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Sabag B, Puthenveetil A, Levy M, Joseph N, Doniger T, Yaron O, Karako-Lampert S, Lazar I, Awwad F, Ashkenazi S, Barda-Saad M. Dysfunctional natural killer cells can be reprogrammed to regain anti-tumor activity. EMBO J 2024:10.1038/s44318-024-00094-5. [PMID: 38637625 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00094-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are critical to the innate immune system, as they recognize antigens without prior sensitization, and contribute to the control and clearance of viral infections and cancer. However, a significant proportion of NK cells in mice and humans do not express classical inhibitory receptors during their education process and are rendered naturally "anergic", i.e., exhibiting reduced effector functions. The molecular events leading to NK cell anergy as well as their relation to those underlying NK cell exhaustion that arises from overstimulation in chronic conditions, remain unknown. Here, we characterize the "anergic" phenotype and demonstrate functional, transcriptional, and phenotypic similarities to the "exhausted" state in tumor-infiltrating NK cells. Furthermore, we identify zinc finger transcription factor Egr2 and diacylglycerol kinase DGKα as common negative regulators controlling NK cell dysfunction. Finally, experiments in a 3D organotypic spheroid culture model and an in vivo tumor model suggest that a nanoparticle-based delivery platform can reprogram these dysfunctional natural killer cell populations in their native microenvironment. This approach may become clinically relevant for the development of novel anti-tumor immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batel Sabag
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Abhishek Puthenveetil
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Moria Levy
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Noah Joseph
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Tirtza Doniger
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Orly Yaron
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Sarit Karako-Lampert
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Itay Lazar
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Fatima Awwad
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Shahar Ashkenazi
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Mira Barda-Saad
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, 5290002, Israel.
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Benesova I, Capkova L, Ozaniak A, Pacas P, Kopeckova K, Galova D, Lischke R, Buchler T, Ozaniak Strizova Z. A comprehensive analysis of CD47 expression in various histological subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma: exploring novel opportunities for macrophage-directed treatments. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:134. [PMID: 38493445 PMCID: PMC10944806 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05661-1] [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: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The CD47 molecule, often referred to as the "do not eat me" signal, is frequently overexpressed in tumor cells. This signaling pathway limits phagocytosis by macrophages. Our objective was to determine CD47 abundance in various soft tissue sarcomas (STS) to investigate whether it could serve as a potential evasion mechanism for tumor cells. Additionally, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of CD47 expression by examining its association with different clinicopathological factors. This study aimed to elucidate the significance of CD47 in the context of emerging anti-tumor targeting approaches. METHODS In this retrospective study, formalin-fixed paraffine-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues of 55 treatment-naïve patients were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for the abundance of CD47 molecule on tumor cells. The categorization of CD47 positivity was as follows: 0 (no staining of tumor cells), 1 + (less than 1/3 of tumor area positive), 2 + (between 1/3 and 2/3 of tumor area positive), and 3 + (more than 2/3 of tumor area positive for CD47). Next, we compared CD47 abundance between different tumor grades (G1-3). We used Kaplan-Meier survival curves with log-rank test to analyze the differences in survival between patients with different CD47 expression. Moreover, we performed Cox proportional hazards regression model to evaluate the clinical significance of CD47. RESULTS CD47 is widely prevalent across distinct STS subtypes. More than 80% of high grade undifferentiated pleiomorphic sarcoma (UPS), 70% of myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) and more than 60% of liposarcoma (LPS) samples displayed a pattern of moderate-to-diffuse positivity. This phenomenon remains consistent regardless of the tumor grade. However, there was a tendency for higher CD47 expression levels in the G3 group compared to the combined G1 + G2 groups when all LPS, MFS, and UPS were analyzed together. No significant associations were observed between CD47 abundance, death, and metastatic status. Additionally, high CD47 expression was associated with a statistically significant increase in progression-free survival in the studied cohort of patients. CONCLUSION This study highlights the potential of the CD47 molecule as a promising immunotherapeutic target in STS, particularly given its elevated expression levels in diverse sarcoma types. Our data showed a notable trend linking CD47 expression to tumor grade, while also suggesting an interesting correlation between enhanced abundance of CD47 expression and a reduced hazard risk of disease progression. Although these findings shed light on different roles of CD47 in STS, further research is crucial to assess its potential in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Benesova
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Linda Capkova
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrej Ozaniak
- Third Department of Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Pacas
- Department of Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Kopeckova
- Department of Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dominika Galova
- Third Department of Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Lischke
- Third Department of Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Buchler
- Department of Oncology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Ozaniak Strizova
- Department of Immunology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu 84, 150 06, Prague 5, Czech Republic.
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3
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Hong Q, Ding S, Xing C, Mu Z. Advances in tumor immune microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A review of literature. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37387. [PMID: 38428879 PMCID: PMC10906580 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma is seen as principal malignancy of head and neck. Tumor immune microenvironment plays a vital role in the occurrence, development and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The effect of immunotherapy, in particular, is closely related to tumor immune microenvironment. This review searched for high-quality literature included within PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using the keywords "head and neck cancers," "tumor microenvironment" and "immunotherapy," with the view to summarizing the characteristics of HNSCC immune microenvironment and how various subsets of immune cells promote tumorigenesis. At the same time, based on the favorable prospects of immunotherapy having been shown currently, the study is committed to pinpointing the latest progress of HNSCC immunotherapy, which is of great significance in not only further guiding the diagnosis and treatment of HNSCC, but also conducting its prognostic judgement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qichao Hong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), Haikou, China
| | - Shun Ding
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Chengliang Xing
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Zhonglin Mu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
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Arjmand B, Hamidpour SK, Tayanloo-Beik A, Arjmand R, Rezaei-Tavirani M, Aghayan H, Rajaeinejad M, Larijani B. Isolation and Phenotypic Characterization of Tumor-Infiltrating NK Cells in Skin Carcinoma. Methods Mol Biol 2024. [PMID: 38329617 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2023_512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
In oncological research, the function of tumor-infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells in skin carcinoma presents a viable avenue for novel therapeutic methods. NK cells are essential to the body's defense against malignancies, including skin cancer, and are especially important in more sophisticated cancer immunotherapies such as vaccinations containing dendritic cells. The deadliest type of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, still has a poor prognosis even with advancements in early-stage therapies, which emphasizes the need for novel therapeutic strategies. NK cells from human melanoma metastases were subjected to single-cell RNA-seq analysis, which demonstrated notable variations in the transcriptional programs of tumor-infiltrating and circulating NK cells. Different transcriptional states are displayed by NK cells that have invaded tumors, indicating that they are functionally specialized in areas like chemokine production and cytotoxicity. These results emphasize the functions of NK cells in recruiting other significant immune cell types, such as cross-presenting dendritic cells, and in direct cytotoxicity against malignant cells. Investigating NK cells that infiltrate tumors in skin carcinomas presents a viable approach to comprehending and may be modifying the immune environment surrounding these cancers. It is essential to comprehend the distinct characteristics and roles of NK cells inside the tumor microenvironment in order to create more potent immunotherapeutic approaches to treat skin cancer. In order to perhaps open the door for new directions in cancer immunotherapy, the project intends to establish a thorough technique for the isolation and thorough phenotypic characterization of tumor-infiltrating NK cells in skin carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Arjmand
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Akram Tayanloo-Beik
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rasta Arjmand
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hamidreza Aghayan
- Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rajaeinejad
- AJA Cancer Epidemiology Research and Treatment Center (AJA-CERTC), AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Esmaeilzadeh A, Hadiloo K, Jabbari M, Elahi R. Current progress of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T versus CAR NK cell for immunotherapy of solid tumors. Life Sci 2024; 337:122381. [PMID: 38145710 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122381] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Equipping cancer-fighting immune cells with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) has gained immense attention for cancer treatment. CAR-engineered T cells (CAR T cells) are the first immune-engineered cells that have achieved brilliant results in anti-cancer therapy. Despite promising anti-cancer features, CAR T cells could also cause fatal side effects and have shown inadequate efficacy in some studies. This has led to the introduction of other candidates for CAR transduction, e.g., Natural killer cells (NK cells). Regarding the better safety profile and anti-cancer properties, CAR-armored NK cells (CAR NK cells) could be a beneficial and suitable alternative to CAR T cells. Since introducing these two cells as anti-cancer structures, several studies have investigated their efficacy and safety, and most of them have focused on hematological malignancies. Solid tumors have unique properties that make them more resistant and less curable cancers than hematological malignancies. In this review article, we conduct a comprehensive review of the structure and properties of CAR NK and CAR T cells, compare the recent experience of immunotherapy with CAR T and CAR NK cells in various solid cancers, and overview current challenges and future solutions to battle solid cancers using CARNK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolreza Esmaeilzadeh
- Department of Immunology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran; Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center (CGRC), Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
| | - Kaveh Hadiloo
- Student Research Committee, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran; School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Marjan Jabbari
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Reza Elahi
- School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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Zhou X, Li Z, Chen H, Jiao M, Zhou C, Li H. Relevance Analysis of TPM2 and Clinicopathological Characteristics in Breast Cancer. Int J Gen Med 2024; 17:59-74. [PMID: 38221941 PMCID: PMC10788065 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s442004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The function of tropomyosin 2 (TPM2) in breast cancer is still far understudied. In this study, we aim to explore the roles of TPM2 in breast cancer progression. Methods This research included 155 breast cancer tissues. The expression of TPM2 was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining and grading. The mRNA expression of TPM2 in pan-cancer was analyzed with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data plate form. The differential expression of TPM2 protein and the differential promoter methylation level of TPM2 between breast cancer tissues and normal breast tissues were analyzed by the UALCAN online database. The relationship between TPM2 and signaling pathways was interpreted by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) pathway enrichment analyses. The survival curve of TPM2 was analyzed across the Kaplan-Meier plotter online database. Furthermore, the relationship between TPM2 expression and infiltrating macrophages was validated through in vitro co-culture experiments. Results TPM2 expression was significantly down-regulated in breast cancer samples. In addition, TPM2 expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis and high-grade histopathological morphology. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that TPM2 expression could well distinguish between normal breast tissue and breast cancer tissue. TPM2 may have potential value in breast cancer diagnosis. Bioinformatics analysis illustrated that TPM2 was mainly involved in extracellular matrix organization, collagen fibril organization, cell junction assembly, focal adhesion, cAMP signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, and adaptive immune system. TPM2 expression was correlated with immune infiltrating cells and immune checkpoint molecules. Our in vitro co-culture experiments showed that the M2 macrophages could upregulate the expression of TPM2. Conclusion TPM2 may play key roles in breast cancer occurrence and development, especially in cancer metastasis. TPM2 may be a potential biomarker for breast cancer diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingchen Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhishuang Li
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huan Chen
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meng Jiao
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chengjun Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People’s Republic of China
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7
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Santoro J, Carrese B, Peluso MS, Coppola L, D’Aiuto M, Mossetti G, Salvatore M, Smaldone G. Influence of Breast Cancer Extracellular Vesicles on Immune Cell Activation: A Pilot Study. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1531. [PMID: 38132355 PMCID: PMC10740516 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. It is well known that breast cancer shows significant alterations in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is composed of a variety of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, that have a key role in tumor development or anti-tumor responses in breast cancer patients. Luminal B (BT474) and triple-negative breast cancer (HS578T) cell lines were cultured in 2D and 3D model systems. PMBCs from healthy donors were isolated and treated with extracellular vesicles (EVs) from monolayer and spheroids of BT474 and HS578T and analyzed using cytofluorimetric approaches. We observed that EVs can alter the activation and presence of CD335+/CD11b+ NK cells. EVs derived from BT474 and HS578T cells trigger the activation and, simultaneously, a reduction in the percentage of CD335+/CD11b+ NK cells. In addition, EVs derived from BT474 also significantly reduce CD39+ T-regulatory (T-reg) cells. Our preliminary data suggest that using EVs to treat tumors could potentially alter components of the immune system, which causes hyperactivation of specific cell types and can lead to aggressive growth. These data will guide the designing of new personalized diagnostic approaches based on in-depth study of the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Santoro
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Barbara Carrese
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Maria Sara Peluso
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Luigi Coppola
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | | | - Gennaro Mossetti
- Pathological Anatomy Service, Casa di Cura Maria Rosaria, Via Colle San Bartolomeo, 50, 80045 Pompei, Italy;
| | - Marco Salvatore
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Giovanni Smaldone
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 80143 Naples, Italy; (J.S.); (M.S.P.); (M.S.); (G.S.)
