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Bakiri L, Hasenfuss SC, Guío-Carrión A, Thomsen MK, Hasselblatt P, Wagner EF. Liver cancer development driven by the AP-1/c-Jun~Fra-2 dimer through c-Myc. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2404188121. [PMID: 38657045 PMCID: PMC11067056 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2404188121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death. HCC incidence is on the rise, while treatment options remain limited. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in HCC development has become a priority to guide future therapies. While previous studies implicated the Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) (Fos/Jun) transcription factor family members c-Fos and c-Jun in HCC formation, the contribution of Fos-related antigens (Fra-) 1 and 2 is unknown. Here, we show that hepatocyte-restricted expression of a single chain c-Jun~Fra-2 protein, which functionally mimics the c-Jun/Fra-2 AP-1 dimer, results in spontaneous HCC formation in c-Jun~Fra-2hep mice. Several hallmarks of human HCC, such as cell cycle dysregulation and the expression of HCC markers are observed in liver tumors arising in c-Jun~Fra-2hep mice. Tumorigenesis occurs in the context of mild inflammation, low-grade fibrosis, and Pparγ-driven dyslipidemia. Subsequent analyses revealed increased expression of c-Myc, evidently under direct regulation by AP-1 through a conserved distal 3' enhancer. Importantly, c-Jun~Fra-2-induced tumors revert upon switching off transgene expression, suggesting oncogene addiction to the c-Jun~Fra-2 transgene. Tumors escaping reversion maintained c-Myc and c-Myc target gene expression, likely due to increased c-Fos. Interfering with c-Myc in established tumors using the Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal motif inhibitor JQ-1 diminished liver tumor growth in c-Jun~Fra-2 mutant mice. Thus, our data establish c-Jun~Fra-2hep mice as a model to study liver tumorigenesis and identify the c-Jun/Fra-2-Myc interaction as a potential target to improve HCC patient stratification and/or therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latifa Bakiri
- Laboratory Genes and Disease, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, National Cancer Research Centre, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sebastian C. Hasenfuss
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, National Cancer Research Centre, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Guío-Carrión
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, National Cancer Research Centre, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martin K. Thomsen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Aarhus, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Hasselblatt
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Erwin F. Wagner
- Laboratory Genes and Disease, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Laboratory Genes and Disease, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
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2
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Santagata S, Rea G, Castaldo D, Napolitano M, Capiluongo A, D'Alterio C, Trotta AM, Ieranò C, Portella L, Di Maro S, Tatangelo F, Albino V, Guarino R, Cutolo C, Izzo F, Scala S. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor microenvironment is more suppressive than colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) tumor microenvironment. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:568-581. [PMID: 37142825 PMCID: PMC11014815 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10537-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While HCC is an inflammation-associated cancer, CRLM develops on permissive healthy liver microenvironment. To evaluate the immune aspects of these two different environments, peripheral blood-(PB), peritumoral-(PT) and tumoral tissues-(TT) from HCC and CRLM patients were evaluated. METHODS 40 HCC and 34 CRLM were enrolled and freshly TT, PT and PB were collected at the surgery. PB-, PT- and TT-derived CD4+CD25+ Tregs, M/PMN-MDSC and PB-derived CD4+CD25- T-effector cells (Teffs) were isolated and characterized. Tregs' function was also evaluated in the presence of the CXCR4 inhibitor, peptide-R29, AMD3100 or anti-PD1. RNA was extracted from PB/PT/TT tissues and tested for FOXP3, CXCL12, CXCR4, CCL5, IL-15, CXCL5, Arg-1, N-cad, Vim, CXCL8, TGFβ and VEGF-A expression. RESULTS In HCC/CRLM-PB, higher number of functional Tregs, CD4+CD25hiFOXP3+ was detected, although PB-HCC Tregs exert a more suppressive function as compared to CRLM Tregs. In HCC/CRLM-TT, Tregs were highly represented with activated/ENTPD-1+Tregs prevalent in HCC. As compared to CRLM, HCC overexpressed CXCR4 and N-cadherin/vimentin in a contest rich in arginase and CCL5. Monocytic MDSCs were highly represented in HCC/CRLM, while high polymorphonuclear MDSCs were detected only in HCC. Interestingly, the function of CXCR4-PB-Tregs was impaired in HCC/CRLM by the CXCR4 inhibitor R29. CONCLUSION In HCC and CRLM, peripheral blood, peritumoral and tumoral tissues Tregs are highly represented and functional. Nevertheless, HCC displays a more immunosuppressive TME due to Tregs, MDSCs, intrinsic tumor features (CXCR4, CCL5, arginase) and the contest in which it develops. As CXCR4 is overexpressed in HCC/CRLM tumor/TME cells, CXCR4 inhibitors may be considered for double hit therapy in liver cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Santagata
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Rea
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Castaldo
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Napolitano
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Capiluongo
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Crescenzo D'Alterio
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Trotta
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Ieranò
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Portella
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via Vivaldi 43, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Fabiana Tatangelo
- Pathology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Vittorio Albino
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Guarino
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Cutolo
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Divisions of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Scala
- Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione "G. Pascale", Via Semmola, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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Zhang T, Zhao F, Zhang Y, Shi JH, Cui F, Ma W, Wang K, Xu C, Zeng Q, Zhong R, Li N, Liu Y, Jin Y, Sheng X. Targeting the IRE1α-XBP1s axis confers selective vulnerability in hepatocellular carcinoma with activated Wnt signaling. Oncogene 2024; 43:1233-1248. [PMID: 38418544 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-02988-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Liver-specific Ern1 knockout impairs tumor progression in mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanistic role of IRE1α in human HCC remains unclear. In this study, we show that XBP1s, the major downstream effector of IRE1α, is required for HCC cell survival both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, XBP1s transactivates LEF1, a key co-factor of β-catenin, by binding to its promoter. Moreover, XBP1s physically interacts with LEF1, forming a transcriptional complex that enhances classical Wnt signaling. Consistently, the activities of XBP1s and LEF1 are strongly correlated in human HCC and with disease prognosis. Notably, selective inhibition of XBP1 splicing using an IRE1α inhibitor significantly repressed the viability of tumor explants as well as the growth of tumor xenografts derived from patients with distinct Wnt/LEF1 activities. Finally, machine learning algorithms developed a powerful prognostic signature based on the activities of XBP1s/LEF1. In summary, our study uncovers a key mechanistic role for the IRE1α-XBP1s pathway in human HCC. Targeting this axis could provide a promising therapeutic strategy for HCC with hyperactivated Wnt/LEF1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Faming Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Ji-Hua Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Fengzhen Cui
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Weixiang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Chuanrui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qingping Zeng
- Fosun Orinove PharmaTech Inc., Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Rong Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ningning Li
- Tomas Lindahl Nobel Laureate Laboratory, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yong Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yang Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Henan Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Xia Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
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Huang Q, Zhong X, Li J, Hu R, Yi J, Sun J, Xu Y, Zhou X. Exosomal ncRNAs: Multifunctional contributors to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116409. [PMID: 38460375 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant liver cancer characterized by aggressive progression, unfavorable prognosis, and an increasing global health burden. Therapies that precisely target immunological checkpoints and immune cells have gained significant attention as possible therapeutics in recent years. In truth, the efficacy of immunotherapy is heavily contingent upon the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent studies have indicated that exosomes serve as a sophisticated means of communication among biomolecules, executing an essential part in the TME of immune suppression. Exosomal non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) can induce the activation of tumor cells and immunosuppressive immune cells that suppress the immune system, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), CD+8 T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and regulatory B cells (Bregs). This cell-cell crosstalk triggered by exosomal ncRNAs promotes tumor proliferation and metastasis, angiogenesis, malignant phenotype transformation, and drug resistance. Hence, it is imperative to comprehend how exosomal ncRNAs regulate tumor cells or immune cells within the TME to devise more comprehensive and productive immunotherapy programs. This study discusses the features of exosomal ncRNAs in HCC and how the activation of the exosomes redefines the tumor's immunosuppressive microenvironment, hence facilitating the advancement of HCC. Furthermore, we also explored the potential of exosomal ncRNAs as a viable biological target or natural vehicle for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Huang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao PR China; Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Xin Zhong
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Jing Li
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao PR China; Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Rui Hu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao PR China; Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Jinyu Yi
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao PR China; Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Jialing Sun
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Youhua Xu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao PR China.
| | - Xiaozhou Zhou
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China.
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5
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Pinto E, Meneghel P, Farinati F, Russo FP, Pelizzaro F, Gambato M. Efficacy of immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma: Does liver disease etiology have a role? Dig Liver Dis 2024; 56:579-588. [PMID: 37758610 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2023.08.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The systemic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is changing rapidly. After a decade of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), as the only therapeutic option for the treatment of advanced HCC, in the last few years several phase III trials demonstrated the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The combination of the anti-PD-L1 atezolizumab and the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) bevacizumab demonstrated the superiority over sorafenib and currently represents the standard of care treatment for advanced HCC. In addition, the combination of durvalumab (an anti-PD-L1) and tremelimumab (an anti-CTLA4) proved to be superior to sorafenib, and in the same trial durvalumab monotherapy showed non-inferiority compared to sorafenib. However, early reports suggest an influence of HCC etiology in modulating the response to these drugs. In particular, a lower effectiveness of ICIs has been suggested in patients with non-viral HCC (in particular non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials available to date have not been stratified for etiology and data suggesting a possible impact of etiology in the outcome of patients managed with ICIs derive from subgroup not pre-specified analyses. In this review, we aim to examine the potential impact of HCC etiology on the response to immunotherapy regimens for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Pinto
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Meneghel
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
| | - Filippo Pelizzaro
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Martina Gambato
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
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Repáraz D, Casares N, Fuentes A, Navarro F. Establishment of a murine hepatocellular carcinoma model by hydrodynamic injection and characterization of the immune tumor microenvironment. Methods Cell Biol 2024; 185:79-97. [PMID: 38556453 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignant neoplasms. Current treatments for HCC, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have limited efficacy, highlighting the urgent need for better therapies. Immunotherapies, including anti-programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) and anti-Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), and more recently, the combination of anti-PD-L1 and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibodies, have shown efficacy against HCC, resulting in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. However, these immunotherapies only show efficiency in a small proportion of patients, meaning there is a great need to improve and optimize treatments against HCC. Accurate animal models that mimic human HCC are necessary to help better understand the nature of these tumors, which in turn will allow the development and testing of new treatments. Existing pre-clinical HCC models can be divided into non-genetic and genetic models. Non-genetic models involve implanting human or murine HCC cell lines or inducing tumors using chemical compounds or dietary modifications. These models have limitations, including slow tumor development and a lack of resemblance to human HCC. Genetic models, on the other hand, manipulate gene expression to induce HCC in mice and provide a better understanding of the effects of specific genes on tumor development. One method commonly used to generate HCC is hydrodynamic tail vein injection (HTVI), which consists of the delivery of oncogenes directly to the liver, resulting in expression and subsequent hepatocyte transformation. Usually, Sleeping Beauty transposase-containing plasmids are used to achieve stable and long-term gene expression. Once the HCC tumor is generated, and a proper tumor microenvironment (TME) is established, it is important to study the immune compartment of the TME, which plays a crucial role in HCC development and response to treatment. Techniques like flow cytometry can be used to analyze the immune cell populations in HCC tumors and assess their impact on tumor development and survival in mice. In this article, we thoroughly describe an example of the methodology to successfully generate HCC murine models via HTVI, and we propose a way to characterize the immune TME by flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Repáraz
- Radio-Oncology Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Noelia Casares
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Navarra, Spain
| | - Andrea Fuentes
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Navarra, Spain
| | - Flor Navarro
- Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Navarra, Spain.
