1
|
Duan W, Yang L, Liu J, Dai Z, Wang Z, Zhang H, Zhang X, Liang X, Luo P, Zhang J, Liu Z, Zhang N, Mo H, Qu C, Xia Z, Cheng Q. A TGF-β signaling-related lncRNA signature for prediction of glioma prognosis, immune microenvironment, and immunotherapy response. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14489. [PMID: 37850692 PMCID: PMC11017415 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The dysregulation of TGF-β signaling is a crucial pathophysiological process in tumorigenesis and progression. LncRNAs have diverse biological functions and are significant participants in the regulation of tumor signaling pathways. However, the clinical value of lncRNAs related to TGF-β signaling in glioma is currently unclear. METHODS Data on glioma's RNA-seq transcriptome, somatic mutation, DNA methylation data, and clinicopathological information were derived from the CGGA and TCGA databases. A prognostic lncRNA signature was constructed by Cox and LASSO regression analyses. TIMER2.0 database was utilized to deduce immune infiltration characteristics. "ELMER v.2" was used to reconstruct TF-methylation-gene regulatory network. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy response predictions were implemented by the TIDE algorithm and GDSC database, respectively. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to verify the results and clarify the regulatory mechanism of lncRNA. RESULTS In glioma, a TGF-β signaling-related 15-lncRNA signature was constructed, including AC010173.1, HOXA-AS2, AC074286.1, AL592424.1, DRAIC, HOXC13-AS, AC007938.1, AC010729.1, AC013472.3, AC093895.1, AC131097.4, AL606970.4, HOXC-AS1, AGAP2-AS1, and AC002456.1. This signature proved to be a reliable prognostic tool, with high risk indicating an unfavorable prognosis and being linked to malignant clinicopathological and genomic mutation traits. Risk levels were associated with different immune infiltration landscapes, where high risk was indicative of high levels of macrophage infiltration. In addition, high risk also suggested better immunotherapy and chemotherapy response. cg05987823 was an important methylation site in glioma progression, and AP-1 transcription factor family participated in the regulation of signature lncRNA expression. AGAP2-AS1 knockdown in in vitro and in vivo experiments inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells, as well as the growth of glioma, by downregulating the expression levels of NF-κB and ERK 1/2 in the TGF-β signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS A prognostic lncRNA signature of TGF-β signaling was established in glioma, which can be used for prognostic judgment, immune infiltration status inference, and immunotherapy response prediction. AGAP2-AS1 plays an important role in glioma progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei‐Wei Duan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Li‐Ting Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Jian Liu
- Experiment Center of Medical InnovationThe First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese MedicineChangshaHunanChina
| | - Zi‐Yu Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Ze‐Yu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and RepairUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Xun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Xi‐Song Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Zao‐Qu Liu
- Department of Interventional RadiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Nan Zhang
- One‐third Lab, College of Bioinformatics Science and TechnologyHarbin Medical UniversityHarbinHei LongjiangChina
| | - Hao‐Yang Mo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Chun‐Run Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Zhi‐Wei Xia
- Department of NeurologyHunan Aerospace HospitalChangshaHunanChina
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shikalov A, Koman I, Kogan NM. Targeted Glioma Therapy-Clinical Trials and Future Directions. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:100. [PMID: 38258110 PMCID: PMC10820492 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of glioma, with a median survival of 14.6 months post-diagnosis. Understanding the molecular profile of such tumors allowed the development of specific targeted therapies toward GBM, with a major role attributed to tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Targeted therapeutics are drugs that work by specific binding to GBM-specific or overexpressed markers on the tumor cellular surface and therefore contain a recognition moiety linked to a cytotoxic agent, which produces an antiproliferative effect. In this review, we have summarized the available information on the targeted therapeutics used in clinical trials of GBM and summarized current obstacles and advances in targeted therapy concerning specific targets present in GBM tumor cells, outlined efficacy endpoints for major classes of investigational drugs, and discussed promising strategies towards an increase in drug efficacy in GBM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Natalya M. Kogan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Personalized and Translational Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (A.S.); (I.