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Deng Y, Li J, Tao R, Zhang K, Yang R, Qu Z, Zhang Y, Huang J. Molecular Engineering of Electrosprayed Hydrogel Microspheres to Achieve Synergistic Anti-Tumor Chemo-Immunotherapy with ACEA Cargo. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024; 11:e2308051. [PMID: 38350727 PMCID: PMC11077688 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308051] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Molecular engineering of drug delivering platforms to provide collaborative biological effects with loaded drugs is of great medical significance. Herein, cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1)- and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-targeting electrosprayed microspheres (MSs) are fabricated by loading with the CB1 agonist arachidonoyl 2'-chloroethylamide (ACEA) and producing ROS in a photoresponsive manner. The synergistic anti-tumor effects of ACEA and ROS released from the MSs are assessed. ACEA inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor signaling and altered tumor microenvironment (TME) by activating CB1 to induce tumor cell death. The MSs are composed of glycidyl methacrylate-conjugated xanthan gum (XGMA) and Fe3+, which form dual molecular networks based on a Fe3+-(COO-)3 network and a C═C addition reaction network. Interestingly, the Fe3+-(COO-)3 network can be disassembled instantly under the conditions of lactate sodium and ultraviolet exposure, and the disassembly is accompanied by massive ROS production, which directly injures tumor cells. Meanwhile, the transition of dual networks to a single network boosts the ACEA release. Together, the activities of the ACEA and MSs promote immunogenic tumor cell death and create a tumor-suppressive TME by increasing M1-like tumor-associated macrophages and CD8+ T cells. In summation, this study demonstrates strong prospects of improving anti-tumor effects of drug delivering platforms through molecular design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youming Deng
- Department of General SurgeryXiangya HospitalInternational Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment and StandardsCentral South UniversityChangsha410008China
| | - Jiayang Li
- Research Institute of General SurgeryJinling HospitalSchool of MedicineNanjing UniversityNanjing210002China
| | - Ran Tao
- Department of General SurgeryXiangya HospitalInternational Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment and StandardsCentral South UniversityChangsha410008China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of General SurgeryXiangya HospitalInternational Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment and StandardsCentral South UniversityChangsha410008China
| | - Rong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS)School of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Zhan Qu
- Department of General SurgeryXiangya HospitalInternational Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment and StandardsCentral South UniversityChangsha410008China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of General SurgeryXiangya HospitalInternational Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment and StandardsCentral South UniversityChangsha410008China
| | - Jinjian Huang
- Research Institute of General SurgeryJinling HospitalSchool of MedicineNanjing UniversityNanjing210002China
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Hou Y, Yang K, Wang L, Wang J, Huang X, Piffko A, Luo SZ, Yu X, Rao E, Martinez C, Bugno J, Mack M, Vokes EE, Pitroda SP, Chmura SJ, Weichselbaum RR, Liang HL. Radiotherapy Enhances Metastasis Through Immune Suppression by Inducing PD-L1 and MDSC in Distal Sites. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:1945-1958. [PMID: 38427437 PMCID: PMC11062826 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-3206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiotherapy (RT) is a widely employed anticancer treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that RT can elicit both tumor-inhibiting and tumor-promoting immune effects. The purpose of this study is to investigate immune suppressive factors of radiotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used a heterologous two-tumor model in which adaptive concomitant immunity was eliminated. RESULTS Through analysis of PD-L1 expression and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) frequencies using patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells and murine two-tumor and metastasis models, we report that local irradiation can induce a systemic increase in MDSC, as well as PD-L1 expression on dendritic cells and myeloid cells, and thereby increase the potential for metastatic dissemination in distal, nonirradiated tissue. In a mouse model using two distinct tumors, we found that PD-L1 induction by ionizing radiation was dependent on elevated chemokine CXCL10 signaling. Inhibiting PD-L1 or MDSC can potentially abrogate RT-induced metastasis and improve clinical outcomes for patients receiving RT. CONCLUSIONS Blockade of PD-L1/CXCL10 axis or MDSC infiltration during irradiation can enhance abscopal tumor control and reduce metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhu Hou
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University; Xi’an, ShaanXi 710061, China
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Kaiting Yang
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Liangliang Wang
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Jiaai Wang
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Xiaona Huang
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Andras Piffko
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Sean Z. Luo
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Current address: Biomedical Engineering program, Northwestern University; Evanston, IL 60201, USA
| | - Xinshuang Yu
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Current address: Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong, First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital; Jinan, Shandong 250014, China
| | - Enyu Rao
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Current address: Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University; Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, China
| | - Carlos Martinez
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Current address: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607 USA
| | - Jason Bugno
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- The Committee on Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 600637, USA
| | - Matthias Mack
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93042 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Everett E. Vokes
