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Hsu CY, Mustafa MA, Kumar A, Pramanik A, Sharma R, Mohammed F, Jawad IA, Mohammed IJ, Alshahrani MY, Ali Khalil NAM, Shnishil AT, Abosaoda MK. Exploiting the immune system in hepatic tumor targeting: Unleashing the potential of drugs, natural products, and nanoparticles. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 256:155266. [PMID: 38554489 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic tumors present a formidable challenge in cancer therapeutics, necessitating the exploration of novel treatment strategies. In recent years, targeting the immune system has attracted interest to augment existing therapeutic efficacy. The immune system in hepatic tumors includes numerous cells with diverse actions. CD8+ T lymphocytes, T helper 1 (Th1) CD4+ T lymphocytes, alternative M1 macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells provide the antitumor immunity. However, Foxp3+ regulatory CD4+ T cells (Tregs), M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are the key immune inhibitor cells. Tumor stroma can also affect these interactions. Targeting these cells and their secreted molecules is intriguing for eliminating malignant cells. The current review provides a synopsis of the immune system components involved in hepatic tumor expansion and highlights the molecular and cellular pathways that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. It also overviews the diverse range of drugs, natural products, immunotherapy drugs, and nanoparticles that have been investigated to manipulate immune responses and bolster antitumor immunity. The review also addresses the potential advantages and challenges associated with these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chou-Yi Hsu
- Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan City 71710, Taiwan
| | | | - Ashwani Kumar
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Jain (Deemed-to-be) University, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560069, India; Department of Pharmacy, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303012, India
| | - Atreyi Pramanik
- Institute of Pharma Sciences and Research, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Rajiv Sharma
- Institute of Pharma Sciences and Research, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India
| | - Faraj Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Manara College for Medical Sciences, Maysan, Iraq
| | | | - Imad Jasim Mohammed
- College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | - Mohammad Y Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | | | - Munther Kadhim Abosaoda
- College of technical engineering, the Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq; College of technical engineering, the Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Iraq; College of technical engineering, the Islamic University of Babylon, Iraq
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Liu Q, Liu YY, Chen XM, Tao BY, Chen K, Li WM, Xu CT, Shi Y, Li H, Liu HR. KIF5A upregulation in hepatocellular carcinoma: A novel prognostic biomarker associated with unique tumor microenvironment status. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1071722. [PMID: 36686769 PMCID: PMC9853384 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1071722] [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: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is one of the most common liver malignancies with high mortality and morbidity. Thus, it is crucial to identify potential biomarker that is capable of accurately predicting the prognosis and therapeutic response of LIHC. Kinesin family member 5A (KIF5A) is a microtubule-based motor protein involved in the transport of macromolecules such as organelle proteins in cells. Recent studies have illustrated that the high expression of KIF5A was related to poor prognosis of solid tumors, including bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. However, little is currently known concerning the clinical significance of KIF5A expression in LIHC. Herein, by adopting multi-omics bioinformatics analysis, we comprehensively uncovered the potential function and the predictive value of KIF5A in stratifying clinical features among patients with LIHC, for which a high KIF5A level predicted an unfavorable clinical outcome. Results from KIF5A-related network and enrichment analyses illustrated that KIF5A might involve in microtubule-based process, antigen processing and presentation of exogenous peptide antigen via MHC class II. Furthermore, immune infiltration and immune function analyses revealed upregulated KIF5A could predict a unique tumor microenvironment with more CD8+T cells and a higher level of anti-tumor immune response. Evidence provided by immunohistochemistry staining (IHC) further validated our findings at the protein level. Taken together, KIF5A might serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for predicting immunotherapy response and could be a potential target for anti-cancer strategies for LIHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,Department of Hepatobiliary, The Eighth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-yang Liu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-min Chen
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China,Senior Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Kuang Chen
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-min Li
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,Department of Hepatobiliary, The Eighth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chang-tao Xu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,Department of Hepatobiliary, The Eighth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Shi
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-run Liu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,Department of Hepatobiliary, The Eighth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Hao-run Liu,