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Edri A, Ben-Haim N, Hailu A, Brycman N, Berhani-Zipori O, Rifman J, Cohen S, Yackoubov D, Rosenberg M, Simantov R, Teru H, Kurata K, Anderson KC, Hendel A, Pato A, Geffen Y. Nicotinamide-Expanded Allogeneic Natural Killer Cells with CD38 Deletion, Expressing an Enhanced CD38 Chimeric Antigen Receptor, Target Multiple Myeloma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17231. [PMID: 38139060 PMCID: PMC10743602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a vital component of cancer immune surveillance. They provide a rapid and potent immune response, including direct cytotoxicity and mobilization of the immune system, without the need for antigen processing and presentation. NK cells may also be better tolerated than T cell therapy approaches and are susceptible to various gene manipulations. Therefore, NK cells have become the focus of extensive translational research. Gamida Cell's nicotinamide (NAM) platform for cultured NK cells provides an opportunity to enhance the therapeutic potential of NK cells. CD38 is an ectoenzyme ubiquitously expressed on the surface of various hematologic cells, including multiple myeloma (MM). It has been selected as a lead target for numerous monoclonal therapeutic antibodies against MM. Monoclonal antibodies target CD38, resulting in the lysis of MM plasma cells through various antibody-mediated mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity, and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, significantly improving the outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory MM. However, this therapeutic strategy has inherent limitations, such as the anti-CD38-induced depletion of CD38-expressing NK cells, thus hindering ADCC. We have developed genetically engineered NK cells tailored to treat MM, in which CD38 was knocked-out using CRISPR-Cas9 technology and an enhanced chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD38 was introduced using mRNA electroporation. This combined genetic approach allows for an improved cytotoxic activity directed against CD38-expressing MM cells without self-inflicted NK-cell-mediated fratricide. Preliminary results show near-complete abolition of fratricide with a 24-fold reduction in self-lysis from 19% in mock-transfected and untreated NK cells to 0.8% of self-lysis in CD38 knock-out CAR NK cells. Furthermore, we have observed significant enhancements in CD38-mediated activity in vitro, resulting in increased lysis of MM target cell lines. CD38 knock-out CAR NK cells also demonstrated significantly higher levels of NK activation markers in co-cultures with both untreated and αCD38-treated MM cell lines. These NAM-cultured NK cells with the combined genetic approach of CD38 knockout and addition of CD38 CAR represent a promising immunotherapeutic tool to target MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avishay Edri
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Nimrod Ben-Haim
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel; (N.B.-H.); (M.R.)
| | - Astar Hailu
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Nurit Brycman
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Orit Berhani-Zipori
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Julia Rifman
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Sherri Cohen
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Dima Yackoubov
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Michael Rosenberg
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel; (N.B.-H.); (M.R.)
| | | | - Hideshima Teru
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.T.); (K.K.); (K.C.A.)
| | - Keiji Kurata
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.T.); (K.K.); (K.C.A.)
| | - Kenneth Carl Anderson
- Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (H.T.); (K.K.); (K.C.A.)
| | - Ayal Hendel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel; (N.B.-H.); (M.R.)
| | - Aviad Pato
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
| | - Yona Geffen
- Gamida-Cell, Jerusalem 34670, Israel; (A.E.); (A.H.); (N.B.); (O.B.-Z.); (J.R.); (S.C.); (D.Y.); (A.P.)
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9
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Zhou X, Renauer PA, Zhou L, Fang SY, Chen S. Applications of CRISPR technology in cellular immunotherapy. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:199-216. [PMID: 37449673 PMCID: PMC10787818 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR technology has transformed multiple fields, including cancer and immunology. CRISPR-based gene editing and screening empowers direct genomic manipulation of immune cells, opening doors to unbiased functional genetic screens. These screens aid in the discovery of novel factors that regulate and reprogram immune responses, offering novel drug targets. The engineering of immune cells using CRISPR has sparked a transformation in the cellular immunotherapy field, resulting in a multitude of ongoing clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the development and applications of CRISPR and related gene editing technologies in immune cells, focusing on functional genomics screening, gene editing-based cell therapies, as well as future directions in this rapidly advancing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paul A. Renauer
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Liqun Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shao-Yu Fang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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10
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Scheffschick A, Nenonen J, Xiang M, Winther AH, Ehrström M, Wahren-Herlenius M, Eidsmo L, Brauner H. Skin infiltrating NK cells in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma are increased in number and display phenotypic alterations partially driven by the tumor. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1168684. [PMID: 37691935 PMCID: PMC10485839 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1168684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are characterized by focal infiltration of malignant T cell clones in solitary skin lesions. Many CTCL patients experience an indolent disease, but some progress to advanced disease with high fatality. We hypothesized that natural killer (NK) cells participate in local control of tumor growth in CTCL skin. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analysis of the density, localization, phenotype and function of NK cells in twenty-nine fresh or formalin-fixed skin biopsies from twenty-four CTCL patients and twenty-three biopsies from twenty healthy controls highlighted higher numbers of CD56+CD3- NK cells in CTCL skin. A reduced fraction of CTCL skin NK cells expressed the maturation marker CD57, the cytotoxic protein granzyme B and the activation marker CD69, indicating reduced tumor-killing abilities of the NK cells. Retained expression of immune checkpoint proteins or inhibitory proteins including PD1, TIM3, LAG3, CD73 and NKG2A and the activating receptors CD16 and NKp46 indicated maintained effector functions. Indeed, the capacity of NK cells to produce anti-tumor acting IFNγ upon PMA+ionomycin stimulation was similar in cells from CTCL and healthy skin. Co-cultures of primary human NK cells or the NK cell line NKL with CTCL cells resulted in reduced levels of granzyme B and CD69, indicating that close cellular interactions with CTCL cells induced the impaired functional NK cell phenotype. In conclusion, increased numbers of NK cells in CTCL skin exhibit a partially impaired phenotype in terms of activity. Enhancing NK cell activity with NK cell activating cytokines such as IL-15 or immune checkpoint blockade therefore represents a potential immunotherapeutic approach in CTCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Scheffschick
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julia Nenonen
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mengmeng Xiang
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna H. Winther
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Dermatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcus Ehrström
- Department of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Wahren-Herlenius
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- The Broegelmann Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Liv Eidsmo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanna Brauner
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Dermatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Gadwa J, Amann M, Bickett TE, Knitz MW, Darragh LB, Piper M, Van Court B, Bukkapatnam S, Pham TT, Wang XJ, Saviola AJ, Deak LC, Umaña P, Klein C, D'Alessandro A, Karam SD. Selective targeting of IL2Rβγ combined with radiotherapy triggers CD8- and NK-mediated immunity, abrogating metastasis in HNSCC. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101150. [PMID: 37586327 PMCID: PMC10439274 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101150] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The implementation of cancer immunotherapies has seen limited clinical success in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Interleukin-2 (IL-2), which modulates the survival and functionality of lymphocytes, is an attractive target for new immunotherapies but one that is limited by presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing the high-affinity IL-2Rα. The bispecific immunocytokine PD1-IL2v preferentially delivers IL-2 signaling through IL-2Rβγ on PD-1-expressing cells. Selectively targeting the intermediate-affinity IL-2Rβγ can be leveraged to induce anti-tumor immune responses in effector T cells and natural killer (NK) cells while limiting the negative regulation of IL-2Rα activation on Tregs. Using radiation therapy (RT) in combination with PD1-IL2v improves local tumor control and survival, and controls metastatic spread in orthotopic HNSCC tumor models. PD1-IL2v drives systemic activation and expansion of circulating and tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T cells and NK cells while limiting Treg-mediated immunosuppression. These data show that PD1-L2v induces durable systemic tumor control in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Gadwa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Maria Amann
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Thomas E Bickett
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michael W Knitz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Laurel B Darragh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Miles Piper
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Benjamin Van Court
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sanjana Bukkapatnam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Tiffany T Pham
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Xiao-Jing Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Anthony J Saviola
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Laura Codarri Deak
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Umaña
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Christian Klein
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sana D Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Immunology & Microbiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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12
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Zou M, Al-Yahya S, Al-Alwan M, BinEssa HA, Khabar KSA, Almohanna F, Assiri AM, Altaweel A, Qattan A, Meyer BF, Alzahrani AS, Shi Y. β-catenin attenuation leads to up-regulation of activating NKG2D ligands and tumor regression in BrafV600E-driven thyroid cancer cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1171816. [PMID: 37483610 PMCID: PMC10358762 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1171816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction BRAFV600E mutations frequently occur in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). β-catenin, encoded by CTNNB1, is a key downstream component of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway and is often overexpressed in PTC. BRAFV600E-driven PTC tumors rely on Wnt/β-catenin signaling to sustain growth and progression. Methods In the present study, we investigated the tumorigenicity of thyroid cancer cells derived from BRAFV600E PTC mice following Ctnnb1 ablation (BVE-Ctnnb1null). Results Remarkably, the tumorigenic potential of BVE-Ctnnb1null tumor cells was lost in nude mice. Global gene expression analysis of BVE-Ctnnb1null tumor cells showed up-regulation of NKG2D receptor activating ligands (H60a, H60b, H60c, Raet1a, Raet1b, Raet1c, Raet1d, Raet1e, and Ulbp1) and down-regulation of inhibitory MHC class I molecules H-2L and H-2K2 in BVE-Ctnnb1null tumor cells. In vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that BVE-Ctnnb1wt tumor cells were resistant to NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, whereas BVE-Ctnnb1null tumor cells were sensitive to NK cell-mediated killing. Furthermore, the overexpression of any one of these NKG2D ligands in the BVE-Ctnnb1wt cell line resulted in a significant reduction of tumor growth in nude mice. Conclusions Our results indicate that active β-catenin signaling inhibits NK cell-mediated immune responses against thyroid cancer cells. Targeting the β-catenin signaling pathway may have significant therapeutic benefits for BRAF-mutant thyroid cancer by not only inhibiting tumor growth but also enhancing host immune surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjing Zou
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suhad Al-Yahya
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Monther Al-Alwan
- Department of Stem Cell & Tissue Re-engineering, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and College of Medicine, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Huda A. BinEssa
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid S. A. Khabar
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Falah Almohanna
- Department of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M. Assiri
- Department of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmohsen Altaweel
- Mawhiba, King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Qattan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Brian F. Meyer
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali S. Alzahrani
- Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yufei Shi
- Department of Molecular Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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13