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Luke JJ, Patel MR, Blumenschein GR, Hamilton E, Chmielowski B, Ulahannan SV, Connolly RM, Santa-Maria CA, Wang J, Bahadur SW, Weickhardt A, Asch AS, Mallesara G, Clingan P, Dlugosz-Danecka M, Tomaszewska-Kiecana M, Pylypenko H, Hamad N, Kindler HL, Sumrow BJ, Kaminker P, Chen FZ, Zhang X, Shah K, Smith DH, De Costa A, Li J, Li H, Sun J, Moore PA. The PD-1- and LAG-3-targeting bispecific molecule tebotelimab in solid tumors and hematologic cancers: a phase 1 trial. Nat Med 2023; 29:2814-2824. [PMID: 37857711 PMCID: PMC10667103 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02593-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Tebotelimab, a bispecific PD-1×LAG-3 DART molecule that blocks both PD-1 and LAG-3, was investigated for clinical safety and activity in a phase 1 dose-escalation and cohort-expansion clinical trial in patients with solid tumors or hematologic malignancies and disease progression on previous treatment. Primary endpoints were safety and maximum tolerated dose of tebotelimab when administered as a single agent (n = 269) or in combination with the anti-HER2 antibody margetuximab (n = 84). Secondary endpoints included anti-tumor activity. In patients with advanced cancer treated with tebotelimab monotherapy, 68% (184/269) experienced treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs; 22% were grade ≥3). No maximum tolerated dose was defined; the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) was 600 mg once every 2 weeks. There were tumor decreases in 34% (59/172) of response-evaluable patients in the dose-escalation cohorts, with objective responses in multiple solid tumor types, including PD-1-refractory disease, and in LAG-3+ non-Hodgkin lymphomas, including CAR-T refractory disease. To enhance potential anti-tumor responses, we tested margetuximab plus tebotelimab. In patients with HER2+ tumors treated with tebotelimab plus margetuximab, 74% (62/84) had TRAEs (17% were grade ≥3). The RP2D was 600 mg once every 3 weeks. The confirmed objective response rate in these patients was 19% (14/72), including responses in patients typically not responsive to anti-HER2/anti-PD-1 combination therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03219268 .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason J Luke
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Manish R Patel
- Florida Cancer Specialists/Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Sarasota, FL, USA
| | - George R Blumenschein
- Department of Thoracic Head & Neck Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Erika Hamilton
- Sarah Cannon Research Institute/Tennessee Oncology, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Bartosz Chmielowski
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Roisin M Connolly
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cancer Research at UCC, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Cesar A Santa-Maria
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jie Wang
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Andrew Weickhardt
- Austin Health, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adam S Asch
- OUHSC Oklahoma City, OK/SCRI, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Girish Mallesara
- Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, Waratah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Philip Clingan
- Southern Medical Day Care Centre, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Nada Hamad
- St. Vincent's Health Network, Kinghorn Cancer Centre, University of New South Wales, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Notre Dame Australia, School of Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hedy L Kindler
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hua Li
- MacroGenics, Clinical, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jichao Sun
- MacroGenics, Clinical, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Paul A Moore
- MacroGenics, Research, Rockville, MD, USA
- Zymeworks, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kamali AN, Bautista JM, Eisenhut M, Hamedifar H. Immune checkpoints and cancer immunotherapies: insights into newly potential receptors and ligands. Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother 2023; 11:25151355231192043. [PMID: 37662491 PMCID: PMC10469281 DOI: 10.1177/25151355231192043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint markers and immune checkpoint inhibitors have been increasingly identified and developed as potential immunotherapeutic targets in various human cancers. Despite valuable efforts to discover novel immune checkpoints and their ligands, the precise roles of their therapeutic functions, as well as the broad identification of their counterpart receptors, remain to be addressed. In this context, it has been suggested that various putative checkpoint receptors can be induced upon activation. In the tumor microenvironment, T cells, as crucial immune response against malignant diseases as well as other immune central effector cells, such as natural killer cells, are regulated via co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory signals from immune or tumor cells. Studies have shown that exposure of T cells to tumor antigens upregulates the expression of inhibitory checkpoint receptors, leading to T-cell dysfunction or exhaustion. Although targeting immune checkpoint regulators has shown relative clinical efficacy in some tumor types, most trials in the field of cancer immunotherapies have revealed unsatisfactory results due to de novo or adaptive resistance in cancer patients. To overcome these obstacles, combinational therapies with newly discovered inhibitory molecules or combined blockage of several checkpoints provide a rationale for further research. Moreover, precise identification of their receptors counterparts at crucial checkpoints is likely to promise effective therapies. In this review, we examine the prospects for the application of newly emerging checkpoints, such as T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3, lymphocyte activation gene-3, T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA), new B7 family proteins, and B- and T-cell lymphocyte attenuator, in association with immunotherapy of malignancies. In addition, their clinical and biological significance is discussed, including their expression in various human cancers, along with their roles in T-cell-mediated immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali N. Kamali
- CinnaGen Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Simin Dasht Industrial Area, Karaj, Iran
- CinnaGen Research and Production Co., Alborz 3165933155, Iran
| | - José M. Bautista
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael Eisenhut
- Department of Pediatrics, Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Luton, UK
| | - Haleh Hamedifar