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Tan YR, Jiang BH, Feng WJ, He ZL, Jiang YL, Xun Y, Wu XP, Li YH, Zhu HB. Circ0060467 sponges miR-6805 to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression through regulating AIFM2 and GPX4 expression. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:1796-1807. [PMID: 38244593 PMCID: PMC10866430 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a subset of non-coding RNAs implicated in the regulation of diverse biological processes, including tumorigenesis. However, the expression and functional implications of circ0060467 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of circ0060467 in modulating the progression of HCC. METHODS Differentially expressed circRNAs in HCC tissues were identified through circRNA microarray assays. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays revealed the upregulation of circ0060467 in both HCC cell lines and tissues. Various assays were conducted to investigate the roles of circ0060467 in HCC progression. Additionally, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays and luciferase assays were carried out to assess the interactions between circ0060467, microRNA-6085 (miR-6085), apoptosis-inducing factor mitochondria-associated 2 (AIFM2), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in HCC. RESULTS Microarray and qRT-PCR analyses demonstrated a marked elevation of circ0060467 in HCC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of circ0060467 suppressed HCC cell proliferation. Luciferase reporter and RIP assays confirmed the binding of circ0060467, AIFM2, and GPX4 to miR-6805. Subsequent experiments revealed that circ0060467 competes with AIFM2 and GPX4, thereby inhibiting cancer cell ferroptosis by binding to miR-6085 and promoting hepatocellular carcinoma progression. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, circ0060467 modulates the levels of AIFM2 and GPX4, crucial regulators of tumor cell ferroptosis, by acting as a sponge for miR-6085 in HCC. Thus, circ0060467 may represent a novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Ru Tan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Bao-Hong Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Wen-Jie Feng
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhi-Long He
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yi-Ling Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yi Xun
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yue-Hua Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Hong-Bo Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
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Podesta C, Kayani M, Goody R, Samson A. Combination treatment of HCC with SBRT and immune checkpoint inhibition. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 192:104191. [PMID: 37865277 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of unresectable or metastatic HCC has been significantly advanced in recent years by developments in both radiotherapy and systemic cancer therapies. Independently, both Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) are licensed for the treatment of these tumours. Building on the successes seen in other solid tumours, there is significant interest in exploring combination treatments. In this review article we briefly present the evidence base for the use of these treatments in patients with HCC. With reference to our current understanding of the immuno-oncology and radiobiology of HCCs, we demonstrate why combining these two modalities is of interest. Finally, we discuss the clinical trials that are currently underway or planned and the direction that future research may take.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Podesta
- Leeds Cancer Centre, St James University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK
| | - Mahaz Kayani
- Leeds Cancer Centre, St James University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK.
| | - Rebecca Goody
- Leeds Cancer Centre, St James University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK
| | - Adel Samson
- Leeds Cancer Centre, St James University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK
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9
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Kim E. Tumor Immune Microenvironment as a New Therapeutic Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development. Dev Reprod 2023; 27:167-174. [PMID: 38292233 PMCID: PMC10824567 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2023.27.4.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is driven by a multistep and long-term process. Because current therapeutic strategies are limited for HCC patients, there are increasing demands for understanding of immunotherapy, which has made technological and conceptual innovations in the treatment of cancer. Here, I discuss HCC immunotherapy in the view of interaction between liver resident cells and immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunjeong Kim
- BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life
Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu
41566, Korea
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10
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Li B, Li W, Liang Y, Zhang C, Kong G, Li Z. Spleen-Derived CCL9 Recruits MDSC to Facilitate Tumor Growth in Orthotopic Hepatoma Mice. Glob Med Genet 2023; 10:348-356. [PMID: 38046278 PMCID: PMC10691915 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Spleen is involved in multiple diseases, the role of the spleen and spleen-derived factors in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still not clarified. Methods In the current study, a murine H22 orthotopic hepatoma model was established. Three groups were divided: normal mice, tumor-bearing mice with spleen-preserving, and tumor-bearing mice with splenectomy. Spleen and tumor weights were recorded by weeks 1 and 2. The proportion of myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) in peripheral blood and tumor tissue was detected using flow cytometry. Protein chip assay was used to compare the differential cytokines between normal liver supernatant and tumor supernatant. The common upregulated cytokines both in spleen and tumor were focused and analyzed using gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA) database. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to verify the chip result, and to examine CCL9 expression before and after splenectomy. Spleen MDSC was sorted using flow cytometry, and chemotaxis assay was performed to demonstrate whether CCL9 attracted spleen MDSC. Results The spleen enlarged during tumor progression, and compared with splenectomy group, there were faster tumor growth, shorter survival time, and higher proportions of MDSC in spleen-preserving group. Protein chip assay and GEPIA database revealed CCL9 was the most promising chemokine involved in HCC upregulated both in spleen and tumor tissue. CCL9 attracted MDSC in vitro, the level of CCL9 in tumor tissue was downregulated, and the percentage of MDSC was decreased after splenectomy. Conclusion The results demonstrate that CCL9 may be derived from spleen; it facilitated HCC growth via the chemotaxis of MDSC, targeting CCL9 may be a promising strategy in HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohua Li
- General Surgery Department of Cadre's Ward, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biodiagnostics and Biotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
- Core Research Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjuan Li
- Tumor Immunology Center of Precision Medical Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingxue Liang
- Tumor Immunology Center of Precision Medical Research Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Zhang
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biodiagnostics and Biotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangyao Kong
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biodiagnostics and Biotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongfang Li
- General Surgery Department of Cadre's Ward, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
- National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biodiagnostics and Biotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China
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11
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Mauda-Havakuk M, Hawken NM, Owen JW, Mikhail AS, Starost MF, Karim B, Wakim PG, Franco-Mahecha OL, Lewis AL, Pritchard WF, Karanian JW, Wood BJ. Immune Effects of Cryoablation in Woodchuck Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:1973-1990. [PMID: 37954494 PMCID: PMC10637190 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s426442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Local and systemic immune responses evoked by locoregional therapies such as cryoablation are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to characterize cryoablation-related immune response and the capacity of immune drugs to augment immunity upon cryoablation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using a woodchuck hepatocellular carcinoma model. Materials and Methods Twelve woodchucks chronically infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus and with hepatocellular carcinoma underwent imaging with contrast-enhanced CT. Partial cryoablation of tumors in three woodchucks was performed. Fourteen days after cryoablation, liver tissues were harvested and stained with H&E and TUNEL, and immune infiltrates were quantified. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from ablated and nonablated woodchucks, labeled with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and cultured with immune-modulating drugs, including a small PD-L1 antagonist molecule (BMS-202) and three TLR7/8 agonists (DSR 6434, GS-9620, gardiquimod). After incubation, cell replication and immune cell populations were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Local immune response in tumors was characterized by an increased number of CD3+ T lymphocytes and natural killer cells in the cryolesion margin compared to other tumor regions. T regulatory cells were found in higher numbers in distant tumors within the liver compared to untreated or control tumors. Cryoablation also augmented the systemic immune response as demonstrated by higher numbers of PBMC responses upon immune drug stimulation in the cryoablation group. Conclusions Partial cryoablation augmented immune effects in both treated and remote untreated tumor microenvironments, as well as systemically, in woodchucks with HCC. Characterization of these mechanisms may enhance development of novel drug-device combinations for treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Mauda-Havakuk
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Interventional Radiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Natalie M Hawken
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joshua W Owen
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew S Mikhail
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Matthew F Starost
- Division of Veterinary Resources, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Baktiar Karim
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Paul G Wakim
- Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology Service, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Olga L Franco-Mahecha
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew L Lewis
- Alchemed Bioscience Consulting Ltd, Stable Cottage, Monkton Lane, Farnham, Surrey, UK
| | - William F Pritchard
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John W Karanian
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bradford J Wood
- Center for Interventional Oncology, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research; National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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12
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Chang C, Pei Y, Zhang C, Zhang W, Qin Y, Shi S. Combination therapy with dendritic cell loaded-exosomes supplemented with PD-1 inhibition at different time points have superior antitumor effect in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3727-3738. [PMID: 37665374 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03525-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths, is insensitive to traditional treatments. At different time intervals, the combined antitumor effects of DC-TEX and the programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody (Ab) have not been investigated. In this study, HCC models were established and treated at different time intervals with DC-TEX alone or in combination with PD-1 Ab. In addition, we developed an orthotopic HCC model in BALB/c nude mice and restored T cells. Results demonstrated that the PD-1 + CD8 + T-cell population also increased significantly after DC-TEX treatment, in addition to the increased number of CD8 + T cells. The number of CD8 + T cells increased 72 h after DC-TEX administration. Similar observations were made for PD-1 + CD8 + T cells. Subsequently, PD-1 Ab was administered in combination with DC-TEX at different time points (0, 24, 72, 96, 120, or 168 h). Surprisingly, the combination treatment demonstrated a strong antitumor effect, which was very prominent when PD-1 Ab was administered at 72 h. PD-1 Ab significantly reversed the proliferative ability of PD-1 + CD8 + T cells at 72 h in vitro. The combined antitumor effects of PD-1 Ab and DC-TEX occurred mainly by stimulating CD8 + T cell proliferation and inhibiting T cell exhaustion. In conclusion, our results indicate that the combination of DC-TEX and PD-1 Ab significantly inhibits tumor growth in a murine HCC model and that the timing of PD-1 Ab administration impacts the antitumor effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Chang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, #440 Jiyan Road, Huaiyin District, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China
| | - Yanqing Pei
- Department of Infection Management, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China
| | - Chuangnian Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Wenyu Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, #440 Jiyan Road, Huaiyin District, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China
| | - Yibo Qin
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Shengbin Shi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, #440 Jiyan Road, Huaiyin District, Jinan, 250117, Shandong, China.
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Tianjin, 300192, China.
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13
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Lacalamita A, Serino G, Pantaleo E, Monaco A, Amoroso N, Bellantuono L, Piccinno E, Scalavino V, Dituri F, Tangaro S, Bellotti R, Giannelli G. Artificial Intelligence and Complex Network Approaches Reveal Potential Gene Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15286. [PMID: 37894965 PMCID: PMC10607580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and the number of cases is constantly increasing. Early and accurate HCC diagnosis is crucial to improving the effectiveness of treatment. The aim of the study is to develop a supervised learning framework based on hierarchical community detection and artificial intelligence in order to classify patients and controls using publicly available microarray data. With our methodology, we identified 20 gene communities that discriminated between healthy and cancerous samples, with an accuracy exceeding 90%. We validated the performance of these communities on an independent dataset, and with two of them, we reached an accuracy exceeding 80%. Then, we focused on two communities, selected because they were enriched with relevant biological functions, and on these we applied an explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) approach to analyze the contribution of each gene to the classification task. In conclusion, the proposed framework provides an effective methodological and quantitative tool helping to find gene communities, which may uncover pivotal mechanisms responsible for HCC and thus discover new biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Lacalamita
- Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica M. Merlin, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 173, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.L.); (E.P.); (R.B.)
