CTLA-4 silencing in dendritic cells loaded with colorectal cancer cell lysate improves autologous T cell responses in vitro

The role of glycan-lectin interactions in the tumor microenvironment: immunosuppression regulators of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumour and a serious global health issue. Glycosylation, a type of posttranslational modification, has been extensively studied in relation to cancer growth and metastasis. Aberrant glycosylation alters how the immune system in the microenvironment perceives the tumour and drives immune suppression through glycan-binding receptors. Interestingly, specific glycan signatures can be regarded as a new pattern of immune checkpoints. Lectins are a group of proteins that exhibit high affinity for glycosylation structures. Lectins and their ligands are found on endothelial cells (ECs), immune cells and tumour cells and play important roles in the tumour microenvironment (TME). In CRC, glycan-lectin interactions can accelerate immune evasion promoting the differentiation of tumour-associated M2 macrophages, altering T cell, dendritic cell (DC), natural killer (NK) cell, and regulatory T (Treg) cell activity to modify the functions of antigen-presenting cells functions. Here, we review our current knowledge on how glycan-lectin interactions affect immune-suppressive circuits in the TME and discuss their roles in the development of more effective immunotherapies for CRC.

VSIG-3/IGSF11 silencing in A2058 melanoma cells simultaneously suppresses melanoma progression and induces anti-tumoral cytokine profile in human T cells: In silico and in vitro study

VISTA is a newly discovered immune checkpoint whose functional mechanisms have become increasingly important to study due to its brilliant results in cancer immunotherapy. Despite VSIG-3/IGSF11 being identified as an inhibitory ligand for VISTA with potential as a target for cancer immunotherapy, very little is known of its functions. This study aimed to conduct a detailed analysis of VSIG-3/IGSF11 in melanoma, as well as to study the effects of its silencing on melanoma cell line progression and human T cell functions. Online databases were used to investigate VSIG-3/IGSF11 expression, its relationships, and prognostic value in melanoma. Then, the effects of VSIG-3/IGSF11 silencing on proliferation, migration, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in A2058 melanoma cells were assessed using MTT, colony formation, wound healing, cell cycle, and Annexin-V FITC/PI assays, respectively. Finally, A2058 cells transfected with VSIG-3/IGSF11 siRNA were co-cultured with human T cells, and the expression levels of T cell cytokines were evaluated using qRT-PCR. VSIG-3/IGSF11 expression was significantly increased in melanoma patients and cell lines; however, no correlation was found between VSIG-3/IGSF11 expression levels and clinicopathological characteristics, survival, or immune cell infiltration. Following VSIG-3/IGSF11 silencing in A2058 cells, viability, proliferation, and migration rates were decreased, while apoptosis was increased. T cells co-cultured with VSIG-3/IGSF11 siRNA-transfected A2058 cells exhibited increased expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 and decreased expression levels of IL-10, TGF-β, and TNF-α. The inhibitory effect of VSIG-3/IGSF11 silencing on A2058 melanoma cell progression, along with the alteration of T cell cytokines towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype, suggests that VSIG-3/IGSF11 is primarily involved in melanoma progression and modulating immune responses. Therefore, it may be a valuable target for immunotherapy in melanoma patients.

Docetaxel treatment together with CTLA-4 knockdown enhances reduction of cell viability and amplifies apoptosis stimulation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women with a 20% mortality rate. The fate of patients suffering from breast cancer can be influenced by immune cells and tumor cells interaction in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Immune checkpoints such as Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) are regulators of the immune system and defend normal tissues from immune cell attacks but they can be expressed in breast cancer tissue and facilitate immune evasion of tumoral cells. Based on this, here we studied the role of CTLA-4 silencing by specific siRNA in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line together with Docetaxel treatment which is one of the robust chemotherapy agents to demonstrate the significance of combining chemotherapy with efficient targeted therapy in tumor regression. The MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was transfected with CTLA-4-siRNA through the electroporation method, then received an appropriate dose of Docetaxel determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was utilized to investigate the consequence of simultaneous CTLA-4 gene silencing and Docetaxel treatment on the apoptosis and cell cycle of MCF-7 cells. The expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were also investigated using quantitative real-time PCR. Compared to control groups, CTLA-4-suppressed and Docetaxel-treated cells became more susceptible to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2-M phase. The additive effect of CTLA-4 knockdown together with Docetaxel treatment significantly downregulated BCL-2 level and upregulated BAX expression. Our findings support the idea that combining chemotherapy such as Docetaxel with efficient targeted therapy against inhibitory immune checkpoints can be a promising strategy in cancer treatment.