- CinnaGen Medical Biotechnology Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- CinnaGen Research and Production Co., Alborz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chi H, Gao X, Xia Z, Yu W, Yin X, Pan Y, Peng G, Mao X, Teichmann AT, Zhang J, Tran LJ, Jiang T, Liu Y, Yang G, Wang Q. FAM family gene prediction model reveals heterogeneity, stemness and immune microenvironment of UCEC. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1200335. [PMID: 37275958 PMCID: PMC10235772 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1200335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Endometrial cancer (UCEC) is a highly heterogeneous gynecologic malignancy that exhibits variable prognostic outcomes and responses to immunotherapy. The Familial sequence similarity (FAM) gene family is known to contribute to the pathogenesis of various malignancies, but the extent of their involvement in UCEC has not been systematically studied. This investigation aimed to develop a robust risk profile based on FAM family genes (FFGs) to predict the prognosis and suitability for immunotherapy in UCEC patients. Methods: Using the TCGA-UCEC cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we obtained expression profiles of FFGs from 552 UCEC and 35 normal samples, and analyzed the expression patterns and prognostic relevance of 363 FAM family genes. The UCEC samples were randomly divided into training and test sets (1:1), and univariate Cox regression analysis and Lasso Cox regression analysis were conducted to identify the differentially expressed genes (FAM13C, FAM110B, and FAM72A) that were significantly associated with prognosis. A prognostic risk scoring system was constructed based on these three gene characteristics using multivariate Cox proportional risk regression. The clinical potential and immune status of FFGs were analyzed using CiberSort, SSGSEA, and tumor immune dysfunction and rejection (TIDE) algorithms. qRT-PCR and IHC for detecting the expression levels of 3-FFGs. Results: Three FFGs, namely, FAM13C, FAM110B, and FAM72A, were identified as strongly associated with the prognosis of UCEC and effective predictors of UCEC prognosis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the developed model was an independent predictor of UCEC, and that patients in the low-risk group had better overall survival than those in the high-risk group. The nomogram constructed from clinical characteristics and risk scores exhibited good prognostic power. Patients in the low-risk group exhibited a higher tumor mutational load (TMB) and were more likely to benefit from immunotherapy. Conclusion: This study successfully developed and validated novel biomarkers based on FFGs for predicting the prognosis and immune status of UCEC patients. The identified FFGs can accurately assess the prognosis of UCEC patients and facilitate the identification of specific subgroups of patients who may benefit from personalized treatment with immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xinrui Gao
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhijia Xia
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wanying Yu
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xisheng Yin
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yifan Pan
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Gaoge Peng
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xinrui Mao
- Clinical Medical College, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Alexander Tobias Teichmann
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Gynecology and Breast Diseases (Gynecology), Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, The University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, SD, United States
| | - Lisa Jia Tran
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tianxiao Jiang
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Yunfei Liu
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Guanhu Yang
- Department of Specialty Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Qin Wang
- Sichuan Provincial Center for Gynecology and Breast Diseases (Gynecology), Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang C, Wang L, Xu C, Xu H, Wu Y. Resistance mechanisms of immune checkpoint inhibition in lymphoma: Focusing on the tumor microenvironment. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1079924. [PMID: 36959853 PMCID: PMC10027765 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1079924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the therapeutic strategies of multiple types of malignancies including lymphoma. However, efficiency of ICIs varies dramatically among different lymphoma subtypes, and durable response can only be achieved in a minority of patients, thus requiring unveiling the underlying mechanisms of ICI resistance to optimize the individualized regimens and improve the treatment outcomes. Recently, accumulating evidence has identified potential prognostic factors for ICI therapy, including tumor mutation burden and tumor microenvironment (TME). Given the distinction between solid tumors and hematological malignancies in terms of TME, we here review the clinical updates of ICIs for lymphoma, and focus on the underlying mechanisms for resistance induced by TME, which play important roles in lymphoma and remarkably influence its sensitivity to ICIs. Particularly, we highlight the value of multiple cell populations (e.g., tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, M2 tumor-associated macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells) and metabolites (e.g., indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase and adenosine) in the TME as prognostic biomarkers for ICI response, and also underline additional potential targets in immunotherapy, such as EZH2, LAG-3, TIM-3, adenosine, and PI3Kδ/γ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunlan Zhang
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Leiming Wang
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Center for transnational medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Caigang Xu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Heng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Research Center of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Heng Xu, ; Yu Wu,
