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Chen B, Liu J. Prospects and challenges of CAR-T in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 133:112112. [PMID: 38640714 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer ranks as the seventh most prevalent cancer among women and is considered the most lethal gynecological malignancy on a global scale. The absence of reliable screening techniques, coupled with the insidious onset of nonspecific symptoms, often results in a delayed diagnosis, typically at an advanced stage characterized by peritoneal involvement. Management of advanced tumors typically involves a combination of chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery. However, the therapeutic arsenal for ovarian cancer patients remains limited, highlighting the unmet need for precise, targeted, and sustained-release pharmacological agents. Genetically engineered T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) represent a promising novel therapeutic modality that selectively targets specific antigens, demonstrating robust and enduring antitumor responses in numerous patients. CAR T cell therapy has exhibited notable efficacy in hematological malignancies and is currently under investigation for its potential in treating various solid tumors, including ovarian cancer. Currently, numerous researchers are engaged in the development of novel CAR-T cells designed to target ovarian cancer, with subsequent evaluation of these candidate cells in preclinical studies. Given the ability of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expressing T cells to elicit potent and long-lasting anti-tumor effects, this therapeutic approach holds significant promise for the treatment of ovarian cancer. This review article examines the utilization of CAR-T cells in the context of ovarian cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biqing Chen
- Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
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2
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Wang H, Wei Y, Wang N. Purinergic pathways and their clinical use in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Purinergic Signal 2024:10.1007/s11302-024-09997-8. [PMID: 38446337 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-09997-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the use of various therapies such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T), the prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still generally poor. However, immunotherapy is currently a hot topic in the treatment of hematological tumors. Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) can be converted to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) via CD39, and ADP can be converted to adenosine via CD73, which can bind to P1 and P2 receptors to exert immunomodulatory effects. Research on the mechanism of the purinergic signaling pathway can provide a new direction for the treatment of AML, and inhibitors of this signaling pathway have been discovered by several researchers and gradually applied in the clinic. In this paper, the mechanism of the purinergic signaling pathway and its clinical application are described, revealing a new target for the treatment of AML and subsequent improvement in patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yujie Wei
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Hematology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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3
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Zhang H, Liu Y, Liu J, Chen J, Wang J, Hua H, Jiang Y. cAMP-PKA/EPAC signaling and cancer: the interplay in tumor microenvironment. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:5. [PMID: 38233872 PMCID: PMC10792844 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01524-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease resulting from abnormal cell growth that is induced by a number of genetic and environmental factors. The tumor microenvironment (TME), which involves extracellular matrix, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), tumor-infiltrating immune cells and angiogenesis, plays a critical role in tumor progression. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a second messenger that has pleiotropic effects on the TME. The downstream effectors of cAMP include cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC) and ion channels. While cAMP can activate PKA or EPAC and promote cancer cell growth, it can also inhibit cell proliferation and survival in context- and cancer type-dependent manner. Tumor-associated stromal cells, such as CAF and immune cells, can release cytokines and growth factors that either stimulate or inhibit cAMP production within the TME. Recent studies have shown that targeting cAMP signaling in the TME has therapeutic benefits in cancer. Small-molecule agents that inhibit adenylate cyclase and PKA have been shown to inhibit tumor growth. In addition, cAMP-elevating agents, such as forskolin, can not only induce cancer cell death, but also directly inhibit cell proliferation in some cancer types. In this review, we summarize current understanding of cAMP signaling in cancer biology and immunology and discuss the basis for its context-dependent dual role in oncogenesis. Understanding the precise mechanisms by which cAMP and the TME interact in cancer will be critical for the development of effective therapies. Future studies aimed at investigating the cAMP-cancer axis and its regulation in the TME may provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms of tumorigenesis and lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongying Zhang
- Cancer Center, Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yongliang Liu
- Cancer Center, Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jieya Liu
- Cancer Center, Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jinzhu Chen
- Cancer Center, Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiao Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Hui Hua
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yangfu Jiang
- Cancer Center, Laboratory of Oncogene, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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4
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Bhatt K, Nukovic A, Colombani T, Bencherif SA. Biomaterial-assisted local oxygenation safeguards the prostimulatory phenotype and functions of human dendritic cells in hypoxia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1278397. [PMID: 38169677 PMCID: PMC10758617 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1278397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs), professional antigen-presenting cells, function as sentinels of the immune system. DCs initiate and fine-tune adaptive immune responses by presenting antigenic peptides to B and T lymphocytes to mount an effective immune response against cancer and pathogens. However, hypoxia, a condition characterized by low oxygen (O2) tension in different tissues, significantly impacts DC functions, including antigen uptake, activation and maturation, migration, as well as T-cell priming and proliferation. In this study, we employed O2-releasing biomaterials (O2-cryogels) to study the effect of localized O2 supply on human DC phenotype and functions. Our results indicate that O2-cryogels effectively mitigate DC exposure to hypoxia under hypoxic conditions. Additionally, O2-cryogels counteract hypoxia-induced inhibition of antigen uptake and migratory activity in DCs through O2 release and hyaluronic acid (HA) mediated mechanisms. Furthermore, O2-cryogels preserve and restore DC maturation and co-stimulation markers, including HLA-DR, CD86, and CD40, along with the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in hypoxic conditions. Finally, our findings demonstrate that the supplemental O2 released from the cryogels preserves DC-mediated T-cell priming, ultimately leading to the activation and proliferation of allogeneic CD3+ T cells. This work emphasizes the potential of local oxygenation as a powerful immunomodulatory agent to improve DC activation and functions in hypoxia, offering new approaches for cancer and infectious disease treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushbu Bhatt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alexandra Nukovic
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Thibault Colombani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sidi A. Bencherif
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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5
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Gyau BB, Deaglio S. A 2A receptor signaling drives cisplatin-mediated hippocampal neurotoxicity and cognitive defects in mice. Purinergic Signal 2023; 19:591-593. [PMID: 36639514 PMCID: PMC10754773 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-023-09919-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin B Gyau
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126, Turin, Italy.
| | - Silvia Deaglio
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126, Turin, Italy
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Todd KL, Lai J, Sek K, Huang YK, Newman DM, Derrick EB, Koay HF, Nguyen D, Hoang TX, Petley EV, Chan CW, Munoz I, House IG, Lee JN, Kim JS, Li J, Tong J, N de Menezes M, Scheffler CM, Yap KM, Chen AXY, Dunbar PA, Haugen B, Parish IA, Johnstone RW, Darcy PK, Beavis PA. A 2AR eGFP reporter mouse enables elucidation of A 2AR expression dynamics during anti-tumor immune responses. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6990. [PMID: 37914685 PMCID: PMC10620403 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42734-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
There is significant clinical interest in targeting adenosine-mediated immunosuppression, with several small molecule inhibitors having been developed for targeting the A2AR receptor. Understanding of the mechanism by which A2AR is regulated has been hindered by difficulty in identifying the cell types that express A2AR due to a lack of robust antibodies for these receptors. To overcome this limitation, here an A2AR eGFP reporter mouse is developed, enabling the expression of A2AR during ongoing anti-tumor immune responses to be assessed. This reveals that A2AR is highly expressed on all tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte subsets including Natural Killer (NK) cells, NKT cells, γδ T cells, conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and on a MHCIIhiCD86hi subset of type 2 conventional dendritic cells. In response to PD-L1 blockade, the emergence of PD-1+A2AR- cells correlates with successful therapeutic responses, whilst IL-18 is identified as a cytokine that potently upregulates A2AR and synergizes with A2AR deficiency to improve anti-tumor immunity. These studies provide insight into the biology of A2AR in the context of anti-tumor immunity and reveals potential combination immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten L Todd
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.
| | - Junyun Lai
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Kevin Sek
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Yu-Kuan Huang
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Dane M Newman
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
- Translational Hematology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emily B Derrick
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Hui-Fern Koay
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dat Nguyen
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Thang X Hoang
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Emma V Petley
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Cheok Weng Chan
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Isabelle Munoz
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Imran G House
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Joel N Lee
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Joelle S Kim
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Jasmine Li
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Junming Tong
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Maria N de Menezes
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Christina M Scheffler
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Kah Min Yap
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Amanda X Y Chen
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Phoebe A Dunbar
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Brandon Haugen
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Ian A Parish
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
- Translational Hematology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Phillip K Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Paul A Beavis
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, VIC, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.