Thalidomide augments maturation and T helper 1-inducing capacity of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in vitro

Introduction

Dendritic cells (DCs) possess specialized abilities to present antigens and stimulate T cells, making them essential in triggering adaptive immune responses. Thalidomide and its derivatives are classified as a group of medications that possess immunomodulatory properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated the contentious impact of these drugs on DCs. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess the influence of Thalidomide therapy on the maturation and stimulation of monocyte-derived DCs, and subsequently examine the consequences of these treated DCs on the immune responses of autologous T cells.

Methods

The immature DCs derived from monocytes were subjected to exposure to Thalidomide and Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the fifth day of differentiation, followed by a 24-hour incubation period. On the sixth day, the phenotypic features of the DCs in both the control and treatment groups were assessed using flow cytometry. Subsequently, the gene expression in both the DCs and autologous T cells co-cultured with the DCs was evaluated using the real-time PCR method.

Results

Thalidomide-treated DCs exhibited a significant augmentation in the expression of maturation and stimulatory surface markers CD11c, HLA-DR, and CD86 (P ≤ 0.01), as well as gene expression of TNF-α and IL-12 (P ≤ 0.01) when compared to the control group. Furthermore, co-culture of Thalidomide-treated DCs with T cells increased T-bet and IFN-γ (P ≤ 0.01) expression, while diminished FOXP3 and TGF-β (P ≤ 0.01) expression compared to T cells co-cultured with untreated DCs.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that in vitro Thalidomide treatment shifts DCs towards an immunogenic state and elevates their T helper 1 inducing capacity, which may be efficient in immunotherapy of various cancers.

RAD001-mediated mTOR targeting in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells shifts them toward an immunogenic phenotype

Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential for promoting T lymphocyte responses since they are specialist antigen-presenting cells. In order to maintain tolerance or initiate immune responses, DCs must be activated in a balanced and regulated manner via diverse signaling pathways. By using a variety of pharmacological components, we can interfere with their different signaling pathways such as the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) to appropriately modulate DC activity. In the current study, we administered RAD001 to DCs to examine the impact of mTOR inhibition on both the maturation stage and the expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules in DCs. Pure monocytes were cultivated and stimulated with GM-CSF and IL-4 to generate immature DCs, which were then treated with RAD001. The phenotype of the DCs was determined by labeling surface markers and analyzing them using flow cytometry. Afterward, real-time PCR was carried out to evaluate the expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes. The administration of RAD001 to DCs led to a significant upregulation in the gene expression of inflammatory molecules such as IL-12, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-KB). Conversely, RAD001 treatment resulted in a decrease in the gene expression of anti-inflammatory factors IL-10 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). However, the expression of differentiation and antigen presentation-related markers CD11c and human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-DR in RAD001-treated DCs was lower and higher compared to the control group that did not receive the treatment, respectively. Taken together, our findings indicated that RAD001 treatment of DCs can be a promising therapeutic approach for the generation of immunogenic DCs in order to barricade tumor growth. However, there is a need for further investigation to evaluate the impacts of mTOR inhibition by RAD001 in DCs on cellular immune responses in vitro and in vivo.

Myeloid subsets impede the efficacy of anti-PD1 therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer (WJOG10417GTR study)

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common and deadly malignant diseases worldwide. Despite revolutionary advances, the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD1/PDL1 monoclonal antibodies in advanced GC is still low due to the emergence of innate and acquired resistance to treatment. Myeloid cells represent the majority of human immune cells. Therefore, their increase, decrease, and abnormality could have a significant impact on the patient's immune system and the progression of cancer, and reprogramming, inhibiting, and eliminating the tumor-supportive types may improve the immunological situation and efficacy of immunotherapy. However, the significance of myeloid cells in anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy remains unclear in GC. In the WJOG10417GTR study on GC, we sought to identify myeloid determinants that could predict anti-PD1 therapeutic efficacy and also serve as potential therapeutic targets.