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Heng Xu, ; Yu Wu,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sauer N, Szlasa W, Jonderko L, Oślizło M, Kunachowicz D, Kulbacka J, Karłowicz-Bodalska K. LAG-3 as a Potent Target for Novel Anticancer Therapies of a Wide Range of Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9958. [PMID: 36077354 PMCID: PMC9456311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
LAG-3 (Lymphocyte activation gene 3) protein is a checkpoint receptor that interacts with LSEC-tin, Galectin-3 and FGL1. This interaction leads to reduced production of IL-2 and IFN-γ. LAG-3 is widely expressed in different tumor types and modulates the tumor microenvironment through immunosuppressive effects. Differential expression in various tumor types influences patient prognosis, which is often associated with coexpression with immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as TIM-3, PD-1 and CTLA-4. Here, we discuss expression profiles in different tumor types. To date, many clinical trials have been conducted using LAG-3 inhibitors, which can be divided into anti-LAG-3 monoclonal antibodies, anti-LAG-3 bispecifics and soluble LAG-3-Ig fusion proteins. LAG-3 inhibitors supress T-cell proliferation and activation by disallowing for the interaction between LAG-3 to MHC-II. The process enhances anti-tumor immune response. In this paper, we will review the current state of knowledge on the structure, function and expression of LAG-3 in various types of cancer, as well as its correlation with overall prognosis, involvement in cell-based therapies and experimental medicine. We will consider the role of compounds targeting LAG-3 in clinical trials both as monotherapy and in combination, which will provide data relating to the efficacy and safety of proposed drug candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Sauer
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Szlasa
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Laura Jonderko
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yu C, Li Q, Zhang Y, Wen ZF, Dong H, Mou Y. Current status and perspective of tumor immunotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:941750. [PMID: 36092724 PMCID: PMC9458968 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.941750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have a high incidence and mortality rate, and investigating the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic strategies of HNSCC is required for further progress. Immunotherapy is a considerable therapeutic strategy for HNSCC due to its potential to produce a broad and long-lasting antitumor response. However, immune escape, which involves mechanisms including dyregulation of cytokines, perturbation of immune checkpoints, and recruitment of inhibitory cell populations, limit the efficacy of immunotherapy. Currently, multiple immunotherapy strategies for HNSCC have been exploited, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, costimulatory agonists, antigenic vaccines, oncolytic virus therapy, adoptive T cell transfer (ACT), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy. Each of these strategies has unique advantages, and the appropriate application of these immunotherapies in HNSCC treatment has significant value for patients. Therefore, this review comprehensively summarizes the mechanisms of immune escape and the characteristics of different immunotherapy strategies in HNSCC to provide a foundation and consideration for the clinical treatment of HNSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenhang Yu
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Fa Wen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Heng Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongbin Mou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ke J, Chen J, Liu X. Analyzing and validating the prognostic value and immune microenvironment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2022; 26:52-61. [PMID: 35479513 PMCID: PMC9037198 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2022.2056635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays an important role in tumor diagnosis, prevention, treatment and prognosis. However, the correlation and potential mechanism between clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and its TIME are not clear. Therefore, we aimed to identify potential prognostic biomarkers related to TIME of ccRCC. Unsupervised consensus clustering analysis was performed to divide patients into different immune subgroups according to their single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) scores. Then, we validated the differences in immune cell infiltration, prognosis, clinical characteristics and expression levels of HLA and immune checkpoint genes between different immune subgroups. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify the significant modules and hub genes that were related to the immune subgroups. A nomogram was established to predict the overall survival (OS) outcomes after independent prognostic factors were identified by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Five clusters (immune subgroups) were identified. There was no significant difference in age, sex or N stage. And there were significant differences in race, T stage, M stage, grade, prognosis and tumor microenvironment. WGCNA revealed that the red module has an important relationship with TIME, and obtained 14 hub genes. In addition, the nomogram containing LAG3 and GZMK accurately predicted OS outcomes of ccRCC patients. LAG3 and GZMK have a certain correlation with the prognosis of ccRCC patients, and play an important role in the TIME. These two hub genes deserve further study as biomarkers of the TIME.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Ke
- Department of urology, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Chen