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637 USA
| | - Sean P. Pitroda
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Steven J. Chmura
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Ralph R. Weichselbaum
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Hua Laura Liang
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
- Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research, University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 USA
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3
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Caricasulo MA, Zanetti A, Terao M, Garattini E, Paroni G. Cellular and micro-environmental responses influencing the antitumor activity of all-trans retinoic acid in breast cancer. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:127. [PMID: 38360674 PMCID: PMC10870483 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01492-2] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is the most relevant and functionally active metabolite of Vitamin-A. From a therapeutic standpoint, ATRA is the first example of pharmacological agent exerting its anti-tumor activity via a cell differentiating action. In the clinics, ATRA is used in the treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, a rare form of myeloid leukemia with unprecedented therapeutic results. The extraordinary effectiveness of ATRA in the treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia patients has raised interest in evaluating the potential of this natural retinoid in the treatment of other types of neoplasias, with particular reference to solid tumors.The present article provides an overview of the available pre-clinical and clinical studies focussing on ATRA as a therapeutic agent in the context of breast cancer from a holistic point of view. In detail, we focus on the direct effects of ATRA in breast cancer cells as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms of action. In addition, we summarize the available information on the action exerted by ATRA on the breast cancer micro-environment, an emerging determinant of the progression and invasive behaviour of solid tumors. In particular we discuss the recent evidences of ATRA activity on the immune system. Finally, we analyse and discuss the results obtained with the few ATRA-based clinical trials conducted in the context of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Azzurra Caricasulo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri, 2, Milan, 20156, Italy
| | - Adriana Zanetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri, 2, Milan, 20156, Italy
| | - Mineko Terao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri, 2, Milan, 20156, Italy
| | - Enrico Garattini
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri, 2, Milan, 20156, Italy
| | - Gabriela Paroni
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri, 2, Milan, 20156, Italy.
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Wang B, Zhou J, Li R, Tang D, Cao Z, Xu C, Xiao H. Activating CD8 + T Cells by Pt(IV) Prodrug-Based Nanomedicine and aPD-L1 Antibody for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy. Adv Mater 2024:e2311640. [PMID: 38341667 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311640] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed substantial progress in cancer immunotherapy, specifically T cell-based therapies. However, the application of T cell therapies has been primarily limited to hematologic malignancies, with limited success in the treatment of solid tumors. The main challenge in treating solid tumor is immune escape, which is characterized by reduced antigenicity, diminished immunogenicity, and the development of suppressive tumor immune microenvironments. To address these obstacles and restore T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses, a novel nanoparticle formulation known as PRA@Oxa-c16 is developed. This innovative approach combines retinoic acid and Pt(IV) to specifically target and overcome immune escape. Notably, the therapeutic efficacy of PRA@Oxa-c16 primarily relies on its ability to induce anti-tumor T cell responses, in contrast to the cytotoxicity associated with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. When combined with an immune checkpoint blockade, anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibody, PRA@Oxa-c16 effectively eliminates solid tumors and induces immune memory responses, which prevent tumor metastasis and recurrence. This promising approach holds great potential for enhancing the treatment of solid tumors with T cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jingyu Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Ruitong Li
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai university, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Dongsheng Tang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zheng Cao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Chun Xu
- School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4006, Australia
| | - Haihua Xiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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5
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Zheng W, Ling S, Cao Y, Shao C, Sun X. Combined use of NK cells and radiotherapy in the treatment of solid tumors. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1306534. [PMID: 38264648 PMCID: PMC10803658 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1306534] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes possessing potent tumor surveillance and elimination activity. Increasing attention is being focused on the role of NK cells in integral antitumor strategies (especially immunotherapy). Of note, therapeutic efficacy is considerable dependent on two parameters: the infiltration and cytotoxicity of NK cells in tumor microenvironment (TME), both of which are impaired by several obstacles (e.g., chemokines, hypoxia). Strategies to overcome such barriers are needed. Radiotherapy is a conventional modality employed to cure solid tumors. Recent studies suggest that radiotherapy not only damages tumor cells directly, but also enhances tumor recognition by immune cells through altering molecular expression of tumor or immune cells via the in situ or abscopal effect. Thus, radiotherapy may rebuild a NK cells-favored TME, and thus provide a cost-effective approach to improve the infiltration of NK cells into solid tumors, as well as elevate immune-activity. Moreover, the radioresistance of tumor always hampers the response to radiotherapy. Noteworthy, the puissant cytotoxic activity of NK cells not only kills tumor cells directly, but also increases the response of tumors to radiation via activating several radiosensitization pathways. Herein, we review the mechanisms by which NK cells and radiotherapy mutually promote their killing function against solid malignancies. We also discuss potential strategies harnessing such features in combined anticancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sunkai Ling