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Marcelin HN, Dasse RS, Yeboah RO, Tariam AD, Kagambega AGZ, Oseni AM, Kouassi YKK, Bilé MA, Toure M, Thakar M, Adoubi I, Kizub D. Circulating natural killer cells and their association with breast cancer and its clinico-pathological characteristics. Ecancermedicalscience 2023; 17:1567. [PMID: 37533944 PMCID: PMC10393315 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2023.1567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in cancer immunosurveillance and hold promise as both therapies and prognostic markers in advanced disease. We explore factors that may influence NK cell concentration in the peripheral blood of women with breast cancer in Côte d'Ivoire compared to healthy controls and implications for future research in our context. Methods In this cross-sectional case-control study, blood samples were taken from 30 women diagnosed with breast cancer within 6 months of diagnosis and fifteen healthy women at University Teaching Hospital [Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU)] Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, from March to September 2018. The blood draw could take place at any time following diagnosis and through treatment. Demographic and clinical data were collected. NK cells were isolated, stained, analysed and counted using the flow cytometer at the Department of Immunology at CHU of Cocody. All p-values were two-sided. Results Mean age among 30 women with breast cancer was 49 years old compared to 45 years old for 15 controls (p = 0.41). Among 30 women with breast cancer, 4 (13.3%) had Stage 2 disease, 14 (46.7 %) at Stage 3, and 12 (40%) at Stage 4. Fourteen (46.7%) had breast cancer that was hormone receptor-positive (HR+) HER2-negative, 10 (33.3%) had triple-negative cancer, three (10.0%) had HR+HER2+ disease, and three (10.0%) HR-HER2+ cancer. NK cell concentration was not associated with cancer diagnosis, age, cancer stage, subtype, or type of treatment patients received (p > 0.05). Conclusion Although we did not find an association between NK cell concentration, cancer characteristics or treatment, our results be limited by the small sample size and timing of blood draw. Our next steps include a larger study to explore circulating NK cells prior to any treatment and NK cell infiltration within breast cancer tumour and correlating this with response to treatment and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Homian N’da Marcelin
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville, 7XVV+5P4, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Romuald S Dasse
- Department of Immunology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Cocody, BP V 3, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Richard O Yeboah
- Department of Immunology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Cocody, BP V 3, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Agnès D Tariam
- Department of Immunology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Cocody, BP V 3, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Arsène G Z Kagambega
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville, 7XVV+5P4, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Akandji M Oseni
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville, 7XVV+5P4, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Y K K Kouassi
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville, 7XVV+5P4, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Michel A Bilé
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville, 7XVV+5P4, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Moctar Toure
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville, 7XVV+5P4, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Monica Thakar
- The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Innocent Adoubi
- Department of Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville, 7XVV+5P4, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Darya Kizub
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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14
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Portale F, Di Mitri D. NK Cells in Cancer: Mechanisms of Dysfunction and Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119521. [PMID: 37298470 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells (NK) are innate lymphocytes endowed with the ability to recognize and kill cancer cells. Consequently, adoptive transfer of autologous or allogeneic NK cells represents a novel opportunity in cancer treatment that is currently under clinical investigation. However, cancer renders NK cells dysfunctional, thus restraining the efficacy of cell therapies. Importantly, extensive effort has been employed to investigate the mechanisms that restrain NK cell anti-tumor function, and the results have offered forthcoming solutions to improve the efficiency of NK cell-based therapies. The present review will introduce the origin and features of NK cells, summarize the mechanisms of action and causes of dysfunction of NK cells in cancer, and frame NK cells in the tumoral microenvironment and in the context of immunotherapies. Finally, we will discuss therapeutic potential and current limitations of NK cell adoptive transfer in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Portale
- Tumor Microenviroment Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Diletta Di Mitri
- Tumor Microenviroment Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, 20089 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Milan, Italy
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15
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Kano S, Nakamura M, Nojiri Y, Magara T, Yoshimitsu M, Kato H, Morita A. Differences in the immune microenvironment between improved and non-improved cases of vitiligo after halo nevus excision. J Dermatol Sci 2023; 109:136-142. [PMID: 36966028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Halo nevus, also called Sutton's nevus, is a nevus cell nevus surrounded by vitiligo thought to be caused by a T-cell mediated immune response to the nevus antigen. The immune microenvironment is mysterious, however, as vitiligo often does not improve even when the nevus cells are removed. OBJECTIVES To analyze the clinical course and immune microenvironment of patients with halo nevus who had undergone nevus excision. METHODS We collected 54 halo nevus patients and performed multivariate analysis and immunohistochemical analysis, including multiplexed immune cell phenotyping and spatial single-cell analyses using the PhenoCycler® assay. RESULTS Multivariate analysis revealed that only the presence or absence of vitiligo vulgaris at the time of consultation was associated with improvement in the surrounding vitiligo following excision. Expression of programmed death-ligand 1 in nevus cells was significantly higher in non-improved cases compared with improved cases. The PhenoCycler® assay revealed that CD107a-positive and CD21-positive cells were more prevalent in improved cases than in non-improved cases. In the improved cases, active cell-cell interactions, centered on CD21-positive cells, were observed, whereas in the non-improved cases, cell-cell interactions were sparse. Instead, a dense infiltration of CD8-positive cells and CD3 and CD4-positive cells was observed in non-improved cases. CONCLUSION Elucidation of the immune microenvironment of halo nevus is also relevant to melanoma-associated vitiligo and will contribute to our understanding of tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Kano
- Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Motoki Nakamura
- Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Yuka Nojiri
- Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Magara
- Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Maki Yoshimitsu
- Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kato
- Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akimichi Morita
- Department of Geriatric and Environmental Dermatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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16
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Peng L, Renauer PA, Ye L, Yang L, Park JJ, Chow RD, Zhang Y, Lin Q, Bai M, Sanchez A, Zhang Y, Lam SZ, Chen S. Perturbomics of tumor-infiltrating NK cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.14.532653. [PMID: 36993337 PMCID: PMC10055047 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.14.532653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are an innate immune cell type that serves at the first level of defense against pathogens and cancer. NK cells have clinical potential, however, multiple current limitations exist that naturally hinder the successful implementation of NK cell therapy against cancer, including their effector function, persistence, and tumor infiltration. To unbiasedly reveal the functional genetic landscape underlying critical NK cell characteristics against cancer, we perform perturbomics mapping of tumor infiltrating NK cells by joint in vivo AAV-CRISPR screens and single cell sequencing. We establish a strategy with AAV-SleepingBeauty(SB)- CRISPR screening leveraging a custom high-density sgRNA library targeting cell surface genes, and perform four independent in vivo tumor infiltration screens in mouse models of melanoma, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma. In parallel, we characterize single-cell transcriptomic landscapes of tumor-infiltrating NK cells, which identifies previously unexplored sub-populations of NK cells with distinct expression profiles, a shift from immature to mature NK (mNK) cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and decreased expression of mature marker genes in mNK cells. CALHM2, a calcium homeostasis modulator that emerges from both screen and single cell analyses, shows both in vitro and in vivo efficacy enhancement when perturbed in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells. Differential gene expression analysis reveals that CALHM2 knockout reshapes cytokine production, cell adhesion, and signaling pathways in CAR- NKs. These data directly and systematically map out endogenous factors that naturally limit NK cell function in the TME to offer a broad range of cellular genetic checkpoints as candidates for future engineering to enhance NK cell-based immunotherapies.
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17
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Huuhtanen J, Kasanen H, Peltola K, Lönnberg T, Glumoff V, Brück O, Dufva O, Peltonen K, Vikkula J, Jokinen E, Ilander M, Lee MH, Mäkelä S, Nyakas M, Li B, Hernberg M, Bono P, Lähdesmäki H, Kreutzman A, Mustjoki S. Single-cell characterization of anti-LAG-3 and anti-PD-1 combination treatment in patients with melanoma. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:164809. [PMID: 36719749 PMCID: PMC10014104 DOI: 10.1172/jci164809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundRelatlimab plus nivolumab (anti-lymphocyte-activation gene 3 plus anti-programmed death 1 [anti-LAG-3+anti-PD-1]) has been approved by the FDA as a first-line therapy for stage III/IV melanoma, but its detailed effect on the immune system is unknown.MethodsWe evaluated blood samples from 40 immunotherapy-naive or prior immunotherapy-refractory patients with metastatic melanoma treated with anti-LAG-3+anti-PD-1 in a phase I trial using single-cell RNA and T cell receptor sequencing (scRNA+TCRαβ-Seq) combined with other multiomics profiling.ResultsThe highest LAG3 expression was noted in NK cells, Tregs, and CD8+ T cells, and these cell populations underwent the most significant changes during the treatment. Adaptive NK cells were enriched in responders and underwent profound transcriptomic changes during the therapy, resulting in an active phenotype. LAG3+ Tregs expanded, but based on the transcriptome profile, became metabolically silent during the treatment. Last, higher baseline TCR clonality was observed in responding patients, and their expanding CD8+ T cell clones gained a more cytotoxic and NK-like phenotype.ConclusionAnti-LAG-3+anti-PD-1 therapy has profound effects on NK cells and Tregs in addition to CD8+ T cells.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01968109)FundingCancer Foundation Finland, Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation, Relander Foundation, State funding for university-level health research in Finland, a Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences Fellow grant, Academy of Finland (grant numbers 314442, 311081, 335432, and 335436), and an investigator-initiated research grant from BMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jani Huuhtanen
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland.,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henna Kasanen
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland.,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katriina Peltola
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tapio Lönnberg
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Virpi Glumoff
- Research Unit of Biomedicine, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Oscar Brück
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland.,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Dufva
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland.,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Karita Peltonen
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland.,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Vikkula
- Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Emmi Jokinen
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland.,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mette Ilander
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Moon Hee Lee
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland.,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Siru Mäkelä
- Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marta Nyakas
- Oslo University Hospital-Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bin Li
- Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) Research and Development, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Micaela Hernberg
- Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petri Bono
- Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Harri Lähdesmäki
- Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Anna Kreutzman
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Mustjoki
- Translational Immunology Research Program and Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland.,iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
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18
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Ren J, Feng X, Guo Y, Kong D, Wang Y, Xiao J, Jiang W, Feng X, Liu X, Li A, Sun C, He M, Li B, Wang J, Jiang Y, Zheng C. GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway plays crucial roles in the regulation of NK cell cytotoxicity against myeloma cells. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22821. [PMID: 36794671 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201658rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The plasma cell malignancy, multiple myeloma (MM), has significantly improved by the application of new drugs and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, MM remains incurable. A number of studies have revealed an anti-MM effect of natural killer (NK) cells; however, their clinical efficacy is limited. Furthermore, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β inhibitors show an antitumor function. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential roles of a GSK-3β inhibitor (TWS119) in the regulation of NK cell cytotoxicity against MM. Our results showed that, in the presence of TWS119, the NK cell line, NK-92, and in vitro-expanded primary NK cells exhibited a significantly higher degranulation activity, expression of activating receptors, cellular cytotoxicity, and cytokine secretion when they were exposed to MM cells. Mechanistic studies indicated that TWS119 treatment markedly upregulated RAB27A expression, a key molecule for NK cell degranulation, and induced the colocalization of β-catenin with NF-κB in the nucleus of NK cells. More importantly, GSK-3β inhibition combined with the adoptive transfer of TWS119-treated NK-92 cells significantly reduced tumor volume and prolonged the survival time of myeloma-bearing mice. In summary, our novel findings suggest that targeting GSK-3β through the activation of β-catenin/NF-κB pathway may be an important approach to improve therapeutic efficacy of NK cell transfusion for MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ren
