1
|
Taverna C, Franchi A. Role of Surgical Pathologist for Detection of Immunooncologic Predictive Factors in Head and Neck Cancer. Adv Anat Pathol 2023; 30:167-173. [PMID: 36175939 DOI: 10.1097/pap.0000000000000374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancers. Antiprogrammed cell death (PD)-1 therapies have been recently approved in this setting and they are currently tested also in the treatment of locally advanced diseases and in the neoadjuvant setting. However, the clinical benefits of these treatments have been quite variable, hence the need to select those patients who may obtain the maximal efficacy through the identification of predictive biomarkers. Currently, PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression by tumor and immune cells is the most widely used predictive biomarker for immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Nevertheless, patients with PD-L1 - tumors may still respond to treatments, thereby emphasizing the need for the identification of other predictive biomarkers. In this review, we summarize the current data on histologic and molecular parameters that can be used to select patients with head and neck cancers for immunotherapy, with a focus on squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland carcinomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Taverna
- Department of Translational Research and of New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng T, Huang F, Zhang Y, Zhou Z. Circ_0004491 stimulates guanine nucleotide-binding protein alpha subunit to inhibit the malignant progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by sponging miR-2278. J Dent Sci 2023; 18:237-247. [PMID: 36643221 PMCID: PMC9831788 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2022.05.018] [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: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose Circular RNA origin recognition complex subunit 4 (circORC4; ID: hsa_circ_0004491) have been confirmed to be a novel potential biomarker of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of circ_0004491 in OSCC progression. Materials and methods Levels of circ_0004491, microRNA (miR)-2278, guanine nucleotide-binding protein alpha subunit (GNAS), Bax, Bcl-2, E-cadherin and ki-67 were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The proliferation of OSCC cells was measured using colony formation assay and EdU staining. Cell apoptosis and motility were detected by flow cytometry and transwell assays respectively. Interaction between miR-2278 and circ_0004491 or GNAS was predicted by bioinformatics analysis and confirmed via luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Xenograft tumor model was used to analyze the role of circ_0004491 in tumor growth in vivo. Results Circ_0004491 was downregulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0004491 overexpression suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion whereas facilitated the apoptosis of OSCC cells. Circ_0004491 acted as a molecular sponge for miR-2278, and circ_0004491 overexpression-mediated effect was partly reversed by miR-2278 mimic in OSCC cells. MiR-2278 interacted with the 3'UTR of GNAS. Circ_0004491 contributed to GNAS level by sponging miR-2278 in OSCC cells. GNAS knockdown restored miR-2278 inhibitor-mediated effect in OSCC cells. Circ_0004491 overexpression repressed xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion Circ_0004491 can repress OSCC progression by regulation of miR-2278/GNAS axis, providing a possible circRNA-targeted therapy for OSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Cheng
- Department of Stomatology, Hanyang Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China,Corresponding author. Department of StomatologyHanyang Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Wuhan University of Science and Technology, No. 53, Ink Lake Road, Hanyang District, Wuhan, 430050, China.
| | - Feifei Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Dongxihu District People’s Hospital of Wuhan City in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Yin Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Hanyang Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Department of Stomatology, Hanyang Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Olmos M, Lutz R, Büntemeyer TO, Glajzer J, Nobis CP, Ries J, Möst T, Eckstein M, Hecht M, Gostian AO, Erdmann M, Foerster Y, Kesting M, Weber M. Case report: Patient specific combination of surgery and immunotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck - a case series and review of literature. Front Immunol 2022; 13:970823. [PMID: 36389668 PMCID: PMC9646561 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.970823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prognosis of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer is generally poor. Adjuvant immunotherapy (IT) featuring immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) is standard of care in advanced stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). ICI response rates in CSCC are described as higher than in HNSCC. IT is constantly shifting into earlier disease stages which confronts the surgeon with immunotherapeutically pre-treated patients. It is therefore becoming increasingly difficult to assess which patients with symptomatic tumor disease and a lack of curative surgical option might benefit from salvage surgery. CASE PRESENTATIONS The following 6 cases describe therapeutic decision-making regarding ICI and (salvage) surgery in patients with advanced stage HNSCC or CSCC. Cases A and B focus on neoadjuvant ICI followed by salvage surgery. In Cases C and D salvage surgery was performed after short-term stabilization with partial response to ICI. The last two cases (Cases E and F) address the surgical approach after failure of ICI. All cases are discussed in the context of the current study landscape and with focus on individual decision-making. For better understanding, a timetable of the clinical course is given for each case. CONCLUSIONS ICI is rapidly expanding its frontiers into the neoadjuvant setting, frequently confronting the surgeon with heavily pretreated patients. Salvage surgery is a viable therapeutic concept despite the rise of systemic treatment options. Decision-making on surgical intervention in case of a salvage surgery remains an individual choice. For neoadjuvant ICI monitoring regarding pathological tumor response or tumor necrosis rate, we suggest correlation between the initial biopsy and the definite tumor resectate in order to increase its significance as a surrogate marker. Scheduling of neoadjuvant ICI should be further investigated, as recent studies indicate better outcomes with shorter time frames.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Olmos