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Ma H, Kang Z, Foo TK, Shen Z, Xia B. Disrupted BRCA1-PALB2 interaction induces tumor immunosuppression and T-lymphocyte infiltration in HCC through cGAS-STING pathway. Hepatology 2023; 77:33-47. [PMID: 35006619 PMCID: PMC9271123 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS BRCA1 (BRCA1 DNA repair associated) and PALB2 (partner and localizer of BRCA2) interact with each other to promote homologous recombination and DNA double-strand breaks repair. The disruption of this interaction has been reported to play a role in tumorigenesis. However, its precise function in HCC remains poorly understood. APPROACH AND RESULTS We demonstrated that mice with disrupted BRCA1-PALB2 interaction were more susceptible to HCC than wild-type mice. HCC tumors arising from these mice showed plenty of T-lymphocyte infiltration and a better response to programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibody treatment. Mechanistically, disruption of the BRCA1-PALB2 interaction causes persistent high level of DNA damage in HCC cells, leading to activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway in both malignant hepatocytes and M1 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. The activated cGAS-STING pathway induces programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 expression via the STING-interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 pathway, causing immunosuppression to facilitate tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Meanwhile, M1 macrophages with an activated cGAS-STING pathway could recruit T lymphocytes through the STING-IRF3 pathway, leading to T-lymphocyte infiltration in tumors. After normalizing immune responses by PD-1 antibody treatment, the infiltrating T lymphocytes attack tumor cells rapidly and effectively. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that persistent DNA damage caused by a defective BRCA pathway induces tumor immunosuppression and T-lymphocyte infiltration in HCC through the cGAS-STING pathway, providing insight into tumor immune microenvironment remodeling that may help improve HCC response to PD-1 antibody treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ma
- Liver Cancer Institute , Zhongshan Hospital , Fudan University , Shanghai , China
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology , Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA
| | - Zhihua Kang
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology , Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA
| | - Tzeh Keong Foo
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology , Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA
| | - Zhiyuan Shen
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology , Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA
| | - Bing Xia
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology , Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School , New Brunswick , New Jersey , USA
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Li Q, Han J, Yang Y, Chen Y. PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1070961. [PMID: 36601120 PMCID: PMC9806143 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1070961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high prevalence and mortality rate worldwide. Sorafenib monotherapy has been the standard of first-line treatment for advanced HCC for a long time, but there are still many shortcomings. In recent years, with the deepening of research on tumor immune microenvironment, researchers have begun to explore new approaches in immunotherapy, and the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors has brought fundamental changes to the treatment of HCC. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is an immune checkpoint molecule that plays an important role in down-regulating immune system function and promoting tolerance. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL-1) is involved in tumor immune evasion by binding to PD-1, resulting in failure of treatment. Currently, immunotherapy targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis has achieved unprecedented success in HCC, but it also faces great challenges, with its low remission rate still to be solved. For most patients with HCC, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is not the only rate limiting factor of antitumor immunity, and blocking only the PD-1/PD-L1 axis is not enough to stimulate an effective antitumor immune response; thus, combination therapy may be a better option. In this study, changes in the immune microenvironment of HCC patients were reviewed to clarify the feasibility of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, and a series of monotherapy and combination therapy clinical trials were summarized to verify the safety and efficacy of this newly developed treatment in patients with advanced HCC. Furthermore, we focused on hyperprogressive disease and drug resistance to gain a better understanding of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade as a promising treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Han
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yonglin Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Taizhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China,*Correspondence: Yonglin Yang, ; Yu Chen,
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,*Correspondence: Yonglin Yang, ; Yu Chen,
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Is There a Place for Somatostatin Analogues for the Systemic Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Immunotherapy Era? LIVERS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/livers2040024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have a very limited survival rate even after the recent inclusion of kinase inhibitors or immune checkpoint inhibitors in the therapeutic armamentarium. A significant problem with the current proposed therapies is the considerable cost of treatment that may be a serious obstacle in low- and middle-income countries. Implementation of somatostatin analogues (SSAs) has the potential to overcome this obstacle, but due to some negative studies their extensive evaluation came to a halt. However, experimental evidence, both in vitro and in vivo, has revealed various mechanisms of the anti-tumor effects of these analogues, including inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis and induction of apoptosis. Favorable indirect effects such as inhibition of liver inflammation and fibrosis and influence on macrophage-mediated innate immunity have also been noted and are presented in this review. Furthermore, the clinical application of SSAs is both presented and compared with clinical trials of kinase and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). No direct trials have been performed to compare survival in the same cohort of patients, but the cost of treatment with SSAs is a fraction compared to the other modalities and with significantly less serious side effects. As in immunotherapy, patients with viral HCC (excluding alcoholics), as well as Barcelona stage B or C and Child A patients, are the best candidates, since they usually have a survival prospect of at least 6 months, necessary for optimum results. Reasons for treatment failures are also discussed and further research is proposed.