- Graduate School of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of urology, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Panda A, Betigeri A, Ganesan S. A Gene Panel for Early Identification of Future Responders to Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Front Genet 2022; 13:706468. [PMID: 35309122 PMCID: PMC8928072 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.706468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), therapies that target the PD-1 pathway, CTLA-4 pathway, and other checkpoint pathways, lead to durable responses in many cancer types. Since only a minority of patients respond to ICB, it may be useful to identify the future responders early in the course of treatment. In this study we evaluated a small (15 genes) biologically motivated panel, consisting of genes involved in immune activation and checkpoint pathways, for early identification of future responders to ICB. The panel passed consistency check, pathological and in-silico validations, and was an excellent predictor (area under ROC curve >0.95) of eventual response to ICB, both CTLA-4 and PD-1 blockade, when applied to metastatic melanoma patients undergoing ICB (i.e., “on-treatment”) in a publicly available dataset. These results suggest that this small biologically motivated panel may be useful for early identification of future responders to ICB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anshuman Panda
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
- *Correspondence: Anshuman Panda,
| | - Anil Betigeri
- Akash Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Shridar Ganesan
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Update on lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) in cancers: from biological properties to clinical applications. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022; 135:1203-1212. [PMID: 35170503 PMCID: PMC9337260 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000001981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy that targets checkpoints, especially programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1, has revolutionized cancer therapy regimens. The overall response rate to mono-immunotherapy, however, is limited, emphasizing the need to potentiate the efficacy of these regimens. The functions of immune cells are modulated by multiple stimulatory and inhibitory molecules, including lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3). LAG-3 is co-expressed together with other inhibitory checkpoints and plays key roles in immune suppression. Increasing evidence, particularly in the last 5 years, has shown the potential of LAG-3 blockade in anti-tumor immunity. This review provides an update on the biological properties and clinical applications of LAG-3 in cancers.
Collapse
|
12
|
Yang K, Wu Z, Zhang H, Zhang N, Wu W, Wang Z, Dai Z, Zhang X, Zhang L, Peng Y, Ye W, Zeng W, Liu Z, Cheng Q. Glioma targeted therapy: insight into future of molecular approaches. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:39. [PMID: 35135556 PMCID: PMC8822752 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01513-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 122.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gliomas are the common type of brain tumors originating from glial cells. Epidemiologically, gliomas occur among all ages, more often seen in adults, which males are more susceptible than females. According to the fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (WHO CNS5), standard of care and prognosis of gliomas can be dramatically different. Generally, circumscribed gliomas are usually benign and recommended to early complete resection, with chemotherapy if necessary. Diffuse gliomas and other high-grade gliomas according to their molecule subtype are slightly intractable, with necessity of chemotherapy. However, for glioblastoma, feasible resection followed by radiotherapy plus temozolomide chemotherapy define the current standard of care. Here, we discuss novel feasible or potential targets for treatment of gliomas, especially IDH-wild type glioblastoma. Classic targets such as the p53 and retinoblastoma (RB) pathway and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene alteration have met failure due to complex regulatory network. There is ever-increasing interest in immunotherapy (immune checkpoint molecule, tumor associated macrophage, dendritic cell vaccine, CAR-T), tumor microenvironment, and combination of several efficacious methods. With many targeted therapy options emerging, biomarkers guiding the prescription of a particular targeted therapy are also attractive. More pre-clinical and clinical trials are urgently needed to explore and evaluate the feasibility of targeted therapy with the corresponding biomarkers for effective personalized treatment options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keyang Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhijing Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,One-Third Lab, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wantao Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziyu Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Liyang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yun Peng
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weijie Ye
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenjing Zeng