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiumei Feng
- Department of Hematology, The Fourth People's Hospital of Jinan City, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yanan Guo
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Dexiao Kong
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yongjing Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Juan Xiao
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wen Jiang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoli Feng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ai Li
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Congcong Sun
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Mingming He
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Bingen Li
- R&D Department, Weihai Zhengsheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Weihai, China
| | - Juandong Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yang Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chengyun Zheng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Institute of Biotherapy for Hematological Malignancy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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19
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Yu JL, Jang SRJ, Liu KY. Exploring the Interactions of Oncolytic Viral Therapy and Immunotherapy of Anti-CTLA-4 for Malignant Melanoma Mice Model. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030507. [PMID: 36766849 PMCID: PMC9914370 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic ability to direct target and lyse tumor cells makes oncolytic virus therapy (OVT) a promising approach to treating cancer. Despite its therapeutic potential to stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, it also has immunosuppressive effects. The efficacy of OVTs as monotherapies can be enhanced by appropriate adjuvant therapy such as anti-CTLA-4. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model to explore the interactions of combined therapy of oncolytic viruses and a checkpoint inhibitor, anti-CTLA-4. The model incorporates both the susceptible and infected tumor populations, natural killer cell population, virus population, tumor-specific immune populations, virus-specific immune populations, tumor suppressive cytokine IFN-g, and the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitor CTLA-4. In particular, we distinguish the tumor-specific immune abilities of CD8+ T, NK cells, and CD4+ T cells and describe the destructive ability of cytokine on tumor cells as well as the inhibitory capacity of CTLA-4 on various components. Our model is validated through the experimental results. We also investigate various dosing strategies to improve treatment outcomes. Our study reveals that tumor killing rate by cytokines, cytokine decay rate, and tumor growth rate play important roles on both the OVT monotherapy and the combination therapy. Moreover, parameters related to CD8+ T cell killing have a large impact on treatment outcomes with OVT alone, whereas parameters associated with IFN-g strongly influence treatment responses for the combined therapy. We also found that virus killing by NK cells may halt the desired spread of OVs and enhance the probability of tumor escape during the treatment. Our study reveals that it is the activation of host anti-tumor immune system responses rather than its direct destruction of the tumor cells plays a major biological function of the combined therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Ling Yu
- Department of Data Science and Big Data Analytics, Providence University, Taichung City 43301, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
| | - Sophia R.-J. Jang
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Kwei-Yan Liu
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County 53053, Taiwan
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20
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Promises and challenges for targeting the immunological players in the tumor micro-environment – Critical determinants for NP-based therapy. OPENNANO 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.onano.2023.100134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
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21
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Du Z, Zhu S, Zhang X, Gong Z, Wang S. Non-Conventional Allogeneic Anti-BCMA Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Based Immune Cell Therapies for Multiple Myeloma Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:567. [PMID: 36765526 PMCID: PMC9913487 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
MM, characterized by the progressive accumulation of clonal plasma cells in bone marrow, remains a severe medical problem globally. Currently, almost all MM patients who have received standard treatments will eventually relapse. Autologous anti-BCMA CAR-T cells are one of the FDA-approved immunotherapy cell-based products for treating adults with relapsed or refractory (r/r) multiple myeloma. However, this type of CAR-T cell product has several limitations, including high costs, long manufacturing times, and possible manufacturing failure, which significantly hinder its wider application for more patients. In this review, we summarized the current development stage of applying other types of immune cells to bring the anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy from autologous to allogeneic. In general, anti-BCMA CAR gene-edited αβ T cells and CAR-Natural Killer (NK) cells are at the forefront, with multiple clinical trials ongoing, while CAR-γδ T cells and CAR-invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are still in pre-clinical studies. Other immune cells such as macrophages, B cells, and dendritic cells have been mainly developed to target other antigens and have the potential to be used to target BCMA. Nevertheless, additional regulatory requirements might need to be taken into account in developing these non-conventional allogenic anti-BCMA CAR-based cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Du
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
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22
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Israr M, Lam F, DeVoti J, Mace EM, Papayannakos C, Abramson A, Steinberg BM, Bonagura VR. PGE 2 expression by HPV6/11-induced respiratory papillomas blocks NK cell activation in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250036. [PMID: 36608264 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare chronic disease caused primarily by human papillomavirus types 6 and 11, consists of repeated growth of premalignant papillomas in the airway. RRP is characterized by multiple abnormalities in innate and adaptive immunity. Natural killer (NK) cells play important roles in immune surveillance and are part of the innate immune responses that help prevent tumor growth. We identified that papillomas lack classical class I MHC and retain nonclassical class I MHC expression. Moreover, in this study, we have identified and characterized the mechanism that blocks NK cell targeting of papilloma cells. Here, we show for the first time that the PGE2 secreted by papilloma cells directly inhibits NK cells activation/degranulation principally through the PGE2 receptor EP2, and to a lesser extent through EP4 signaling. Thus, papilloma cells have a potent mechanism to block NK cell function that likely supports papilloma cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Israr
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Fung Lam
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - James DeVoti
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Emily M Mace
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Medical Center, NY, USA
| | | | - Allan Abramson
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Bettie M Steinberg
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - Vincent R Bonagura
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, USA
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23
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Barnestein R, Galland L, Kalfeist L, Ghiringhelli F, Ladoire S, Limagne E. Immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment modulation by chemotherapies and targeted therapies to enhance immunotherapy effectiveness. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2120676. [PMID: 36117524 PMCID: PMC9481153 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2120676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid clinical development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the standard of care in cancer management has evolved rapidly. However, immunotherapy is not currently beneficial for all patients. In addition to intrinsic tumor factors, other etiologies of resistance to ICIs arise from the complex interplay between cancer and its microenvironment. Recognition of the essential role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer progression has led to a shift from a tumor-cell-centered view of cancer development, to the concept of a complex tumor ecosystem that supports tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. The expansion of immunosuppressive cells represents a cardinal strategy deployed by tumor cells to escape detection and elimination by the immune system. Regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and type-2 tumor-associated macrophages (TAM2) are major components of these inhibitory cellular networks, with the ability to suppress innate and adaptive anticancer immunity. They therefore represent major impediments to anticancer therapies, particularly immune-based interventions. Recent work has provided evidence that, beyond their direct cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, several conventional chemotherapeutic (CT) drugs and agents used in targeted therapies (TT) can promote the elimination or inactivation of suppressive immune cells, resulting in enhanced antitumor immunity. In this review, we will analyze findings pertaining to this concept, discuss the possible molecular bases underlying the selective targeting of these immunosuppressive cells by antineoplastic agents (CT and/or TT), and consider current challenges and future prospects related to the integration of these molecules into more efficient anticancer strategies, in the era of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robby Barnestein
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
| | - Loïck Galland
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Center, Dijon, France
| | - Laura Kalfeist
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
- Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, Dijon, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
| | - François Ghiringhelli
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Center, Dijon, France
- Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, Dijon, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
| | - Sylvain Ladoire
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Center, Dijon, France
- Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, Dijon, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
| | - Emeric Limagne
- University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- Platform of Transfer in Cancer Biology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center, Dijon, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Center, Dijon, France
- Centre de Recherche INSERM LNC-UMR1231, Dijon, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
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24
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Subedi N, Verhagen LP, de Jonge P, Van Eyndhoven LC, van Turnhout MC, Koomen V, Baudry J, Eyer K, Dolstra H, Tel J. Single‐Cell Profiling Reveals Functional Heterogeneity and Serial Killing in Human Peripheral and Ex Vivo‐Generated CD34+ Progenitor‐Derived Natural Killer Cells. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 7:e2200207. [PMID: 36517083 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that natural killer (NK) cells are composed of distinct functional subsets. This multifunctional role has made them an attractive choice for anticancer immunotherapy. A functional NK cell repertoire is generated through cellular education, resulting in a heterogeneous NK cell population with distinct capabilities responding to different stimuli. The application of a high-throughput droplet-based microfluidic platform allows monitoring of NK cell-target cell interactions at the single-cell level and in real-time. A variable response of single NK cells toward different target cells is observed, and a distinct population of NK cells (serial killers) capable of inducing multiple target lysis is identified. By assessing the cytotoxic dynamics, it is shown that single umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor (HPC)-NK cells display superior antitumor cytotoxicity. With an integrated analysis of cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion, it is shown that target cell interactions augment cytotoxic as well as secretory behavior of NK cells. By providing an integrated assessment of NK cell functions by microfluidics, this study paves the way to further functionally characterize NK cells ultimately aimed to improve cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Subedi
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering Department of Biomedical Engineering Eindhoven University of Technology Groene Loper 5 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology Groene Loper 5 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Liesbeth Petronella Verhagen
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering Department of Biomedical Engineering Eindhoven University of Technology Groene Loper 5 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology Groene Loper 5 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Paul de Jonge
- Department of Laboratory Medicine – Laboratory of Hematology Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen 6525 GA The Netherlands
| | - Laura C. Van Eyndhoven
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering Department of Biomedical Engineering Eindhoven University of Technology Groene Loper 5 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology Groene Loper 5 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Mark C. van Turnhout
- Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology Department of Biomedical Engineering Eindhoven University of Technology Groene Loper 5 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Vera Koomen