- Sezione di Bari, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Via A. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (N.A.); (L.B.); (S.T.)
| | - Grazia Serino
- National Institute of Gastroenterology S. De Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, BA, Italy; (G.S.); (E.P.); (V.S.); (F.D.); (G.G.)
| | - Ester Pantaleo
- Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica M. Merlin, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 173, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.L.); (E.P.); (R.B.)
- Sezione di Bari, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Via A. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (N.A.); (L.B.); (S.T.)
| | - Alfonso Monaco
- Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica M. Merlin, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 173, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.L.); (E.P.); (R.B.)
- Sezione di Bari, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Via A. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (N.A.); (L.B.); (S.T.)
| | - Nicola Amoroso
- Sezione di Bari, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Via A. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (N.A.); (L.B.); (S.T.)
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via A. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Loredana Bellantuono
- Sezione di Bari, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Via A. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (N.A.); (L.B.); (S.T.)
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Traslazionale e Neuroscienze (DiBraiN), Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Piccinno
- National Institute of Gastroenterology S. De Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, BA, Italy; (G.S.); (E.P.); (V.S.); (F.D.); (G.G.)
| | - Viviana Scalavino
- National Institute of Gastroenterology S. De Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, BA, Italy; (G.S.); (E.P.); (V.S.); (F.D.); (G.G.)
| | - Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology S. De Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, BA, Italy; (G.S.); (E.P.); (V.S.); (F.D.); (G.G.)
| | - Sabina Tangaro
- Sezione di Bari, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Via A. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (N.A.); (L.B.); (S.T.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Bellotti
- Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica M. Merlin, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 173, 70125 Bari, Italy; (A.L.); (E.P.); (R.B.)
- Sezione di Bari, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Via A. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (N.A.); (L.B.); (S.T.)
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology S. De Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, BA, Italy; (G.S.); (E.P.); (V.S.); (F.D.); (G.G.)
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14
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Chen L, Zhang N, Huang Y, Zhang Q, Fang Y, Fu J, Yuan Y, Chen L, Chen X, Xu Z, Li Y, Izawa H, Xiang C. Multiple Dimensions of using Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treating Liver Diseases: From Bench to Beside. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2192-2224. [PMID: 37498509 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10583-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Liver diseases impose a huge burden worldwide. Although hepatocyte transplantation has long been considered as a potential strategy for treating liver diseases, its clinical implementation has created some obvious limitations. As an alternative strategy, cell therapy, particularly mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation, is widely used in treating different liver diseases, including acute liver disease, acute-on-chronic liver failure, hepatitis B/C virus, autoimmune hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we summarize the status of MSC transplantation in treating liver diseases, focusing on the therapeutic mechanisms, including differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells, immunomodulating function with a variety of immune cells, paracrine effects via the secretion of various cytokines and extracellular vesicles, and facilitation of homing and engraftment. Some improved perspectives and current challenges are also addressed. In summary, MSCs have great potential in the treatment of liver diseases based on their multi-faceted characteristics, and more accurate mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies stemming from MSCs will facilitate clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangxin Fang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiamin Fu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Chen
- Innovative Precision Medicine (IPM) Group, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311215, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Xu
- Innovative Precision Medicine (IPM) Group, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311215, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China
| | - Hiromi Izawa
- Jingugaien Woman Life Clinic, Jingu-Gaien 3-39-5 2F, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Charlie Xiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China.
- Research Units of Infectious Disease and Microecology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Carloni R, Sabbioni S, Rizzo A, Ricci AD, Palloni A, Petrarota C, Cusmai A, Tavolari S, Gadaleta-Caldarola G, Brandi G. Immune-Based Combination Therapies for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:1445-1463. [PMID: 37701562 PMCID: PMC10493094 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s390963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide. HCC frequently presents as advanced disease at diagnosis, and disease relapse following radical surgery is frequent. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of advanced HCC, particularly with the introduction of atezolizumab/bevacizumab as the new standard of care for first-line treatment. Recently, dual immune checkpoint blockade with durvalumab plus tremelimumab has also emerged as an effective first-line treatment for advanced HCC and most of the research is currently focused on developing combination treatments based mainly on ICIs. In this review, we will discuss the rationale and ongoing clinical trials of immune-based combination therapies for the treatment of advanced HCC, also focusing on new immunotherapy strategies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) and anti-cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Carloni
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Sabbioni
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rizzo
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Presa in Carico Globale del Paziente Oncologico “Don Tonino Bello”, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Dalia Ricci
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology, “Saverio de Bellis” Research Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Palloni
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cataldo Petrarota
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Presa in Carico Globale del Paziente Oncologico “Don Tonino Bello”, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Cusmai
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Presa in Carico Globale del Paziente Oncologico “Don Tonino Bello”, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Tavolari
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Brandi
- Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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16
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Polyzos SA, Chrysavgis L, Vachliotis ID, Chartampilas E, Cholongitas E. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma:Insights in epidemiology, pathogenesis, imaging, prevention and therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 93:20-35. [PMID: 37149203 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is estimated to be the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality and is characterized by low survival rates. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as a leading cause of HCC, whose rates are increasing, owing to the increasing prevalence of NAFLD. The pathogenesis of NAFLD-associated HCC is multifactorial: insulin resistance, obesity, diabetes and the low-grade hepatic inflammation, which characterizes NAFLD, seem to play key roles in the development and progression of HCC. The diagnosis of NAFLD-associated HCC is based on imaging in the presence of liver cirrhosis, preferably computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, but liver biopsy for histological confirmation is usually required in the absence of liver cirrhosis. Some preventive measures have been recommended for NAFLD-associated HCC, including weight loss, cessation of even moderate alcohol drinking and smoking, as well as the use of metformin, statins and aspirin. However, these preventive measures are mainly based on observational studies, thus they need validation in trials of different design before introducing in clinical practice. The treatment of NAFLD should be tailored on an individual basis and should be ideally determined by a multidisciplinary team. In the last two decades, new medications, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoints inhibitors, have improved the survival of patients with advanced HCC, but trials specifically designed for patients with NAFLD-associated HCC are scarce. The aim of this review was to overview evidence on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of NAFLD-associated HCC, then to comment on imaging tools for its appropriate screening and diagnosis, and finally to critically summarize the currently available options for its prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stergios A Polyzos
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Lampros Chrysavgis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Laiko, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilias D Vachliotis
- First Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelos Chartampilas
- Department of Radiology, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelos Cholongitas
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Laiko, Athens, Greece
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17
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Canale FP, Neumann J, von Renesse J, Loggi E, Pecoraro M, Vogel I, Zoppi G, Antonini G, Wolf T, Jin W, Zheng X, La Barba G, Birgin E, Forkel M, Nilsson T, Marone R, Mueller H, Pelletier N, Jeker LT, Civenni G, Schlapbach C, Catapano CV, Seifert L, Seifert AM, Gillessen S, De Dosso S, Cristaudi A, Rahbari NN, Ercolani G, Geiger R. Proteomics of immune cells from liver tumors reveals immunotherapy targets. Cell Genom 2023; 3:100331. [PMID: 37388918 PMCID: PMC10300607 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Elucidating the mechanisms by which immune cells become dysfunctional in tumors is critical to developing next-generation immunotherapies. We profiled proteomes of cancer tissue as well as monocyte/macrophages, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and NK cells isolated from tumors, liver, and blood of 48 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. We found that tumor macrophages induce the sphingosine-1-phospate-degrading enzyme SGPL1, which dampened their inflammatory phenotype and anti-tumor function in vivo. We further discovered that the signaling scaffold protein AFAP1L2, typically only found in activated NK cells, is also upregulated in chronically stimulated CD8+ T cells in tumors. Ablation of AFAP1L2 in CD8+ T cells increased their viability upon repeated stimulation and enhanced their anti-tumor activity synergistically with PD-L1 blockade in mouse models. Our data reveal new targets for immunotherapy and provide a resource on immune cell proteomes in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando P. Canale
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Julia Neumann
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Janusz von Renesse
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabetta Loggi
- Hepatology Unit, Department of Medical & Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Pecoraro
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Ian Vogel
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Giada Zoppi
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Gaia Antonini
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Wolf
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Wenjie Jin
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Xiaoqin Zheng
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Giuliano La Barba
- General and Oncologic Surgery, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy
| | - Emrullah Birgin
- Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marianne Forkel
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Infectious Diseases Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Nilsson
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Infectious Diseases Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Romina Marone
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henrik Mueller
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Infectious Diseases Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nadege Pelletier
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Infectious Diseases Discovery, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lukas T. Jeker
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Transplantation Immunology and Nephrology, Basel University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gianluca Civenni
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Schlapbach
- Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Carlo V. Catapano
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Lena Seifert
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Adrian M. Seifert
- Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany
| | - Silke Gillessen
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Sara De Dosso
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Cristaudi
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Nuh N. Rahbari
- Department of Surgery, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Giorgio Ercolani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC; Alma Mater Studiorum - Univeristy of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Ausl Romagna, Forlì, Italy
| | - Roger Geiger
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Bellinzona, Switzerland
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18
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Shen C, Li M, Duan Y, Jiang X, Hou X, Xue F, Zhang Y, Luo Y. HDAC inhibitors enhance the anti-tumor effect of immunotherapies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1170207. [PMID: 37304265 PMCID: PMC10250615 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1170207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common liver malignancy with a poor prognosis and increasing incidence, remains a serious health problem worldwide. Immunotherapy has been described as one of the ideal ways to treat HCC and is transforming patient management. However, the occurrence of immunotherapy resistance still prevents some patients from benefiting from current immunotherapies. Recent studies have shown that histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in a variety of tumors, including HCC. In this review, we present current knowledge and recent advances in immunotherapy-based and HDACi-based therapies for HCC. We highlight the fundamental dynamics of synergies between immunotherapies and HDACis, further detailing current efforts to translate this knowledge into clinical benefits. In addition, we explored the possibility of nano-based drug delivery system (NDDS) as a novel strategy to enhance HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Equipment Innovation Research Center/Medical Device Regulatory Research and Evaluation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mei Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Equipment Innovation Research Center/Medical Device Regulatory Research and Evaluation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yujuan Duan
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Equipment Innovation Research Center/Medical Device Regulatory Research and Evaluation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoming Hou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Equipment Innovation Research Center/Medical Device Regulatory Research and Evaluation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fulai Xue
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Equipment Innovation Research Center/Medical Device Regulatory Research and Evaluation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yinan Zhang
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Luo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Equipment Innovation Research Center/Medical Device Regulatory Research and Evaluation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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19
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Xu M, Xu K, Yin S, Sun W, Wang G, Zhang K, Mu J, Wu M, Xing B, Zhang X, Han J, Zhao X, Chang C, Wang Y, Xu D, Yu X. In-depth serum proteomics reveals the trajectory of hallmarks of cancer in hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023:100574. [PMID: 37209815 PMCID: PMC10316086 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent cancer in China, with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and liver cirrhosis (LC) being high-risk factors for developing HCC. Here, we determined the serum proteomes (762 proteins) of 125 healthy controls and Hepatitis B virus-infected CHB, LC, and HCC patients and constructed the first cancerous trajectory of liver diseases. The results not only reveal that the majority of altered biological processes were involved in the hallmarks of cancer (inflammation, metastasis, metabolism, vasculature, coagulation), but also identify potential therapeutic targets in cancerous pathways (i.e., IL17 signaling pathway). Notably, the biomarker panels for detecting HCC in CHB and LC high-risk populations were further developed using machine learning in two cohorts comprised of 200 samples (discovery cohort=125, validation cohort=75). The protein signatures significantly improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of HCC (CHB discovery and validation cohort = 0.953 and 0.891, respectively; LC discovery and validation cohort = 0.966 and 0.818, respectively) compared to using the traditional biomarker, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alone. Finally, selected biomarkers were validated with parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mass spectrometry in an additional cohort (n=120). Altogether, our results provide fundamental insights into the continuous changes of cancer biology processes in liver diseases and identify candidate protein targets for early detection and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Kaikun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China; Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Shangqi Yin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Wei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Guibin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Jinsong Mu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Fifth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Miantao Wu
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Baocai Xing
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, 100036, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Jinyu Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Xiaohang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Cheng Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China; Research Unit of Proteomics Driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Yajie Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China.
| | - Danke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xiaobo Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences, Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, 102206, China.