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lee CH, Jung SJ, Seo WI, Chung JI, Lee DS, Jeong DH, Jeon Y, Choi I. Coexpression of lymphocyte-activation gene 3 and programmed death ligand-1 in tumor infiltrating immune cells predicts worse outcome in renal cell carcinoma. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2022; 36:3946320221125588. [PMID: 36083857 PMCID: PMC9465593 DOI: 10.1177/03946320221125588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) represents a potential immune checkpoint target for cancer treatment. We investigated LAG-3 expression and its prognostic value in patients with surgically treated clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and correlated LAG-3 expression with programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1). METHODS We evaluated LAG-3 and PD-L1 expression using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays incorporating 134 primary excision specimens of clear cell RCC (ccRCC). The patients were analyzed as two groups: the whole cohort and those with metastatic RCC (mRCC). The cancer genome atlas (TCGA) data analysis of LAG-3 was done through UALCAN web servers. RESULTS Using the UALCAN cancer transcriptional data analysis, we found that LAG-3 was overexpressed in ccRCC. LAG-3 expression was significantly correlated with PD-L1 expression in the whole cohort and in the mRCC group (all, p < 0.05). Both LAG-3⁺ RCC and PD-L1⁺ RCC presented with a higher TNM stage and higher Fuhrman nuclear grade (all, p < 0.05). PD-L1⁺/LAG-3⁺ RCC and PD-L1⁻/LAG-3⁺ RCC showed poorer cancer-specific survival (CSS) than PD-L1⁻/LAG-3⁻ RCC (all, p = 0.01). Similarly, PD-L1⁺/LAG-3⁺ mRCC and PD-L1⁻/LAG-3⁺ mRCC showed poorer CSS than PD-L1⁻/LAG-3⁻ mRCC (all, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that PD-L1⁺/LAG-3⁺ mRCC (hazard ratio: 3.19; 95% CI: 0.77-13.67; p = 0.033) was a predictor of poor CSS. CONCLUSION Both LAG-3⁺ and PD-L1⁺ RCC have adverse pathological features, and their coexpression predicts worse clinical outcomes. Our findings suggest LAG-3 blockade in combination with programmed cell death 1/PD-L1 blockade as a potential therapeutic approach for RCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chan Ho Lee
- Department of Urology, Busan Paik Hospital, 71642Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Jin Jung
- Department of Pathology, Busan Paik Hospital, 71642Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Ik Seo
- Department of Urology, Busan Paik Hospital, 71642Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Il Chung
- Department of Urology, Busan Paik Hospital, 71642Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Sim Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Busan Paik Hospital, 71642Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Hoon Jeong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Busan Paik Hospital, 71642Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Youkyoung Jeon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Innovative Therapeutics Research Institute, 71642Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Inhak Choi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Innovative Therapeutics Research Institute, 71642Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Panda A, Ganesan S. Genomic and Immunologic Correlates of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Pathway Expression in Cancer. Front Genet 2021; 12:706435. [PMID: 34367262 PMCID: PMC8340027 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.706435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade leads to unprecedented responses in many cancer types. An alternative method of unleashing anti-tumor immune response is to target immunosuppressive metabolic pathways like the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) pathway. Despite promising results in Phase I/II clinical trials, an IDO-1 inhibitor did not show clinical benefit in a Phase III clinical trial. Since, a treatment can be quite effective in a specific subset without being effective in the whole cancer type, it is important to identify the subsets of cancers that may benefit from IDO-1 inhibitors. In this study, we looked for the genomic and immunologic correlates of IDO pathway expression in cancer using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Strong CD8+ T-cell infiltration, high mutation burden, and expression of exogenous viruses [Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Human papilloma virus (HPV), and Hepatitis C virus (HCV)] or endogenous retrovirus (ERV3-2) were associated with over-expression of IDO-1 in most cancer types, IDO-2 in many cancer types, and TDO-2 in a few cancer types. High mutation burden in ER+ HER2- breast cancer, and ERV3-2 expression in ER- HER2- and HER2+ breast, colon, and endometrial cancers were associated with over-expression of all three genes. These results may have important implications for guiding development clinical trials of IDO-1 inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anshuman Panda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Shridar Ganesan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tobin JWD, Bednarska K, Campbell A, Keane C. PD-1 and LAG-3 Checkpoint Blockade: Potential Avenues for Therapy in B-Cell Lymphoma. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051152. [PMID: 34068762 PMCID: PMC8151045 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The dependence of cancer on an immunotolerant tumor microenvironment (TME) is well established. Immunotherapies that overcome tumor-induced immune suppression have been central to recent advancements in oncology. This is highlighted by the success of agents that interrupt PD-1 mediated immune suppression in a range of cancers. However, while PD-1 blockade has been paradigm-shifting in many malignancies, the majority of cancers show high rates of primary resistance to this approach. This has led to a rapid expansion in therapeutic targeting of other immune checkpoint molecules to provide combination immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), with one such promising approach is blockade of Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 (LAG-3). Clinically, lymphoproliferative disorders show a wide spectrum of responses to ICB. Specific subtypes including classical Hodgkin lymphoma have demonstrated striking efficacy with anti-PD-1 therapy. Conversely, early trials of ICB have been relatively disappointing in common subtypes of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In this review, we describe the TME of common lymphoma subtypes with an emphasis on the role of prominent immune checkpoint molecules PD-1 and LAG3. We will also discuss current clinical evidence for ICB in lymphoma and highlight key areas for further investigation where synergistic dual checkpoint blockade of LAG-3 and PD-1 could be used to overcome ICB resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua W. D. Tobin
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (J.W.D.T.); (K.B.)
