNA/RNA, cf-DNA/RNA is the more sensitive liquid biopsy medium. As circulating HPV-DNA levels were found to only correlate with treatment response in the locally advanced but not metastatic setting in our small cohort of patients, the use of HPV-DNA as a dynamic biomarker to monitor treatment response requires further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bella Nguyen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Katie Meehan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Michelle R Pereira
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Bob Mirzai
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Anatomical Pathology, PathWest, QEII Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Si Hong Lim
- Genomics Western Australia, Telethon Kids Institute, Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Connull Leslie
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Anatomical Pathology, PathWest, QEII Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michael Clark
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Chady Sader
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, St John of God Murdoch Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Friedland
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Lindsay
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hollywood Private Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Colin Tang
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michael Millward
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elin S Gray
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Annette M Lim
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. .,Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. .,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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18
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Otandault A, Anker P, Al Amir Dache Z, Guillaumon V, Meddeb R, Pastor B, Pisareva E, Sanchez C, Tanos R, Tousch G, Schwarzenbach H, Thierry AR. Recent advances in circulating nucleic acids in oncology. Ann Oncol 2020; 30:374-384. [PMID: 30753271 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is one of the fastest growing and most exciting areas in oncology in recent years. Its potential clinical uses cover now each phase of cancer patient management care (predictive information, detection of the minimal residual disease, early detection of resistance, treatment monitoring, recurrence surveillance, and cancer early detection/screening). This review relates the recent advances in the application of circulating DNA or RNA in oncology building on unpublished or initial findings/work presented at the 10th international symposium on circulating nucleic acids in plasma and serum held in Montpellier from the 20th to the 22nd of September 2017. This year, presenters revealed their latest data and crucial observations notably in relation to (i) the circulating cell-free (cfDNA) structure and implications regarding their optimal detection; (ii) their role in the metastatic or immunological processes; (iii) evaluation of miRNA panels for cancer patient follow up; (iv) the detection of the minimal residual disease; (v) the evaluation of a screening tests for cancer using cfDNA analysis; and (vi) elements of preanalytical guidelines. This work reviews the recent progresses in the field brought to light in the meeting, as well as in the most important reports from the literature, past and present. It proposes a broader picture of the basic research and its potential, and of the implementation and current challenges in the use of circulating nucleic acids in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Otandault
- IRCM, Institute of Research in Oncology of Montpellier, Montpellier; INSERM, U1194, Montpellier; Department of Oncology, Montpellier University, Montpellier; Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier
| | - P Anker
- IRCM, Institute of Research in Oncology of Montpellier, Montpellier; INSERM, U1194, Montpellier; Department of Oncology, Montpellier University, Montpellier; Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier
| | - Z Al Amir Dache
- IRCM, Institute of Research in Oncology of Montpellier, Montpellier; INSERM, U1194, Montpellier; Department of Oncology, Montpellier University, Montpellier; Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier
| | - V Guillaumon
- Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier; SIRIC, Integrated Cancer Research Site, Montpellier, France
| | - R Meddeb
- IRCM, Institute of Research in Oncology of Montpellier, Montpellier; INSERM, U1194, Montpellier; Department of Oncology, Montpellier University, Montpellier; Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier
| | - B Pastor
- IRCM, Institute of Research in Oncology of Montpellier, Montpellier; INSERM, U1194, Montpellier; Department of Oncology, Montpellier University, Montpellier; Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier
| | - E Pisareva
- IRCM, Institute of Research in Oncology of Montpellier, Montpellier; INSERM, U1194, Montpellier; Department of Oncology, Montpellier University, Montpellier; Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier
| | - C Sanchez
- IRCM, Institute of Research in Oncology of Montpellier, Montpellier; INSERM, U1194, Montpellier; Department of Oncology, Montpellier University, Montpellier; Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier
| | - R Tanos
- IRCM, Institute of Research in Oncology of Montpellier, Montpellier; INSERM, U1194, Montpellier; Department of Oncology, Montpellier University, Montpellier; Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier
| | - G Tousch
- IRCM, Institute of Research in Oncology of Montpellier, Montpellier; INSERM, U1194, Montpellier; Department of Oncology, Montpellier University, Montpellier; Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier
| | - H Schwarzenbach
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - A R Thierry
- IRCM, Institute of Research in Oncology of Montpellier, Montpellier; INSERM, U1194, Montpellier; Department of Oncology, Montpellier University, Montpellier; Regional Institute of Cancer of Montpellier, Montpellier.