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20
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Chen K, Li Y, Wang B, Yan X, Tao Y, Song W, Xi Z, He K, Xia Q. Patient-derived models facilitate precision medicine in liver cancer by remodeling cell-matrix interaction. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1101324. [PMID: 37215109 PMCID: PMC10192760 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1101324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is an aggressive tumor originating in the liver with a dismal prognosis. Current evidence suggests that liver cancer is the fifth most prevalent cancer worldwide and the second most deadly type of malignancy. Tumor heterogeneity accounts for the differences in drug responses among patients, emphasizing the importance of precision medicine. Patient-derived models of cancer are widely used preclinical models to study precision medicine since they preserve tumor heterogeneity ex vivo in the study of many cancers. Patient-derived models preserving cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions better recapitulate in vivo conditions, including patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), precision-cut liver slices (PCLSs), patient-derived organoids (PDOs), and patient-derived tumor spheroids (PDTSs). In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the different modalities used to establish preclinical models for precision medicine in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiwen Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanran Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Bingran Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuehan Yan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiying Tao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weizhou Song
- Ottawa-Shanghai Joint School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhifeng Xi
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Kang He
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Transplantation, Shanghai, China
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21
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Liu J, Qu J, Xu L, Qiao C, Shao G, Liu X, He H, Zhang J. Prediction of liver cancer prognosis based on immune cell marker genes. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1147797. [PMID: 37180166 PMCID: PMC10174299 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1147797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Monitoring the response after treatment of liver cancer and timely adjusting the treatment strategy are crucial to improve the survival rate of liver cancer. At present, the clinical monitoring of liver cancer after treatment is mainly based on serum markers and imaging. Morphological evaluation has limitations, such as the inability to measure small tumors and the poor repeatability of measurement, which is not applicable to cancer evaluation after immunotherapy or targeted treatment. The determination of serum markers is greatly affected by the environment and cannot accurately evaluate the prognosis. With the development of single cell sequencing technology, a large number of immune cell-specific genes have been identified. Immune cells and microenvironment play an important role in the process of prognosis. We speculate that the expression changes of immune cell-specific genes can indicate the process of prognosis. Method Therefore, this paper first screened out the immune cell-specific genes related to liver cancer, and then built a deep learning model based on the expression of these genes to predict metastasis and the survival time of liver cancer patients. We verified and compared the model on the data set of 372 patients with liver cancer. Result The experiments found that our model is significantly superior to other methods, and can accurately identify whether liver cancer patients have metastasis and predict the survival time of liver cancer patients according to the expression of immune cell-specific genes. Discussion We found these immune cell-specific genes participant multiple cancer-related pathways. We fully explored the function of these genes, which would support the development of immunotherapy for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Liu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Junjie Qu
- Interventional Medicine Center, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Lingling Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Chen Qiao
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Guiwen Shao
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hui He
- Department of Laparoscopic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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22
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Pelizzaro F, Farinati F, Trevisani F. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Strategies and Biomarkers Predicting Response and/or Resistance. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041020. [PMID: 37189643 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Following the positive results of the IMbrave150 trial, the combination of atezolizumab (an anti-PD-L1 antibody) and bevacizumab (an anti-VEGF antibody) became the standard of care frontline treatment for patients with advanced stage HCC. Several other trials evaluated immunotherapy in HCC, demonstrating that ICIs-based regimens are currently the most effective treatment strategies and expanding the therapeutic possibilities. Despite the unprecedent rates of objective tumor response, not all patients benefit from treatment with ICIs. Therefore, in order to select the appropriate therapy as well as to correctly allocate medical resources and avoid unnecessary treatment-related toxicities, there is great interest in identifying the predictive biomarkers of response or resistance to immunotherapy-based regimens. Immune classes of HCC, genomic signatures, anti-drug antibodies, and patient-related factors (e.g., etiology of liver disease, gut microbiota diversity) have been associated to the response to ICIs, but none of the proposed biomarkers have been translated into clinical practice so far. Considering the crucial importance of this topic, in this review we aim to summarize the available data on tumor and clinical features associated with the response or resistance of HCC to immunotherapies.
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23
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is the third leading cause of tumor-related mortality worldwide. In recent years, the emergency of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has revolutionized the management of HCC. Especially, the combination of atezolizumab (anti-PD1) and bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) has been approved by the FDA as the first-line treatment for advanced HCC. Despite great breakthrough in systemic therapy, HCC continues to portend a poor prognosis owing to drug resistance and frequent recurrence. The tumor microenvironment (TME) of HCC is a complex and structured mixture characterized by abnormal angiogenesis, chronic inflammation, and dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, collectively contributing to the immunosuppressive milieu that in turn prompts HCC proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The tumor microenvironment coexists and interacts with various immune cells to maintain the development of HCC. It is widely accepted that a dysfunctional tumor-immune ecosystem can lead to the failure of immune surveillance. The immunosuppressive TME is an external cause for immune evasion in HCC consisting of 1) immunosuppressive cells; 2) co-inhibitory signals; 3) soluble cytokines and signaling cascades; 4) metabolically hostile tumor microenvironment; 5) the gut microbiota that affects the immune microenvironment. Importantly, the effectiveness of immunotherapy largely depends on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Also, the gut microbiota and metabolism profoundly affect the immune microenvironment. Understanding how TME affects HCC development and progression will contribute to better preventing HCC-specific immune evasion and overcoming resistance to already developed therapies. In this review, we mainly introduce immune evasion of HCC underlying the role of immune microenvironment, describe the dynamic interaction of immune microenvironment with dysfunctional metabolism and the gut microbiome, and propose therapeutic strategies to manipulate the TME in favor of more effective immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yanru Qin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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24
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Torkian P, Haghshomar M, Farsad K, Wallace S, Golzarian J, Young SJ. Cancer Immunology: Impact of Radioembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Immune Response Modulation. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2023. [PMID: 36752368 DOI: 10.2214/AJR.22.28800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent primary liver cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is increasingly recognized as having a central role in HCC carcinogenesis, with factors such as tumor and immune cell interactions, cytokines, and extracellular matrix serving key roles. Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is a locoregional therapy for HCC that not only has a direct tumoricidal effect, but induces an immune response against tumor cells with subsequent immunogenic cell death. This TARE-induced tumor immunogenicity occurs through enhancement of tumor-associated antigen expression, as well as recruitment and diversification of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. In addition, immunologically related biomarkers, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte count, and cytokine levels, may be useful tools to predict outcomes after TARE. Early data are promising regarding the potential synergistic benefit from treatment algorithms that combine TARE and immunotherapies, and interest is growing in the clinical application of such combinations. This review provides an overview of cancer immunology, summarizes the available data regarding the biologic effects of TARE on local and systemic immune responses, and explores the potential role of the combination of TARE and immunotherapy for HCC.
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25
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Gholizadeh M, Mazlooman SR, Hadizadeh M, Drozdzik M, Eslami S. Detection of key mRNAs in liver tissue of hepatocellular carcinoma patients based on machine learning and bioinformatics analysis. MethodsX 2023; 10:102021. [PMID: 36713306 PMCID: PMC9879787 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
One methodology extensively used to develop biomarkers is the precise detection of highly responsive genes that can distinguish cancer samples from healthy samples. The purpose of this study was to screen for potential hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biomarkers based on non-fusion integrative multi-platform meta-analysis method. The gene expression profiles of liver tissue samples from two microarray platforms were initially analyzed using a meta-analysis based on an empirical Bayesian method to robust discover differentially expressed genes in HCC and non-tumor tissues. Then, using the bioinformatics technique of weighted correlation network analysis, the highly associated prioritized Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) were clustered. Co-expression network and topological analysis were utilized to identify sub-clusters and confirm candidate genes. Next, a diagnostic model was developed and validated using a machine learning algorithm. To construct a prognostic model, the Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was applied and validated. We identified three genes as specific biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC based on accuracy and feasibility. The diagnostic model's area under the curve was 0.931 with confidence interval of 0.923-0.952.•Non-fusion integrative multi-platform meta-analysis method.•Classification methods and biomarkers recognition via machine learning method.•Biomarker validation models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Gholizadeh
- Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91388-13944, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Mazlooman
- Department of Computer Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1477893780, Iran
| | - Morteza Hadizadeh
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 7616913555, Iran
| | - Marek Drozdzik
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin 70-111, Poland,Corresponding authors.
| | - Saeid Eslami
- Department of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 91388-13944, Iran,Corresponding authors.