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Laubach K, Turan T, Mathew R, Wilsbacher J, Engelhardt J, Samayoa J. Tumor-intrinsic metabolic reprogramming and how it drives resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2023; 6:611-641. [PMID: 37842241 PMCID: PMC10571065 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2023.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
The development of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies has been instrumental in advancing the field of immunotherapy. Despite the prominence of these treatments, many patients exhibit primary or acquired resistance, rendering them ineffective. For example, anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1)/anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1) treatments are widely utilized across a range of cancer indications, but the response rate is only 10%-30%. As such, it is necessary for researchers to identify targets and develop drugs that can be used in combination with existing ICB therapies to overcome resistance. The intersection of cancer, metabolism, and the immune system has gained considerable traction in recent years as a way to comprehensively study the mechanisms that drive oncogenesis, immune evasion, and immunotherapy resistance. As a result, new research is continuously emerging in support of targeting metabolic pathways as an adjuvant to ICB to boost patient response and overcome resistance. Due to the plethora of studies in recent years highlighting this notion, this review will integrate the relevant articles that demonstrate how tumor-derived alterations in energy, amino acid, and lipid metabolism dysregulate anti-tumor immune responses and drive resistance to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra Laubach
- Computational Oncology, AbbVie, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Immuno-Oncology, AbbVie, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Tolga Turan
- Computational Oncology, AbbVie, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Rebecca Mathew
- Immuno-Oncology, AbbVie, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | | | - Josue Samayoa
- Computational Oncology, AbbVie, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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8
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Oliveros A, Poleschuk M, Cole PD, Boison D, Jang MH. Chemobrain: An accelerated aging process linking adenosine A 2A receptor signaling in cancer survivors. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 170:267-305. [PMID: 37741694 PMCID: PMC10947554 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy has a significant positive impact in cancer treatment outcomes, reducing recurrence and mortality. However, many cancer surviving children and adults suffer from aberrant chemotherapy neurotoxic effects on learning, memory, attention, executive functioning, and processing speed. This chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) is referred to as "chemobrain" or "chemofog". While the underlying mechanisms mediating CICI are still unclear, there is strong evidence that chemotherapy accelerates the biological aging process, manifesting as effects which include telomere shortening, epigenetic dysregulation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial defects, impaired neurogenesis, and neuroinflammation, all of which are known to contribute to increased anxiety and neurocognitive decline. Despite the increased prevalence of CICI, there exists a lack of mechanistic understanding by which chemotherapy detrimentally affects cognition in cancer survivors. Moreover, there are no approved therapeutic interventions for this condition. To address this gap in knowledge, this review attempts to identify how adenosine signaling, particularly through the adenosine A2A receptor, can be an essential tool to attenuate accelerated aging phenotypes. Importantly, the adenosine A2A receptor uniquely stands at the crossroads of cancer treatment and improved cognition, given that it is widely known to control tumor induced immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment, while also posited to be an essential regulator of cognition in neurodegenerative disease. Consequently, we propose that the adenosine A2A receptor may provide a multifaceted therapeutic strategy to enhance anticancer activity, while combating chemotherapy induced cognitive deficits, both which are essential to provide novel therapeutic interventions against accelerated aging in cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Oliveros
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Michael Poleschuk
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Peter D Cole
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Detlev Boison
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States.
| | - Mi-Hyeon Jang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States.
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O'Connell I, Dongre A. Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy for Breast Cancer: Lessons from Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Mol Diagn Ther 2023; 27:433-444. [PMID: 37193859 PMCID: PMC10299941 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-023-00652-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade therapies have generated efficacious responses in certain tumor types; however, the responses of breast carcinomas have been largely limited. Moreover, the identity of various parameters that can predict responses to immunotherapies, and at the same time, serve as putative biomarkers that can be therapeutically targeted to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies for breast cancers, remains to be comprehensively delineated. Activation of epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in cancer cells, including those of the breast, increases their tumor-initiating potential and promotes their aggressiveness and resistance to multiple treatment regimens. Moreover, the residence of cancer cells in alternating epithelial or mesenchymal plastic phenotypic states can also influence their immuno-modulatory properties and susceptibilities to immune checkpoint blockade therapies. In this current opinion, we discuss the lessons that can be learnt from epithelial-mesenchymal transition to potentiate the efficacy of immunotherapy for breast cancers. We also discuss strategies to sensitize more-mesenchymal cancer cells to anti-tumor immunity and immune checkpoint blockade therapies, with the hope that these can serve as new translational avenues for the treatment of human breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel O'Connell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, T7-012A VRT, 930 Campus Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Anushka Dongre
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, T7-012A VRT, 930 Campus Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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10
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Li W, Pan X, Chen L, Cui H, Mo S, Pan Y, Shen Y, Shi M, Wu J, Luo F, Liu J, Li N. Cell metabolism-based optimization strategy of CAR-T cell function in cancer therapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1186383. [PMID: 37342333 PMCID: PMC10278966 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1186383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells has revolutionized the field of immune-oncology, showing remarkable efficacy against hematological malignancies. However, its success in solid tumors is limited by factors such as easy recurrence and poor efficacy. The effector function and persistence of CAR-T cells are critical to the success of therapy and are modulated by metabolic and nutrient-sensing mechanisms. Moreover, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), characterized by acidity, hypoxia, nutrient depletion, and metabolite accumulation caused by the high metabolic demands of tumor cells, can lead to T cell "exhaustion" and compromise the efficacy of CAR-T cells. In this review, we outline the metabolic characteristics of T cells at different stages of differentiation and summarize how these metabolic programs may be disrupted in the TME. We also discuss potential metabolic approaches to improve the efficacy and persistence of CAR-T cells, providing a new strategy for the clinical application of CAR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshuai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuanxuan Pan
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lirong Chen
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haoshu Cui
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaocong Mo
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yida Pan
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuru Shen
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Menglin Shi
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianlin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
| | - Feifei Luo
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Digestive Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, Macao SAR, China
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11
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Zahavi D, Hodge JW. Targeting Immunosuppressive Adenosine Signaling: A Review of Potential Immunotherapy Combination Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108871. [PMID: 37240219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment regulates many aspects of cancer progression and anti-tumor immunity. Cancer cells employ a variety of immunosuppressive mechanisms to dampen immune cell function in the tumor microenvironment. While immunotherapies that target these mechanisms, such as immune checkpoint blockade, have had notable clinical success, resistance is common, and there is an urgent need to identify additional targets. Extracellular adenosine, a metabolite of ATP, is found at high levels in the tumor microenvironment and has potent immunosuppressive properties. Targeting members of the adenosine signaling pathway represents a promising immunotherapeutic modality that can potentially synergize with conventional anti-cancer treatment strategies. In this review, we discuss the role of adenosine in cancer, present preclinical and clinical data on the efficacy adenosine pathway inhibition, and discuss possible combinatorial approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zahavi
- Center for Immuno-Oncology (CIO), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 10, Rm 8B13, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20879, USA
| | - James W Hodge
- Center for Immuno-Oncology (CIO), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 10, Rm 8B13, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20879, USA
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12
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Kaur J, Dora S. Purinergic signaling: Diverse effects and therapeutic potential in cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1058371. [PMID: 36741002 PMCID: PMC9889871 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1058371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Regardless of improved biological insights and therapeutic advances, cancer is consuming multiple lives worldwide. Cancer is a complex disease with diverse cellular, metabolic, and physiological parameters as its hallmarks. This instigates a need to uncover the latest therapeutic targets to advance the treatment of cancer patients. Purines are building blocks of nucleic acids but also function as metabolic intermediates and messengers, as part of a signaling pathway known as purinergic signaling. Purinergic signaling comprises primarily adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine (ADO), their analogous membrane receptors, and a set of ectonucleotidases, and has both short- and long-term (trophic) effects. Cells release ATP and ADO to modulate cellular function in an autocrine or paracrine manner by activating membrane-localized purinergic receptors (purinoceptors, P1 and P2). P1 receptors are selective for ADO and have four recognized subtypes-A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. Purines and pyrimidines activate P2 receptors, and the P2X subtype is ligand-gated ion channel receptors. P2X has seven subtypes (P2X1-7) and forms homo- and heterotrimers. The P2Y subtype is a G protein-coupled receptor with eight subtypes (P2Y1/2/4/6/11/12/13/14). ATP, its derivatives, and purinoceptors are widely distributed in all cell types for cellular communication, and any imbalance compromises the homeostasis of the cell. Neurotransmission, neuromodulation, and secretion employ fast purinergic signaling, while trophic purinergic signaling regulates cell metabolism, proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, invasion, and immune response during tumor progression. Thus, purinergic signaling is a prospective therapeutic target in cancer and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmeet Kaur
- Department of Biophysics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Sanchit Dora
- Department of Biophysics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
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13
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Huang Y, Jia A, Wang Y, Liu G. CD8 + T cell exhaustion in anti-tumour immunity: The new insights for cancer immunotherapy. Immunology 2023; 168:30-48. [PMID: 36190809 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells play a crucial role in anti-tumour immunity, but they often undergo exhaustion, which affects the anti-tumour activity of CD8+ T cells. The effect and mechanism of exhausted CD8+ T cells have become the focus of anti-tumour immunity research. Recently, a large number of studies have confirmed that long-term antigen exposure can induce exhaustion. Cytokines previously have identified their effects (such as IL-2 and IL-10) may play a dual role in the exhaustion process of CD8+ T cells, suggesting a new mechanism of inducing exhaustion. This review just focuses our current understanding of the biology of exhausted CD8+ T cells, including differentiation pathways, cellular characteristics and signalling pathways involved in inducing exhaustion, and summarizes how these can be applied to tumour immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Anna Jia
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yufei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Guangwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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14
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Liu R, Duan W, Yan W, Zhang J, Cheng J. Design and synthesis of tri-substituted pyrimidine derivatives as bifunctional tumor immunotherapeutic agents targeting both A2A adenosine receptors and histone deacetylases. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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15
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Repurposing of Commercially Existing Molecular Target Therapies to Boost the Clinical Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246150. [PMID: 36551637 PMCID: PMC9776741 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is now standard of care for several metastatic epithelial cancers and prolongs life expectancy for a significant fraction of patients. A hostile tumor microenvironment (TME) induced by intrinsic oncogenic signaling induces an immunosuppressive niche that protects the tumor cells, limiting the durability and efficacy of ICB therapies. Addition of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKi) as potential modulators of an unfavorable local immune environment has resulted in moderate life expectancy improvement. Though the combination strategy of ICB and RTKi has shown significantly better results compared to individual treatment, the benefits and adverse events are additive whereas synergy of benefit would be preferable. There is therefore a need to investigate the potential of inhibitors other than RTKs to reduce malignant cell survival while enhancing anti-tumor immunity. In the last five years, preclinical studies have focused on using small molecule inhibitors targeting cell cycle and DNA damage regulators such as CDK4/6, CHK1 and poly ADP ribosyl polymerase (PARP) to selectively kill tumor cells and enhance cytotoxic immune responses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the available drugs that attenuate immunosuppression and overcome hostile TME that could be used to boost FDA-approved ICB efficacy in the near future.
