3D Collagen Fiber Concentration Regulates Treg Cell Infiltration in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Osteogenesis imperfecta: exploring an autoimmune and immunotherapy perspective

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also called brittle bone disease, is a genetic osteodysplasia characterized by a defect in type 1 collagen. Often diagnosed in infancy or early childhood, young patients are affected by frequent fractures. Osteogenesis imperfecta was first named almost 200 yr ago, yet there are still no FDA-approved treatments for OI, and existing treatments target only the skeletal defects of the disease. In this review, we briefly examine current treatments and ongoing clinical trials. Then, by analyzing OI with an osteoimmunological perspective, we have compiled evidence that OI has an autoimmune component. This autoimmune component of OI remains unconsidered, even though an immunology-based therapy has shown promise in treating OI. Acknowledging an autoimmune component of OI is critical to understanding its mechanisms and allowing for the development of more efficacious treatments and novel immunotherapies. Considering the existing literature and the growing impact of immunotherapeutic therapies in cancer and other autoimmune diseases, we believe it may be time to rethink the immune aspects of this genetic disorder and develop novel immunomodulating strategies to improve the quality of life for OI patients.

High levels of fibrotic tumor components are associated with recurrence and intratumoral immune status in advanced colorectal cancer patients

The importance of collagen and elastin remains incompletely understood concerning tumor immunity in cancer tissues. This study explored the clinical significance of collagen and elastin deposition on tumor immunity in advanced colorectal cancer patients. The collagen and elastin contents were assessed simultaneously using elastic van Gieson (EVG) histochemical staining. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to measure the immune cell markers CD3, CD8, CD86, and CD163 in surgically resected primary tumors from 78 pT4 colorectal cancer patients. High collagen, elastin, and EVG scores are associated with aggressive characteristics and short disease-free survival. A high EVG score was identified as an independent predictor of poor disease-free survival. Furthermore, tumors with high collagen and EVG scores exhibited significantly fewer intratumoral CD3 + and CD8 + cells. Evaluating tumor fibrosis using the classical and straightforward EVG staining method could be a reliable predictor of recurrence in high-risk colorectal cancer patients with tumor immune tolerance.

Patterns of immune evasion in triple-negative breast cancer and new potential therapeutic targets: a review

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of progesterone and estrogen receptors and low (or absent) HER2 expression. TNBC accounts for 15-20% of all breast cancers. It is associated with younger age, a higher mutational burden, and an increased risk of recurrence and mortality. Standard treatment for TNBC primarily relies on cytotoxic agents, such as taxanes, anthracyclines, and platinum compounds for both early and advanced stages of the disease. Several targeted therapies, including bevacizumab and sunitinib, have failed to demonstrate significant clinical benefit in TNBC. The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has revolutionized cancer treatment. By stimulating the immune system, ICIs induce a durable anti-tumor response across various solid tumors. TNBC is a particularly promising target for treatment with ICIs due to the higher levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), increased PD-L1 expression, and higher mutational burden, which generates tumor-specific neoantigens that activate immune cells. ICIs administered as monotherapy in advanced TNBC yields only a modest response; however, response rates significantly improve when ICIs are combined with cytotoxic agents, particularly in tumors expressing PD-L1. Pembrolizumab is approved for use in both early and advanced TNBC in combination with standard chemotherapy. However, more research is needed to identify more potent biomarkers, and to better elucidate the synergism of ICIs with other targeted agents. In this review, we explore the challenges of immunotherapy in TNBC, examining the mechanisms of tumor progression mediated by immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, and the signaling pathways involved in both primary and acquired resistance. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of ongoing clinical trials underway to investigate novel immune-targeted therapies for TNBC.

Targeting extracellular matrix stiffness for cancer therapy

The physical characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME) include solid stress, interstitial fluid pressure, tissue stiffness and microarchitecture. Among them, abnormal changes in tissue stiffness hinder drug delivery, inhibit infiltration of immune killer cells to the tumor site, and contribute to tumor resistance to immunotherapy. Therefore, targeting tissue stiffness to increase the infiltration of drugs and immune cells can offer a powerful support and opportunities to improve the immunotherapy efficacy in solid tumors. In this review, we discuss the mechanical properties of tumors, the impact of a stiff TME on tumor cells and immune cells, and the strategies to modulate tumor mechanics.

Crosstalk between T lymphocyte and extracellular matrix in tumor microenvironment

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex three-dimensional structure composed of proteins, glycans, and proteoglycans, constituting a critical component of the tumor microenvironment. Complex interactions among immune cells, extracellular matrix, and tumor cells promote tumor development and metastasis, consequently influencing therapeutic efficacy. Hence, elucidating these interaction mechanisms is pivotal for precision cancer therapy. T lymphocytes are an important component of the immune system, exerting direct anti-tumor effects by attacking tumor cells or releasing lymphokines to enhance immune effects. The ECM significantly influences T cells function and infiltration within the tumor microenvironment, thereby impacting the behavior and biological characteristics of tumor cells. T cells are involved in regulating the synthesis, degradation, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix through the secretion of cytokines and enzymes. As a result, it affects the proliferation and invasive ability of tumor cells as well as the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review discusses the mechanisms underlying T lymphocyte-ECM interactions in the tumor immune microenvironment and their potential application in immunotherapy. It provides novel insights for the development of innovative tumor therapeutic strategies and drug.