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26
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Akl MG, Widenmaier SB. Immunometabolic factors contributing to obesity-linked hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1089124. [PMID: 36712976 PMCID: PMC9877434 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1089124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major public health concern that is promoted by obesity and associated liver complications. Onset and progression of HCC in obesity is a multifactorial process involving complex interactions between the metabolic and immune system, in which chronic liver damage resulting from metabolic and inflammatory insults trigger carcinogenesis-promoting gene mutations and tumor metabolism. Moreover, cell growth and proliferation of the cancerous cell, after initiation, requires interactions between various immunological and metabolic pathways that provide stress defense of the cancer cell as well as strategic cell death escape mechanisms. The heterogenic nature of HCC in addition to the various metabolic risk factors underlying HCC development have led researchers to focus on examining metabolic pathways that may contribute to HCC development. In obesity-linked HCC, oncogene-induced modifications and metabolic pathways have been identified to support anabolic demands of the growing HCC cells and combat the concomitant cell stress, coinciding with altered utilization of signaling pathways and metabolic fuels involved in glucose metabolism, macromolecule synthesis, stress defense, and redox homeostasis. In this review, we discuss metabolic insults that can underlie the transition from steatosis to steatohepatitis and from steatohepatitis to HCC as well as aberrantly regulated immunometabolic pathways that enable cancer cells to survive and proliferate in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss therapeutic modalities targeted at HCC prevention and regression. A full understanding of HCC-associated immunometabolic changes in obesity may contribute to clinical treatments that effectively target cancer metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- May G. Akl
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada,Department of Physiology, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Scott B. Widenmaier
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada,*Correspondence: Scott B. Widenmaier,
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27
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Wu RQ, Lao XM, Chen DP, Qin H, Mu M, Cao WJ, Deng J, Wan CC, Zhan WY, Wang JC, Xu L, Chen MS, Gao Q, Zheng L, Wei Y, Kuang DM. Immune checkpoint therapy-elicited sialylation of IgG antibodies impairs antitumorigenic type I interferon responses in hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunity 2023; 56:180-192.e11. [PMID: 36563676 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The reinvigoration of anti-tumor T cells in response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy is well established. Whether and how ICB therapy manipulates antibody-mediated immune response in cancer environments, however, remains elusive. Using tandem mass spectrometric analysis of modification of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from hepatoma tissues, we identified a role of ICB therapy in catalyzing IgG sialylation in the Fc region. Effector T cells triggered sialylation of IgG via an interferon (IFN)-γ-ST6Gal-I-dependent pathway. DC-SIGN+ macrophages represented the main target cells of sialylated IgG. Upon interacting with sialylated IgG, DC-SIGN stimulated Raf-1-elicited elevation of ATF3, which inactivated cGAS-STING pathway and eliminated subsequent type-I-IFN-triggered antitumorigenic immunity. Although enhanced IgG sialylation in tumors predicted improved therapeutic outcomes for patients receiving ICB therapy, impeding IgG sialylation augmented antitumorigenic T cell immunity after ICB therapy. Thus, targeting antibody-based negative feedback action of ICB therapy has potential for improving efficacy of cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Qi Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Xiang-Ming Lao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Dong-Ping Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Hongqiang Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116023, China
| | - Ming Mu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Wen-Jie Cao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Jia Deng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Chao-Chao Wan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Wan-Yu Zhan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Jun-Cheng Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Li Xu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Min-Shan Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Limin Zheng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China
| | - Yuan Wei
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China.
| | - Dong-Ming Kuang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China.
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28
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Chung A, Nasralla D, Quaglia A. Understanding the Immunoenvironment of Primary Liver Cancer: A Histopathology Perspective. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:1149-1169. [PMID: 36349146 PMCID: PMC9637345 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s382310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most common cancers worldwide, primary liver cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma represent the majority of primary liver cancer cases. Despite advances in the development of novel anti-cancer therapies that exploit targets within the immune system, survival rates from liver cancer remain poor. Furthermore, responses to immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, have revealed limited and variable responses amongst patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, although combination immunotherapies have shown recent breakthroughs in clinical trials. This has shifted the focus towards improving our understanding of the underlying immune and molecular characteristics of liver tumours that may influence their response to immune-modulating treatments. In this review, we outline the complex interactions that occur in the tumour microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, respectively, from a histopathological perspective. We explore the potential role of a classification system based on immune-specific characteristics within each cancer type, the importance of understanding inter- and intra-tumoural heterogeneity and consider the future role of histopathology and novel technologies within this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle Chung
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK,Correspondence: Annabelle Chung, Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK, Tel +44 20 7794 0500 ext. 35641, Email
| | - David Nasralla
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Alberto Quaglia
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
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29
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Wang XX, Wu LH, Dou QY, Ai L, Lu Y, Deng SZ, Liu QQ, Ji H, Zhang HM. Construction of m6A-based prognosis signature and prediction for immune and anti-angiogenic response. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1034928. [PMID: 36339715 PMCID: PMC9634552 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1034928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Increasing evidence illustrated that m6A regulator-mediated modification plays a crucial role in regulating tumor immune and angiogenesis microenvironment. And the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitor and anti-angiogenic therapy has been approved as new first-line therapy for advanced HCC. This study constructed a novel prognosis signature base on m6A-mediated modification and explored the related mechanism in predicting immune and anti-angiogenic responses. Methods: Gene expression profiles and clinical information were collected from TCGA and GEO. The ssGSEA, MCPCOUNT, and TIMER 2.0 algorithm was used to Estimation of immune cell infiltration. The IC50 of anti-angiogenic drugs in GDSC was calculated by the “pRRophetic” package. IMvigor210 cohort and Liu et al. cohort were used to validate the capability of immunotherapy response. Hepatocellular carcinoma single immune cells sequencing datasets GSE140228 were collected to present the expression landscapes of 5 hub genes in different sites and immune cell subpopulations of HCC patients. Results: Three m6A clusters with distinct immune and angiogenesis microenvironments were identified by consistent cluster analysis based on the expression of m6A regulators. We further constructed a 5-gene prognosis signature (termed as m6Asig-Score) which could predict both immune and anti-angiogenic responses. We illustrated that high m6Asig-Score is associated with poor prognosis, advanced TNM stage, and high TP53 mutation frequency. Besides, the m6Asig-Score was negatively associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic drug response. We further found that two of the five m6Asig-Score inner genes, B2M and SMOX, were associated with immune cell infiltration, immune response, and the sensitivity to sorafenib, which were validated in two independent immunotherapy cohorts and the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) database. Conclusion: We constructed a novel prognosis signature and identified B2M and SMOX for predicting immune and anti-angiogenic efficacy in HCC, which may guide the combined treatment strategies of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Xu Wang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li-Hong Wu
- Xijing 986 Hospital Department, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qiong-Yi Dou
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liping Ai
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yajie Lu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shi-Zhou Deng
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qing-Qing Liu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hongchen Ji
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hong-Mei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- *Correspondence: Hong-Mei Zhang,
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30
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Zhu Y, Qin LX. Strategies for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022; 21:420-429. [PMID: 35977874 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer, mainly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the sixth most diagnosed cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Recently, immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made great progress in the systemic treatment of HCC. However, anti-PD-1 therapy with pembrolizumab or nivolumab as a single agent did not meet their predefined end points of overall survival in the KEYNOTE-240 and CheckMate 459 trials. It is urgent to understand the immunological rationale and explore novel ways to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. The combination of ICIs with other therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), monoclonal antibodies, or local therapy, has been demonstrated to improve overall response rate and survival. In addition, modulating tumor microenvironment is a potential way to overcome the primary and secondary resistance to immunotherapies. In this review, we summarized the latest findings in the immune microenvironment, the mechanisms of their synergistic effects when combined with anti-VEGF agents or TKIs, as well as other kinds of immune treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lun-Xiu Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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31
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Yuan M, Liu L, Wang C, Zhang Y, Zhang J. The Complement System: A Potential Therapeutic Target in Liver Cancer. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12101532. [PMID: 36294966 PMCID: PMC9604633 DOI: 10.3390/life12101532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the fourth most fatal cancer in the world. Immunotherapy has already achieved modest results in the treatment of liver cancer. Meanwhile, the novel and optimal combinatorial strategies need further research. The complement system, which consists of mediators, receptors, cofactors and regulators, acts as the connection between innate and adaptive immunity. Recent studies demonstrate that complement system can influence tumor progression by regulating the tumor microenvironment, tumor cells, and cancer stem cells in liver cancer. Our review concentrates on the potential role of the complement system in cancer treatment, which is a promising strategy for killing tumor cells by the activation of complement components. Conclusions: Our review demonstrates that complement components and regulators might function as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for liver cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Yuan
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Li Liu
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Chenlin Wang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jiandong Zhang
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
- Correspondence: (Y.Z.); (J.Z.)
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32
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Zhou Z, Hu Y, Wu Y, Qi Q, Wang J, Chen L, Wang F. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma-current situation and outlook. Mol Immunol 2022; 151:218-30. [PMID: 36179604 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most severe malignant tumors that threaten human health, and its incidence is still on the rise recently. In spite of the current emerging treatment strategies, the overall prognosis of liver cancer remains worrying. Currently, immunotherapy has become a new research-active spot. The emergence of immune checkpoints and targeted immune cell therapy can significantly improve the prognosis of HCC. To a large extent, the effect of this immunotherapy depends on the tumor immune microenvironment (TME), an intricate system in which cancer cells and other non-cancer cells display various interactions. Understanding the immunosuppressive situation of these cells, along with the malignant behavior of cancer cells, can assist us to design new therapeutic approaches against tumors. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the TME of HCC for further improvement of clinical treatment. This review discussed the functions of several immunosuppressive cells and exosomes in the latest research progress of HCC, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) interacted actively to facilitate tumor progression. It further describes the treatment methods targeting them and the potential that needs to be explored in the future.
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33
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Wang JC, Chen DP, Lu SX, Chen JB, Wei Y, Liu XC, Tang YH, Zhang R, Chen JC, Kan A, Xu L, Zhang YJ, Hou J, Kuang DM, Chen MS, Zhou ZG. PIM2 Expression Induced by Proinflammatory Macrophages Suppresses Immunotherapy Efficacy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2022; 82:3307-3320. [PMID: 35802648 PMCID: PMC9478531 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-3899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy restores or enhances the effector function of T cells in the tumor microenvironment, but the efficacy of immunotherapy has been hindered by therapeutic resistance. Here, we identify the proto-oncogene serine/threonine protein kinase PIM2 as a novel negative feedback regulator of IFNγ-elicited tumor inflammation, thus endowing cancer cells with aggressive features. Mechanistically, IL1β derived from IFNγ-polarized tumor macrophages triggered PIM2 expression in cancer cells via the p38 MAPK/Erk and NF-κB signaling pathways. PIM2+ cancer cells generated by proinflammatory macrophages acquired the capability to survive, metastasize, and resist T-cell cytotoxicity and immunotherapy. A therapeutic strategy combining immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with IL1β blockade or PIM2 kinase inhibition in vivo effectively and successfully elicited tumor regression. These results provide insight into the regulatory and functional features of PIM2+ tumors and suggest that strategies to influence the functional activities of inflammatory cells or PIM2 kinase may improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE Cross-talk between T cells and macrophages regulates cancer cell PIM2 expression to promote cancer aggressiveness, revealing translational approaches to improve response to ICB in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Liver surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Ping Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Xun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Bin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Liver surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Wei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xue-Chao Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Hao Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Liver surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Rongxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Colorectal Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jian-Cong Chen
- Department of Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Anna Kan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Liver surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Liver surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yao-Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Liver surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Jiajie Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Liver surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Ming Kuang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,Corresponding Authors: Zhong-Guo Zhou, Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou 510060, China. Phone: 8620-8734-3585; Fax: 8620-8734-3585; E-mail: ; Min-Shan Chen, E-mail: ; Dong-Ming Kuang, E-mail:
| | - Min-Shan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Liver surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,Corresponding Authors: Zhong-Guo Zhou, Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou 510060, China. Phone: 8620-8734-3585; Fax: 8620-8734-3585; E-mail: ; Min-Shan Chen, E-mail: ; Dong-Ming Kuang, E-mail:
| | - Zhong-Guo Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Department of Liver surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P.R. China.,Corresponding Authors: Zhong-Guo Zhou, Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou 510060, China. Phone: 8620-8734-3585; Fax: 8620-8734-3585; E-mail: ; Min-Shan Chen, E-mail: ; Dong-Ming Kuang, E-mail:
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34
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Guo S, Wang X, Zhou H, Gao Y, Wang P, Zhi H, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Gan J, Xiao Y, Ning S. PD-L1-Mediated Immunosuppression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Relationship with Macrophages Infiltration and Inflammatory Response Activity. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1226. [PMID: 36139065 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune dysfunction and pro-oncogenic inflammation play critical roles in malignant progression and non-response to immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In particular, PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy could induce durable tumor remissions and improve the prognosis of patients to a certain extent. However, PD-L1, as a promising biomarker, has limited knowledge about its relevance to tumor microenvironment (TME) characterization and endogenous inflammatory immune responses. In this study, we systematically investigated and characterized the important intercommunication of PD-L1 with immunosuppressive TME and inflammatory response activity in HCC and predicted promising therapeutic drugs to improve the current therapeutic strategy for specific patients. We identified aberrant expression patterns of PD-L1 in HCC and completely different clinical and molecular characteristics among the PD-L1 subgroups. PD-L1 positively associated with immunosuppressive macrophages and macrophage-derived cytokines, which may contribute to the polarization of macrophages. Moreover, inflammatory response activity exhibited significant differences between high and low PD-L1 expression groups and had robust positive correlativity of the infiltration level of tumor-associated macrophages. Notably, given the immunosuppressive and inflammatory microenvironment in HCC, we screened four candidate drugs, including dasatinib, vemurafenib, topotecan and AZD6482, and corroborated in two pharmacogenomics databases, which might have potential therapeutic implications in specific HCC patients. Our results enhanced the understanding of linkage in PD-L1 expression patterns with macrophages and inflammation, which may provide new insight into the pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.