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16
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Impact of the selective A2 AR and A2 BR dual antagonist AB928/etrumadenant on CAR T cell function. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:2175-2185. [PMID: 36266575 PMCID: PMC9726885 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-02013-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has been successfully translated to clinical practice for the treatment of B cell malignancies. The suppressive microenvironment of many malignancies is a bottleneck preventing treatment success of CAR T cells in a broader range of tumours. Among others, the immunosuppressive metabolite adenosine is present in high concentrations within many tumours and dampens anti-tumour function of immune cells and consequently therapeutic response. METHODS Here, we present the impact of the selective adenosine A2A and A2B receptor antagonist AB928/etrumadenant on CAR T cell cytokine secretion, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. Using phosphorylation-specific flow cytometry, we evaluated the capability of AB928 to shield CAR T cells from adenosine-mediated signalling. The effect of orally administered AB928 on CAR T cells was assessed in a syngeneic mouse model of colon carcinoma. RESULTS We found that immunosuppressive signalling in CAR T cells in response to adenosine was fully blocked by the small molecule inhibitor. AB928 treatment enhanced CAR T cell cytokine secretion and proliferation, granted efficient cytolysis of tumour cells in vitro and augmented CAR T cell activation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Together our results suggest that combination therapy with AB928 represents a promising approach to improve adoptive cell therapy.
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17
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Slaats J, Wagena E, Smits D, Berends AA, Peters E, Bakker GJ, van Erp M, Weigelin B, Adema GJ, Friedl P. Adenosine A2a Receptor Antagonism Restores Additive Cytotoxicity by Cytotoxic T Cells in Metabolically Perturbed Tumors. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:1462-1474. [PMID: 36162129 PMCID: PMC9716258 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are antigen-specific effector cells with the ability to eradicate cancer cells in a contact-dependent manner. Metabolic perturbation compromises the CTL effector response in tumor subregions, resulting in failed cancer cell elimination despite the infiltration of tumor-specific CTLs. Restoring the functionality of these tumor-infiltrating CTLs is key to improve immunotherapy. Extracellular adenosine is an immunosuppressive metabolite produced within the tumor microenvironment. Here, by applying single-cell reporter strategies in 3D collagen cocultures in vitro and progressing tumors in vivo, we show that adenosine weakens one-to-one pairing of activated effector CTLs with target cells, thereby dampening serial cytotoxic hit delivery and cumulative death induction. Adenosine also severely compromised CTL effector restimulation and expansion. Antagonization of adenosine A2a receptor (ADORA2a) signaling stabilized and prolonged CTL-target cell conjugation and accelerated lethal hit delivery by both individual contacts and CTL swarms. Because adenosine signaling is a near-constitutive confounding parameter in metabolically perturbed tumors, ADORA2a targeting represents an orthogonal adjuvant strategy to enhance immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Slaats
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Wagena
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Daan Smits
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Annemarie A. Berends
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ella Peters
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Gert-Jan Bakker
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Merijn van Erp
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bettina Weigelin
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies,” University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gosse J. Adema
- Radiotherapy and Onco-Immunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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18
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Franco R, Lillo A, Navarro G, Reyes-Resina I. The adenosine A 2A receptor is a therapeutic target in neurological, heart and oncogenic diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:791-800. [DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2136570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Franco
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Neurobiology laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Chemistry, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Lillo
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Neuropharmacology laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology. School of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Molecular Neuropharmacology laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology. School of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Reyes-Resina
- CiberNed, Network Center for Neurodegenerative diseases, National Spanish Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- School of Chemistry, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Molecular Neuropharmacology laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology. School of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Dai H, Pena A, Bauer L, Williams A, Watkins SC, Camirand G. Treg suppression of immunity within inflamed allogeneic grafts. JCI Insight 2022; 7:160579. [PMID: 35881490 PMCID: PMC9462475 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.160579] [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: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory CD4+Foxp3+ T cells (Treg) restrain inflammation and immunity. However, the mechanisms underlying Treg suppressor function in inflamed non-lymphoid tissues remain largely unexplored. Here, we restricted immune responses to non-lymphoid tissues and used intravital microscopy to visualize Treg suppression of rejection by effector T cells (Teff) within inflamed allogeneic islet transplants. Despite their elevated motility, Treg preferentially contact antigen-presenting cells (APCs) over Teff. Interestingly, Treg specifically target APCs that are extensively and simultaneously contacted by Teff. In turn, Treg decrease MHC-II expression on APCs and hinder Teff function. Lastly, we demonstrate that Treg suppressor function within inflamed allografts requires ecto-nucleotidase CD73 activity, which generates the anti-inflammatory adenosine. Consequently, CD73-/- Treg exhibit reduced contacts with APCs within inflamed allografts compared to wt Treg, but not in spleen. Overall, our findings demonstrate that Treg suppress immunity within inflamed grafts through CD73 activity and suggest that Treg-APC direct contacts are central to this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hehua Dai
- Departments of Surgery and Immunology, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Andressa Pena
- Departments of Surgery and Immunology, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Lynne Bauer
- Departments of Surgery and Immunology, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Amanda Williams
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Simon C Watkins
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Geoffrey Camirand
- Departments of Surgery and Immunology, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States of America
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20
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Guo S, Han F, Zhu W. CD39 - A bright target for cancer immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113066. [PMID: 35550530 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ATP-adenosine pathway functions as a key modulator of innate and adaptive immunity within the tumor microenvironment, and cancer immune evasion largely involves the generation of high amounts of immunosuppressive extracellular adenosine (eADO). Consequently, inhibition of eADO-generating enzymes and/or eADO receptors can effectively restore the antitumor immunity of multiple immune cells. With several clinical strategies currently being explored to modulating the eADO pathway in patients with cancer, recent clinical data with antagonists targeting CD73 and A2A receptor have demonstrated a promising therapeutic potential in cancer. Recent findings reveal that the ectonucleotidase CD39, the limiting enzyme been viewed as "immunological switch", converts ATP-driven pro-inflammatory milieu to an anti-inflammatory state mediated by adenosine. Owing to its superior feature of CD39 antagonism that rely not only on preventing the accumulation of adenosine but also on the stabilization of extracellular ATP to restore antitumor immunity, several inhibitors and clinical trials based on CD39 are being evaluated. Consequently, there is currently a focus on understanding the role of CD39 in governing immunity and how therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway alter the antitumor potential. We herein review the impact of CD39 on tumor microenvironment with a focus on treatment preference. Additionally, we also discuss the implication for rational combination therapies, molecular regulation, as well as potential limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwei Guo
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fengfeng Han
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
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21
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Munoz
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul A Beavis
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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22
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Liu S, Ding W, Huang W, Zhang Z, Guo Y, Zhang Q, Wu L, Li Y, Qin R, Li J, Shi T, Zhang X, Lei J, Hu W. Discovery of Novel Benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2- a]pyrazin-1-amine-3-amide-one Derivatives as Anticancer Human A 2A Adenosine Receptor Antagonists. J Med Chem 2022; 65:8933-8947. [PMID: 35714367 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The blockade of A2A adenosine receptor (A2AAR) activates immunostimulatory response through regulating signaling in tumor microenvironment. Thus, A2AAR has been proposed as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. In this work, we designed a new series of benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-1-amine derivatives bearing an amide substitution at 3-position to obtain potent antitumor antagonist in vivo. The structure-activity relationship studies were performed by molecular modeling and radioactive assay. The in vitro anticancer activities were evaluated by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) functional and T cell activation assay. The most potent compound 12o·2HCl showed much higher affinity toward A2AAR (Ki = 0.08 nM) and exhibited more significant in vitro immunostimulatory anticancer activity than clinical antagonist AZD4635. More importantly, 12o·2HCl significantly inhibited the growth of triple-negative breast cancer by reversing immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in the xenograft mouse model without severe toxicity at the testing dose. These results make 12o·2HCl a promising immunotherapy anticancer drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhao Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Wen Ding
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Weifeng Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Zhijing Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Yinfeng Guo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Qiyi Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Linna Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Yukai Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Rui Qin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Jiahao Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Taoda Shi
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolei Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China.,National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Jinping Lei