- Department of Haematology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - Karolina Bednarska
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (J.W.D.T.); (K.B.)
| | - Ashlea Campbell
- Department of Haematology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia;
| | - Colm Keane
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (J.W.D.T.); (K.B.)
- Department of Haematology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +617-3443-7912
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ferrall L, Lin KY, Roden RBS, Hung CF, Wu TC. Cervical Cancer Immunotherapy: Facts and Hopes. Clin Cancer Res 2021; 27:4953-4973. [PMID: 33888488 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-2833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
It is a sad fact that despite being almost completely preventable through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening, cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer to affect women worldwide. Persistent high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection is the primary etiologic factor for cervical cancer. Upward of 70% of cases are driven by HPV types 16 and 18, with a dozen other hrHPVs associated with the remainder of cases. Current standard-of-care treatments include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgical resection. However, they have significant side effects and limited efficacy against advanced disease. There are a few treatment options for recurrent or metastatic cases. Immunotherapy offers new hope, as demonstrated by the recent approval of programmed cell death protein 1-blocking antibody for recurrent or metastatic disease. This might be augmented by combination with antigen-specific immunotherapy approaches, such as vaccines or adoptive cell transfer, to enhance the host cellular immune response targeting HPV-positive cancer cells. As cervical cancer progresses, it can foster an immunosuppressive microenvironment and counteract host anticancer immunity. Thus, approaches to reverse suppressive immune environments and bolster effector T-cell functioning are likely to enhance the success of such cervical cancer immunotherapy. The success of nonspecific immunostimulants like imiquimod against genital warts also suggest the possibility of utilizing these immunotherapeutic strategies in cervical cancer prevention to treat precursor lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) and persistent hrHPV infections against which the licensed prophylactic HPV vaccines have no efficacy. Here, we review the progress and challenges in the development of immunotherapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Ferrall
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ken Y Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Richard B S Roden
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chien-Fu Hung
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - T-C Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. .,Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mair MJ, Kiesel B, Feldmann K, Widhalm G, Dieckmann K, Wöhrer A, Müllauer L, Preusser M, Berghoff AS. LAG-3 expression in the inflammatory microenvironment of glioma. J Neurooncol 2021; 152:533-539. [PMID: 33651248 PMCID: PMC8084780 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-021-03721-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Immune modulatory therapies including immune checkpoint inhibitors have so far failed to result in clinically meaningful efficacy in glioma. We aimed to investigate lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3), an inhibitory receptor on immune cells and target of second-generation immune checkpoint inhibitors, in glioma. Methods 97 patients with diffuse glioma (68 with glioblastoma, 29 with WHO grade II-III glioma) were identified from the Neuro-Biobank of the Medical University of Vienna. LAG-3 expression in the inflammatory microenvironment was assessed by immunohistochemistry (monoclonal anti-LAG-3 antibody, clone 17B4) and correlated to CD3+ , CD8+ , CD20+ and PD-1+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD-L1 expression on tumor cells. Results LAG-3+ TILs could be observed in 10/97 (10.3%) IDH-wildtype samples and in none of the included IDH-mutant glioma samples (p = 0.057). Further, LAG-3+ TILs were only observed in WHO grade IV glioblastoma, while none of the investigated WHO grade II–III glioma presented with LAG-3+ TILs (p = 0.03). No association of O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation and presence of LAG-3+ TILs was observed (p = 0.726). LAG-3 expression was associated with the presence of CD3+ (p = 0.029), CD8+ (p = 0.001), PD-1+ (p < 0.001) TILs and PD-L1+ tumor cells (p = 0.021), respectively. No association of overall survival with LAG-3+ TIL infiltration was evident (median OS 9.9 vs. 14.2 months, p = 0.95). Conclusions LAG-3 is only rarely expressed on TILs in IDH-wildtype glioma and associated with active inflammatory milieu as defined by higher TIL density. Immune microenvironment diversity should be considered in the design of future immunotherapy trials in glioma. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11060-021-03721-x.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian J Mair
- Division of Oncology and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Personalized Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Kiesel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Feldmann