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Long S, Chen Y, Wang Y, Yao Y, Xiao S, Fu K. Identification of Ferroptosis-related molecular model and immune subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma for individual therapy. Cancer Med 2022; 12:2134-2147. [PMID: 35841206 PMCID: PMC9883587 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Excessive iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation are primary characteristics of ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Ferroptosis inducer combined with immunotherapy has become a new hope for HCC patients. Therefore, the construction and validation of subtype-specific sensitivity to ferroptosis inducer will be helpful for hierarchical management and precise individual therapy. METHODS RNA-seq transcriptome and clinical data of HCC patients were extracted from International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) dataset and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Consistency matrix and data clustering of the both cohorts were constructed by 'ConsensusClusterPlus' package. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) analysis was performed to evaluate immune infiltration. Cox analysis was utilized to construct a ferroptosis phenotype-related prognostic model (FRPM) in HCC. The predictive efficiency of the constructed FRPM was evaluated through Kaplan Meier (K-M) survival analyses and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. The expression levels of candidate genes were detected and validated by Real-Time PCR between liver cancer tissues and adjacent non-tumor liver tissues. RESULTS 45 differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) were identified between HCC tissues and non-tumor liver tissues. Furthermore, four ferroptosis-associated clusters (FACs) of HCC were established via consensus clustering. Subsequently, we established a FRPM, consisting of four prognostic genes (SLC7A11, SLC1A5, GCLM and SAT1), to evaluate the survival of HCC patients, based on which, patients were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group. The high-risk group exhibited worse survival compared to low-risk group (p < 0.0001 both in TCGA and ICGC cohorts). Patients belong to different FACs or different risk scores showed distinct clinical characteristics. Moreover, in the validation experiment, the transcriptional expression levels of the four prognostic genes were consistent with the results drew from datasets. CONCLUSION We revealed a novel FRGs signature, which may provide the molecular characteristic data for effectively prognostic evaluation and potential personalized therapy for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shichao Long
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Molecular Precision Medicine and Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision MedicineXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Yuqiao Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Molecular Precision Medicine and Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision MedicineXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Ya Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Molecular Precision Medicine and Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision MedicineXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Yuanbing Yao
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Molecular Precision Medicine and Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision MedicineXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Shuai Xiao
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Oncology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South ChinaHengyangHunanChina
| | - Kai Fu
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of Molecular Precision Medicine and Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision MedicineXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina,Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life SciencesCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina,Hunan Key Laboratory of Animal Models for Human DiseasesCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersChangshaHunanChina,Hunan Key Laboratory of Aging BiologyXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
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Zhang Z, Shang J, Hu B, Shi H, Cao Y, Li J, Jiao T, Zhang W, Lu S. Prognosis and Tumour Immune Microenvironment of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma by a Novel Pyroptosis-Related lncRNA Signature. Front Immunol 2022; 13:836576. [PMID: 35812396 PMCID: PMC9263208 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.836576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common subtype of liver cancer. However, the survival rate of patients with HCC continues to be poor. The recent literature has revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the occurrence of pyroptosis can perform a substantial task in predicting the prognosis of the respective condition along with the response to immunotherapy among HCC patients. Thus, screening and identifying lncRNAs corelated with pyroptosis in HCC patients are critical. In the current study, pyroptosis-related lncRNAs (PR-lncRNAs) have been obtained by co-expression analysis. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and univariate and multivariate Cox regression assessments have been performed to develop a PR-lncRNA prognostic model. The risk model was analysed using Kaplan–Meier analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), functional enrichment annotation, and a nomogram. The risk model composed of five PR-lncRNAs was identified as an independent prognostic factor. The tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) was assessed using model groupings. Finally, we validated the five PR-lncRNAs in vitro using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Zhang
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Shang
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
| | - Bingyang Hu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Huizhong Shi
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yinbiao Cao
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Junfeng Li
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Jiao
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Shichun Lu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Shichun Lu,
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Chan SL, Schuler M, Kang YK, Yen CJ, Edeline J, Choo SP, Lin CC, Okusaka T, Weiss KH, Macarulla T, Cattan S, Blanc JF, Lee KH, Maur M, Pant S, Kudo M, Assenat E, Zhu AX, Yau T, Lim HY, Bruix J, Geier A, Guillén-Ponce C, Fasolo A, Finn RS, Fan J, Vogel A, Qin S, Riester M, Katsanou V, Chaudhari M, Kakizume T, Gu Y, Porta DG, Myers A, Delord JP. A first-in-human phase 1/2 study of FGF401 and combination of FGF401 with spartalizumab in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or biomarker-selected solid tumors. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:189. [PMID: 35655320 PMCID: PMC9161616 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02383-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deregulation of FGF19-FGFR4 signaling is found in several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), nominating it for therapeutic targeting. FGF401 is a potent, selective FGFR4 inhibitor with antitumor activity in preclinical models. This study was designed to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), characterize PK/PD, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of FGF401 alone and combined with the anti-PD-1 antibody, spartalizumab. METHODS Patients with HCC or other FGFR4/KLB expressing tumors were enrolled. Dose-escalation was guided by a Bayesian model. Phase 2 dose-expansion enrolled patients with HCC from Asian countries (group1), non-Asian countries (group2), and patients with other solid tumors expressing FGFR4 and KLB (group3). FGF401 and spartalizumab combination was evaluated in patients with HCC. RESULTS Seventy-four patients were treated in the phase I with single-agent FGF401 at 50 to 150 mg. FGF401 displayed favorable PK characteristics and no food effect when dosed with low-fat meals. The RP2D was established as 120 mg qd. Six of 70 patients experienced grade 3 dose-limiting toxicities: increase in transaminases (n = 4) or blood bilirubin (n = 2). In phase 2, 30 patients in group 1, 36 in group 2, and 20 in group 3 received FGF401. In total, 8 patients experienced objective responses (1 CR, 7 PR; 4 each in phase I and phase II, respectively). Frequent adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea (73.8%), increased AST (47.5%), and ALT (43.8%). Increase in levels of C4, total bile acid, and circulating FGF19, confirmed effective FGFR4 inhibition. Twelve patients received FGF401 plus spartalizumab. RP2D was established as FGF401 120 mg qd and spartalizumab 300 mg Q3W; 2 patients reported PR. CONCLUSIONS At biologically active doses, FGF401 alone or combined with spartalizumab was safe in patients with FGFR4/KLB-positive tumors including HCC. Preliminary clinical efficacy was observed. Further clinical evaluation of FGF401 using a refined biomarker strategy is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02325739 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Department of Clinical Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Martin Schuler
- West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Germany & German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner site University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yoon-Koo Kang
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chia-Jui Yen
- Department of Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Julien Edeline
- Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France and ARPEGO (Accès à La Recherche Précoce Dans Le Grand-Ouest) Network, Rennes, France
| | - Su Pin Choo
- National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chia-Chi Lin
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | | | - Teresa Macarulla
- Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), IOB Quirón, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Kyung-Hun Lee
- Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | | | | | - Eric Assenat
- Hôpital Saint-Eloi Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Andrew X Zhu
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Jiahui International Cancer Center, Jiahui Health, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Jordi Bruix
- Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERehd, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Jia Fan
- Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Shukui Qin
- No. 81th PLA Hospital Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Markus Riester
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Yi Gu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Andrea Myers
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA
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Green CD, Weigel C, Brown RDR, Bedossa P, Dozmorov M, Sanyal AJ, Spiegel S. A new preclinical model of western diet-induced progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22372. [PMID: 35639028 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200346r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) results from the accumulation of excessive liver lipids leading to hepatocellular injury, inflammation, and fibrosis that greatly increase the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the well-characterized clinical and histological pathology for NASH-driven HCC in humans, its etiology remains unclear and there is a deficiency in pre-clinical models that recapitulate the progression of the human disease. Therefore, we developed a new mouse model amenable to genetic manipulations and gene targeting that mimics the gradual NASH to HCC progression observed in humans. C57BL/6NJ mice were fed a Western high-fat diet and sugar water (HFD/SW) and monitored for effects on metabolism, liver histology, tumor development, and liver transcriptome for up to 54 weeks. Chronic HFD/SW feeding led to significantly increased weight gain, serum and liver lipid levels, liver injury, and glucose intolerance. Hepatic pathology progressed and mice developed hepatocellular ballooning, inflammation, and worse fibrosis was apparent at 16 weeks, greatly increased through 32 weeks, and remained elevated at 54 weeks. Importantly, hepatocellular cancer spontaneously developed in 75% of mice on HFD/SW, half of which were HCC, whereas none of the mice on the chow diet developed HCC. Chronic HFD/SW induced molecular markers of de novo lipogenesis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and accumulation of p62, all of which also participate in the human pathology. Moreover, transcriptome analysis revealed activation of HCC-related genes and signatures associated with poor prognosis of human HCC. Overall, we have identified a new preclinical model that recapitulates known hallmarks of NASH-driven HCC that can be utilized for future molecular mechanistic studies of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Green
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Cynthia Weigel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Ryan D R Brown
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Pierre Bedossa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA.,Liverpat, Paris, France
| | - Mikhail Dozmorov
- Departments of Biostatistics and Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Arun J Sanyal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Sarah Spiegel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Wang T, Dang N, Tang G, Li Z, Li X, Shi B, Xu Z, Li L, Yang X, Xu C, Ye K. Integrating bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing reveals cellular heterogeneity and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:2195-2213. [PMID: 35124891 PMCID: PMC9168757 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficacy of immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is blocked by its high degree of inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. However, the correlation between tumor heterogeneity and immunosuppressive microenvironment in HCC has not been well addressed. Here, we endeavored to dissect inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity in HCC and uncover how they contribute to the immunosuppressive microenvironment. We performed consensus molecular subtyping with non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering to stratify the inter-heterogeneity profile of HCC tumors. We grouped HCC tumors from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) patients into three subtypes (S1, S2 and S3), where S1 was characterized as a 'hot tumor' profile with high expression level of T cell genes and rate of immune scores. S2 was characterized as a 'cold tumor' profile with the highest tumor purity score, and S3 as an 'immunosuppressed tumor' profile with the poorest prognosis and a high expression level of immunosuppressive genes such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4, TIGIT, and PDCD1. Moreover, we combined weighted gene co-expression network analysis and single-cell regulatory network inference and clustering (SCENIC) in the single-cell dataset of the S3-like subtype (CS3) and identified a transcription factor, BATF, which could upregulate immunosuppressive genes. Finally, we identified a cell interaction network in which a myeloid-derived suppressor cell-like macrophage subtype could promote the formation of immunosuppressive T-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingjie Wang
- School of Automation Science and EngineeringFaculty of Electronic and Information EngineeringXi’an Jiaotong UniversityChina
| | - Ningxin Dang
- Genome InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityChina
| | - Guangbo Tang
- School of Life Science and TechnologyXi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an, ShaanxiChina
| | - Zihang Li
- School of Life Science and TechnologyXi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an, ShaanxiChina
| | - Xiujuan Li