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Wenhao Hu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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23
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Claff T, Klapschinski TA, Tiruttani Subhramanyam UK, Vaaßen VJ, Schlegel JG, Vielmuth C, Voß JH, Labahn J, Müller CE. Single Stabilizing Point Mutation Enables High-Resolution Co-Crystal Structures of the Adenosine A 2A Receptor with Preladenant Conjugates. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202115545. [PMID: 35174942 PMCID: PMC9310709 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202115545] [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: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The G protein-coupled adenosine A2A receptor (A2A AR) is an important new (potential) drug target in immuno-oncology, and for neurodegenerative diseases. Preladenant and its derivatives belong to the most potent A2A AR antagonists displaying exceptional selectivity. While crystal structures of the human A2A AR have been solved, mostly using the A2A -StaR2 protein that bears 9 point mutations, co-crystallization with Preladenant derivatives has so far been elusive. We developed a new A2A AR construct harboring a single point mutation (S913.39 K) which renders it extremely thermostable. This allowed the co-crystallization of two novel Preladenant derivatives, the polyethylene glycol-conjugated (PEGylated) PSB-2113, and the fluorophore-labeled PSB-2115. The obtained crystal structures (2.25 Å and 2.6 Å resolution) provide explanations for the high potency and selectivity of Preladenant derivatives. They represent the first crystal structures of a GPCR in complex with PEG- and fluorophore-conjugated ligands. The applied strategy is predicted to be applicable to further class A GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Claff
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tim A Klapschinski
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Udaya K Tiruttani Subhramanyam
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Notkestraße 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Centre Jülich, Institute of Complex Systems (IBI-7), Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Victoria J Vaaßen
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jonathan G Schlegel
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christin Vielmuth
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan H Voß
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jörg Labahn
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Notkestraße 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Centre Jülich, Institute of Complex Systems (IBI-7), Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany
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24
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Ahmed T, Liu FCF, Lu B, Lip H, Park E, Alradwan I, Liu JF, He C, Zetrini A, Zhang T, Ghavaminejad A, Rauth AM, Henderson JT, Wu XY. Advances in Nanomedicine Design: Multidisciplinary Strategies for Unmet Medical Needs. Mol Pharm 2022; 19:1722-1765. [PMID: 35587783 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Globally, a rising burden of complex diseases takes a heavy toll on human lives and poses substantial clinical and economic challenges. This review covers nanomedicine and nanotechnology-enabled advanced drug delivery systems (DDS) designed to address various unmet medical needs. Key nanomedicine and DDSs, currently employed in the clinic to tackle some of these diseases, are discussed focusing on their versatility in diagnostics, anticancer therapy, and diabetes management. First-hand experiences from our own laboratory and the work of others are presented to provide insights into strategies to design and optimize nanomedicine- and nanotechnology-enabled DDS for enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Computational analysis is also briefly reviewed as a technology for rational design of controlled release DDS. Further explorations of DDS have illuminated the interplay of physiological barriers and their impact on DDS. It is demonstrated how such delivery systems can overcome these barriers for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and how new perspectives of next-generation DDS can be applied clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taksim Ahmed
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Fuh-Ching Franky Liu
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Brian Lu
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - HoYin Lip
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Elliya Park
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Ibrahim Alradwan
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Jackie Fule Liu
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Chunsheng He
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Abdulmottaleb Zetrini
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Tian Zhang
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Amin Ghavaminejad
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Andrew M Rauth
- Departments of Medical Biophysics and Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Jeffrey T Henderson
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Xiao Yu Wu
- Advanced Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Laboratory, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2, Canada
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25
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Adenosine Receptor A2B Negatively Regulates Cell Migration in Ovarian Carcinoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094585. [PMID: 35562985 PMCID: PMC9100769 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The purinergic system is fundamental in the tumor microenvironment, since it regulates tumor cell interactions with the immune system, as well as growth and differentiation in autocrine-paracrine responses. Here, we investigated the role of the adenosine A2B receptor (A2BR) in ovarian carcinoma-derived cells’ (OCDC) properties. From public databases, we documented that high A2BR expression is associated with a better prognostic outcome in ovarian cancer patients. In vitro experiments were performed on SKOV-3 cell line to understand how A2BR regulates the carcinoma cell phenotype associated with cell migration. RT-PCR and Western blotting revealed that the ADORA2B transcript (coding for A2BR) and A2BR were expressed in SKOV-3 cells. Stimulation with BAY-606583, an A2BR agonist, induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which was abolished by the antagonist PSB-603. Pharmacological activation of A2BR reduced cell migration and actin stress fibers; in agreement, A2BR knockdown increased migration and enhanced actin stress fiber expression. Furthermore, the expression of E-cadherin, an epithelial marker, increased in BAY-606583-treated cells. Finally, cDNA microarrays revealed the pathways mediating the effects of A2BR activation on SKOV-3 cells. Our results showed that A2BR contributed to maintaining an epithelial-like phenotype in OCDC and highlighted this purinergic receptor as a potential biomarker.
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26
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Claff T, Klapschinski TA, Tiruttani Subhramanyam UK, Vaaßen VJ, Schlegel JG, Vielmuth C, Voß JH, Labahn J, Müller CE. Eine einzige stabilisierende Punktmutation ermöglicht hochaufgelöste Co‐Kristallstrukturen des Adenosin‐A
2A
‐Rezeptors mit Preladenant‐Konjugaten. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202115545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Claff
- Pharmaceutical Institute Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry University of Bonn An der Immenburg 4 53121 Bonn Deutschland
| | - Tim A. Klapschinski
- Pharmaceutical Institute Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry University of Bonn An der Immenburg 4 53121 Bonn Deutschland
| | - Udaya K. Tiruttani Subhramanyam
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) Notkestraße 85 22607 Hamburg Germany
- Research Centre Jülich Institute of Complex Systems (IBI-7) Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52425 Jülich Deutschland
| | - Victoria J. Vaaßen
- Pharmaceutical Institute Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry University of Bonn An der Immenburg 4 53121 Bonn Deutschland
| | - Jonathan G. Schlegel
- Pharmaceutical Institute Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry University of Bonn An der Immenburg 4 53121 Bonn Deutschland
| | - Christin Vielmuth
- Pharmaceutical Institute Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry University of Bonn An der Immenburg 4 53121 Bonn Deutschland
| | - Jan H. Voß
- Pharmaceutical Institute Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry University of Bonn An der Immenburg 4 53121 Bonn Deutschland
| | - Jörg Labahn
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) Notkestraße 85 22607 Hamburg Germany
- Research Centre Jülich Institute of Complex Systems (IBI-7) Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße 52425 Jülich Deutschland
| | - Christa E. Müller
- Pharmaceutical Institute Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry University of Bonn An der Immenburg 4 53121 Bonn Deutschland
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27
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Faraoni EY, Ju C, Robson SC, Eltzschig HK, Bailey-Lundberg JM. Purinergic and Adenosinergic Signaling in Pancreatobiliary Diseases. Front Physiol 2022; 13:849258. [PMID: 35360246 PMCID: PMC8964054 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.849258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), other nucleotides, and the nucleoside analogue, adenosine, all have the capacity to modulate cellular signaling pathways. The cellular processes linked to extracellular purinergic signaling are crucial in the initiation, evolution, and resolution of inflammation. Injured or dying cells in the pancreatobiliary tract secrete or release ATP, which results in sustained purinergic signaling mediated through ATP type-2 purinergic receptors (P2R). This process can result in chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and tumor development. In contrast, signaling via the extracellular nucleoside derivative adenosine via type-1 purinergic receptors (P1R) is largely anti-inflammatory, promoting healing. Failure to resolve inflammation, as in the context of primary sclerosing cholangitis or chronic pancreatitis, is a risk factor for parenchymal and end-organ scarring with the associated risk of pancreatobiliary malignancies. Emerging immunotherapeutic strategies suggest that targeting purinergic and adenosinergic signaling can impact the growth and invasive properties of cancer cells, potentiate anti-tumor immunity, and also block angiogenesis. In this review, we dissect out implications of disordered purinergic responses in scar formation, end-organ injury, and in tumor development. We conclude by addressing promising opportunities for modulation of purinergic/adenosinergic signaling in the prevention and treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases, inclusive of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Y. Faraoni
- Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Perioperative Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Cynthia Ju
- Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Perioperative Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Simon C. Robson
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Anesthesiology, Center for Inflammation Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Holger K. Eltzschig
- Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Perioperative Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jennifer M. Bailey-Lundberg
- Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Perioperative Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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28