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuandong Cao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunlin Shao
- Institution of Radiation Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinchen Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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6
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Wang B, Xu M, Zhao J, Yin N, Wang Y, Song T. Single-cell Transcriptomics Reveals Activation of Macrophages in All-trans Retinoic Acid (atRA)-induced Cleft Palate. J Craniofac Surg 2024; 35:177-184. [PMID: 38049149 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000009782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cleft palate is among the most common birth defects with an impact on swallowing and speaking and is difficult to diagnose with ultrasound during pregnancy. In this study, we systematically capture the cellular composition of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA)-exposed and normal embryonic gestation 16.5 days mouse palate by the single-cell RNA sequencing technique. The authors identified 14 major cell types with the largest proportion of fibroblasts. The proportion of myeloid cells in atRA-exposed palate was markedly higher than those in the normal palate tissue, especially M1-like macrophages and monocytes. The upregulated genes of the different expression genes between atRA-exposed palate and normal palate tissue were linked to the biological processes of leukocyte chemotaxis and migration. Protein TLR2, CXCR4, THBS1, MRC1, transcription factor encoding genes Cebpb, Fos, Jun, Rela, and signaling pathway IL-17 and phagosome were found to be significantly involved in these processes. Subsequently, cellular communication network analysis suggested that myeloid-centered cell interactions SELL, SELPLG, MIF, CXCL, ANNEXIN, THBS, and NECTIN were significantly more activated in atRA-exposed palate. Overall, we delineate the single-cell landscape of atRA-induced cleft palate, revealing the effects of overexposure to atRA during palate tissue development and providing insights for the diagnosis of cleft palate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binqing Wang
- Center for Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Stip MC, Teeuwen L, Dierselhuis MP, Leusen JHW, Krijgsman D. Targeting the myeloid microenvironment in neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:337. [PMID: 38087370 PMCID: PMC10716967 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02913-9] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Myeloid cells (granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages) play an important role in neuroblastoma. By inducing a complex immunosuppressive network, myeloid cells pose a challenge for the adaptive immune system to eliminate tumor cells, especially in high-risk neuroblastoma. This review first summarizes the pro- and anti-tumorigenic functions of myeloid cells, including granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) during the development and progression of neuroblastoma. Secondly, we discuss how myeloid cells are engaged in the current treatment regimen and explore novel strategies to target these cells in neuroblastoma. These strategies include: (1) engaging myeloid cells as effector cells, (2) ablating myeloid cells or blocking the recruitment of myeloid cells to the tumor microenvironment and (3) reprogramming myeloid cells. Here we describe that despite their immunosuppressive traits, tumor-associated myeloid cells can still be engaged as effector cells, which is clear in anti-GD2 immunotherapy. However, their full potential is not yet reached, and myeloid cell engagement can be enhanced, for example by targeting the CD47/SIRPα axis. Though depletion of myeloid cells or blocking myeloid cell infiltration has been proven effective, this strategy also depletes possible effector cells for immunotherapy from the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, reprogramming of suppressive myeloid cells might be the optimal strategy, which reverses immunosuppressive traits, preserves myeloid cells as effectors of immunotherapy, and subsequently reactivates tumor-infiltrating T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein C Stip
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Loes Teeuwen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jeanette H W Leusen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle Krijgsman
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Sun J, Mao F, Liu C, Zhang F, Jiang D, Guo W, Huo L, Zhou L, Lau WY, Shi J, Cheng S. Combined FOLFOX4 with all-trans retinoic acid versus FOLFOX4 with placebo in treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with extrahepatic metastasis: a randomized, double-blind comparative study. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:368. [PMID: 37752117 PMCID: PMC10522582 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01604-3] [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: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Currently, there are only a few therapeutic methods available for patients with advanced HCC and extrahepatic metastasis (EHM). Systemic chemotherapy, such as FOLFOX4 (infusions of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin), has been reported for treating advanced HCC with EHM, but its effectiveness is very poor. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of FOLFOX4 with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) as a palliative treatment for HCC patients with EHM, compared to FOLFOX4 with a placebo. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and subsequently, an exploratory model was developed based on bioinformatics to predict the efficacy of FOLFOX4-ATRA treatment. A total of 108 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either FOLFOX4-ATRA or FOLFOX4-placebo. The intention-to-treat (ITT) population showed a median OS of 16.2 months for the FOLFOX4-ATRA group, compared with 10.7 months for the FOLFOX4-placebo group (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.33-0.93; p = 0.025). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.1 months for the FOLFOX4-ATRA group and 4.2 months for the FOLFOX4-placebo group (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41-0.94; p = 0.024). A panel of proteins with unique upregulation during complete response (CR) (SOD3, TTR, SSC5D, GP5, IGKV1D-33) and partial response (PR) (TGFB1, GSS, IGHV5-10-1) effectively predicted CR and PR in patients treated with FOLFOX4-ATRA, as compared to FOLFOX4-placebo. The results suggest that FOLFOX4-ATRA is a safe and effective treatment for patients with advanced HCC and EHM in eastern China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juxian Sun