- School of Automation Science and EngineeringFaculty of Electronic and Information EngineeringXi’an Jiaotong UniversityChina
| | - Bingyin Shi
- Department of EndocrinologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityChina
| | - Zhong Xu
- Guizhou Provincial People's HospitalGuiyangChina
| | - Lei Li
- School of PharmacyTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Xiaofei Yang
- Genome InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityChina
- School of Computer Science and TechnologyFaculty of Electronic and Information EngineeringXi’an Jiaotong UniversityChina
| | - Chuanrui Xu
- School of PharmacyTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Kai Ye
- School of Automation Science and EngineeringFaculty of Electronic and Information EngineeringXi’an Jiaotong UniversityChina
- Genome InstituteThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityChina
- School of Life Science and TechnologyXi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an, ShaanxiChina
- Faculty of ScienceLeiden UniversityThe Netherlands
- MOE Key Lab for Intelligent Networks & Networks SecurityFaculty of Electronic and Information EngineeringXi’an Jiaotong UniversityChina
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Heinrich B, Gertz EM, Schäffer AA, Craig AJ, Ruf B, Subramanyam V, McVey JC, Diggs LP, Heinrich S, Rosato U, Ma C, Yan C, Hu Y, Zhao Y, Shen TW, Kapoor V, Telford W, Kleiner D, Stovroff MK, Dhani HS, Kang J, Fishbein TM, Wang XW, Ruppin E, Kroemer A, Greten TF, Korangy F. The tumour microenvironment shapes innate lymphoid cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Gut 2022; 71:1161-1175. [PMID: 34340996 PMCID: PMC8807808 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-325288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a typical inflammation-associated cancer. Tissue resident innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been suggested to control tumour surveillance. Here, we studied how the local cytokine milieu controls ILCs in HCC. DESIGN We performed bulk RNA sequencing of HCC tissue as well as flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing of enriched ILCs from non-tumour liver, margin and tumour core derived from 48 patients with HCC. Simultaneous measurement of protein and RNA expression at the single-cell level (AbSeq) identified precise signatures of ILC subgroups. In vitro culturing of ILCs was used to validate findings from in silico analysis. Analysis of RNA-sequencing data from large HCC cohorts allowed stratification and survival analysis based on transcriptomic signatures. RESULTS RNA sequencing of tumour, non-tumour and margin identified tumour-dependent gradients, which were associated with poor survival and control of ILC plasticity. Single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytometry of ILCs from HCC livers identified natural killer (NK)-like cells in the non-tumour tissue, losing their cytotoxic profile as they transitioned into tumour ILC1 and NK-like-ILC3 cells. Tumour ILC composition was mediated by cytokine gradients that directed ILC plasticity towards activated tumour ILC2s. This was liver-specific and not seen in ILCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Patients with high ILC2/ILC1 ratio expressed interleukin-33 in the tumour that promoted ILC2 generation, which was associated with better survival. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the tumour cytokine milieu controls ILC composition and HCC outcome. Specific changes of cytokines modify ILC composition in the tumour by inducing plasticity and alter ILC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Heinrich
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - E. Michael Gertz
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Alejandro A. Schäffer
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Amanda J. Craig
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Benjamin Ruf
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Varun Subramanyam
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - John C. McVey
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Laurence P. Diggs
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Sophia Heinrich
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Umberto Rosato
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Chi Ma
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Chunhua Yan
- The Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20950, USA
| | - Ying Hu
- The Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20950, USA
| | - Yongmei Zhao
- CCR-SF Bioinformatics Group, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21701, USA
| | - Tsai-Wei Shen
- CCR-SF Bioinformatics Group, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21701, USA
| | - Veena Kapoor
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunotherapy Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - William Telford
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunotherapy Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - David Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Merril K. Stovroff
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and the Center for Translational Transplant Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Harmeet S. Dhani
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and the Center for Translational Transplant Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Jiman Kang
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and the Center for Translational Transplant Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Thomas M. Fishbein
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and the Center for Translational Transplant Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Xin W. Wang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- NCI CCR Liver Cancer Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Cancer Data Science Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Alexander Kroemer
- MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and the Center for Translational Transplant Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Tim F. Greten
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
- NCI CCR Liver Cancer Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Firouzeh Korangy
- Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
- Lead Contact
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Yao M, Yang JL, Wang DF, Wang L, Chen Y, Yao DF. Encouraging specific biomarkers-based therapeutic strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:3321-3333. [PMID: 35611205 PMCID: PMC9048543 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i11.3321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevention, early discovery and effective treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain a global medical challenge. At present, HCC is still mainly treated by surgery, supplemented by vascular embolization, radio frequency, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biotherapy. The application of multikinase inhibitor sorafenib, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, or PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors can prolong the median survival of HCC patients. However, the treatment efficacy is still unsatisfactory due to HCC metastasis and postoperative recurrence. During the process of hepatocyte malignant transformation, HCC tissues can express and secrete many types of specific biomarkers, or oncogenic antigen molecules into blood, for example, alpha-fetoprotein, glypican-3, Wnt3a (one of the key signaling molecules in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II or IGF-I receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor, secretory clusterin and so on. In addition, combining immunotherapy with non-coding RNAs might improve anti-cancer efficacy. These biomarkers not only contribute to HCC diagnosis or prognosis, but may also become molecular targets for HCC therapy under developing or clinical trials. This article reviews the progress in emerging biomarkers in basic research or clinical trials for HCC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine & Department of Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jun-Ling Yang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - De-Feng Wang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Medical Informatics, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Second Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Deng-Fu Yao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
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42
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Ning WR, Jiang D, Liu XC, Huang YF, Peng ZP, Jiang ZZ, Kang T, Zhuang SM, Wu Y, Zheng L. Carbonic anhydrase XII mediates the survival and prometastatic functions of macrophages in human hepatocellular carcinoma. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:153110. [PMID: 35362480 PMCID: PMC8970669 DOI: 10.1172/jci153110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages constitute a major immune component in tumor tissues, but how these cells adapt to and survive in the nutrient-depleted and lactic acid–induced acidic tumor microenvironments is not yet fully understood. Here, we found that levels of carbonic anhydrase XII (CA12) expression were significantly and selectively upregulated on macrophages in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transient glycolytic activation of peritumoral monocytes induced sustained expression of CA12 on tumor-infiltrating macrophages via autocrine cytokines and HIF1α pathways. On the one hand, CA12 mediated the survival of macrophages in relatively acidic tumor microenvironments, while on the other hand, it induced macrophage production of large amounts of C-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CCL8), which enhanced cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and facilitated tumor metastasis. Consistently, the accumulation of CA12+ macrophages in tumor tissues was associated with increased tumor metastatic potential and reduced survival of patients with HCC. Selective targeting of tumor-infiltrating macrophages with a CA12 inhibitor reduced tumor growth in mice and was sufficient to synergistically enhance the therapeutic efficacy of immune-checkpoint blockade. We suggest that CA12 activity is a previously unappreciated mechanism regulating the accumulation and functions of macrophages in tumor microenvironments and therefore represents a selective vulnerability that could be exploited in future designs for antitumor immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Ru Ning
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Da Jiang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing-Chen Liu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Fan Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Peng Peng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ze-Zhou Jiang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tiebang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Mei Zhuang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Limin Zheng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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43
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Nguyen PHD, Wasser M, Tan CT, Lim CJ, Lai HLH, Seow JJW, DasGupta R, Phua CZJ, Ma S, Yang J, Suthen SD, Tam WL, Lim TKH, Yeong J, Leow WQ, Pang YH, Soon G, Loh TJ, Wan WK, Chan CY, Cheow PC, Toh HC, Kow A, Dan YY, Kam JH, Iyer S, Madhavan K, Chung A, Bonney GK, Goh BKP, Fu N, Yu VC, Zhai W, Albani S, Chow PKH, Chew V. Trajectory of immune evasion and cancer progression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1441. [PMID: 35301339 PMCID: PMC8931110 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29122-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune evasion is key to cancer initiation and later at metastasis, but its dynamics at intermediate stages, where potential therapeutic interventions could be applied, is undefined. Here we show, using multi-dimensional analyses of resected tumours, their adjacent non-tumour tissues and peripheral blood, that extensive immune remodelling takes place in patients with stage I to III hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We demonstrate the depletion of anti-tumoural immune subsets and accumulation of immunosuppressive or exhausted subsets along with reduced tumour infiltration of CD8 T cells peaking at stage II tumours. Corresponding transcriptomic modification occur in the genes related to antigen presentation, immune responses, and chemotaxis. The progressive immune evasion is validated in a murine model of HCC. Our results show evidence of ongoing tumour-immune co-evolution during HCC progression and offer insights into potential interventions to reverse, prevent or limit the progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong H D Nguyen
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Martin Wasser
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, 169856, Singapore.,Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Chong Teik Tan
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117559, Singapore
| | - Chun Jye Lim
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Hannah L H Lai
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Justine Jia Wen Seow
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Ramanuj DasGupta
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Cheryl Z J Phua
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Siming Ma
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Jicheng Yang
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Sheena D/O Suthen
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Wai Leong Tam
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138672, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117596, Singapore
| | - Tony K H Lim
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Joe Yeong
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169856, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Wei Qiang Leow
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Yin Huei Pang
- Department of Pathology, National University Hospital, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Gwyneth Soon
- Department of Pathology, National University Hospital, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Tracy Jiezhen Loh
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Wei Keat Wan
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169856, Singapore
| | - Chung Yip Chan
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Peng Chung Cheow
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Han Chong Toh
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Alfred Kow
- Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Juinn Huar Kam
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Shridhar Iyer
- Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Krishnakumar Madhavan
- Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Alexander Chung
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Glenn K Bonney
- Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| | - Brian K P Goh
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.,Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Naiyang Fu
- Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Victor C Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117559, Singapore
| | - Weiwei Zhai
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138672, Singapore.,Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100107, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunan, 650223, China
| | - Salvatore Albani
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, 169856, Singapore. .,Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.
| | - Pierce K H Chow
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, 169608, Singapore. .,Academic Clinical Programme for Surgery, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC), Singapore, 169857, Singapore.
| | - Valerie Chew
- Translational Immunology Institute (TII), SingHealth-DukeNUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, 169856, Singapore. .,Duke-Nus Medical School, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.