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Yi M, Zheng X, Niu M, Zhu S, Ge H, Wu K. Combination strategies with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade: current advances and future directions. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:28. [PMID: 35062949 PMCID: PMC8780712 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01489-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 414] [Impact Index Per Article: 207.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies targeting programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) or its ligand PD-L1 rescue T cells from exhausted status and revive immune response against cancer cells. Based on the immense success in clinical trials, ten α-PD-1 (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, cemiplimab, sintilimab, camrelizumab, toripalimab, tislelizumab, zimberelimab, prolgolimab, and dostarlimab) and three α-PD-L1 antibodies (atezolizumab, durvalumab, and avelumab) have been approved for various types of cancers. Nevertheless, the low response rate of α-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy remains to be resolved. For most cancer patients, PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is not the sole speed-limiting factor of antitumor immunity, and it is insufficient to motivate effective antitumor immune response by blocking PD-1/PD-L1 axis. It has been validated that some combination therapies, including α-PD-1/PD-L1 plus chemotherapy, radiotherapy, angiogenesis inhibitors, targeted therapy, other immune checkpoint inhibitors, agonists of the co-stimulatory molecule, stimulator of interferon genes agonists, fecal microbiota transplantation, epigenetic modulators, or metabolic modulators, have superior antitumor efficacies and higher response rates. Moreover, bifunctional or bispecific antibodies containing α-PD-1/PD-L1 moiety also elicited more potent antitumor activity. These combination strategies simultaneously boost multiple processes in cancer-immunity cycle, remove immunosuppressive brakes, and orchestrate an immunosupportive tumor microenvironment. In this review, we summarized the synergistic antitumor efficacies and mechanisms of α-PD-1/PD-L1 in combination with other therapies. Moreover, we focused on the advances of α-PD-1/PD-L1-based immunomodulatory strategies in clinical studies. Given the heterogeneity across patients and cancer types, individualized combination selection could improve the effects of α-PD-1/PD-L1-based immunomodulatory strategies and relieve treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yi
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Xiaoli Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008 China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Shuangli Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Hong Ge
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008 China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030 China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008 China
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Halpin-Veszeleiova K, Hatfield SM. Therapeutic Targeting of Hypoxia-A2-Adenosinergic Pathway in COVID-19 Patients. Physiology (Bethesda) 2022; 37:46-52. [PMID: 34486395 PMCID: PMC8742736 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00010.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypoxia-hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α-A2-adenosinergic pathway protects tissues from inflammatory damage during antipathogen immune responses. The elimination of this physiological tissue-protecting mechanism by supplemental oxygenation may contribute to the high mortality of oxygen-ventilated COVID-19 patients by exacerbating inflammatory lung damage. Restoration of this pathway with hypoxia-adenosinergic drugs may improve outcomes in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Halpin-Veszeleiova
- New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen M Hatfield
- New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
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30
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Yan W, Ling L, Wu Y, Yang K, Liu R, Zhang J, Zhao S, Zhong G, Zhao S, Jiang H, Xie C, Cheng J. Structure-Based Design of Dual-Acting Compounds Targeting Adenosine A 2A Receptor and Histone Deacetylase as Novel Tumor Immunotherapeutic Agents. J Med Chem 2021; 64:16573-16597. [PMID: 34783558 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Adenosine is an immunosuppressive factor in the tumor microenvironment mainly through activation of the A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR), which is a mechanism hijacked by tumors to escape immune surveillance. Small-molecule A2AR antagonists are being evaluated in clinical trials as immunotherapeutic agents, but their efficacy is limited as standalone therapies. To enhance the antitumor effects of A2AR antagonists, dual-acting compounds incorporating A2AR antagonism and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory actions were designed and synthesized, based on co-crystal structures of A2AR. Compound 24e (IHCH-3064) exhibited potent binding to A2AR (Ki = 2.2 nM) and selective inhibition of HDAC1 (IC50 = 80.2 nM), with good antiproliferative activity against tumor cell lines in vitro. Intraperitoneal administration of 24e (60 mg/kg, bid) inhibited mouse MC38 tumor growth with a tumor growth inhibition rate of 95.3%. These results showed that dual-acting compounds targeting A2AR and HDAC are potentially immunotherapeutic agents that are worth further exploring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhong Yan
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lijun Ling
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yiran Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Kexin Yang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ruiquan Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jinfeng Zhang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Simeng Zhao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Guisheng Zhong
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Suwen Zhao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.,Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chengying Xie
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianjun Cheng
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
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31
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Kotulová J, Hajdúch M, Džubák P. Current Adenosinergic Therapies: What Do Cancer Cells Stand to Gain and Lose? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12569. [PMID: 34830449 PMCID: PMC8617980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A key objective in immuno-oncology is to reactivate the dormant immune system and increase tumour immunogenicity. Adenosine is an omnipresent purine that is formed in response to stress stimuli in order to restore physiological balance, mainly via anti-inflammatory, tissue-protective, and anti-nociceptive mechanisms. Adenosine overproduction occurs in all stages of tumorigenesis, from the initial inflammation/local tissue damage to the precancerous niche and the developed tumour, making the adenosinergic pathway an attractive but challenging therapeutic target. Many current efforts in immuno-oncology are focused on restoring immunosurveillance, largely by blocking adenosine-producing enzymes in the tumour microenvironment (TME) and adenosine receptors on immune cells either alone or combined with chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. However, the effects of adenosinergic immunotherapy are not restricted to immune cells; other cells in the TME including cancer and stromal cells are also affected. Here we summarise recent advancements in the understanding of the tumour adenosinergic system and highlight the impact of current and prospective immunomodulatory therapies on other cell types within the TME, focusing on adenosine receptors in tumour cells. In addition, we evaluate the structure- and context-related limitations of targeting this pathway and highlight avenues that could possibly be exploited in future adenosinergic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Petr Džubák
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (M.H.)
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32
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McDonald T, Muhammad F, Peters K, Lee DJ. Combined Deficiency of the Melanocortin 5 Receptor and Adenosine 2A Receptor Unexpectedly Provides Resistance to Autoimmune Disease in a CD8 + T Cell-Dependent Manner. Front Immunol 2021; 12:742154. [PMID: 34867964 PMCID: PMC8634946 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.742154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory immunity that provides resistance to relapse emerges during resolution of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). This post-EAU regulatory immunity requires a melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5r)-dependent suppressor antigen presenting cell (APC), as shown using a MC5r single knock-out mouse. The MC5r-dependent APC activates an adenosine 2A receptor (A2Ar)-dependent regulatory Treg cell, as shown using an A2Ar single knock-out mouse. Unexpectedly, when MC5r-/- post-EAU APC were used to activate A2Ar-/- post-EAU T cells the combination of cells significantly suppressed EAU, when transferred to EAU mice. In contrast, transfer of the reciprocal activation scheme did not suppress EAU. In order to explain this finding, MC5r-/-A2Ar-/- double knock-out (DKO) mice were bred. Naïve DKO mice had no differences in the APC populations, or inflammatory T cell subsets, but did have significantly more Treg cells. When we examined the number of CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets, we found significantly fewer CD8 T cells in the DKO mice compared to WT and both single knock-out mice. DKO mice also had significantly reduced EAU severity and accelerated resolution. In order to determine if the CD8 T cell deficiency contributed to the resistance to EAU in the DKO mice, we transferred naïve CD8 T cells from WT mice, that were immunized for EAU. Susceptibility to EAU was restored in DKO mice that received a CD8 T cell transfer. While the mechanism that contributed to the CD8 T cell deficiency in the DKO mice remains to be determined, these observations indicate an importance of CD8 T cells in the initiation of EAU. The involvement of CD4 and CD8 T cells suggests that both class I and class II antigen presentation can trigger an autoimmune response, suggesting a much wider range of antigens may trigger autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trisha McDonald
- Dean McGee Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Fauziyya Muhammad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Kayleigh Peters
- Dean McGee Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Darren J. Lee
- Dean McGee Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States,*Correspondence: Darren J. Lee,
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33
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Williams MM, Hafeez SA, Christenson JL, O’Neill KI, Hammond NG, Richer JK. Reversing an Oncogenic Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Program in Breast Cancer Reveals Actionable Immune Suppressive Pathways. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111122. [PMID: 34832904 PMCID: PMC8622696 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Approval of checkpoint inhibitors for treatment of metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC) has opened the door for the use of immunotherapies against this disease. However, not all patients with mTNBC respond to current immunotherapy approaches such as checkpoint inhibitors. Recent evidence demonstrates that TNBC metastases are more immune suppressed than primary tumors, suggesting that combination or additional immunotherapy strategies may be required to activate an anti-tumor immune attack at metastatic sites. To identify other immune suppressive mechanisms utilized by mTNBC, our group and others manipulated oncogenic epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) programs in TNBC models to reveal differences between this breast cancer subtype and its more epithelial counterpart. This review will discuss how EMT modulation revealed several mechanisms, including tumor cell metabolism, cytokine milieu and secretion of additional immune modulators, by which mTNBC cells may suppress both the innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune responses. Many of these pathways/proteins are under preclinical or clinical investigation as therapeutic targets in mTNBC and other advanced cancers to enhance their response to chemotherapy and/or checkpoint inhibitors.