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feifei Mao
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dafeng Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Zhejiang Sian International Hospital, Jiaxing, China
| | - Weixing Guo
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Huo
- Department of Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Zhou
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wan Yee Lau
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shuqun Cheng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
- Tongji University Cancer Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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Burgermeister E. Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Nuclear Hormone Receptor Crosstalk in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13661. [PMID: 37686465 PMCID: PMC10488039 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713661] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The three major MAP-kinase (MAPK) pathways, ERK1/2, p38 and JNK/SAPK, are upstream regulators of the nuclear "hormone" receptor superfamily (NHRSF), with a prime example given by the estrogen receptor in breast cancer. These ligand-activated transcription factors exert non-genomic and genomic functions, where they are either post-translationally modified by phosphorylation or directly interact with components of the MAPK pathways, events that govern their transcriptional activity towards target genes involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, metabolism and host immunity. This molecular crosstalk takes place not only in normal epithelial or tumor cells, but also in a plethora of immune cells from the adaptive and innate immune system in the tumor-stroma tissue microenvironment. Thus, the drugability of both the MAPK and the NHRSF pathways suggests potential for intervention therapies, especially for cancer immunotherapy. This review summarizes the existing literature covering the expression and function of NHRSF subclasses in human tumors, both solid and leukemias, and their effects in combination with current clinically approved therapeutics against immune checkpoint molecules (e.g., PD1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Burgermeister
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
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Gregucci F, Spada S, Barcellos-Hoff MH, Bhardwaj N, Chan Wah Hak C, Fiorentino A, Guha C, Guzman ML, Harrington K, Herrera FG, Honeychurch J, Hong T, Iturri L, Jaffee E, Karam SD, Knott SR, Koumenis C, Lyden D, Marciscano AE, Melcher A, Mondini M, Mondino A, Morris ZS, Pitroda S, Quezada SA, Santambrogio L, Shiao S, Stagg J, Telarovic I, Timmerman R, Vozenin MC, Weichselbaum R, Welsh J, Wilkins A, Xu C, Zappasodi R, Zou W, Bobard A, Demaria S, Galluzzi L, Deutsch E, Formenti SC. Updates on radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations: Proceedings of 6 th annual ImmunoRad conference. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2222560. [PMID: 37363104 PMCID: PMC10286673 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2222560] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal radiation therapy (RT) has attracted considerable attention as a combinatorial partner for immunotherapy (IT), largely reflecting a well-defined, predictable safety profile and at least some potential for immunostimulation. However, only a few RT-IT combinations have been tested successfully in patients with cancer, highlighting the urgent need for an improved understanding of the interaction between RT and IT in both preclinical and clinical scenarios. Every year since 2016, ImmunoRad gathers experts working at the interface between RT and IT to provide a forum for education and discussion, with the ultimate goal of fostering progress in the field at both preclinical and clinical levels. Here, we summarize the key concepts and findings presented at the Sixth Annual ImmunoRad conference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Gregucci
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miulli General Regional Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, Bari, Italy
| | - Sheila Spada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary Helen Barcellos-Hoff
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Alba Fiorentino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miulli General Regional Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, Bari, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, LUM University, Casamassima, Bari, Italy
| | - Chandan Guha
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Monica L. Guzman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Harrington
- The Institute of Cancer Research/The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Fernanda G. Herrera
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at the Agora Cancer Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jamie Honeychurch
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Theodore Hong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lorea Iturri
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3347, INSERM U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
| | - Elisabeth Jaffee
- Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sana D. Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Simon R.V. Knott
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Constantinos Koumenis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Lyden
- Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Departments of Pediatrics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Alan Melcher
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Michele Mondini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université of Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
- INSERM U1030, Radiothérapie Moléculaire et Innovation Thérapeutique, Villejuif, France
| | - Anna Mondino
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Zachary S. Morris
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sean Pitroda
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sergio A. Quezada
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
| | - Laura Santambrogio