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering Department of Biomedical Engineering Eindhoven University of Technology Groene Loper 5 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
| | - Jean Baudry
- Laboratoire Colloïdes et Matériaux Divisés (LCMD) ESPCI Paris PSL Research University CNRS UMR8231 Chimie Biologie Innovation Paris 75005 France
| | - Klaus Eyer
- Laboratoire Colloïdes et Matériaux Divisés (LCMD) ESPCI Paris PSL Research University CNRS UMR8231 Chimie Biologie Innovation Paris 75005 France
- Laboratory for Functional Immune Repertoire Analysis Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences D‐CHAB, ETH, Zürich Zurich 8093 Switzerland
| | - Harry Dolstra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine – Laboratory of Hematology Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen 6525 GA The Netherlands
| | - Jurjen Tel
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering Department of Biomedical Engineering Eindhoven University of Technology Groene Loper 5 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology Groene Loper 5 Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
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25
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Tannoury M, Garnier D, Susin SA, Bauvois B. Current Status of Novel Agents for the Treatment of B Cell Malignancies: What's Coming Next? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:6026. [PMID: 36551511 PMCID: PMC9775488 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to death is one of the hallmarks of human B cell malignancies and often contributes to the lack of a lasting response to today's commonly used treatments. Drug discovery approaches designed to activate the death machinery have generated a large number of inhibitors of anti-apoptotic proteins from the B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 family and the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway. Orally administered small-molecule inhibitors of Bcl-2 protein and BCR partners (e.g., Bruton's tyrosine kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase) have already been included (as monotherapies or combination therapies) in the standard of care for selected B cell malignancies. Agonistic monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives (antibody-drug conjugates, antibody-radioisotope conjugates, bispecific T cell engagers, and chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells) targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs, such as CD19, CD20, CD22, and CD38) are indicated for treatment (as monotherapies or combination therapies) of patients with B cell tumors. However, given that some patients are either refractory to current therapies or relapse after treatment, novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Here, we review current strategies for managing B cell malignancies, with a focus on the ongoing clinical development of more effective, selective drugs targeting these molecules, as well as other TAAs and signaling proteins. The observed impact of metabolic reprogramming on B cell pathophysiology highlights the promise of targeting metabolic checkpoints in the treatment of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Brigitte Bauvois
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Inserm, Cell Death and Drug Resistance in Lymphoproliferative Disorders Team, F-75006 Paris, France
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26
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Furukawa N, Stearns V, Santa-Maria CA, Popel AS. The tumor microenvironment and triple-negative breast cancer aggressiveness: shedding light on mechanisms and targeting. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:1041-1056. [PMID: 36657483 PMCID: PMC10189896 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2170779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In contrast to other breast cancer subtypes, there are currently limited options of targeted therapies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Immense research has demonstrated that not only cancer cells but also stromal cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play significant roles in the progression of TNBC. It is thus critical to understand the components of the TME of TNBC and the interactions between the various cell populations. AREAS COVERED The components of the TME of TNBC identified by single-cell technologies are reviewed. Furthermore, the molecular interactions between the cells and the potential therapeutic targets contributing to the progression of TNBC are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Single-cell omics studies have contributed to the classification of cells in the TME and the identification of important cell types involved in the progression and the treatment of the tumor. The interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells/immune cells in the TME have led to the discovery of potential therapeutic targets. Experimental data with spatial and temporal resolution will further boost the understanding of the TME of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuki Furukawa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Vered Stearns
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Cesar A. Santa-Maria
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
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27
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Morgan HJ, Rees E, Lanfredini S, Powell KA, Gore J, Gibbs A, Lovatt C, Davies GE, Olivero C, Shorning BY, Tornillo G, Tonks A, Darley R, Wang EC, Patel GK. CD200 ectodomain shedding into the tumor microenvironment leads to NK cell dysfunction and apoptosis. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:150750. [PMID: 36074574 PMCID: PMC9621138 DOI: 10.1172/jci150750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The basis of immune evasion, a hallmark of cancer, can differ even when cancers arise from one cell type such as in the human skin keratinocyte carcinomas: basal and squamous cell carcinoma. Here we showed that the basal cell carcinoma tumor-initiating cell surface protein CD200, through ectodomain shedding, was responsible for the near absence of NK cells within the basal cell carcinoma tumor microenvironment. In situ, CD200 underwent ectodomain shedding by metalloproteinases MMP3 and MMP11, which released biologically active soluble CD200 into the basal cell carcinoma microenvironment. CD200 bound its cognate receptor on NK cells to suppress MAPK pathway signaling that in turn blocked indirect (IFN-γ release) and direct cell killing. In addition, reduced ERK phosphorylation relinquished negative regulation of PPARγ-regulated gene transcription and led to membrane accumulation of the Fas/FADD death receptor and its ligand, FasL, which resulted in activation-induced apoptosis. Blocking CD200 inhibition of MAPK or PPARγ signaling restored NK cell survival and tumor cell killing, with relevance to many cancer types. Our results thus uncover a paradigm for CD200 as a potentially novel and targetable NK cell-specific immune checkpoint, which is responsible for NK cell-associated poor outcomes in many cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huw J Morgan
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Elise Rees
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | | | - Kate A Powell
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Jasmine Gore
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Alex Gibbs
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Charlotte Lovatt
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Gemma E Davies
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Carlotta Olivero
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Boris Y Shorning
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Giusy Tornillo
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
| | - Alex Tonks
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, and
| | - Richard Darley
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, and
| | - Eddie Cy Wang
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Girish K Patel
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences
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28
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Raza S, Rajak S, Tewari A, Gupta P, Chattopadhyay N, Sinha RA, Chakravarti B. Multifaceted role of chemokines in solid tumors: From biology to therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:1105-1121. [PMID: 34979274 PMCID: PMC7613720 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chemokines are small secretory chemotactic cytokines that control the directed migration of immune cells. Chemokines are involved in both anti-and pro-tumorigenic immune responses. Accumulating evidence suggests that the balance between these responses is influenced by several factors such as the stage of tumorigenesis, immune cell activation, recruitment of immune activating or immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and chemokine receptor expression on effector and regulatory target cells. Cancer cells engage in a complex network with their TME components via several factors including growth factors, cytokines and chemokines that are critical for the growth of primary tumor and metastasis. However, chemokines show a multifaceted role in tumor progression including maintenance of stem-like properties, tumor cell proliferation/survival/senescence, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The heterogeneity of solid tumors in primary and metastatic cancers presents a challenge to the development of successful cancer therapy. Despite extensive research on how solid tumors escape immune cell-mediated anti-tumor response, finding an effective therapy for metastatic cancer still remains a challenge. This review discusses the multifarious roles of chemokines in solid tumors including various chemokine signaling pathways such as CXCL8-CXCR1/2, CXCL9, 10, 11-CXCR3, CXCR4-CXCL12, CCL(X)-CCR(X) in primary and metastatic cancers. We further discuss the novel therapeutic approaches that have been developed by major breakthroughs in chemokine research to treat cancer patients by the strategic blockade/activation of these signaling axes alone or in combination with immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Raza
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226014, India
| | - Sangam Rajak
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226014, India
| | - Archana Tewari
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226014, India
| | - Pratima Gupta
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226014, India
| | - Naibedya Chattopadhyay
- Division of Endocrinology and CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226 031, India
| | - Rohit Anthony Sinha
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226014, India
| | - Bandana Chakravarti
- Department of Endocrinology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226014, India.
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Grottoli M, Carrega P, Zullo L, Dellepiane C, Rossi G, Parisi F, Barletta G, Zinoli L, Coco S, Alama A, Marconi S, Parodi M, Orecchia P, Bassi S, Vitale M, Mingari MC, Pfeffer U, Genova C, Pietra G. Immune Checkpoint Blockade: A Strategy to Unleash the Potential of Natural Killer Cells in the Anti-Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14205046. [PMID: 36291830 PMCID: PMC9599824 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with antibodies targeting CTLA-4 (Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Antigen 4) and/or programmed death-1 protein (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) has significantly modified the therapeutic landscape of a broad range of human tumor types, including advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite great advances of checkpoint immunotherapies, a minority of NSCLC patients (<20%) respond and/or experience long-term clinical benefits from these treatments. Limited response rates of T cell–based checkpoint immunotherapies suggest the presence of other checkpoints able to inhibit effective anti-tumor immune responses. Natural Killer (NK) cells represent a promising target for tumor immunotherapies, particularly against tumors that escape T-cell-mediated control. Like T cell function, NK cell function is also regulated by inhibitory immune-checkpoint molecules. In this review, we will provide an overview of the rationale, mechanisms of action, and clinical efficacy of these NK cell-based checkpoint therapy approaches. Finally, the future directions and current enhancements planned will be discussed. Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) immunotherapy has represented a breakthrough in cancer treatment. Clinical use of ICIs has shown an acceptable safety profile and promising antitumor activity. Nevertheless, some patients do not obtain clinical benefits after ICIs therapy. In order to improve and cure an increasing number of patients, the field has moved toward the discovery of new ICIs expressed by cells of innate immunity with an elevated inherent antitumor activity, such as natural killer cells. This review will focus on the recent findings concerning the role of classical and non-classical immune checkpoint molecules and receptors that regulate natural killer cell function, as potential targets, and their future clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Grottoli
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Carrega
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biotherapy, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Lodovica Zullo
- UO Oncologia Medica 2 IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Dellepiane
- UO Oncologia Medica 2 IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rossi
- UO Oncologia Medica 2 IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Francesca Parisi
- UO Oncologia Medica 2 IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Giulia Barletta
- UO Oncologia Medica 2 IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Linda Zinoli
- DiMI, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Simona Coco
- UOS Tumori Polmonari IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Angela Alama
- UOS Tumori Polmonari IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Silvia Marconi
- UOS Tumori Polmonari IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Monica Parodi
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Orecchia
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Sara Bassi
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Massimo Vitale
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
- DiMES, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Ulrich Pfeffer
- Laboratory of Tumor Epigenetics IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Carlo Genova
- DiMI, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
- UO Clinica di Oncologia Medica IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.G.); (G.P.)
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- UO Immunologia IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
- DiMES, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.G.); (G.P.)