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Lutz
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tjark-Ole Büntemeyer
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jacek Glajzer
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christopher-Philipp Nobis
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jutta Ries
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Möst
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Eckstein
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Hecht
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Antoniu-Oreste Gostian
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Erdmann
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yannick Foerster
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marco Kesting
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manuel Weber
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Molecular Research on Oral Diseases and Related Biomaterials: A Journey from Oral Cell Models to Advanced Regenerative Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095288. [PMID: 35563679 PMCID: PMC9105421 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095288] [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] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer affect millions of people worldwide. Much research has been conducted to understand the pathogenetic mechanisms of these diseases and translate this knowledge into therapeutics. This review aims to take the reader on a journey from the initial molecular discoveries to complex regenerative issues in oral medicine. For this, a semi-systematic literature search was carried out in Medline and Web of Science databases to retrieve the primary literature describing oral cell models and biomaterial applications in oral regenerative medicine. First, an in vitro cell model of gingival keratinocytes is discussed, which illustrates patho- and physiologic principles in the context of oral epithelial homeostasis and carcinogenesis and represents a cellular tool to understand biomaterial-based approaches for periodontal tissue regeneration. Consequently, a layered gradient nonwoven (LGN) is described, which demonstrates that the key features of biomaterials serve as candidates for oral tissue regeneration. LGN supports proper tissue formation and obeys the important principles for molecular mechanotransduction. Furthermore, current biomaterial-based tissue regeneration trends, including polymer modifications, cell-based treatments, antimicrobial peptides and optogenetics, are introduced to represent the full spectrum of current approaches to oral disease mitigation and prevention. Altogether, this review is a foray through established and new concepts in oral regenerative medicine and illustrates the process of knowledge translation from basic molecular and cell biological research to future clinical applications.
Collapse
|
5
|
Tian Y, Zhang L, Jin N, Wan Z, Zhang H, Zhang H, Zhang L. Clinical Response to Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined with Targeted Therapy and Chemotherapy in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Experience in Three Patients. Onco Targets Ther 2022; 15:353-359. [PMID: 35422629 PMCID: PMC9005141 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s355349] [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: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) pembrolizumab and nivolumab have been approved for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and used in neoadjuvant immunotherapy in clinical trials. However, combination of ICIs with targeted therapy and chemotherapy was rarely used in pre-surgical HNSCC patients. Herein, we encountered three cases of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) who all had good responses to neoadjuvant immunotherapy (anti-PD-1 inhibitors) combined with nimotuzumab (anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody) plus paclitaxel. Both Case 1 and Case 2 underwent the same neoadjuvant therapeutic combination (nivolumab, nimotuzumab and paclitaxel) and exhibited a marked tumor shrinkage even complete disappearance by radiological evaluation. Moreover, pathological response was observed in post-surgical tissues of Case 1. Additionally, Case 3 with tongue squamous cell carcinoma also had satisfactory tumor regression (complete healing of his tongue ulcer upon treatment) after receiving similar neoadjuvant therapy with sintilimab (another PD-1 inhibitor), nimotuzumab and paclitaxel. We characterized their potential causes behind favorable treatment outcomes. While there were differences in driver mutations and tumor mutation burden (TMB) identified in pre-treatment tumor tissues among the three patients, numerous CD68+ (macrophages) infiltrates were common for all the cases. Of note, the majority (>80%) of the total macrophages were molecularly defined as PD-L1-positive macrophages. Given the high expression of PD-L1 in macrophages is associated with better immunotherapy outcomes, we propose that the high proportion of CD68+PD-L1+ cells in total macrophages alone could serve as a promising biomarker for neoadjuvant immunotherapy in combination with other therapies in HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tian
- Department of Stomatology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Stomatology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Nenghao Jin
- Department of Stomatology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Stomatology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyi Wan
- Department of Medicine, Genecast Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Wuxi, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Henghui Zhang
- Biomedical Innovation Center, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China; School of Oncology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haizhong Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Haizhong Zhang; Lei Zhang, Department of Stomatology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28, Fuxing Road, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 1066938316, Email ;
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|