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34
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Franco R, Rivas-Santisteban R, Navarro G, Reyes-Resina I. Adenosine Receptor Antagonists to Combat Cancer and to Boost Anti-Cancer Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112831. [PMID: 34831054 PMCID: PMC8616521 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular adenosine accumulates in the environment of numerous tumors. For years, this fact has fueled preclinical research to determine whether adenosine receptors (ARs) could be the target to fight cancer. The four ARs discovered so far, A1, A2A, A2B and A3, belong to the class A family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and all four have been involved in one way or another in regulating tumor progression. Prompted by the successful anti-cancer immunotherapy, the focus was placed on the ARs more involved in regulation of immune cell differentiation and activation and that are able to establish molecular and functional interactions. This review focuses on the potential of A2A and A2B receptor antagonists in cancer control and in boosting anti-cancer chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The article also overviews the ongoing clinical trials in which A2AR and A2BR ligands are being tested in anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Franco
- CiberNed, Network Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spanish National Health Institute Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (R.R.-S.); (G.N.); (I.R.-R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: or
| | - Rafael Rivas-Santisteban
- CiberNed, Network Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spanish National Health Institute Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (R.R.-S.); (G.N.); (I.R.-R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Navarro
- CiberNed, Network Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spanish National Health Institute Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (R.R.-S.); (G.N.); (I.R.-R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Reyes-Resina
- CiberNed, Network Research Center, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spanish National Health Institute Carlos III, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (R.R.-S.); (G.N.); (I.R.-R.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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35
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Noncoding RNAs link metabolic reprogramming to immune microenvironment in cancers. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:169. [PMID: 34654454 PMCID: PMC8518176 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01179-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered metabolic patterns in tumor cells not only meet their own growth requirements but also shape an immunosuppressive microenvironment through multiple mechanisms. Noncoding RNAs constitute approximately 60% of the transcriptional output of human cells and have been shown to regulate numerous cellular processes under developmental and pathological conditions. Given their extensive action mechanisms based on motif recognition patterns, noncoding RNAs may serve as hinges bridging metabolic activity and immune responses. Indeed, recent studies have shown that microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs and circRNAs are widely involved in tumor metabolic rewiring, immune cell infiltration and function. Hence, we summarized existing knowledge of the role of noncoding RNAs in the remodeling of tumor metabolism and the immune microenvironment, and notably, we established the TIMELnc manual, which is a free and public manual for researchers to identify pivotal lncRNAs that are simultaneously correlated with tumor metabolism and immune cell infiltration based on a bioinformatic approach.
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36
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Saini A, Patel R, Gaba S, Singh G, Gupta GD, Monga V. Adenosine receptor antagonists: Recent advances and therapeutic perspective. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 227:113907. [PMID: 34695776 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adenosine is an endogenous purine-based nucleoside expressed nearly in all body tissues. It regulates various body functions by activating four G-protein coupled receptors, A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. These receptors are widely acknowledged as drug targets for treating different neurological, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. Although numerous adenosine receptor inhibitors have been developed worldwide, achieving target selectivity is still a big hurdle in drug development. However, the identification of specific radioligands-based affinity assay, fluorescent ligands, and MS-based ligand assay have contributed to the development of selective and potent adenosine ligands. In recent years various small heterocyclic-based molecules have shown some promising results. Istradefylline has been approved for treating Parkinson's in Japan, while preladenant, tozadenant, CVT-6883, MRS-1523, and many more are under different phases of clinical development. The present review is focused on the quest to develop potent and selective adenosine inhibitors from 2013 to early 2021 by various research groups. The review also highlights their biological activity, selectivity, structure-activity relationship, molecular docking, and mechanistic studies. A special emphsesis on drug designing strategies has been also given the manuscript. The comprehensive compilation of research work carried out in the field will provide inevitable scope for designing and developing novel adenosine inhibitors with improved selectivity and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Saini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, GT Road, Ghal Kalan, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Rajiv Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, GT Road, Ghal Kalan, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Sobhi Gaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, GT Road, Ghal Kalan, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Gurpreet Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, GT Road, Ghal Kalan, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India.
| | - G D Gupta
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, GT Road, Ghal Kalan, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Vikramdeep Monga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, GT Road, Ghal Kalan, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India.
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37
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Colombani T, Eggermont LJ, Hatfield SM, Rogers ZJ, Rezaeeyazdi M, Memic A, Sitkovsky MV, Bencherif SA. Oxygen-Generating Cryogels Restore T Cell Mediated Cytotoxicity in Hypoxic Tumors. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2021; 31:2102234. [PMID: 37745940 PMCID: PMC10516343 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202102234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Solid tumors are protected from antitumor immune responses due to their hypoxic microenvironments. Weakening hypoxia-driven immunosuppression by hyperoxic breathing of 60% oxygen has shown to be effective in unleashing antitumor immune cells against solid tumors. However, efficacy of systemic oxygenation is limited against solid tumors outside of lungs and has been associated with unwanted side effects. As a result, it is essential to develop targeted oxygenation alternatives to weaken tumor hypoxia as novel approaches to restore immune responses against cancer. Herein, we report on injectable oxygen-generating cryogels (O2-cryogels) to reverse tumor-induced hypoxia. These macroporous biomaterials were designed to locally deliver oxygen, inhibit the expression of hypoxia-inducible genes in hypoxic melanoma cells, and reduce the accumulation of immunosuppressive extracellular adenosine. Our data show that O2-cryogels enhance T cell-mediated secretion of cytotoxic proteins, restoring the killing ability of tumor-specific CTLs, both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, O2-cryogels provide a unique and safe platform to supply oxygen as a co-adjuvant in hypoxic tumors and have the potential to improve cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Colombani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Loek J. Eggermont
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephen M. Hatfield
- New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zachary J. Rogers
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Adnan Memic
- Center of Nanotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Makkah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michail V. Sitkovsky
- New England Inflammation and Tissue Protection Institute, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sidi A. Bencherif
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Biomechanics and Bioengineering (BMBI), UTC CNRS UMR 7338, University of Technology of Compiègne, Sorbonne University, 60203 Compiègne, France
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Zhang L, Wang X, Li Y, Han J, Gao X, Li S, Wang F. c-Myb facilitates immune escape of esophageal adenocarcinoma cells through the miR-145-5p/SPOP/PD-L1 axis. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e464. [PMID: 34586738 PMCID: PMC8473478 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a subtype of esophageal carcinoma, is a severe health problem associated with high death rate and poor prognosis. Immunotherapy has proven to be effective in many solid tumors, including EAC, but immune escape blocks its effectiveness. Thus, we explored the mechanisms and functional role of c-Myb in immune escape of EAC cells. Clinical EAC tissues were collected for determining the expression of c-Myb, speckled POZ protein (SPOP), and miR-145-5p. Functional assays were then performed to detect the interactions between c-Myb and SPOP as well as between SPOP and miR-145-5p. EAC cell invasion and migration were assessed. Next, T cells were sorted and cocultured with EAC cells with different treatments followed by detection of T-cell viability. In addition, a mouse model of EAC was constructed for relevant in vivo assays. c-Myb and miR-145-5p were highly expressed and SPOP had low expressions in EAC. c-Myb activated the transcription of miR-145-5p, which in turn targeted SPOP. Further, SPOP accelerated the ubiquitination of PD-L1 to enhance its expression. Overexpression of PD-L1 suppressed T-cell functions and promoted proliferative and migrative abilities of EAC cells to induce immune escape. The above findings were also confirmed in the ECA mouse model in vivo. Our findings uncovered that c-Myb can promote the immune escape of EAC cells by favoring the transcription of miR-145-5p and inhibiting SPOP-dependent ubiquitination and degradation of PD-L1, thus, presenting new target for EAC adjunct therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhang
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP. R. China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical UniversityZhengzhouP. R. China
| | - Yunfei Li
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP. R. China
| | - Jing Han
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP. R. China
| | - Xianzheng Gao
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP. R. China
| | - Shenglei Li
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP. R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouP. R. China
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39
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Allard D, Allard B, Stagg J. On the mechanism of anti-CD39 immune checkpoint therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2019-000186. [PMID: 32098829 PMCID: PMC7057429 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
With the coming of age of cancer immunotherapy, the search for new therapeutic targets has led to the identification of immunosuppressive adenosine as an important regulator of antitumor immunity. This resulted in the development of selective inhibitors targeting various components of the adenosinergic pathway, including small molecules antagonists targeting the high affinity A2A adenosine receptor and low affinity A2B receptor, therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and small molecules targeting CD73 and therapeutic mAbs targeting CD39. As each regulator of the adenosinergic pathway present non-overlapping biologic functions, a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of each targeted approach should accelerate clinical translation and improve rational design of combination treatments. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms-of-action of anti-CD39 cancer therapy and potential toxicities that may emerge from sustained CD39 inhibition. Caution should be taken, however, in extrapolating data from gene-targeted mice to patients treated with blocking anti-CD39 agents. As phase I clinical trials are now underway, further insights into the mechanism of action and potential adverse events associated with anti-CD39 therapy are anticipated in coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Allard