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19
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Detection of Gene Mutations in Liquid Biopsy of Melanoma Patients: Overview and Future Perspectives. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2020; 21:19. [PMID: 32048063 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-020-0708-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Liquid biopsies are still far from widely implanted in the clinical arena. Issues related to the added sensitivity of this test beyond conventional methods have not been fully resolved. Additionally, issues related to the specificity of these results especially as many cancers may share common mutation need further investigations. One way to resolve this may include the development and testing of large gene panels to add higher specificity. On the other hand, further studies are needed to support the idea that ctDNA or circulating tumor cells may constitute a better representation of the tumor subpopulation that is capable of metastasizing, which will strongly support its clinical value. Finally, survival studies showing a positive impact of this technology will also justify its widespread implementation in clinical practice.
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20
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Kozak K, Kowalik A, Gos A, Wasag B, Lugowska I, Jurkowska M, Krawczynska N, Kosela-Paterczyk H, Switaj T, Teterycz P, Klimczak A, Siedlecki JA, Chlopek M, Kalisz J, Limon J, Rutkowski P. Cell-free DNA BRAF V600E measurements during BRAF inhibitor therapy of metastatic melanoma: long-term analysis. TUMORI JOURNAL 2020; 106:300891619900928. [PMID: 32026754 DOI: 10.1177/0300891619900928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed the status of the BRAF V600E mutation in cell-free circulating tumor DNA (cfDNA) isolated from the plasma of patients with metastatic melanoma treated with the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib, collected at different time points during therapy to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of quantitative polymerase chain reaction and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) and the correlation between the level of plasma cfDNA p.V600E and the long-term clinical outcome. METHODS cfDNA in patients with BRAF-mutated melanoma (n = 62) was analyzed at baseline and at 4-8 weeks from the start of vemurafenib therapy. BRAF mutations were assessed using tumor tissue-derived DNA and circulating cfDNA from plasma samples. Quantification of BRAF V600E was performed in cfDNA using ddPCR. RESULTS cfDNA V600E was detected in the plasma of 48/62 (77%) patients at baseline and in 18/62 (29%) patients after 4-8 weeks of treatment. Patients positive for BRAF mutations in cfDNA at baseline had shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with patients with undetectable cfDNA BRAF mutations. Undetectable cfDNA p.V600E at baseline and after 4-8 weeks of therapy was associated with the best prognosis. When treated as a continuous variable, the log-transformed concentration of baseline cfDNA p.V600E was significantly associated with both PFS and OS. This effect was retained in the multivariate OS Cox model adjusted for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, the presence of brain metastases, patient age, and previous systemic treatment. CONCLUSIONS Monitoring of plasma BRAF p.V600E cfDNA concentrations in patients with metastatic melanoma on targeted therapy may have prognostic value. Undetectable cfDNA p.V600E before and during treatment was associated with a favorable prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kozak
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Kowalik
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Holy Cross Cancer Centre, Kielce, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Gos
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Wasag
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Iwona Lugowska
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Natalia Krawczynska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Hanna Kosela-Paterczyk
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Switaj
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Teterycz
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Klimczak
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz A Siedlecki
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Chlopek
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Holy Cross Cancer Centre, Kielce, Poland
| | - Joanna Kalisz
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Holy Cross Cancer Centre, Kielce, Poland
| | - Janusz Limon
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Piotr Rutkowski
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
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21
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Oliveira KC, Ramos IB, Silva JM, Barra WF, Riggins GJ, Palande V, Pinho CT, Frenkel-Morgenstern M, Santos SE, Assumpcao PP, Burbano RR, Calcagno DQ. Current Perspectives on Circulating Tumor DNA, Precision Medicine, and Personalized Clinical Management of Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 18:517-528. [DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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22
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Herbreteau G, Charpentier S, Vallée A, Denis MG. Use of circulating tumoral DNA to guide treatment for metastatic melanoma. Pharmacogenomics 2019; 20:1259-1270. [DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2019-0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of metastatic cutaneous melanoma is conditioned by the identification of BRAF-activating mutations in tumor DNA. Tumor genotyping is usually performed on DNA extracted from tissue samples. However, these invasive samples are rarely repeated during follow-up, and their analysis requires a sample pre-treatment which may take several weeks. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), released into blood by cancer cells, is a good alternative to tissue sampling. ctDNA is not subject to tumor heterogeneity, and can be analyzed rapidly, making possible the detection of mutations in emergency or in patients whose tumor cannot be sampled. ctDNA can also be analyzed repeatedly during follow-up, for postresection minimal residual disease assessment, for therapeutic response monitoring and for early relapse detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Herbreteau
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Plateforme de Génétique Moléculaire des Cancers, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie, CRCINA, INSERM U1232, Nantes, France
| | - Sandrine Charpentier
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Plateforme de Génétique Moléculaire des Cancers, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie, CRCINA, INSERM U1232, Nantes, France
| | - Audrey Vallée
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Plateforme de Génétique Moléculaire des Cancers, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie, CRCINA, INSERM U1232, Nantes, France
| | - Marc G Denis
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Plateforme de Génétique Moléculaire des Cancers, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie, CRCINA, INSERM U1232, Nantes, France
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