METHODS

We collected tumor tissues and peripheral blood from 96 patients with advanced GC before and 1 month after anti-PD1 nivolumab monotherapy, and the isolated whole leucocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry for various immune cell populations, including many myeloid subsets. Then, the relationship between the cellular levels and progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) was statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

We found that high levels of several myeloid subsets expressing molecules that have been targeted in drug discovery but not yet approved for clinical use were significantly associated with shorter PFS/OS as compared with low levels: PDL1+ and CTLA4+ myeloid subsets within tumors at baseline, PDL1+, B7H3+ and CD115+ myeloid subsets in peripheral blood at baseline, and LAG3+, CD155+ and CD115+ myeloid subsets in peripheral blood at post-treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that these myeloid subsets are significant risk factors in nivolumab therapy for advanced GC. Targeting them may be useful as diagnostic biomarkers to predict potential anti-PD1 therapeutic efficacy, and also as therapeutic targets for accelerating the development of new drugs to improve clinical outcomes in immunotherapy for GC.

The Goat Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte-Associated Antigen-4 Gene: mRNA Expression and Association Analysis of Insertion/Deletion Variants with the Risk of Brucellosis

The cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA4) gene, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune diseases. Studies have shown that polymorphisms in the CTLA4 gene are linked to an increased risk of brucellosis in humans, but its association with brucellosis in goats remains unexplored. In this study, the tissue expression profile of CTLA4 in goats was investigated, and the correlation between InDel polymorphisms in the CTLA4 gene and susceptibility to brucellosis in goats was examined. The findings reveal the widespread expression of CTLA4 in goat tissues, particularly in the spleen and testes. The tested goat populations presented genotypes insertion/insertion (II), insertion/deletion (ID), and deletion/deletion (DD) at both the P1 and P2 loci, and an association analysis revealed significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies at the P1 and P2 loci of the CTLA4 gene between the Brucella goat case and the control groups (p < 0.05). Specifically, compared with the II genotype, the P1 and P2 loci were significantly associated with an elevated risk of brucellosis development in goats under both the codominant (ID/II) and dominant (ID + DD/II) models (P1, p = 0.042, p = 0.016; P2, p = 0.011, p = 0.014). Additionally, haplotype analysis indicated that haplotypes IP1DP2, DP1IP2, and DP1DP2 were significantly associated with an increased risk of brucellosis in goats compared to the reference haplotype IP1IP2 (p = 0.029, p = 0.012, p = 0.034). Importantly, the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of peripheral blood monocytes and/or macrophages from goats with the II, ID, and DD genotypes resulted in increased CTLA4 expression levels in the II genotype, leading to a robust LPS-induced inflammatory response. Through bioinformatic analysis, the observed effect of the InDel locus on Brucella pathogenesis risk in goats could be attributed to the differential binding of the transcription factors nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα). These findings offer potential insights for breeding strategies against brucellosis.

Antigen presenting cells in cancer immunity and mediation of immune checkpoint blockade

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are pivotal mediators of immune responses. Their role has increasingly been spotlighted in the realm of cancer immunology, particularly as our understanding of immunotherapy continues to evolve and improve. There is growing evidence that these cells play a non-trivial role in cancer immunity and have roles dependent on surface markers, growth factors, transcription factors, and their surrounding environment. The main dendritic cell (DC) subsets found in cancer are conventional DCs (cDC1 and cDC2), monocyte-derived DCs (moDC), plasmacytoid DCs (pDC), and mature and regulatory DCs (mregDC). The notable subsets of monocytes and macrophages include classical and non-classical monocytes, macrophages, which demonstrate a continuum from a pro-inflammatory (M1) phenotype to an anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype, and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Despite their classification in the same cell type, each subset may take on an immune-activating or immunosuppressive phenotype, shaped by factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we introduce the role of DCs, monocytes, and macrophages and recent studies investigating them in the cancer immunity context. Additionally, we review how certain characteristics such as abundance, surface markers, and indirect or direct signaling pathways of DCs and macrophages may influence tumor response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. We also highlight existing knowledge gaps regarding the precise contributions of different myeloid cell subsets in influencing the response to ICB therapy. These findings provide a summary of our current understanding of myeloid cells in mediating cancer immunity and ICB and offer insight into alternative or combination therapies that may enhance the success of ICB in cancers.