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Sarcopenia and myosteatosis are associated with survival in patients receiving immunotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur Radiol 2022; 33:512-522. [PMID: 35864351 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-08980-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the association of sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and sarcopenic obesity with survival outcomes among patients who underwent immunotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS In this retrospective analysis, patients who initiated immunotherapy for advanced HCC were enrolled. Sarcopenia and myosteatosis were evaluated on pretreatment CT at L3 level by skeletal muscle index and mean muscle attenuation using predefined cutoff values. Sarcopenic obesity was defined as concurrent sarcopenia and body mass index > 25 kg/m2. The log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to compare overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS A total of 138 patients was included (discovery cohort n = 111, validation cohort n = 27). In the discovery cohort, patients with sarcopenia exhibited significantly poorer PFS (p = 0.048) and OS (p = 0.002) than patients without sarcopenia. Patients with myosteatosis exhibited significantly poorer PFS (p < 0.001) and OS (p < 0.001) than patients without myosteatosis. Patients with sarcopenic obesity compared to patients without sarcopenic obesity exhibited significantly poorer OS (p = 0.006) but not PFS (p = 0.31). In multivariate analysis adjusting for patient demographics, tumor extent, and liver function reserve, myosteatosis remained an independent predictor of poor PFS (p = 0.014) and OS (p = 0.007); sarcopenia remained an independent predictor for poor OS (p = 0.007). The prediction models for survival outcomes built by the discovery cohort showed similar performance in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS Sarcopenia and myosteatosis are independent prognostic factors in patients who received immunotherapy for advanced HCC. KEY POINTS • Sarcopenia and myosteatosis can be evaluated by CT at L3 level. • Sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and sarcopenic obesity were associated with poor survival outcomes in patients who underwent immunotherapy for advanced HCC. • Myosteatosis was an independent predictor of PFS and OS, and sarcopenia was independent for OS in these patients.
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Zhang Y, Pang S, Sun B, Zhang M, Jiao X, Lai L, Qian Y, Yang N, Yang W. ELOVLs Predict Distinct Prognosis Value and Immunotherapy Efficacy In Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:884066. [PMID: 35912257 PMCID: PMC9334671 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.884066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignancy of the liver with high prevalence worldwide and poor prognosis. It has been verified that elongation of very-long-chain fatty acids gene family (ELOVLs), a group of genes that responsible for elongation of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, participate in the pathogenesis and development of multiplex disease including cancers. However, the functions and prognosis of ELOVLs in HCC are still indistinguishable. Methods First, we searched the mRNA expression and survival data of ELOVLs in patients with HCC via the data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The prognosis value of ELOVLs on HCC was assessed by Kaplan–Meier plotter and Cox regression analysis. reverse transcription quantitative- polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot (WB), and immunohistochemistry were applied to assess the specific mRNA and protein expression of ELOVLs in HCC clinical specimens of our cohort. Then, the functional enrichment of ELOVL1 especially the pathways relating to the immune was conducted utilizing the Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis. Additionally, TIMER, CIBERSOR, and tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) were employed to evaluate the relationship between ELOVL1 and immune responses. Last, the correlation of ELOVL1 with genome heterogeneity [microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden (TMB), mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH), homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), purity, ploidy, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and neoantigens] and mutational landscape were also evaluated basing on the date in TCGA. Results Significant expression alteration was observed in ELOVLs family at the pan-cancer level. In liver cancer, ELOVL1 and ELOVL3 were strongly associated with poor prognosis of HCC by survival analysis