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Llovet JM, Castet F, Heikenwalder M, Maini MK, Mazzaferro V, Pinato DJ, Pikarsky E, Zhu AX, Finn RS. Immunotherapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:151-72. [PMID: 34764464 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00573-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 558] [Impact Index Per Article: 279.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver cancer, more specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the second leading cause of cancer-related death and its incidence is increasing globally. Around 50% of patients with HCC receive systemic therapies, traditionally sorafenib or lenvatinib in the first line and regorafenib, cabozantinib or ramucirumab in the second line. In the past 5 years, immune-checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the management of HCC. The combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab has been shown to improve overall survival relative to sorafenib, resulting in FDA approval of this regimen. More recently, durvalumab plus tremelimumab yielded superior overall survival versus sorafenib and atezolizumab plus cabozantinib yielded superior progression-free survival. In addition, pembrolizumab monotherapy and the combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab have received FDA Accelerated Approval in the second-line setting based on early efficacy data. Despite these major advances, the molecular underpinnings governing immune responses and evasion remain unclear. The immune microenvironment has crucial roles in the development and progression of HCC and distinct aetiology-dependent immune features have been defined. Inflamed and non-inflamed classes of HCC and genomic signatures have been associated with response to immune-checkpoint inhibitors, yet no validated biomarker is available to guide clinical decision-making. This Review provides information on the immune microenvironments underlying the response or resistance of HCC to immunotherapies. In addition, current evidence from phase III trials on the efficacy, immune-related adverse events and aetiology-dependent mechanisms of response are described. Finally, we discuss emerging trials assessing immunotherapies across all stages of HCC that might change the management of this disease in the near future.
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45
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Desjonqueres E, Campani C, Marra F, Zucman-Rossi J, Nault JC. Preneoplastic lesions in the liver: Molecular insights and relevance for clinical practice. Liver Int 2022; 42:492-506. [PMID: 34982503 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are the most frequent primary liver cancers, accounting for approximately 80% and 15%, respectively. HCC carcinogenesis occurs mostly in cirrhosis and is a complex multi-step process, from precancerous lesions (low-grade and high-grade dysplastic nodules) to progressed HCC. During the different stages of liver carcinogenesis, there is an accumulation of pathological, genetic and epigenetic changes leading to initiation, malignant transformation and finally tumour progression. In contrast, a small subset of HCC occurs in normal liver from the transformation of hepatocellular adenoma (HCA), a benign hepatocellular tumour. The recent molecular classification enables to stratify HCAs according to their risk of complication, in particular malignant transformation, associated with mutations in exon 3 of the catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) gene. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) derives from the multistep malignant transformation of preneoplastic lesions, like biliary intraepithelial neoplasia (BilIN) and intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB), for which a pre-operative diagnosis remains difficult. Different genetic alterations are involved in BilIN and IPNB progression, leading to the development of tubular or intestinal adenocarcinoma. The aims of this review are to describe the main clinical and molecular features of preneoplastic lesions leading to the development of HCC and CCA, their implications in clinical practice and the perspectives for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvire Desjonqueres
- Service d'hépatologie, Hôpital Avicenne, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Bobigny, France.,Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé Médecine et Biologie Humaine, Université Paris 13, Communauté d'Universités et Etablissements Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, team « Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors », Paris, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Labex OncoImmunology, Paris, France
| | - Claudia Campani
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé Médecine et Biologie Humaine, Université Paris 13, Communauté d'Universités et Etablissements Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, team « Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors », Paris, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Labex OncoImmunology, Paris, France.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Marra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, team « Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors », Paris, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Labex OncoImmunology, Paris, France.,Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Charles Nault
- Service d'hépatologie, Hôpital Avicenne, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Seine-Saint-Denis, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Bobigny, France.,Unité de Formation et de Recherche Santé Médecine et Biologie Humaine, Université Paris 13, Communauté d'Universités et Etablissements Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université de Paris, team « Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors », Paris, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, Labex OncoImmunology, Paris, France
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46
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Huang X, Hu H, Liu J, Zhang X, Jiang Y, Lv L, Du S. Immune Analysis and Small Molecule Drug Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Single Sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. Cell Biochem Biophys 2022; 80:427-434. [PMID: 35195822 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-022-01070-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Though patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) benefit from the treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICB), it is still of vital significance to develop more effective drugs and predict patients' response to ICB therapy. Herein, we utilized single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to score the downloaded tumor samples from TCGA-LIHC based on 29 immune gene sets, thus reflecting the immunologic competence of samples. Then samples were classified into high, moderate, and low immunity groups. Additionally, we utilized survival analysis and ESTIMATE score to verify the reliability of the immunity grouping. We then performed differential expression analysis on the samples in these two groups and obtained 716 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Next, the DEGs mentioned above were subjected to GO and KEGG analyses. The outcomes demonstrated that these DEGs were mostly correlated with the immune-related biological functions. To further verify biological processes in which DEGs might be involved, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network. Afterward, we used MCODE plugin to conduct subnetwork analysis. Thereafter, KEGG enrichment analysis was performed on two genes with the highest score in the subnetwork. The results exhibited that these genes were gathered in pathways such as Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation and NF-κB. Finally, we utilized Connectivity Map to find possible drugs for the treatment of HCC and obtained complex methyl-angolensate. The above results may contribute to distinguishing HCC patients who are eligible for immunotherapy and providing the foundations for the development of therapeutic drugs for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghua Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of People's Liberation Army, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, P. R. China
| | - Huanzhang Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, P. R. China
| | - Jianyong Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojin Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, P. R. China
| | - Yi Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, P. R. China
| | - Lizhi Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, P. R. China
| | - Suming Du
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of People's Liberation Army, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350025, P. R. China.
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47
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McVey JC, Green BL, Ruf B, McCallen JD, Wabitsch S, Subramanyam V, Diggs LP, Heinrich B, Greten TF, Ma C. NAFLD indirectly impairs antigen-specific CD8 + T cell immunity against liver cancer in mice. iScience 2022; 25:103847. [PMID: 35198900 PMCID: PMC8844694 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become an important etiology leading to liver cancer. NAFLD alters adaptive T cell immunity and has a profound influence on liver cancer development. However, it is unclear how NAFLD affects tumor antigen-specific T cell response. In this study, we generated a doxycycline-inducible MHC-I and -II antigen-expressing HCC cell line which allowed us to investigate tumor antigen-specific T cell response in two NAFLD mouse models. The system proved to be an effective and efficient way to study tumor antigen-specific T cells. Using this model, it was found that NAFLD impairs antigen-specific CD8+ T cell immunity against HCC. The effect was not due to reduced generation or intrinsic functional changes of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells but caused by accumulated macrophages in the liver environment. The findings suggest that targeting macrophages in NAFLD-driven HCC may improve therapeutic outcomes. The creation of a novel doxycycline-inducible antigen presenting HCC mouse model Diet and genetic NAFLD mice have impaired TAS CD8 T cell response to HCC NAFLD does not change the intrinsic function of TAS CD8 T cells Depletion of macrophages reverses the immunosuppressive environment in NAFLD mice
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Affiliation(s)
- John C McVey
- Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, TGMB NIH/NCI/CCR Building 10 Rm 3B44 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin L Green
- Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, TGMB NIH/NCI/CCR Building 10 Rm 3B44 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Surgical Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin Ruf
- Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, TGMB NIH/NCI/CCR Building 10 Rm 3B44 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Justin D McCallen
- Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, TGMB NIH/NCI/CCR Building 10 Rm 3B44 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Simon Wabitsch
- Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, TGMB NIH/NCI/CCR Building 10 Rm 3B44 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Varun Subramanyam
- Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, TGMB NIH/NCI/CCR Building 10 Rm 3B44 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Laurence P Diggs
- Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, TGMB NIH/NCI/CCR Building 10 Rm 3B44 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Bernd Heinrich
- Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, TGMB NIH/NCI/CCR Building 10 Rm 3B44 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, TGMB NIH/NCI/CCR Building 10 Rm 3B44 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA.,NCI CCR Liver Cancer Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Chi Ma
- Gastrointestinal and Thoracic Malignancy Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, TGMB NIH/NCI/CCR Building 10 Rm 3B44 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Khaled J, Kopsida M, Lennernäs H, Heindryckx F. Drug Resistance and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cells 2022; 11:632. [PMID: 35203283 PMCID: PMC8870354 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. It is usually diagnosed in an advanced stage and is characterized by a high intrinsic drug resistance, leading to limited chemotherapeutic efficacy and relapse after treatment. There is therefore a vast need for understanding underlying mechanisms that contribute to drug resistance and for developing therapeutic strategies that would overcome this. The rapid proliferation of tumor cells, in combination with a highly inflammatory microenvironment, causes a chronic increase of protein synthesis in different hepatic cell populations. This leads to an intensified demand of protein folding, which inevitably causes an accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This process is called ER stress and triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR) in order to restore protein synthesis or—in the case of severe or prolonged ER stress—to induce cell death. Interestingly, the three different arms of the ER stress signaling pathways have been shown to drive chemoresistance in several tumors and could therefore form a promising therapeutic target. This review provides an overview of how ER stress and activation of the UPR contributes to drug resistance in HCC.
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Kaibori M, Sakai K, Matsushima H, Kosaka H, Matsui K, De Velasco MA, Sekimoto M, Nishio K. Patients with polyclonal hepatocellular carcinoma are at a high risk of early recurrence and have a poor recurrence-free survival period. Hepatol Int 2022; 16:135-147. [PMID: 34973129 PMCID: PMC8843910 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-021-10278-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background/purpose of the study Tumor heterogeneity based on copy number variations is associated with the evolution of cancer and its clinical grade. Clonal composition (CC) represents the number of clones based on the distribution of B-allele frequency (BAF) obtained from a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. A higher CC number represents a high degree of heterogeneity. We hypothesized and evaluated that the CC number in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues might be associated with the clinical outcomes of patients. Methods Somatic mutation, whole transcriptome, and CC number based on copy number variations of 36 frozen tissue samples of operably resected HCC tissues were analyzed by targeted deep sequencing, transcriptome analysis, and SNP array. Results The samples were classified into the heterogeneous tumors as poly-CC (n = 26) and the homogeneous tumors as mono-CC (n = 8). The patients with poly-CC had a higher rate of early recurrence and a significantly shorter recurrence-free survival period than the mono-CC patients (7.0 months vs. not reached, p = 0.0084). No differences in pathogenic non-synonymous mutations, such as TP53, were observed between the two groups when targeted deep sequencing was applied. A transcriptome analysis showed that cell cycle-related pathways were enriched in the poly-CC tumors, compared to the mono-CC tumors. Poly-CC HCC is highly proliferative and has a high risk of early recurrence. Conclusion CC is a possible candidate biomarker for predicting the risk of early postoperative recurrence and warrants further investigation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12072-021-10278-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Kaibori
- Department of Surgery, Hirakata Hospital, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuko Sakai
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Matsushima
- Department of Surgery, Hirakata Hospital, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hisashi Kosaka
- Department of Surgery, Hirakata Hospital, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kosuke Matsui
- Department of Surgery, Hirakata Hospital, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan
| | - Marco A De Velasco
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Mitsugu Sekimoto
- Department of Surgery, Hirakata Hospital, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuto Nishio
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan.
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Argemi J, Ponz-Sarvise M, Sangro B. Immunotherapies for hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Current and developing strategies. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:367-413. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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