Unmasking the NLRP3 inflammasome in dendritic cells as a potential therapeutic target for autoimmunity, cancer, and infectious conditions

Proper and functional immune response requires a complex interaction between innate and adaptive immune cells, which dendritic cells (DCs) are the primary actors in this coordination as professional antigen-presenting cells. DCs are armed with numerous pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs) like NLRP3, which influence the development of their activation state upon sensation of ligands. NLRP3 is a crucial component of the immune system for protection against tumors and infectious agents, because its activation leads to the assembly of inflammasomes that cause the formation of active caspase-1 and stimulate the maturation and release of proinflammatory cytokines. But, when NLRP3 becomes overactivated, it plays a pathogenic role in the progression of several autoimmune disorders. So, NLRP3 activation is strictly regulated by diverse signaling pathways that are mentioned in detail in this review. Furthermore, the role of NLRP3 in all of the diverse immune cells' subsets is briefly mentioned in this study because NLRP3 plays a pivotal role in modulating other immune cells which are accompanied by DCs' responses and subsequently influence differentiation of T cells to diverse T helper subsets and even impact on cytotoxic CD8+ T cells' responses. This review sheds light on the functional and therapeutic role of NLRP3 in DCs and its contribution to the occurrence and progression of autoimmune disorders, prevention of diverse tumors' development, and recognition and annihilation of various infectious agents. Furthermore, we highlight NLRP3 targeting potential for improving DC-based immunotherapeutic approaches, to be used for the benefit of patients suffering from these disorders.

Analysis of single nuclear chromatin accessibility reveals unique myeloid populations in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

A better understanding of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) immune microenvironment is critical to developing new treatments and improving outcomes. Myeloid cells are of particular importance for PDAC progression; however, the presence of heterogenous subsets with different ontogeny and impact, along with some fluidity between them, (infiltrating monocytes vs. tissue-resident macrophages; M1 vs. M2) makes characterisation of myeloid populations challenging. Recent advances in single cell sequencing technology provide tools for characterisation of immune cell infiltrates, and open chromatin provides source and function data for myeloid cells to assist in more comprehensive characterisation. Thus, we explore single nuclear assay for transposase accessible chromatin (ATAC) sequencing (snATAC-Seq), a method to analyse open gene promoters and transcription factor binding, as an important means for discerning the myeloid composition in human PDAC tumours.

METHODS

Frozen pancreatic tissues (benign or PDAC) were prepared for snATAC-Seq using 10× Chromium technology. Signac was used for preliminary analysis, clustering and differentially accessible chromatin region identification. The genes annotated in promoter regions were used for Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and cell type annotation. Gene signatures were used for survival analysis with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) dataset.

RESULTS

Myeloid cell transcription factor activities were higher in tumour than benign pancreatic samples, enabling us to further stratify tumour myeloid populations. Subcluster analysis revealed eight distinct myeloid populations. GO enrichment demonstrated unique functions for myeloid populations, including interleukin-1b signalling (recruited monocytes) and intracellular protein transport (dendritic cells). The identified gene signature for dendritic cells influenced survival (hazard ratio = .63, p = .03) in the TCGA-PAAD dataset, which was unique to PDAC.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest snATAC-Seq as a method for analysis of frozen human pancreatic tissues to distinguish myeloid populations. An improved understanding of myeloid cell heterogeneity and function is important for developing new treatment targets in PDAC.

Recent advances in mRNA-based vaccine for cancer therapy; bench to bedside

The messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have progressed from a theoretical concept to a clinical reality over the last few decades. Compared to conventional vaccination methods, these vaccines have a number of benefits, such as substantial potency, rapid growth, inexpensive production, and safe administration. Nevertheless, their usefulness was restricted up to now due to worries about the erratic and ineffective circulation of mRNA in vivo. Thankfully, these worries have largely been allayed by recent technological developments, which have led to the creation of multiple mRNA vaccination platforms for cancer and viral infections. The mRNA vaccines have been demonstrated as a powerful alternative to traditional conventional vaccines because of their high potency, safety and efficacy, capacity for rapid clinical development, and potential for rapid, low-cost manufacturing. The paper will examine the present status of mRNA vaccine technology and suggest future paths for the advancement and application of this exciting vaccine platform as a common therapeutic choice.