Transcriptional Landscape of 3D vs. 2D Ovarian Cancer Cell Models

Three-dimensional (3D) cancer models are revolutionising research, allowing for the recapitulation of an in vivo-like response through the use of an in vitro system, which is more complex and physiologically relevant than traditional monolayer cultures. Cancers such as ovarian (OvCa) are prone to developing resistance, are often lethal, and stand to benefit greatly from the enhanced modelling emulated by 3D cultures. However, the current models often fall short of the predicted response, where reproducibility is limited owing to the lack of standardised methodology and established protocols. This meta-analysis aims to assess the current scope of 3D OvCa models and the differences in the genetic profiles presented by a vast array of 3D cultures. An analysis of the literature (Pubmed.gov) spanning 2012-2022 was used to identify studies with paired data of 3D and 2D monolayer counterparts in addition to RNA sequencing and microarray data. From the data, 19 cell lines were found to show differential regulation in their gene expression profiles depending on the bio-scaffold (i.e., agarose, collagen, or Matrigel) compared to 2D cell cultures. The top genes differentially expressed in 2D vs. 3D included C3, CXCL1, 2, and 8, IL1B, SLP1, FN1, IL6, DDIT4, PI3, LAMC2, CCL20, MMP1, IFI27, CFB, and ANGPTL4. The top enriched gene sets for 2D vs. 3D included IFN-α and IFN-γ response, TNF-α signalling, IL-6-JAK-STAT3 signalling, angiogenesis, hedgehog signalling, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, hypoxia, and inflammatory response. Our transversal comparison of numerous scaffolds allowed us to highlight the variability that can be induced by these scaffolds in the transcriptional landscape and identify key genes and biological processes that are hallmarks of cancer cells grown in 3D cultures. Future studies are needed to identify which is the most appropriate in vitro/preclinical model to study tumour microenvironments.

Association of collagen deep learning classifier with prognosis and chemotherapy benefits in stage II-III colon cancer

The current tumor-node-metastasis staging system does not provide sufficient prognostic prediction or adjuvant chemotherapy benefit information for stage II-III colon cancer (CC) patients. Collagen in the tumor microenvironment affects the biological behaviors and chemotherapy response of cancer cells. Hence, in this study, we proposed a collagen deep learning (collagenDL) classifier based on the 50-layer residual network model for predicting disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The collagenDL classifier was significantly associated with DFS and OS (P < 0.001). The collagenDL nomogram, integrating the collagenDL classifier and three clinicopathologic predictors, improved the prediction performance, which showed satisfactory discrimination and calibration. These results were independently validated in the internal and external validation cohorts. In addition, high-risk stage II and III CC patients with high-collagenDL classifier, rather than low-collagenDL classifier, exhibited a favorable response to adjuvant chemotherapy. In conclusion, the collagenDL classifier could predict prognosis and adjuvant chemotherapy benefits in stage II-III CC patients.

Strategies for Efficient Targeting of Tumor Collagen for Cancer Therapy

Simple Summary

The tumor microenvironment encompasses the cellular and extracellular matrix components that support and shape the three-dimensional framework in which solid tumors develop and grow. The extracellular matrix of the tumor is characterized by increased deposition and aberrant architecture of collagen fibers. Therefore, as a key mechanical component of the tumor microenvironment, collagen plays a critical role in cancer progression, metastasis, and therapeutic response. To boost the efficacy of current anticancer therapies, including immunotherapy, innovative approaches should take into account strategies directed against the dysregulated non-cancer cell stromal components. In the current review, we provide an overview of the principal approaches to target tumor collagen to provide therapeutic benefits.

Abstract

The tumor stroma, which comprises stromal cells and non-cellular elements, is a critical component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The dynamic interactions between the tumor cells and the stroma may promote tumor progression and metastasis and dictate resistance to established cancer therapies. Therefore, novel antitumor approaches should combine anticancer and anti-stroma strategies targeting dysregulated tumor extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM remodeling is a hallmark of solid tumors, leading to extensive biochemical and biomechanical changes, affecting cell signaling and tumor tissue three-dimensional architecture. Increased deposition of fibrillar collagen is the most distinctive alteration of the tumor ECM. Consequently, several anticancer therapeutic strategies have been developed to reduce excessive tumor collagen deposition. Herein, we provide an overview of the current advances and challenges of the main approaches aiming at tumor collagen normalization, which include targeted anticancer drug delivery, promotion of degradation, modulation of structure and biosynthesis of collagen, and targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts, which are the major extracellular matrix producers.

A Bloody Conspiracy. Blood Vessels and Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment

Simple Summary

The tumor microenvironment has risen over the last years as a significant contributor to the failure of antitumoral strategies due to its numerous pro-tumorigenic activities. In this review, we focused on two features of this microenvironment, namely angiogenesis and immunity, which have been the targets of therapies to tackle tumors via its microenvironmental part over the last decade. Increasing our knowledge of the complex interactions within this ecosystem is mandatory to optimize these therapeutic approaches. The development of innovative experimental models is of great help in reaching this goal.

Abstract

Cancer progression occurs in concomitance with a profound remodeling of the cellular microenvironment. Far from being a mere passive event, the re-orchestration of interactions between the various cell types surrounding tumors highly contributes to the progression of the latter. Tumors notably recruit and stimulate the sprouting of new blood vessels through a process called neo-angiogenesis. Beyond helping the tumor cope with an increased metabolic demand associated with rapid growth, this also controls the metastatic dissemination of cancer cells and the infiltration of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. To decipher this critical interplay for the clinical progression of tumors, the research community has developed several valuable models in the last decades. This review offers an overview of the various instrumental solutions currently available, including microfluidic chips, co-culture models, and the recent rise of organoids. We highlight the advantages of each technique and the specific questions they can address to better understand the tumor immuno-angiogenic ecosystem. Finally, we discuss this development field’s fundamental and applied perspectives.