- Division of Oncology and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Personalized Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Widhalm
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Dieckmann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adelheid Wöhrer
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leonhard Müllauer
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Preusser
- Division of Oncology and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Personalized Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna S Berghoff
- Division of Oncology and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Personalized Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wuerdemann N, Pütz K, Eckel H, Jain R, Wittekindt C, Huebbers CU, Sharma SJ, Langer C, Gattenlöhner S, Büttner R, Speel EJ, Suchan M, Wagner S, Quaas A, Klussmann JP. LAG-3, TIM-3 and VISTA Expression on Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Potential Biomarkers for Targeted Therapy Concepts. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:E379. [PMID: 33396515 PMCID: PMC7796181 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor growth and survival requires a particularly effective immunosuppressant tumor microenvironment (TME) to escape destruction by the immune system. While immunosuppressive checkpoint markers like programmed cell death 1 ligand (PD-L1) are already being targeted in clinical practice, lymphocyte-activation-protein 3 (LAG-3), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) and V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) inhibitors are currently under investigation in clinical trials. Reliable findings on the expression status of those immune checkpoint inhibitors on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the TME of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are lacking. This work aims to describe the expression of LAG-3, TIM-3, and VISTA expression in the TME of OPSCC. We created a tissue microarray of paraffin-embedded tumor tissue of 241 OPSCC. Expression of the immune checkpoint protein LAG-3, TIM-3, and VISTA in OPSCC was evaluated using immunohistochemistry and results were correlated with CD8+ T-cell inflammation and human papillomavirus (HPV)-status. 73 OPSCC stained positive for LAG-3 (31%; HPV+:44%; HPV-:26%, p = 0.006), 122 OPSCC stained positive for TIM-3 (51%; HPV+:70%; HPV-:44%, p < 0.001) and 168 OPSCC (70%; HPV+:75%; HPV-:68%, p = 0.313) for VISTA. CD8+ T-cells were significantly associated with LAG-3, TIM-3 and VISTA expression (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.007). Immune checkpoint therapy targeting LAG-3, TIM-3, and/or VISTA could be a promising treatment strategy especially in HPV-related OPSCC. Future clinical trials investigating the efficacy of a checkpoint blockade in consideration of LAG-3, TIM-3, and VISTA expression are required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nora Wuerdemann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (C.W.); (S.J.S.); (C.L.); (S.W.)
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (H.E.); (R.J.); (C.U.H.); (M.S.); (J.P.K.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Katharina Pütz
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (K.P.); (R.B.); (A.Q.)
| | - Hans Eckel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (H.E.); (R.J.); (C.U.H.); (M.S.); (J.P.K.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Rishabh Jain
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (H.E.); (R.J.); (C.U.H.); (M.S.); (J.P.K.)
| | - Claus Wittekindt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (C.W.); (S.J.S.); (C.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Christian U. Huebbers
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (H.E.); (R.J.); (C.U.H.); (M.S.); (J.P.K.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Jean-Uhrmacher-Institute for Otorhinolaryngological Research, University of Cologne, Geibelstrasse 29–31, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Shachi J. Sharma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (C.W.); (S.J.S.); (C.L.); (S.W.)
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (H.E.); (R.J.); (C.U.H.); (M.S.); (J.P.K.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Christine Langer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (C.W.); (S.J.S.); (C.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Stefan Gattenlöhner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Giessen, Langhansstrasse 10, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Reinhard Büttner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (K.P.); (R.B.); (A.Q.)
| | - Ernst-Jan Speel
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Malte Suchan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (H.E.); (R.J.); (C.U.H.); (M.S.); (J.P.K.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Steffen Wagner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (C.W.); (S.J.S.); (C.L.); (S.W.)
| | - Alexander Quaas
- Institute of Pathology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (K.P.); (R.B.); (A.Q.)
| | - Jens P. Klussmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (H.E.); (R.J.); (C.U.H.); (M.S.); (J.P.K.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Str. 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|