Causal linkage between type 2 diabetes mellitus and inflammatory bowel disease: an integrated Mendelian randomization study and bioinformatics analysis

Background

Observational studies have indicated associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and both colorectal cancer (CRC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the underlying causality and biological mechanisms between these associations remains unclear.

Methods

We conducted a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis employing summary statistics from genome-wide association studies involving European individuals. The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was the primary method used to assess causality. Additionally, we applied MR Egger, Weighted median, Simple mode, and Weighted mode to evaluate the robustness of the results. Outliers were identified and eliminated using the MR-PRESSO, while the MR-Egger intercept was used to assess the horizontal pleiotropic effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochrane Q test, and sensitivity analysis was performed using leave-one-out method. The F statistic was calculated to evaluate weak instrumental variable bias. Finally, a pilot bioinformatics analysis was conducted to explore the underlying biological mechanisms between T2DM and IBD/UC.

Results

The IVW results demonstrated that T2DM significantly reduced risks of IBD (OR=0.885, 95% CI: 0.818-0.958, P=0.002) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (OR=0.887, 95% CI: 0.812-0.968, P=0.007). Although the 95% CIs of MR Egger, Weighted median, Simple mode, and Weighted mode were broad, the majority of their estimates were consistent with the direction of IVW. Despite significant heterogeneity among SNPs, no horizontal pleiotropy was observed. The leave-one-out analysis showed that the causality remained consistent after each SNP was removed, underscoring the reliability of the results. Reverse MR analysis indicated that genetic susceptibility to both CRC and IBD had no significant effect on the relative risk of T2DM. Ten hub genes were identified, which mainly enriched in pathways including maturity onset diabetes of the young, thyroid cancer, gastric acid secretion, longevity regulating pathway, melanogenesis, and pancreatic secretion.

Conclusion

The presence of T2DM does not increase the risk of CRC or IBD. Moreover, T2DM might reduce risk of IBD, including UC. Conversely, the occurrence of CRC or IBD does not influence the risk of T2DM. The association between T2DM and IBD/UC may be related to the changes in multiple metabolic pathways and CTLA-4-mediated immune response.

Glyburide-treated human monocyte-derived dendritic cells loaded with insulin represent tolerogenic features with anti-inflammatory responses and modulate autologous T cell responses in vitro

Tolerogenic dendritic cells (TolDCs) are attractive therapeutic options for autoimmune disorders because they suppress autologous T-cell responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) are equipped with pattern recognition receptors (PRR), including nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs) such as NLRP3. Abnormal NLRP3 activation has been reported to be correlated with the occurrence of autoimmune disorders. Accordingly, we hypothesized that glyburide treatment of DCs by blocking the ATP-sensitive K+ (kATP) channels generates TolDCs by inhibiting NLRP3. Insulin was even loaded on a group of glyburide-treated mature DCs (mDCs) to investigate the antigen (Ag) loading effects on glyburide-treated mDCs' phenotypical and functional features. Consequently, T lymphocytes' mediated responses ensuing co-culture of them with control mDCs, insulin loaded and unloaded glyburide treated mDCs were evaluated to determine generated TolDCs' capacity in inhibition of T cell responses that are inducer of destruction in insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). Our findings indicated that glyburide generates desirable TolDCs with decreased surface expression of maturation and Ag presentation related markers and diminished level of inflammatory but increased level of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which even insulin loading demonstrated more anti-inflammatory functions. In addition, co-cultured T cells showed regulatory or T helper 2 phenotype instead of T helper 1 features. Our findings suggested that insulin-loaded and unloaded glyburide-treated DCs are promising therapeutic approaches for autoimmune patients, specifically DCs loaded with insulin for T1DM patients. However, further research is required before this technique can be applied in clinical practice.

New insights into COL26A1 in thyroid carcinoma: prognostic prediction, functional characterization, immunological drug target and ceRNA network

Background

Thyroid carcinoma (THCA) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies. Collagen is the main component in extracellular matrix. Rising studies have determined the oncogenic effect of collagen in cancer progression, which is intriguing to be further explored. Collagen type XXVI alpha 1 chain (COL26A1) is a newly discovered collagen subtype, functions of which still remain poorly demonstrated in THCA.