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30
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Edwards KJ, Chang B, Babazada H, Lohith K, Park DH, Farwell MD, Sellmyer MA. Using CD69 PET Imaging to Monitor Immunotherapy-Induced Immune Activation. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:1084-1094. [PMID: 35862229 PMCID: PMC10026840 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have been effective in treating a subset of refractory solid tumors, but only a small percentage of treated patients benefit from these therapies. Thus, there is a clinical need for reliable tools that allow for the early assessment of response to ICIs, as well as a preclinical need for imaging tools that aid in the future development and understanding of immunotherapies. Here we demonstrate that CD69, a canonical early-activation marker expressed on a variety of activated immune cells, including cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, is a promising biomarker for the early assessment of response to immunotherapies. We have developed a PET probe by radiolabeling a highly specific CD69 mAb, H1.2F3, with Zirconium-89 (89Zr), [89Zr]-deferoxamine (DFO)-H1.2F3. [89Zr]-DFO-H1.2F3 detected changes in CD69 expression on primary mouse T cells in vitro and detected activated immune cells in a syngeneic tumor immunotherapy model. In vitro uptake studies with [89Zr]-DFO-H1.2F3 showed a 15-fold increase in CD69 expression for activated primary mouse T cells, relative to untreated resting T cells. In vivo PET imaging showed that tumors of ICI-responsive mice had greater uptake than the tumors of nonresponsive and untreated mice. Ex vivo biodistribution, autoradiography, and IHC analyses supported the PET imaging findings. These data suggest that the CD69 PET imaging approach detects CD69 expression with sufficient sensitivity to quantify immune cell activation in a syngeneic mouse immunotherapy model and could allow for the prediction of therapeutic immune responses to novel immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Edwards
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Bryan Chang
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Hasan Babazada
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Katheryn Lohith
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Daniel H Park
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael D Farwell
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark A Sellmyer
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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Kim S, Kim K. Lipid-mediated ex vivo cell surface engineering for augmented cellular functionalities. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 140:213059. [PMID: 35961186 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Once administrated, intercellular adhesion to recognize and/or arrest target cells is essential for specific treatments, especially for cancer or tumor. However, immune cells administrated into the tumor-microenvironment could lose their intrinsic functionalities such as target recognition ability, resulting in an ineffective cancer immunotherapy. Various manipulation techniques for decorating functional moieties onto cell surface and enhancing target recognition have been developed. A hydrophobic interaction-mediated ex-vivo cell surface engineering using lipid-based biomaterials could be a state-of-the-art engineering technique that could achieve high-efficiency cell surface modification by a single method without disturbance of intrinsic characteristics of cells. In this regard, this review provides design principles for the development of lipid-based biomaterials with a linear structure of lipid, polyethylene glycol, and functional group, strategies for the synthesis process, and their practical applications in biomedical engineering. Especially, we provide new insights into the development of a novel surface coating techniques for natural killer (NK) cells with engineering decoration of cancer targeting moieties on their cell surfaces. Among immune cells, NK cells are interesting cell population for substituting T cells because of their excellent safety and independent anticancer efficacy. Thus, optimal strategies to select cancer-type-specific targeting moieties and present them onto the surface of immune cells (especially, NK cells) using lipid-based biomaterials could provide additional tools to capture cancer cells for developing novel immune cell therapy products. Enhanced anticancer efficacies by surface-engineered NK cells have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, it could be speculated that recent progresses in cell surface modification technology via lipid-based biomaterials could strengthen immune surveillance and immune synapses for utilization in a next-generation cancer immunotherapy, beyond currently available genetic engineering tool such as chimeric antigen receptor-mediated immune cell modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjun Kim
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyobum Kim
- Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, Dongguk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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32
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Live Biotherapeutic Lactococcus lactis GEN3013 Enhances Antitumor Efficacy of Cancer Treatment via Modulation of Cancer Progression and Immune System. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174083. [PMID: 36077619 PMCID: PMC9455052 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Recent studies, which have revealed the strong relationship between gut microbiota and tumor progression, have driven the clinical application of microbiome-based treatments to increase the efficacy of anticancer therapies. In particular, the genome-editing Lactococcus lactis, which activates the host immune system by expressing immune-boosting cytokines or metabolites, is a candidate for microbiome treatment. While Lactococcus lactis has so far been studied in terms of its recombinant forms, we investigated the anticancer effects of the strain-specific Lactococcus lactis GEN3013 itself. In vitro cytotoxicity tests showed that L. lactis GEN3013 inhibited the cell growth of various human and murine cancer cell lines. Consistent with the in vitro results, L. lactis GEN3013 showed antitumor effects and enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of both chemotherapy and immunotherapy in syngeneic mice. In addition, the host immune system was activated both locally and systemically by the combinatorial treatment of L. lactis GEN3013 with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. For these reasons, we suggest that L. lactis GEN3013 could be utilized as a novel biotherapeutic agent for cancer treatment. Abstract The gut microbiota is responsible for differential anticancer drug efficacies by modulating the host immune system and the tumor microenvironment. Interestingly, this differential effect is highly strain-specific. For example, certain strains can directly suppress tumor growth and enhance antitumor immunity; however, others do not have such an effect or even promote tumor growth. Identifying effective strains that possess antitumor effects is key for developing live biotherapeutic anticancer products. Here, we found that Lactococcus lactis GEN3013 inhibits tumor growth by regulating tumor angiogenesis and directly inducing cancer cell death. Moreover, L. lactis GEN3013 enhanced the therapeutic effects of oxaliplatin and the PD-1 blockade. Comprehensive immune profiling showed that L. lactis GEN3013 augmented cytotoxic immune cell populations, such as CD4+ T cells, CD8+ effector T cells, and NK cells in the tumor microenvironment. Our results indicate that L. lactis GEN3013 is a promising candidate for potentiating cancer treatment in combination with current standard therapy.
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Sabag B, Levy M, Kivelevitz J, Dashevsky N, Ben-Shmuel A, Puthenveetil A, Awwad F, Barda-Saad M. Actin Retrograde Flow Regulated by the Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome Protein Drives the Natural Killer Cell Response. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153756. [PMID: 35954420 PMCID: PMC9367451 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153756] [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: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the crosstalk between natural killer (NK) cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) has enhanced the potential of exploiting the interplay between activation and inhibition of NK cells for immunotherapy. This interaction is crucial for understanding how tumor cells escape NK cell immune surveillance. NK cell dysfunction is regulated by two molecular mechanisms, downregulated activating receptor ligand expression on the tumor cells, and upregulated inhibitory signals delivered to NK cells. Recent studies demonstrated the role of mechanotransduction in modulating NK cell responses in the TME. The immunological synapse represents a functional interface between the NK cell and its target, regulated by Actin Retrograde Flow (ARF), which drives the adhesion molecules and receptors toward the central zone of the immunological synapse (IS). Here, we further characterize the role of ARF in controlling the immune response of NK cells, using CRISPR/cas9-mediated Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASp) gene silencing of NK cells. We demonstrate that WASp regulates ARF velocity, affecting the conformation and function of the key NK inhibitory regulator, SH2-domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP-1), and consequently, the NK cell response. Our results demonstrate the potential of modulating the biophysical and intracellular regulation of NK activation as a promising approach for improving immunotherapy.
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34
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Wahlen S, Matthijssens F, Van Loocke W, Taveirne S, Kiekens L, Persyn E, Van Ammel E, De Vos Z, De Munter S, Matthys P, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Taghon T, Vandekerckhove B, Van Vlierberghe P, Leclercq G. The transcription factor RUNX2 drives the generation of human NK cells and promotes tissue residency. eLife 2022; 11:e80320. [PMID: 35793229 PMCID: PMC9259014 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that eliminate virus-infected and cancer cells by cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. In addition to circulating NK cells, distinct tissue-resident NK subsets have been identified in various organs. Although transcription factors regulating NK cell development and function have been extensively studied in mice, the role of RUNX2 in these processes has not been investigated, neither in mice nor in human. Here, by manipulating RUNX2 expression with either knockdown or overexpression in human haematopoietic stem cell-based NK cell differentiation cultures, combined with transcriptomic and ChIP-sequencing analyses, we established that RUNX2 drives the generation of NK cells, possibly through induction of IL-2Rβ expression in NK progenitor cells. Importantly, RUNX2 promotes tissue residency in human NK cells. Our findings have the potential to improve existing NK cell-based cancer therapies and can impact research fields beyond NK cell biology, since tissue-resident subsets have also been described in other lymphocyte subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Wahlen
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - Filip Matthijssens
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Wouter Van Loocke
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Sylvie Taveirne
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - Laura Kiekens
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - Eva Persyn
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - Els Van Ammel
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - Zenzi De Vos
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - Stijn De Munter
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - Patrick Matthys
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | | | - Tom Taghon
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - Bart Vandekerckhove
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
| | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Georges Leclercq
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute GhentGhentBelgium
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35
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Mackenzie NJ, Nicholls C, Templeton AR, Perera MPJ, Jeffery PL, Zimmermann K, Kulasinghe A, Kenna TJ, Vela I, Williams ED, Thomas PB. Modelling the tumor immune microenvironment for precision immunotherapy. CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 11:e1400. [PMID: 35782339 PMCID: PMC9234475 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Mackenzie
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI) Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI) Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Clarissa Nicholls
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI) Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI) Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Abby R Templeton
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI) Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC) Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Mahasha PJ Perera
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI) Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre – Queensland (APCRC‐Q) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Department of Urology Princess Alexandra Hospital Woolloongabba QLD Australia
| | - Penny L Jeffery
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI) Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre – Queensland (APCRC‐Q) Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Kate Zimmermann
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI) Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control School of Biomedical Sciences Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Microbiome Research School of Biomedical Sciences Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Arutha Kulasinghe
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Tony J Kenna
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI) Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control School of Biomedical Sciences Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Microbiome Research School of Biomedical Sciences Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Ian Vela
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI) Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre – Queensland (APCRC‐Q) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Department of Urology Princess Alexandra Hospital Woolloongabba QLD Australia
| | - Elizabeth D Williams
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI) Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre – Queensland (APCRC‐Q) Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Patrick B Thomas
- School of Biomedical Sciences at Translational Research Institute (TRI) Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Centre for Personalised Analysis of Cancers (CPAC) Brisbane QLD Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre – Queensland (APCRC‐Q) Brisbane QLD Australia
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36
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Bae WK, Lee BC, Kim HJ, Lee JJ, Chung IJ, Cho SB, Koh YS. A Phase I Study of Locoregional High-Dose Autologous Natural Killer Cell Therapy With Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:879452. [PMID: 35720374 PMCID: PMC9202498 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.879452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To explore the feasibility and safety of natural killer (NK) cell therapy in HCC, we performed a prospective, open-label, phase I trial to evaluate the synergistic effect of locoregional high-dose autologous NK cell therapy in combination with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC). Methods Patients with locally advanced HCC who were refractory to the standard treatment were eligible for this study. Patients received expanded and activated NK cells for 5 consecutive days in a dose-escalating manner (dose 2.5×108, 5×108, 10×108 NK cells/injection) through hepatic arterial infusion following 4 cycles of HAIC with 5-fluorouracil (750 mg/m2) and cisplatin (25 mg/m2). The primary endpoint was the safety of NK cell-based immunotherapy, and the secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and immunologic responses. Results Of the 11 patients enrolled, the confirmed ORR was 63.6% (complete response [CR]: 36.4%, confirmed partial response [PR]: 27.3%). Stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) were observed in two patients (18.2%) each, resulting in a disease control rate (DCR) of 81.8%. The median PFS and OS were 10.3 and 41.6 months, respectively. There were no incidences of decompensation or severe adverse events during HAIC, and no adverse events related to NK cell infusion were noted. Conclusion The combination of HAIC and locoregional high-dose NK cell therapy is a safe and effective treatment for locally advanced HCC patients who were refractory to the standard treatment. This result warrants further development of this novel treatment to establish its efficacy in HCC. Clinical Trial Registration cris.nih.go.kr, identifier KCT0003973.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Kyun Bae
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, South Korea.,Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Byung Chan Lee
- Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Hyeon-Jong Kim
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Je-Jung Lee
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, South Korea.,Vaxcell-Bio Therapeutics, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Ik-Joo Chung
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, South Korea.,Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Sung Bum Cho
- Department of Gastroenterology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, South Korea
| | - Yang Seok Koh
- Department of General Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, South Korea