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen Shiao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John Stagg
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Universite de Montreal, Faculty of Pharmacy, Montreal, Canada
| | - Irma Telarovic
- Laboratory for Applied Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Robert Timmerman
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Neurosurgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Marie-Catherine Vozenin
- Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology Service, Department of Oncology, CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ralph Weichselbaum
- Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, Ludwig Center for Metastases Research, University of Chicago, IL, USA
| | - James Welsh
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anna Wilkins
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, UK
| | - Chris Xu
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Roberta Zappasodi
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Weiping Zou
- Departments of Surgery and Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Sandra Demaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric Deutsch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
- Université of Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
- INSERM U1030, Radiothérapie Moléculaire et Innovation Thérapeutique, Villejuif, France
| | - Silvia C. Formenti
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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11
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Guo S, Yao Y, Tang Y, Xin Z, Wu D, Ni C, Huang J, Wei Q, Zhang T. Radiation-induced tumor immune microenvironments and potential targets for combination therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:205. [PMID: 37208386 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01462-z] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the four major means of cancer treatment including surgery, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, RT can be applied to various cancers as both a radical cancer treatment and an adjuvant treatment before or after surgery. Although RT is an important modality for cancer treatment, the consequential changes caused by RT in the tumor microenvironment (TME) have not yet been fully elucidated. RT-induced damage to cancer cells leads to different outcomes, such as survival, senescence, or death. During RT, alterations in signaling pathways result in changes in the local immune microenvironment. However, some immune cells are immunosuppressive or transform into immunosuppressive phenotypes under specific conditions, leading to the development of radioresistance. Patients who are radioresistant respond poorly to RT and may experience cancer progression. Given that the emergence of radioresistance is inevitable, new radiosensitization treatments are urgently needed. In this review, we discuss the changes in irradiated cancer cells and immune cells in the TME under different RT regimens and describe existing and potential molecules that could be targeted to improve the therapeutic effects of RT. Overall, this review highlights the possibilities of synergistic therapy by building on existing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yihan Yao
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Tang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zengfeng Xin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dang Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Ni
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Breast Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Qichun Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, National Ministry of Education), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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12
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Zhang Y, Pei P, Zhou H, Xie Y, Yang S, Shen W, Hu L, Zhang Y, Liu T, Yang K. Nattokinase-Mediated Regulation of Tumor Physical Microenvironment to Enhance Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, and CAR-T Therapy of Solid Tumor. ACS Nano 2023; 17:7475-7486. [PMID: 37057972 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c12463] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The therapy of solid tumors is always hampered by the intrinsic tumor physical microenvironment (TPME) featured with compact and rigid extracellular matrix (ECM) microstructures. Herein, we introduce nattokinase (NKase), a thrombolytic healthcare drug, to comprehensively regulate the TPME for versatile enhancement of various therapy modalities. Intratumoral injection of NKase not only degrades the major ECM component fibronectin but also inhibits cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in generating fibrosis, resulting in decreased tumor stiffness, enhanced perfusion, and hypoxia alleviation. The NKase-mediated regulation of the TPME significantly promotes the tumoral accumulation of therapeutic agents, leading to efficient chemotherapy without inducing side effects. Additionally, the enhancement of tumor radiotherapy based on radiosensitizers was also achieved by the pretreatment of intratumorally injected NKase, which could be ascribed to the elevated oxygen saturation level in NKase-treated tumors. Moreover, a xenografted human breast MDB-MA-231 tumor model is established to evaluate the influence of NKase on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, illustrating that the pretreatment of NKase could boost the infiltration of CAR-T cells into tumors and thus be a benefit for tumor inhibition. These findings demonstrate the great promise of the NKase-regulated TPME as a translational strategy for universal enhancement of therapeutic efficacy in solid tumors by various treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Pei Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Hailin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Yuyuan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Sai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Wenhao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Lin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Yujuan Zhang
- Experimental Center of Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Teng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Kai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
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13