Methods

Based on the transcriptome data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and other public databases, we conducted investigations of COL26A1 in THCA with respects to diagnostic/prognostic prediction, functional characterization, immune infiltration, chemical drug target and non-coding RNA regulatory network. Furthermore, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to verify the expression of COL26A1 in THCA.

Results

COL26A1 was significantly upregulated in THCA, and the high COL26A1 expression inferred poor prognosis [hazard ratio (HR) =4.76; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.36-16.73; P=0.015]. The diagnostic area under the curve (AUC) of COL26A1 achieved 0.736 (95% CI: 0.669-0.802). COL26A1 was also identified as an independent prognostic predictor for THCA (HR =3.928; 95% CI: 3.716-4.151; P<0.001). Besides, logistic regression analysis indicated that age >45 years [odds ratio (OR) =1.532; 95% CI: 1.081-2.176; P=0.017], pathological stage III (OR =2.055; 95% CI: 1.314-3.184; P=0.001), tall cell subtype (OR =5.533; 95% CI: 2.420-14.957; P<0.001), residual tumor R1 (OR =1.844; 95% CI: 1.035-3.365; P=0.041) and extrathyroidal extension (OR =1.800; 95% CI: 1.225-1.660; P=0.003) were risk factors associated with high COL26A1 expression in THCA. Functional characterizations implied that COL26A1 was associated with immunological processes and oncogenic signaling pathways. High COL26A1 expression was accompanied by more abundant infiltration of immune cells and higher stromal/immune score. In addition, most immune checkpoints were significantly positively co-expressed with COL26A1, including PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA4. Drugs including trichloroethylene, acetamide and thioacetamide etc. that can decrease the expression of COL26A1 were also identified. The predicted long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-COL26A1 regulatory axes were successfully deciphered. qRT-PCR and western blot verified the upregulation of COL26A1 in THCA.

Conclusions

Our work has primarily appraised COL26A1 as a promising biomarker for diagnosis/prognosis and immuno/therapeutic target in THCA.

Radiomics for the Prediction of Pathological Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Prospective Observational Trial

(1) Background: An increasing amount of research has supported the role of radiomics for predicting pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemoradiation treatment (nCRT) in order to provide better management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients. However, the lack of validation from prospective trials has hindered the clinical adoption of such studies. The purpose of this study is to validate a radiomics model for pCR assessment in a prospective trial to provide informative insight into radiomics validation. (2) Methods: This study involved a retrospective cohort of 147 consecutive patients for the development/validation of a radiomics model, and a prospective cohort of 77 patients from two institutions to test its generalization. The model was constructed using T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI to understand the associations with pCR. The consistency of physicians' evaluations and agreement on pathological complete response prediction were also evaluated, with and without the aid of the radiomics model. (3) Results: The radiomics model outperformed both physicians' visual assessments in the prospective test cohort, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84 (95% confidence interval of 0.70-0.94). With the aid of the radiomics model, a junior physician could achieve comparable performance as a senior oncologist. (4) Conclusion: We have built and validated a radiomics model with pretreatment MRI for pCR prediction of LARC patients undergoing nCRT.

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) as an undetermined tool in tumor cells

In the tumor microenvironment, the function of T cells is a fate-changer for tumor progression. In the meantime, CD28 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) are vital role players in the controlling activity of T cells as an activator and deactivator, respectively. In T cells in comparison to CD28, the molecular mechanism of CTLA-4 is unclear. In addition, despite the fact that most tumor cell types express CTLA-4, its role in tumor cells is not well understood and only few studies focused on the role of CTLA-4 signaling in tumor cells. It is illustrated that CTLA-4 signaling causes PD-L1 expression in tumor cells. However, numerous characteristics of CTLA-4 signaling in tumor cells are ambiguous and require to be described. In this article, we proposed that the CTLA-4 signaling during immunotherapy with anti-CTLA-4 antibodies may cause poor responses by patients. In addition, we attract attention to several fundamental questions regarding CTLA-4 signaling in tumor cells. Overall, the CTLA-4 signaling function and the related gaps about its role in tumor cells in the present review are challenged.