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Shapiro RM, Birch GC, Hu G, Vergara Cadavid J, Nikiforow S, Baginska J, Ali AK, Tarannum M, Sheffer M, Abdulhamid YZ, Rambaldi B, Arihara Y, Reynolds C, Halpern MS, Rodig SJ, Cullen N, Wolff JO, Pfaff KL, Lane AA, Lindsley RC, Cutler CS, Antin JH, Ho VT, Koreth J, Gooptu M, Kim HT, Malmberg KJ, Wu CJ, Chen J, Soiffer RJ, Ritz J, Romee R. Expansion, persistence, and efficacy of donor memory-like NK cells infused for posttransplant relapse. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e154334. [PMID: 35349491 PMCID: PMC9151697 DOI: 10.1172/jci154334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundResponses to conventional donor lymphocyte infusion for postallogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) relapse are typically poor. Natural killer (NK) cell-based therapy is a promising modality to treat post-HCT relapse.MethodsWe initiated this ongoing phase I trial of adoptively transferred cytokine-induced memory-like (CIML) NK cells in patients with myeloid malignancies who relapsed after haploidentical HCT. All patients received a donor-derived NK cell dose of 5 to 10 million cells/kg after lymphodepleting chemotherapy, followed by systemic IL-2 for 7 doses. High-resolution profiling with mass cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing characterized the expanding and persistent NK cell subpopulations in a longitudinal manner after infusion.ResultsIn the first 6 enrolled patients on the trial, infusion of CIML NK cells led to a rapid 10- to 50-fold in vivo expansion that was sustained over months. The infusion was well tolerated, with fever and pancytopenia as the most common adverse events. Expansion of NK cells was distinct from IL-2 effects on endogenous post-HCT NK cells, and not dependent on CMV viremia. Immunophenotypic and transcriptional profiling revealed a dynamic evolution of the activated CIML NK cell phenotype, superimposed on the natural variation in donor NK cell repertoires.ConclusionGiven their rapid expansion and long-term persistence in an immune-compatible environment, CIML NK cells serve as a promising platform for the treatment of posttransplant relapse of myeloid disease. Further characterization of their unique in vivo biology and interaction with both T cells and tumor targets will lead to improvements in cell-based immunotherapies.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04024761.FundingDunkin' Donuts, NIH/National Cancer Institute, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman M. Shapiro
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Grace C. Birch
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Guangan Hu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Juliana Vergara Cadavid
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Nikiforow
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joanna Baginska
- Center for Immuno-oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alaa K. Ali
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mubin Tarannum
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michal Sheffer
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yasmin Z. Abdulhamid
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Benedetta Rambaldi
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Yohei Arihara
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carol Reynolds
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Max S. Halpern
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew A. Lane
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - R. Coleman Lindsley
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Corey S. Cutler
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph H. Antin
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vincent T. Ho
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John Koreth
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mahasweta Gooptu
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Haesook T. Kim
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karl-Johan Malmberg
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, The University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Catherine J. Wu
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jianzhu Chen
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert J. Soiffer
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jerome Ritz
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Borg M, Wen SWC, Hansen TF, Jakobsen A, Andersen RF, Hilberg O, Weinreich UM, Nederby L. Natural killer cell activity as a biomarker for the diagnosis of lung cancer in high-risk patients. J Int Med Res 2022; 50:3000605221108924. [PMID: 35770523 PMCID: PMC9251988 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221108924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Natural killer (NK) cells play an essential role in the immune response against cancer. However, immune escape mechanisms may cause inferior NK cell activity (NKA) in patients with cancer. This prospective study examined the relationship between NKA and lung cancer in a high-risk cohort. Methods In a cohort study, 250 participants referred by their general practitioner for suspicion of lung cancer were included. Before clinical investigation, blood was collected into NK Vue tubes, and the level of interferon gamma after 24 hours served as a surrogate marker for NKA. Results Among 250 patients, 79 were diagnosed with lung cancer. No difference in NKA was found between patients with lung cancer and control participants in which lung cancer was ruled out (median 226 pg/mL vs. 450 pg/mL). However, there was a significant difference in NKA between patients with late-stage lung cancer and controls (median 161 pg/mL vs. 450 pg/mL). A linear regression model showed that NKA was not influenced by age, sex or smoking status. Conclusions The significantly lower NKA in patients with late-stage lung cancer warrants further investigation combining NKA with other biomarkers and examining the potential role of NKA as a marker of disseminated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Borg
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Internal Medicine, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Sara Witting Christensen Wen
- Department of Oncology, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark.,Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Torben Frøstrup Hansen
- Department of Oncology, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark.,Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Anders Jakobsen
- Department of Oncology, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark.,Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rikke Fredslund Andersen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Ole Hilberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark.,Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ulla Møller Weinreich
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Line Nederby
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
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Sugimura R, Chao Y. Deciphering Innate Immune Cell-Tumor Microenvironment Crosstalk at a Single-Cell Level. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:803947. [PMID: 35646915 PMCID: PMC9140036 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.803947] [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: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment encompasses various innate immune cells which regulate tumor progression. Exploiting innate immune cells is a new frontier of cancer immunotherapy. However, the classical surface markers for cell-type classification cannot always well-conclude the phenotype, which will further hinge our understanding. The innate immune cells include dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages, natural killer cells, and innate lymphoid cells. They play important roles in tumor growth and survival, in some cases promoting cancer, in other cases negating cancer. The precise characterization of innate immune cells at the single-cell level will boost the potential of cancer immunotherapy. With the development of single-cell RNA sequencing technology, the transcriptome of each cell in the tumor microenvironment can be dissected at a single-cell level, which paves a way for a better understanding of the cell type and its functions. Here, we summarize the subtypes and functions of innate immune cells in the tumor microenvironment based on recent literature on single-cell technology. We provide updates on recent achievements and prospects for how to exploit novel functions of tumor-associated innate immune cells and target them for cancer immunotherapy.
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Lauwerys L, Smits E, Van den Wyngaert T, Elvas F. Radionuclide Imaging of Cytotoxic Immune Cell Responses to Anti-Cancer Immunotherapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051074. [PMID: 35625811 PMCID: PMC9139020 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051074] [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: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is an evolving and promising cancer treatment that takes advantage of the body’s immune system to yield effective tumor elimination. Importantly, immunotherapy has changed the treatment landscape for many cancers, resulting in remarkable tumor responses and improvements in patient survival. However, despite impressive tumor effects and extended patient survival, only a small proportion of patients respond, and others can develop immune-related adverse events associated with these therapies, which are associated with considerable costs. Therefore, strategies to increase the proportion of patients gaining a benefit from these treatments and/or increasing the durability of immune-mediated tumor response are still urgently needed. Currently, measurement of blood or tissue biomarkers has demonstrated sampling limitations, due to intrinsic tumor heterogeneity and the latter being invasive. In addition, the unique response patterns of these therapies are not adequately captured by conventional imaging modalities. Consequently, non-invasive, sensitive, and quantitative molecular imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using specific radiotracers, have been increasingly used for longitudinal whole-body monitoring of immune responses. Immunotherapies rely on the effector function of CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells (NK) at tumor lesions; therefore, the monitoring of these cytotoxic immune cells is of value for therapy response assessment. Different immune cell targets have been investigated as surrogate markers of response to immunotherapy, which motivated the development of multiple imaging agents. In this review, the targets and radiotracers being investigated for monitoring the functional status of immune effector cells are summarized, and their use for imaging of immune-related responses are reviewed along their limitations and pitfalls, of which multiple have already been translated to the clinic. Finally, emerging effector immune cell imaging strategies and future directions are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Lauwerys
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp (MICA), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.L.); (T.V.d.W.)
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium;
- Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Tim Van den Wyngaert
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp (MICA), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.L.); (T.V.d.W.)
- Nuclear Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium
| | - Filipe Elvas
- Molecular Imaging Center Antwerp (MICA), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; (L.L.); (T.V.d.W.)
- Correspondence:
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Vaněk O, Kalousková B, Abreu C, Nejadebrahim S, Skořepa O. Natural killer cell-based strategies for immunotherapy of cancer. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2022; 129:91-133. [PMID: 35305726 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a family of lymphocytes with a natural ability to kill infected, harmed, or malignantly transformed cells. As these cells are part of the innate immunity, the cytotoxic mechanisms are activated upon recognizing specific patterns without prior antigen sensitization. This recognition is crucial for NK cell function in the maintenance of homeostasis and immunosurveillance. NK cells not only act directly toward malignant cells but also participate in the complex immune response by producing cytokines or cross-talk with other immune cells. Cancer may be seen as a break of all immune defenses when malignant cells escape the immunity and invade surrounding tissues creating a microenvironment supporting tumor progression. This process may be reverted by intervening immune response with immunotherapy, which may restore immune recognition. NK cells are important effector cells for immunotherapy. They may be used for adoptive cell transfer, genetically modified with chimeric antigen receptors, or triggered with appropriate antibodies and other antibody-fragment-based recombinant therapeutic proteins tailored specifically for NK cell engagement. NK cell receptors, responsible for target recognition and activation of cytotoxic response, could also be targeted in immunotherapy, for example, by various bi-, tri-, or multi-specific fusion proteins designed to bridge the gap between tumor markers present on target cells and activation receptors expressed on NK cells. However, this kind of immunoactive therapeutics may be developed only with a deep functional and structural knowledge of NK cell receptor: ligand interactions. This review describes the recent developments in the fascinating protein-engineering field of NK cell immunotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Vaněk
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Barbora Kalousková
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Celeste Abreu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Shiva Nejadebrahim
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Skořepa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Tarannum M, Romee R, Shapiro RM. Innovative Strategies to Improve the Clinical Application of NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:859177. [PMID: 35401529 PMCID: PMC8990319 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.859177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer cells constitute a part of the innate immune system that mediates an effective immune response towards virus-infected and malignant cells. In recent years, research has focused on exploring and advancing NK cells as an active immunotherapy platform. Despite major advances, there are several key challenges that need to be addressed for the effective translation of NK cell research to clinical applications. This review highlights some of these challenges and the innovative strategies being developed to overcome them, including in vitro expansion, in vivo persistence, infiltration to the tumor site, and prevention of exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubin Tarannum
- Division of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rizwan Romee
- Division of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roman M Shapiro
- Division of Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Fatima S, Ma Y, Safrachi A, Haider S, Spring KJ, Vafaee F, Scott KF, Roberts TL, Becker TM, de Souza P. Harnessing Liquid Biopsies to Guide Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1669. [PMID: 35406441 PMCID: PMC8997025 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy (IO), involving the use of immune checkpoint inhibition, achieves improved response-rates and significant disease-free survival for some cancer patients. Despite these beneficial effects, there is poor predictability of response and substantial rates of innate or acquired resistance, resulting in heterogeneous responses among patients. In addition, patients can develop life-threatening adverse events, and while these generally occur in patients that also show a tumor response, these outcomes are not always congruent. Therefore, predicting a response to IO is of paramount importance. Traditionally, tumor tissue analysis has been used for this purpose. However, minimally invasive liquid biopsies that monitor changes in blood or other bodily fluid markers are emerging as a promising cost-effective alternative. Traditional biomarkers have limitations mainly due to difficulty in repeatedly obtaining tumor tissue confounded also by the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of tumours. Liquid biopsy has the potential to circumvent tumor heterogeneity and to help identifying patients who may respond to IO, to monitor the treatment dynamically, as well as to unravel the mechanisms of relapse. We present here a review of the current status of molecular markers for the prediction and monitoring of IO response, focusing on the detection of these markers in liquid biopsies. With the emerging improvements in the field of liquid biopsy, this approach has the capacity to identify IO-eligible patients and provide clinically relevant information to assist with their ongoing disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadma Fatima
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (A.S.); (F.V.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Yafeng Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Centre for Circulating Tumor Cell Diagnosis and Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Azadeh Safrachi
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (A.S.); (F.V.)
| | - Sana Haider
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Kevin J. Spring
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Vafaee
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; (A.S.); (F.V.)
- UNSW Data Science Hub, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Kieran F. Scott
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Tara L. Roberts
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Therese M. Becker
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
- Centre for Circulating Tumor Cell Diagnosis and Research, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Paul de Souza
- Department of Medical Oncology, Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (Y.M.); (S.H.); (K.J.S.); (K.F.S.); (T.L.R.); (T.M.B.); (P.d.S.)