and differential expression analysis. Immunohistochemistry microarray, WB, and RT-qPCR confirmed that ELOVL1 but not ELOVL3 played an important role in HCC. Mechanistically, functional network analysis revealed that ELOVL1 might be involved in the immune response. ELOVL1 could affect immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint markers such as PD-1 and CTLA4 in HCC. Meanwhile, high expression of ELOVL1 would be insensitive to immunotherapy. Correlation analysis of immunotherapy markers showed that ELOVL1 has been associated with MSI, TMB, and oncogene mutations such as TP53. Conclusion ELOVLs play distinct prognostic value in HCC. ELOVL1 could predict the poor prognosis and might be a potential indicator of immunotherapy efficacy in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Digestive Disease, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shujie Pang
- Department V of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Digestive Disease, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minbo Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Digestive Disease, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Jiao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Digestive Disease, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linying Lai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Digestive Disease, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiting Qian
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Digestive Disease, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Yang
- Department V of Hepatic Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Ning Yang, ; Wenzhuo Yang,
| | - Wenzhuo Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Digestive Disease, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Ning Yang, ; Wenzhuo Yang,
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8
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Kotsifa E, Vergadis C, Vailas M, Machairas N, Kykalos S, Damaskos C, Garmpis N, Lianos GD, Schizas D. Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Why, When, How? J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12030436. [PMID: 35330436 PMCID: PMC8955120 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12030436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy. It is principally associated with liver cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. The major risk factors for the development of HCC include viral infections (HBV, HCV), alcoholic liver disease (ALD,) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The optimal treatment choice is dictated by multiple variables such as tumor burden, liver function, and patient’s health status. Surgical resection, transplantation, ablation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and systemic therapy are potentially useful treatment strategies. TACE is considered the first-line treatment for patients with intermediate stage HCC. The purpose of this review was to assess the indications, the optimal treatment schedule, the technical factors associated with TACE, and the overall application of TACE as a personalized treatment for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Kotsifa
- Second Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens “Laiko”, AgiouThoma 17, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.M.); (S.K.); (C.D.); (N.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Chrysovalantis Vergadis
- Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Athens “Laiko”, AgiouThoma 17, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Michael Vailas
- First Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens “Laiko”, AgiouThoma 17, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.V.); (D.S.)
| | - Nikolaos Machairas
- Second Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens “Laiko”, AgiouThoma 17, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.M.); (S.K.); (C.D.); (N.G.)
| | - Stylianos Kykalos
- Second Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens “Laiko”, AgiouThoma 17, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.M.); (S.K.); (C.D.); (N.G.)
| | - Christos Damaskos
- Second Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens “Laiko”, AgiouThoma 17, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.M.); (S.K.); (C.D.); (N.G.)
| | - Nikolaos Garmpis
- Second Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens “Laiko”, AgiouThoma 17, 11527 Athens, Greece; (N.M.); (S.K.); (C.D.); (N.G.)
| | - Georgios D. Lianos
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Schizas
- First Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens “Laiko”, AgiouThoma 17, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.V.); (D.S.)