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Centre Hospitalier de L'Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bertrand Allard
- Institut du Cancer de Montreal, Centre Hospitalier de L'Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - John Stagg
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Centre Hospitalier de L'Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada .,Institut du Cancer de Montreal, Centre Hospitalier de L'Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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40
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Choi JU, Lee NK, Seo H, Chung SW, Al-Hilal TA, Park SJ, Kweon S, Min N, Kim SK, Ahn S, Kim UI, Park JW, Kang CY, Kim IS, Kim SY, Kim K, Byun Y. Anticoagulation therapy promotes the tumor immune-microenvironment and potentiates the efficacy of immunotherapy by alleviating hypoxia. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002332. [PMID: 34341129 PMCID: PMC8330593 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Here, this study verifies that cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) accelerates hypoxia, which is detrimental to the tumor immune microenvironment by limiting tumor perfusion. Therefore, we designed an oral anticoagulant therapy to improve the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and potentiate the efficacy of immunotherapy by alleviating tumor hypoxia. Experimental design A novel oral anticoagulant (STP3725) was developed to consistently prevent CAT formation. Tumor perfusion and hypoxia were analyzed with or without treating STP3725 in wild-type and P selectin knockout mice. Immunosuppressive cytokines and cells were analyzed to evaluate the alteration of the tumor microenvironment. Effector lymphocyte infiltration in tumor tissue was assessed by congenic CD45.1 mouse lymphocyte transfer model with or without anticoagulant therapy. Finally, various tumor models including K-Ras mutant spontaneous cancer model were employed to validate the role of the anticoagulation therapy in enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. Results CAT was demonstrated to be one of the perfusion barriers, which fosters immunosuppressive microenvironment by accelerating tumor hypoxia. Consistent treatment of oral anticoagulation therapy was proved to promote tumor immunity by alleviating hypoxia. Furthermore, this resulted in decrease of both hypoxia-related immunosuppressive cytokines and myeloid-derived suppressor cells while improving the spatial distribution of effector lymphocytes and their activity. The anticancer efficacy of αPD-1 antibody was potentiated by co-treatment with STP3725, also confirmed in various tumor models including the K-Ras mutant mouse model, which is highly thrombotic. Conclusions Collectively, these findings establish a rationale for a new and translational combination strategy of oral anticoagulation therapy with immunotherapy, especially for treating highly thrombotic cancers. The combination therapy of anticoagulants with immunotherapies can lead to substantial improvements of current approaches in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Uk Choi
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - Na Kyeong Lee
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - Hyungseok Seo
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Seung Woo Chung
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Taslim A Al-Hilal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Seong Jin Park
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - Seho Kweon
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Nuri Min
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Kyoon Kim
- Laboratory Animal Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Seohyun Ahn
- ST Pharm Research & Development Center, Siheung-si, South Korea
| | - Uk-Il Kim
- ST Pharm Research & Development Center, Siheung-si, South Korea
| | - Jin Woo Park
- Department of Biomedicine, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, BK21 Four, Biomedical and Healthcare Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, South Korea
| | - Chang-Yuil Kang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - In-San Kim
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, South Korea
| | - Sang Yoon Kim
- College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea
- Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyungjin Kim
- ST Pharm Research & Development Center, Siheung-si, South Korea
| | - Youngro Byun
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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41
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CD39 Regulation and Functions in T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158068. [PMID: 34360833 PMCID: PMC8348030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CD39 is an enzyme which is responsible, together with CD73, for a cascade converting adenosine triphosphate into adenosine diphosphate and cyclic adenosine monophosphate, ultimately leading to the release of an immunosuppressive form of adenosine in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we first review the environmental and genetic factors shaping CD39 expression. Second, we report CD39 functions in the T cell compartment, highlighting its role in regulatory T cells, conventional CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. Finally, we compile a list of studies, from preclinical models to clinical trials, which have made essential contributions to the discovery of novel combinatorial approaches in the treatment of cancer.
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42
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Kepp O, Bezu L, Yamazaki T, Di Virgilio F, Smyth MJ, Kroemer G, Galluzzi L. ATP and cancer immunosurveillance. EMBO J 2021; 40:e108130. [PMID: 34121201 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
While intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) occupies a key position in the bioenergetic metabolism of all the cellular compartments that form the tumor microenvironment (TME), extracellular ATP operates as a potent signal transducer. The net effects of purinergic signaling on the biology of the TME depend not only on the specific receptors and cell types involved, but also on the activation status of cis- and trans-regulatory circuitries. As an additional layer of complexity, extracellular ATP is rapidly catabolized by ectonucleotidases, culminating in the accumulation of metabolites that mediate distinct biological effects. Here, we discuss the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which ATP and its degradation products influence cancer immunosurveillance, with a focus on therapeutically targetable circuitries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Kepp
- Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM U1138, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France
| | - Lucillia Bezu
- Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM U1138, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France
| | - Takahiro Yamazaki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Mark J Smyth
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM U1138, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Gustave Roussy Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Villejuif, France.,Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France.,Suzhou Institute for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Suzhou, China.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Université de Paris, Paris, France
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43
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Desbois M, Wang Y. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Key players in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment. Immunol Rev 2021; 302:241-258. [PMID: 34075584 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapies have rapidly changed the therapeutic landscape for cancer. Nevertheless, most of the patients show innate or acquired resistance to these therapies. Studies conducted in recent years have highlighted an emerging role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in immune regulation that shapes the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and influences response to cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we outline recent advances in the understanding of phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of CAFs. We will focus on emerging roles of CAFs in shaping the TIME, especially under a framework of tumor immunity continuum, and discuss current and future CAF-targeting therapeutic strategies in particular in the context of optimizing the success of immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Desbois
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yulei Wang
- Department of Oncology Biomarker Development, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
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44
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CRISPR/Cas9 mediated deletion of the adenosine A2A receptor enhances CAR T cell efficacy. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3236. [PMID: 34050151 PMCID: PMC8163771 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23331-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine is an immunosuppressive factor that limits anti-tumor immunity through the suppression of multiple immune subsets including T cells via activation of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR). Using both murine and human chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, here we show that targeting A2AR with a clinically relevant CRISPR/Cas9 strategy significantly enhances their in vivo efficacy, leading to improved survival of mice. Effects evoked by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene deletion of A2AR are superior to shRNA mediated knockdown or pharmacological blockade of A2AR. Mechanistically, human A2AR-edited CAR T cells are significantly resistant to adenosine-mediated transcriptional changes, resulting in enhanced production of cytokines including IFNγ and TNF, and increased expression of JAK-STAT signaling pathway associated genes. A2AR deficient CAR T cells are well tolerated and do not induce overt pathologies in mice, supporting the use of CRISPR/Cas9 to target A2AR for the improvement of CAR T cell function in the clinic.
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45
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The Tumor Microenvironment in Follicular Lymphoma: Its Pro-Malignancy Role with Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105352. [PMID: 34069564 PMCID: PMC8160856 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the follicular lymphoma (FL) microenvironment, CXCR5+ICOS+PD1+BCL6+ follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, which closely correlate with FL B cells in neoplastic follicles, play a major role in supporting FL. Interleukin-4 secreted by Tfh cells triggers the upregulation of the lymphocyte chemoattractant CXCL12 in stromal cell precursors, in particular by fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs). In turn, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be committed to FRC differentiation in the bone marrow and lymph nodes involved by FL. Noteworthy, MSCs can promote the differentiation of Tfh cells into highly immunosuppressive T-follicular regulatory cells. The tumor suppressor HVEM is highly mutated in FL cells, and its deficiency increases Tfh cell frequency. In contrast, PI3Kδ inhibition impedes the recruitment of Tfh/regulatory T cells and impairs the proliferation of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) and FDC-induced angiogenesis. Since TIGIT ligands are expressed by FDCs, the immune checkpoint receptor TIGIT plays an important role in tumor-infiltrating T cells. Thus, TIGIT blockade might invigorate cytotoxic T cells in the FL microenvironment. Given their potential to simultaneously reduce the neoplastic B cells, Tfh, and TFR cells could also reinforce the effects of the cytotoxic T cells. This combinatory strategy should be explored as a treatment option to tackle FL.