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Tobin RP, Cogswell DT, Cates VM, Davis DM, Borgers JS, Van Gulick RJ, Katsnelson E, Couts KL, Jordan KR, Gao D, Davila E, Medina TM, Lewis KD, Gonzalez R, McFarland RW, Robinson WA, McCarter MD. Targeting MDSC Differentiation Using ATRA: A Phase I/II Clinical Trial Combining Pembrolizumab and All-Trans Retinoic Acid for Metastatic Melanoma. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:1209-1219. [PMID: 36378549 PMCID: PMC10073240 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [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: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A phase Ib/II clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with pembrolizumab in patients with stage IV melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Anti-PD-1 naïve patients with stage IV melanoma were treated with pembrolizumab plus supplemental ATRA for three days surrounding each of the first four pembrolizumab infusions. The primary objective was to establish the MTD and recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of the combination. The secondary objectives were to describe the safety and toxicity of the combined treatment and to assess antitumor activity in terms of (i) the reduction in circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) frequency and (ii) progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS Twenty-four patients were enrolled, 46% diagnosed with M1a and 29% with M1c stage disease at enrollment. All patients had an ECOG status ≤1, and 75% had received no prior therapies. The combination was well tolerated, with the most common ATRA-related adverse events being headache, fatigue, and nausea. The RP2D was established at 150 mg/m2 ATRA + 200 mg Q3W pembrolizumab. Median PFS was 20.3 months, and the overall response rate was 71%, with 50% of patients experiencing a complete response, and the 1-year overall survival was 80%. The combination effectively lowered the frequency of circulating MDSCs. CONCLUSIONS With a favorable tolerability and high response rate, this combination is a promising frontline treatment strategy for advanced melanoma. Targeting MDSCs remains an attractive mechanism to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapies, and this combination merits further investigation. See related commentary by Olson and Luke, p. 1167.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard P. Tobin
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Dasha T. Cogswell
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Victoria M. Cates
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Dana M. Davis
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Jessica S.W. Borgers
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Netherlands Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert J. Van Gulick
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Elizabeth Katsnelson
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kasey L. Couts
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kimberly R. Jordan
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Dexiang Gao
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Pediatrics, Biostatistics and Informatics, Cancer Center Biostatistics Core, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Eduardo Davila
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Theresa M. Medina
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Karl D. Lewis
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rene Gonzalez
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ross W. McFarland
- UCHealth Cancer Care and Hematology Clinic - Harmony Campus, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - William A. Robinson
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Martin D. McCarter
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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14
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Sun W, Li Y, Sui D, Qi Z, Zhao X, Zhou W, Hu H, Liu X, Song Y, Deng Y. A potential platform of combining sialic acid derivative-modified paclitaxel cationic liposomes with antibody-drug conjugates inspires robust tumor-specific immunological memory in solid tumors. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:2787-2808. [PMID: 36825722 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm01769e] [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] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The recent approvals for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in multiple malignancies in the past few years have fueled the ongoing development of this class of drug. However, the limitation of ADCs is selectivity toward cancer cells especially overexpressing the antigen of interest. To broaden the anti-cancer spectrum of ADCs, combinatorial strategies of ADCs with chemotherapy have become a central focus of the current preclinical and clinical research. Here, we used the microtubule stabilizer paclitaxel and enfortumab vedotin-ejfv (EV), an ADC carrying the microtubule inhibitor payload monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), for co-administration under the consideration of their mechanism of action associated with microtubules. We designed a sialic acid-cholesterol (SA-CH) conjugate-modified cationic liposome platform loaded with PTX (PTX-SAL) for efficiently targeting tumor-associated immune cells. Compared with monotherapy, PTX-SAL-mediated combination therapy with ADCs significantly inhibited S180 tumor growth in mice, with complete tumor regression occurring. The formation of a durable tumor-specific immunological memory response in mice that experienced complete tumor regression was assessed by secondary tumor cell rechallenge, and the production of memory T cells in the spleen was detected as related to the increased CD4+T memory cells and the enhanced serum IFN-γ. All our preliminary results throw light on the tremendous application potential for the application of this combination therapy regimen capable of mounting a durable immune response and stimulating a robust T cell-mediated tumor-specific immunological memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenliang Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
| | - Yantong Li
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
| | - Dezhi Sui
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
| | - Zhaowei Qi
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
| | - Xinran Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
| | - Wei Zhou
- Mabwell (Shanghai) Bioscience Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Huiguo Hu
- Mabwell (Shanghai) Bioscience Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Xinrong Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
| | - Yanzhi Song
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
| | - Yihui Deng
- College of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110016, China.