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
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Rubinstein MP, Williams C, Mart C, Beall J, MacPherson L, Azar J, Swiderska-Syn M, Manca P, Gibney BC, Robinson MD, Krieg C, Hill EG, Taha SA, Rock AD, Lee JH, Soon-Shiong P, Wrangle J. Phase I Trial Characterizing the Pharmacokinetic Profile of N-803, a Chimeric IL-15 Superagonist, in Healthy Volunteers. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:1362-1370. [PMID: 35228263 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The oncotherapeutic promise of IL-15, a potent immunostimulant, is limited by a short serum t 1/2 The fusion protein N-803 is a chimeric IL-15 superagonist that has a >20-fold longer in vivo t 1/2 versus IL-15. This phase 1 study characterized the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile and safety of N-803 after s.c. administration to healthy human volunteers. Volunteers received two doses of N-803, and after each dose, PK and safety were assessed for 9 d. The primary endpoint was the N-803 PK profile, the secondary endpoint was safety, and immune cell levels and immunogenicity were measures of interest. Serum N-803 concentrations peaked 4 h after administration and declined with a t 1/2 of ∼20 h. N-803 did not cause treatment-emergent serious adverse events (AEs) or grade ≥3 AEs. Injection site reactions, chills, and pyrexia were the most common AEs. Administration of N-803 was well tolerated and accompanied by proliferation of NK cells and CD8+ T cells and sustained increases in the number of NK cells. Our results suggest that N-803 administration can potentiate antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Rubinstein
- The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Cameron Williams
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Caroline Mart
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Jonathan Beall
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Linda MacPherson
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Joseph Azar
- The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Marzena Swiderska-Syn
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Paolo Manca
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Foundation - National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Barry C Gibney
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Mark D Robinson
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences and SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carsten Krieg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Elizabeth G Hill
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | | | | | | | - John Wrangle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC;
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
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Zenhausern R, Day AS, Safavinia B, Han S, Rudy PE, Won YW, Yoon JY. Natural killer cell detection, quantification, and subpopulation identification on paper microfluidic cell chromatography using smartphone-based machine learning classification. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 200:113916. [PMID: 34974261 PMCID: PMC8766938 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are immune cells that defend against viral infections and cancer and are used in cancer immunotherapies. Subpopulations of NK cells include CD56dim and CD56bright which either produce cytokines or cytotoxically kill cells directly. The absolute number and proportion of these cells in peripheral blood are tied to proper immune function. Current methods of cytokine detection and proportion of NK cell subpopulations require fluorescent dyes and highly specialized equipment, e.g., flow cytometry, thus rapid cell quantification and subpopulation analysis are needed in the clinical setting. Here, a smartphone-based device and a two-component paper microfluidic chip were used towards identifying NK cell subpopulation and inflammatory markers. One unit measured flow velocity via smartphone-captured video, determining cytokine (IL-2) and total NK cell concentrations in undiluted buffy coat blood samples. The other, single flow lane unit performs spatial separation of CD56dim and CD56bright and cells over its length using differential binding of anti-CD56 nanoparticles. A smartphone microscope combined with cloud-based machine learning predictive modeling (utilizing a random forest classification algorithm) analyzed both flow data and NK cell subpopulation differentiation. Limits of detection for cytokine and cell concentrations were 98 IU/mL and 68 cells/mL, respectively, and cell subpopulation analysis showed 89% accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Zenhausern
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Alexander S Day
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Babak Safavinia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Seungmin Han
- Department of Surgery, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Paige E Rudy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Young-Wook Won
- Department of Surgery, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
| | - Jeong-Yeol Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States.
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46
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Chung YM, Tsai WB, Khan PP, Ma J, Berek JS, Larrick JW, Hu MCT. FOXO3-dependent suppression of PD-L1 promotes anticancer immune responses via activation of natural killer cells. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:1241-1263. [PMID: 35411241 PMCID: PMC8984903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Boosting anticancer immunity by blocking immune checkpoints such as the programmed death-1 (PD-1) or its ligand (PD-L1) is a breakthrough anticancer therapy. However, many cancer patients do not respond well to immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) alone. Here we show that low-dose pharmacological immunoactivators (e.g., SN38, topotecan, sorafenib, etc.) notably downregulate PD-L1 and upregulate FOXO3 expression in various human and murine cancer cell lines. In a mouse tumor model, low-dose SN38 treatment markedly suppresses tumor growth, reduces PD-L1 expression, and enhances FOXO3 expression in primary tumor specimens. SN38 therapy engages the tumor-infiltrating mouse NK1.1/CD49b/NKG2D-positive natural killer (NK) cells to attack tumor cells by inducing mouse IFN-γ and granzyme-B secretion in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in vivo. SN38 treatment also promotes tumor cell apoptosis in the TME. SN38 treatment significantly decreases STAT3-pY705 and IL-6 protein levels; FOXO3 is essential for SN38-mediated PD-L1 downregulation. Collectively, these findings may contribute to future translational or clinical investigations tackling difficult-to-treat cancers with immune-activating medicines or combined with ICB immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Min Chung
- Panorama Institute of Molecular Medicine & Panorama Research InstituteSunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Wen Bin Tsai
- Panorama Institute of Molecular Medicine & Panorama Research InstituteSunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pragya P Khan
- Panorama Institute of Molecular Medicine & Panorama Research InstituteSunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
| | - Jessica Ma
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jonathan S Berek
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - James W Larrick
- Panorama Institute of Molecular Medicine & Panorama Research InstituteSunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
| | - Mickey C-T Hu
- Panorama Institute of Molecular Medicine & Panorama Research InstituteSunnyvale, CA 94089, USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of MedicineStanford, CA 94305, USA
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47
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Venglar O, Bago JR, Motais B, Hajek R, Jelinek T. Natural Killer Cells in the Malignant Niche of Multiple Myeloma. Front Immunol 2022; 12:816499. [PMID: 35087536 PMCID: PMC8787055 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.816499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells represent a subset of CD3- CD7+ CD56+/dim lymphocytes with cytotoxic and suppressor activity against virus-infected cells and cancer cells. The overall potential of NK cells has brought them to the spotlight of targeted immunotherapy in solid and hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM). Nonetheless, NK cells are subjected to a variety of cancer defense mechanisms, leading to impaired maturation, chemotaxis, target recognition, and killing. This review aims to summarize the available and most current knowledge about cancer-related impairment of NK cell function occurring in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Venglar
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia.,Hematooncology Clinic, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Julio Rodriguez Bago
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia.,Hematooncology Clinic, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Benjamin Motais
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Roman Hajek
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia.,Hematooncology Clinic, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Tomas Jelinek
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia.,Hematooncology Clinic, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czechia
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Patin EC, Dillon MT, Nenclares P, Grove L, Soliman H, Leslie I, Northcote D, Bozhanova G, Crespo-Rodriguez E, Baldock H, Whittock H, Baker G, Kyula J, Guevara J, Melcher AA, Harper J, Ghadially H, Smith S, Pedersen M, McLaughlin M, Harrington KJ. Harnessing radiotherapy-induced NK-cell activity by combining DNA damage-response inhibition and immune checkpoint blockade. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e004306. [PMID: 35314434 PMCID: PMC8938703 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite therapeutic gains from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in many tumor types, new strategies are needed to extend treatment benefits, especially in patients failing to mount effective antitumor T-cell responses. Radiation and drug therapies can profoundly affect the tumor immune microenvironment. Here, we aimed to identify immunotherapies to increase the antitumor response conferred by combined ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase inhibition and radiotherapy. METHODS Using the human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative murine oral squamous cell carcinoma model, MOC2, we assessed the nature of the antitumor response following ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related inhibitor (ATRi)/radiotherapy (RT) by performing RNA sequencing and detailed flow cytometry analyses in tumors. The benefit of immunotherapies based on T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) and Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint blockade following ATRi/RT treatment was assessed in the MOC2 model and confirmed in another HPV-negative murine oral squamous cell carcinoma model called SCC7. Finally, immune profiling was performed by flow cytometry on blood samples in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma enrolled in the PATRIOT clinical trial of combined ATRi/RT. RESULTS ATRi enhances radiotherapy-induced inflammation in the tumor microenvironment, with natural killer (NK) cells playing a central role in maximizing treatment efficacy. We demonstrated that antitumor activity of NK cells can be further boosted with ICI targeting TIGIT and PD-1. Analyses of clinical samples from patients receiving ATRi (ceralasertib) confirm the translational potential of our preclinical studies. CONCLUSION This work delineates a previously unrecognized role for NK cells in the antitumor immune response to radiotherapy that can be augmented by small-molecule DNA damage-response inhibitors and immune checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel C Patin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Magnus T Dillon
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Pablo Nenclares
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Lorna Grove
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Heba Soliman
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Isla Leslie
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Davina Northcote
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Galabina Bozhanova
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Eva Crespo-Rodriguez
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Holly Baldock
- Biological Services Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Harriet Whittock
- Biological Services Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Gabriella Baker
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Joan Kyula
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Jeane Guevara
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Alan A Melcher
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | | | - Simon Smith
- Early Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Malin Pedersen
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Martin McLaughlin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Kevin J Harrington
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
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49
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Mortezaee K, Majidpoor J. (Im)maturity in Tumor Ecosystem. Front Oncol 2022; 11:813897. [PMID: 35145911 PMCID: PMC8821092 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.813897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors have special features that make them distinct from their normal counterparts. Immature cells in a tumor mass and their critical contributions to the tumorigenesis will open new windows toward cancer therapy. Incomplete cellular development brings versatile and unique functionality in the cellular tumor ecosystem, such as what is seen for highly potential embryonic cells. There is evidence that maturation of certain types of cells in this ecosystem can recover the sensitivity of the tumor. Therefore, understanding more about the mechanisms that contributed to this immaturity will render new therapeutic approaches in cancer therapy. Targeting such mechanisms can be exploited as a supplementary to the current immunotherapeutic treatment schedules, such as immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The key focus of this review is to discuss the impact of (im)maturity in cellular tumor ecosystems on cancer progression, focusing mainly on immaturity in the immune cell compartment of the tumor, as well as on the stemness of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Infectious Disease Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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50
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Biber G, Sabag B, Raiff A, Ben‐Shmuel A, Puthenveetil A, Benichou JIC, Jubany T, Levy M, Killner S, Barda‐Saad M. Modulation of intrinsic inhibitory checkpoints using nano-carriers to unleash NK cell activity. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e14073. [PMID: 34725941 PMCID: PMC8749471 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202114073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells provide a powerful weapon mediating immune defense against viral infections, tumor growth, and metastatic spread. NK cells demonstrate great potential for cancer immunotherapy; they can rapidly and directly kill cancer cells in the absence of MHC-dependent antigen presentation and can initiate a robust immune response in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Nevertheless, current NK cell-based immunotherapies have several drawbacks, such as the requirement for ex vivo expansion of modified NK cells, and low transduction efficiency. Furthermore, to date, no clinical trial has demonstrated a significant benefit for NK-based therapies in patients with advanced solid tumors, mainly due to the suppressive TME. To overcome current obstacles in NK cell-based immunotherapies, we describe here a non-viral lipid nanoparticle-based delivery system that encapsulates small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to gene silence the key intrinsic inhibitory NK cell molecules, SHP-1, Cbl-b, and c-Cbl. The nanoparticles (NPs) target NK cells in vivo, silence inhibitory checkpoint signaling molecules, and unleash NK cell activity to eliminate tumors. Thus, the novel NP-based system developed here may serve as a powerful tool for future NK cell-based therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Biber
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Batel Sabag
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Anat Raiff
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Aviad Ben‐Shmuel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Abhishek Puthenveetil
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Jennifer I C Benichou
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Tammir Jubany
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Moria Levy
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Shiran Killner
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
| | - Mira Barda‐Saad
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life SciencesBar‐Ilan UniversityRamat‐GanIsrael
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