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46
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Hu M, Li Y, Lu Y, Wang M, Li Y, Wang C, Li Q, Zhao H. The regulation of immune checkpoints by the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11306. [PMID: 34012727 PMCID: PMC8109006 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) influences the occurrence and progression of tumors, and hypoxia is an important characteristic of the TME. The expression of programmed death 1 (PD1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL1), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4), and other immune checkpoints in hypoxic malignant tumors is often significantly increased, and is associated with poor prognosis. The application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for treating lung cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and gynecological tumors has achieved encouraging efficacy; however, the rate of efficacy of ICI single-drug treatment is only about 20%. In the present review, we discuss the possible mechanisms by which the hypoxic TME regulates immune checkpoints. By activating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), regulating the adenosine (Ado)-A2aR pathway, regulating the glycolytic pathway, and driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and other biological pathways, hypoxia regulates the expression levels of CTLA4, PD1, PDL1, CD47, lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM3), and other immune checkpoints, which interfere with the immune effector cell anti-tumor response and provide convenient conditions for tumors to escape immune surveillance. The combination of HIF-1α inhibitors, Ado-inhibiting tumor immune microenvironment regulatory drugs, and other drugs with ICIs has good efficacy in both preclinical studies and phase I-II clinical studies. Exploring the effects of TME hypoxia on the expression of immune checkpoints and the function of infiltrating immune cells has greatly clarified the relationship between the hypoxic TME and immune escape, which is of great significance for the development of new drugs and the search for predictive markers of the efficacy of immunotherapy for treating malignant tumors. In the future, combination therapy with hypoxia pathway inhibitors and ICIs may be an effective anti-tumor treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Basic Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.,Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yongfu Li
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan Province, China
| | - Yuting Lu
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yingrui Li
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Basic Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.,Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chaoying Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan Province, China
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Basic Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
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47
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Release of adenosine-induced immunosuppression: Comprehensive characterization of dual A 2A/A 2B receptor antagonist. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 96:107645. [PMID: 33894488 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Immunosuppression is one of the main mechanisms facilitating tumor expansion. It may be driven by immune checkpoint protein expression, anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion or enhanced metabolic enzyme production, leading to the subsequent build-up of metabolites such as adenosine. Under physiological conditions, adenosine prevents the development of tissue damage resulting from a prolonged immune response; the same mechanism might be employed by tumor tissue to promote immunosuppression. Immune cells expressing A2A and A2B adenosine receptors present in an adenosine-rich environment have suppressed effector functions, such as cytotoxicity, proinflammatory cytokine release, antigen presentation and others, making them inert to cancer cells. This study was designed to investigate the dual antagonist potential of SEL330-639 to abolish adenosine-driven immunosuppression. SEL330-639 has slow dissociation kinetics. It inhibits cAMP production in human CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells and moDCs, which leads to diminished CREB phosphorylation and restoration of antitumor cytokine production (IL-2, TNFα, IL-12) in multiple primary human immune cells. The aforementioned results were additionally validated by gene expression analysis and functional assays in which NK cell line cytotoxicity was recovered by SEL330-639. Adenosine-driven immunosuppression is believed to preclude the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new immuno-oncological strategies. Here, we comprehensively characterize SEL330-639, a novel dual A2A/A2B receptor antagonist effective in both lymphoid and myeloid cell populations with nanomolar potency. Due to its tight binding to the A2A and A2B receptors, this binding is sustained even at high adenosine concentrations mimicking the upper limit of the range of adenosine levels observed in the tumor microenvironment.
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48
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Wang L, Londono LM, Cowell J, Saatci O, Aras M, Ersan PG, Serra S, Pei H, Clift R, Zhao Q, Phan KB, Huang L, LaBarre MJ, Li X, Shepard HM, Deaglio S, Linden J, Thanos CD, Sahin O, Cekic C. Targeting Adenosine with Adenosine Deaminase 2 to Inhibit Growth of Solid Tumors. Cancer Res 2021; 81:3319-3332. [PMID: 33863778 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular adenosine in tumors can suppress immune responses and promote tumor growth. Adenosine deaminase 2 (ADA2) converts adenosine into inosine. The role of ADA2 in cancer and whether it can target adenosine for cancer therapy has not been investigated. Here we show that increased ADA2 expression is associated with increased patient survival and enrichment of adaptive immune response pathways in several solid tumor types. Several ADA2 variants were created to improve catalytic efficiency, and PEGylation was used to prolong systemic exposure. In mice, PEGylated ADA2 (PEGADA2) inhibited tumor growth by targeting adenosine in an enzyme activity-dependent manner and thereby modulating immune responses. These findings introduce endogenous ADA2 expression as a prognostic factor and PEGADA2 as a novel immunotherapy for cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies ADA2 as a prognostic factor associated with prolonged cancer patient survival and introduces the potential of enzymatic removal of adenosine with engineered ADA2 for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Formerly of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Luz M Londono
- Formerly of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Jessica Cowell
- Formerly of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Ozge Saatci
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Mertkaya Aras
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Pelin G Ersan
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Sara Serra
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Hong Pei
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California
| | - Renee Clift
- Formerly of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Qiping Zhao
- Formerly of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Kim B Phan
- Formerly of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, California
| | - Lei Huang
- Formerly of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | - Xiaoming Li
- Formerly of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | - Silvia Deaglio
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Joel Linden
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California
| | | | - Ozgur Sahin
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Caglar Cekic
- Formerly of Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., San Diego, California.
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49
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Zefferino R, Piccoli C, Di Gioia S, Capitanio N, Conese M. How Cells Communicate with Each Other in the Tumor Microenvironment: Suggestions to Design Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052550. [PMID: 33806300 PMCID: PMC7961918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexin- and pannexin (Panx)-formed hemichannels (HCs) and gap junctions (GJs) operate an interaction with the extracellular matrix and GJ intercellular communication (GJIC), and on account of this they are involved in cancer onset and progression towards invasiveness and metastatization. When we deal with cancer, it is not correct to omit the immune system, as well as neglecting its role in resisting or succumbing to formation and progression of incipient neoplasia until the formation of micrometastasis, nevertheless what really occurs in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which are the main players and which are the tumor or body allies, is still unclear. The goal of this article is to discuss how the pivotal players act, which can enhance or contrast cancer progression during two important process: "Activating Invasion and Metastasis" and the "Avoiding Immune Destruction", with a particular emphasis on the interplay among GJIC, Panx-HCs, and the purinergic system in the TME without disregarding the inflammasome and cytokines thereof derived. In particular, the complex and contrasting roles of Panx1/P2X7R signalosome in tumor facilitation and/or inhibition is discussed in regard to the early/late phases of the carcinogenesis. Finally, considering this complex interplay in the TME between cancer cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and focusing on their means of communication, we should be capable of revealing harmful messages that help the cancer growth and transform them in body allies, thus designing novel therapeutic strategies to fight cancer in a personalized manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Zefferino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.D.G.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0881-884673
| | - Claudia Piccoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (C.P.); (N.C.)
| | - Sante Di Gioia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.D.G.); (M.C.)
| | - Nazzareno Capitanio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (C.P.); (N.C.)
| | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.D.G.); (M.C.)
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50
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Voronova V, Peskov K, Kosinsky Y, Helmlinger G, Chu L, Borodovsky A, Woessner R, Sachsenmeier K, Shao W, Kumar R, Pouliot G, Merchant M, Kimko H, Mugundu G. Evaluation of Combination Strategies for the A 2AR Inhibitor AZD4635 Across Tumor Microenvironment Conditions via a Systems Pharmacology Model. Front Immunol 2021; 12:617316. [PMID: 33737925 PMCID: PMC7962275 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.617316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adenosine receptor type 2 (A2AR) inhibitor, AZD4635, has been shown to reduce immunosuppressive adenosine effects within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and to enhance the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors across various syngeneic models. This study aims at investigating anti-tumor activity of AZD4635 alone and in combination with an anti-PD-L1-specific antibody (anti-PD-L1 mAb) across various TME conditions and at identifying, via mathematical quantitative modeling, a therapeutic combination strategy to further improve treatment efficacy. Methods The model is represented by a set of ordinary differential equations capturing: 1) antigen-dependent T cell migration into the tumor, with subsequent proliferation and differentiation into effector T cells (Teff), leading to tumor cell lysis; 2) downregulation of processes mediated by A2AR or PD-L1, as well as other immunosuppressive mechanisms; 3) A2AR and PD-L1 inhibition by, respectively, AZD4635 and anti-PD-L1 mAb. Tumor size dynamics data from CT26, MC38, and MCA205 syngeneic mice treated with vehicle, anti-PD-L1 mAb, AZD4635, or their combination were used to inform model parameters. Between-animal and between-study variabilities (BAV, BSV) in treatment efficacy were quantified using a non-linear mixed-effects methodology. Results The model reproduced individual and cohort trends in tumor size dynamics for all considered treatment regimens and experiments. BSV and BAV were explained by variability in T cell-to-immunosuppressive cell (ISC) ratio; BSV was additionally driven by differences in intratumoral adenosine content across the syngeneic models. Model sensitivity analysis and model-based preclinical study simulations revealed therapeutic options enabling a potential increase in AZD4635-driven efficacy; e.g., adoptive cell transfer or treatments affecting adenosine-independent immunosuppressive pathways. Conclusions The proposed integrative modeling framework quantitatively characterized the mechanistic activity of AZD4635 and its potential added efficacy in therapy combinations, across various immune conditions prevailing in the TME. Such a model may enable further investigations, via simulations, of mechanisms of tumor resistance to treatment and of AZD4635 combination optimization strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kirill Peskov
- M&S Decisions LLC, Moscow, Russia
- Computational Oncology Group, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Gabriel Helmlinger
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca R&D Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lulu Chu
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca R&D Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Richard Woessner
- Translational Medicine, AstraZeneca R&D Boston, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Kris Sachsenmeier
- Translational Medicine, AstraZeneca R&D Boston, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Wenlin Shao
- Oncology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca R&D Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Oncology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca R&D Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Gayle Pouliot
- Oncology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca R&D Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Melinda Merchant
- Translational Medicine, AstraZeneca R&D Boston, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Holly Kimko
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca R&D Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ganesh Mugundu
- Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca R&D Boston, Boston, MA, United States
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