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15
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Li M, Jiang P, Wei S, Wang J, Li C. The role of macrophages-mediated communications among cell compositions of tumor microenvironment in cancer progression. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1113312. [PMID: 36845095 PMCID: PMC9947507 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1113312] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed that tumor-associated macrophages are the most abundant stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment and play an important role in tumor initiation and progression. Furthermore, the proportion of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment is associated with the prognosis of patients with cancer. Tumor-associated macrophages can polarize into anti-tumorigenic phenotype (M1) and pro-tumorigenic phenotype (M2) by the stimulation of T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 cells respectively, and then exert opposite effects on tumor progression. Besides, there also is wide communication between tumor-associated macrophages and other immune compositions, such as cytotoxic T cells, regulatory T cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, neutrophils and so on. Furthermore, the crosstalk between tumor-associated macrophages and other immune cells greatly influences tumor development and treatment outcomes. Notably, many functional molecules and signaling pathways have been found to participate in the interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and other immune cells and can be targeted to regulate tumor progression. Therefore, regulating these interactions and CAR-M therapy are considered to be novel immunotherapeutic pathways for the treatment of malignant tumors. In this review, we summarized the interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and other immune compositions in the tumor microenvironment and the underlying molecular mechanisms and analyzed the possibility to block or eradicate cancer by regulating tumor-associated macrophage-related tumor immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shuhua Wei
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- *Correspondence: Chunxiao Li, ; Junjie Wang,
| | - Chunxiao Li
- *Correspondence: Chunxiao Li, ; Junjie Wang,
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16
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Cheng X, Wei Y, Jiang X, Wang C, Liu M, Yan J, Zhang L, Zhou Y. Insight into the Prospects for Tumor Therapy Based on Photodynamic Immunotherapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1359. [DOI: 10.3390/ph15111359] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignancy is one of the common diseases with high mortality worldwide and the most important obstacle to improving the overall life expectancy of the population in the 21st century. Currently, single or combined treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, are still the mainstream regimens for tumor treatment, but they all present significant side effects on normal tissues and organs, such as organ hypofunction, energy metabolism disorders, and various concurrent diseases. Based on this, theranostic measures for the highly selective killing of tumor cells have always been a hot area in cancer-related fields, among which photodynamic therapy (PDT) is expected to be an ideal candidate for practical clinical application due to its precise targeting and excellent safety performance, so-called PDT refers to a therapeutic method mainly composed of photosensitizers (PSs), laser light, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Photoimmunotherapy (PIT), a combination of PDT and immunotherapy, can induce systemic antitumor immune responses and inhibit continuing growth and distant metastasis of residual tumor cells, demonstrating a promising application prospect. This article reviews the types of immune responses that occur in the host after PDT treatment, including innate and adaptive immunity. To further help PIT-related drugs improve their pharmacokinetic properties and bioavailability, we highlight the potential improvement of photodynamic immunotherapy from three aspects: immunostimulatory agents, tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) as well as different immune cells. Finally, we focus on recent advances in various strategies and shed light on their corresponding mechanisms of immune activation and possible clinical applications such as cancer vaccines. Having discovered the inherent potential of PDT and the mechanisms that PDT triggers host immune responses, a variety of immunotherapeutic strategies have been investigated in parallel with approaches to improve PDT efficiency. However, it remains to be further elucidated under what conditions the immune effect induced by PDT can achieve tumor immunosuppression and to what extent PDT-induced antitumor immunity will lead to complete tumor rejection. Currently, PIT presents several outstanding intractable challenges, such as the aggregation ability of PSs locally in tumors, deep tissue penetration ability of laser light, immune escape, and biological toxicity, and it is hoped that these issues raised will help to point out the direction of preclinical research on PIT and accelerate its transition to clinical practice.