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Why may citrate sodium significantly increase the effectiveness of transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma? Drug Resist Updat 2021; 59:100790. [PMID: 34924279 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2021.100790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the third cause of cancer death in men worldwide, and its increasing incidence can be explained by the increasing occurrence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). HCC prognosis is poor, as its 5-year overall survival is approximately 18 % and most cases are diagnosed at an inoperable advanced stage. Moreover, tumor sensitivity to conventional chemotherapeutics (particularly to cisplatin-based regimen), trans-arterial chemoembolization (cTACE), tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anti-angiogenic molecules and immune checkpoint inhibitors is limited. Oncogenic signaling pathways, such as HIF-1α and RAS/PI3K/AKT, may provoke drug resistance by enhancing the aerobic glycolysis ("Warburg effect") in cancer cells. Indeed, this metabolism, which promotes cancer cell development and aggressiveness, also induces extracellular acidity. In turn, this acidity promotes the protonation of drugs, hence abrogating their internalization, since they are most often weakly basic molecules. Consequently, targeting the Warburg effect in these cancer cells (which in turn would reduce the extracellular acidification) could be an effective strategy to increase the delivery of drugs into the tumor. Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK1) and its activator PFK2 are the main regulators of glycolysis, and they also couple the enhancement of glycolysis to the activation of key signaling cascades and cell cycle progression. Therefore, targeting this "Gordian Knot" in HCC cells would be of crucial importance. Here, we suggest that this could be achieved by citrate administration at high concentration, because citrate is a physiologic inhibitor of PFK1 and PFK2. As shown in various in vitro studies, including HCC cell lines, administration of high concentrations of citrate inhibits PFK1 and PFK2 (and consequently glycolysis), decreases ATP production, counteracts HIF-1α and PI3K/AKT signaling, induces apoptosis, and sensitizes cells to cisplatin treatment. Administration of high concentrations of citrate in animal models (including Ras-driven tumours) has been shown to effectively inhibit cancer growth, reverse cell dedifferentiation, and neutralize intratumor acidity, without apparent toxicity in animal studies. Citrate may also induce a rapid secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by macrophages, and it could favour the destruction of cancer stem cells (CSCs) sustaining tumor recurrence. Consequently, this "citrate strategy" could improve the tumor sensitivity to current treatments of HCC by reducing the extracellular acidity, thus enhancing the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs into the tumor. Therefore, we propose that this strategy should be explored in clinical trials, in particular to enhance cTACE effectiveness.
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Chinnadurai R, Porter AP, Patel M, Lipat AJ, Forsberg MH, Rajan D, Hematti P, Capitini CM, Bruker C. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Are Protected From Immunolysis by Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Through Indoleamine 2,3 Dioxygenase. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:715905. [PMID: 34869307 PMCID: PMC8633446 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.715905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
B7 family proteins serve as checkpoint molecules that protect tumors from T cell mediated lysis. Tryptophan degrading enzymes indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3 dioxygenase (TDO) also induce T cell immune tolerance. However, little is known about the relative contribution of B7 molecules, tryptophan degrading enzymes, as well as the impact of tumor and stromal cell interactions to the development of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. To investigate such interactions, we used a tripartite model of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Co-culture of HepG2 cells and activated PBMCs demonstrate that HepG2 cells undergo PBMC mediated cytolysis, despite constitutive expression of B7-H3 and upregulation of PD-L1 by IFNγ. Knockdown of B7-H3, PD-L1 or IDO does not modulate PBMC mediated lysis of HepG2 cells. However, TNFα preactivation enhances lysis of HepG2 cells, and blocking of TNFα production from PBMCs protects HepG2 cells. On the other hand, MSCs protect HepG2 cells from PBMC mediated lysis, even in the presence of TNFα. Further investigation showed that MSC mediated protection is associated with the unique secretome profile of upregulated and downregulated cytokines and chemokines. IFNγ activated MSCs are superior to TNFα activated or control MSCs in protecting HepG2 cells. Blockade of IFNγ driven IDO activity completely abolishes the ability of MSCs to protect HepG2 cells from cytolysis by PBMCs. These results suggest that inhibition of IFNγ activation of IDO induction in stromal cells, combined with usage of TNFα, could be a novel immunotherapeutic strategy to induce regression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghavan Chinnadurai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA, United States
| | - Amanda Paige Porter
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA, United States
| | - Mihir Patel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA, United States
| | - Ariel Joy Lipat
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA, United States
| | - Mathews H Forsberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Devi Rajan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA, United States
| | - Peiman Hematti
- Department of Medicine, Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Christian M Capitini