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Han Y, Liu S, Du Y, Li D, Pan N, Chai J, Li D. A new application of surfactant-free microemulsion: Solubilization and transport of drugs and its transdermal release properties. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2022.104473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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18
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Hou Y, Fei Y, Liu Z, Liu Y, Li M, Luo Z. Black phosphorous nanomaterials as a new paradigm for postoperative tumor treatment regimens. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:366. [PMID: 35953821 PMCID: PMC9367102 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01579-3] [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: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Surgery is currently a mainstream treatment modality for various solid tumor indications. However, aggressive resection of tumor tissues frequently causes postoperative complications, which severely undermine the well-being of patients. Moreover, the residue tumor cells may substantially increase the risk of local and distant tumor relapse. The recent development in black phosphorus (BP)-based nanomaterials offers a promising opportunity to address these clinical challenges. BP is an emerging nanomaterial with excellent biocompatibility and versatile functionality, which has already demonstrated great potential for a variety of biomedical applications including tumor therapy and tissue engineering. In this review, the recent advances in BP-based nanobiomaterials for the post-surgery treatment of solid tumor have been summarized, while specific emphasis was placed on their capability to continuously inhibit residue tumor growth at the surgery site as well as stimulating various healing mechanisms, aiming to preventing tumor relapse while promoting the healing of surgery-induced traumatic soft/hard tissue injuries. It is anticipated that the nanoengineered BP-based materials may open new avenues to tackle those clinical challenges in surgical treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Hou
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Pharmaceutical Science, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Yang Fei
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Zehong Liu
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Pharmaceutical Science, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Yingqi Liu
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Menghuan Li
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Zhong Luo
- School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China. .,111 Project Laboratory of Biomechanics and Tissue Repair, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
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19
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Bi G, Liang J, Bian Y, Shan G, Besskaya V, Wang Q, Zhan C. The immunomodulatory role of all-trans retinoic acid in tumor microenvironment. Clin Exp Med 2022:10.1007/s10238-022-00860-x. [PMID: 35829844 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00860-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Retinoids are essential nutrients for human beings. Among them, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), considered one of the most active metabolites, plays important roles in multiple biological processes. ATRA regulates the transcription of target genes by interacting with nuclear receptors bonded to retinoic acid response elements (RAREs). Besides its differentiation-inducing effect in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia and some solid tumor types, its immunoregulatory role in tumor microenvironment (TME) has attracted considerable attention. ATRA not only substantially abrogates the immunosuppressive effect of tumor-infiltrating myeloid-derived suppressor cells but also activates the anti-tumor effect of CD8 + T cells. Notably, the combination of ATRA with other therapeutic approaches, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), tumor vaccines, and chemotherapy, has been extensively investigated in a variety of tumor models and clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the role of ATRA in cancer immunology and immunotherapy, dissect the underlying mechanisms of ATRA-mediated activation or differentiation of different types of immune cells, and explore the potential clinical significance of ATRA-based cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoshu Bi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jiaqi Liang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yunyi Bian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Guangyao Shan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Valeria Besskaya
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Cheng Zhan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Simon Davis DA, Atmosukarto II, Garrett J, Gosling K, Syed FM, Quah BJ. Irradiation immunity interactions. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2022; 66:519-535. [PMID: 35261190 PMCID: PMC9314628 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13399] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The immune system can influence cancer development by both impeding and/or facilitating tumour growth and spread. A better understanding of this complex relationship is fundamental to optimise current and future cancer therapeutic strategies. Although typically regarded as a localised and immunosuppressive anti‐cancer treatment modality, radiation therapy has been associated with generating profound systemic effects beyond the intended target volume. These systemic effects are immune‐driven suggesting radiation therapy can enhance anti‐tumour immunosurveillance in some instances. In this review, we summarise how radiation therapy can positively and negatively affect local and systemic anti‐tumour immune responses, how co‐administration of immunotherapy with radiation therapy may help promote anti‐tumour immunity, and how the use of immune biomarkers may help steer radiation therapy‐immunotherapy personalisation to optimise clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Simon Davis
- Irradiation Immunity Interaction Laboratory, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Ines I Atmosukarto
- Irradiation Immunity Interaction Laboratory, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Jessica Garrett
- Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Katharine Gosling
- Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Farhan M Syed
- Irradiation Immunity Interaction Laboratory, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Radiation Oncology Department, Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Ben Jc Quah
- Irradiation Immunity Interaction Laboratory, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Division of Genome Sciences & Cancer, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Radiation Oncology Department, Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Abstract
Tumors have special features that make them distinct from their normal counterparts. Immature cells in a tumor mass and their critical contributions to the tumorigenesis will open new windows toward cancer therapy. Incomplete cellular development brings versatile and unique functionality in the cellular tumor ecosystem, such as what is seen for highly potential embryonic cells. There is evidence that maturation of certain types of cells in this ecosystem can recover the sensitivity of the tumor. Therefore, understanding more about the mechanisms that contributed to this immaturity will render new therapeutic approaches in cancer therapy. Targeting such mechanisms can be exploited as a supplementary to the current immunotherapeutic treatment schedules, such as immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The key focus of this review is to discuss the impact of (im)maturity in cellular tumor ecosystems on cancer progression, focusing mainly on immaturity in the immune cell compartment of the tumor, as well as on the stemness of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Infectious Disease Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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