- Department of Pediatrics, Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Charles Bruker
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Health University Medical Center, Savannah, GA, United States
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Abatematteo FS, Niso M, Lacivita E, Abate C. σ 2 Receptor and Its Role in Cancer with Focus on a MultiTarget Directed Ligand (MTDL) Approach. Molecules 2021; 26:3743. [PMID: 34205334 PMCID: PMC8235595 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sigma-2 (σ2) is an endoplasmic receptor identified as the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein TMEM97. Despite its controversial identity, which was only recently solved, this protein has gained scientific interest because of its role in the proliferative status of cells; many tumor cells from different organs overexpress the σ2 receptor, and many σ2 ligands display cytotoxic actions in (resistant) cancer cells. These properties have shed light on the σ2 receptor as a potential druggable target to be bound/activated for the diagnosis or therapy of tumors. Additionally, diverse groups have shown how the σ2 receptor can be exploited for the targeted delivery of the anticancer drugs to tumors. As the cancer disease is a multifactorial pathology with multiple cell populations, a polypharmacological approach is very often needed. Instead of the simultaneous administration of different classes of drugs, the use of one molecule that interacts with diverse pharmacological targets, namely MultiTarget Directed Ligand (MTDL), is a promising and currently pursued strategy, that may overcome the pharmacokinetic problems associated with the administration of multiple molecules. This review aims to point out the progress regarding the σ2 ligands in the oncology field, with a focus on MTDLs directed towards σ2 receptors as promising weapons against (resistant) cancer diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari ALDO MORO, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (F.S.A.); (M.N.); (E.L.)
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12
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Antognelli C, Mandarano M, Prosperi E, Sidoni A, Talesa VN. Glyoxalase-1-Dependent Methylglyoxal Depletion Sustains PD-L1 Expression in Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cells: A Novel Mechanism in Cancer Immunosurveillance Escape and a Potential Novel Target to Overcome PD-L1 Blockade Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13122965. [PMID: 34199263 PMCID: PMC8232032 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) is a well-known lethal condition. One of the mechanisms through which PCa cells become so aggressive is the avoidance of immune surveillance that further fosters cell growth, invasion, and migration. PD-L1/PD-1 axis plays a crucial role in inhibiting cytotoxic T cells and maintaining an immunosuppressive cancer microenvironment. Hence, targeting PD-L1/PD-1 axis represents a potential way to control mPCa. Unfortunately, mPCa patients do not respond to PD-L1/PD-1 axis blockade, focusing the research to understand the possible underpinning mechanisms. Our results provide a novel pathway taking part in cancer immunosurveillance escape and in the above-mentioned immunotherapy resistance, which provides the basis for additional studies aimed at developing novel therapeutic opportunities, possibly also in combination with antibodies blocking PD-L1/PD-1 axis. Abstract Metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) is a disease for which to date there is not curative therapy. Even the recent and attractive immunotherapeutic approaches targeting PD-L1, an immune checkpoint protein which helps cancer cells to escape from immunosurveillance, have proved ineffective. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms contributing to keep an immunosuppressive microenvironment associated with tumor progression and refractoriness to PD-L1 inhibitors is urgently needed. In the present study, by using gene silencing and specific activators or scavengers, we demonstrated, in mPCa cell models, that methylglyoxal (MG), a potent precursor of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), especially 5-hydro-5-methylimidazolone (MG-H1), and its metabolizing enzyme, glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), contribute to maintain an immunosuppressive microenvironment through MG-H1-mediated PD-L1 up-regulation and to promote cancer progression. Moreover, our findings suggest that this novel mechanism might be responsible, at least in part, of mPCa resistance to PD-L1 inhibitors, such as atezolizumab, and that targeting it may sensitize cells to this PD-L1 inhibitor. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of mPCa immunosurveillance escape and help in providing the basis to foster in vivo research toward novel therapeutic strategies for immunotherapy of mPCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Antognelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Bioscience and Medical Embryology Division, University of Perugia, L. Severi Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-075-585-8354
| | - Martina Mandarano
- Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, L. Severi Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (M.M.); (E.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Enrico Prosperi
- Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, L. Severi Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (M.M.); (E.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Angelo Sidoni
- Section of Anatomic Pathology and Histology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, L. Severi Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy; (M.M.); (E.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Nicola Talesa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Bioscience and Medical Embryology Division, University of Perugia, L. Severi Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy;
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