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Ma Y, Yang Z, Liu J, Wang D. CD48 suppresses proliferation and migration as an immune-related prognostic signature in the cervical cancer immune microenvironment. Carcinogenesis 2024; 45:57-68. [PMID: 37279525 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgad039] [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: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in gynecology. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are two particularly effective treatments. In this study, weighted gene co-expression network analysis and CIBERSORT algorithm that quantifies the composition of immune cells were used to analyze CC expression data based on the GEO database and identify modules related to T cells. Five candidate hub genes were identified by tumor-infiltrating immune cells estimation and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis according to CC data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Chemotherapeutic response, methylation, and gene mutation analyses were implemented so that the five candidate hub genes identified may be the potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets which were related to T cell infiltration. Moreover, the results of RT-qPCR revealed that CD48 was a tumor suppressor gene, which was negatively correlated with CC stages, lymph node metastasis, and differentiation. Furthermore, the functional study verified that the interference of CD48 was able to boost the proliferation and migration ability in vitro and the growth of transplanted tumors in vivo. Overall, we identified molecular targets related to immune infiltration and prognosis, regarded CD48 as a key molecule involved in the progression of CC, thus providing new insights into the development of molecular therapy and immunotherapeutics against CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ma
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo Yang
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, P. R. China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, P. R. China
| | - Danbo Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, P. R. China
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Dong YH, Luo YH, Liu CJ, Huang WY, Feng L, Zou XY, Zhou JY, Li XR. Changes in microbial composition and interaction patterns of female urogenital tract and rectum in response to HPV infection. J Transl Med 2024; 22:125. [PMID: 38303030 PMCID: PMC10832222 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04916-2] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that changes in the microbial community of the female urogenital tract are associated with Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, research on this association was mostly focused on a single site, and there are currently few joint studies on HPV infection and multiple sites in the female urogenital tract. METHODS We selected 102 healthy women from Yunnan Province as the research object, collected cervical exfoliation fluid, vaginal, urethral, and rectal swabs for microbial community analysis, and measured bacterial load, and related cytokine content. The link between HPV, microbiota, and inflammation was comprehensively evaluated using bioinformatics methods. FINDINGS The impact of HPV infection on the microbial composition of different parts varies. We have identified several signature bacterial genera that respond to HPV infection in several detection sites, such as Corynebacterium, Lactobacillus, Campylobacter, and Cutibacterium have been detected in multiple sites, reflecting their potential significance in cross body sites HPV infection responses. There was a solid microbial interaction network between the cervix, vagina, and urethra. The interrelationships between inflammatory factors and different bacterial genera might also affect the immune system's response to HPV infection. INTERPRETATION It might be an effective strategy to prevent and treat HPV infection by simultaneously understanding the correlation between the microbial changes in multiple parts of the female urogenital tract and rectum and HPV infection, and controlling the microbial network related to HPV infection in different parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Hong Dong
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Yu-Hua Luo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Chen-Jian Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Wen-Yu Huang
- Changchun Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Changchun, 130012, Jilin, China
| | - Lin Feng
- Guangdong Hybribio Biotech Co., Ltd., Chaozhou, 521000, Guangdong, China
| | - Xing-Yuan Zou
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Jin-Yan Zhou
- Pediatrics Department, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650051, Yunnan, China.
| | - Xiao-Ran Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.
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Zhang YT, Xu LJ, Li L. EGLN1: A Biomarker of Poor Prognosis of Cervical Cancer and a Target of Treatment. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2024; 28:10-21. [PMID: 38294357 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2023.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: To conduct bioinformatics analysis on the prognostic effect, mechanism of action, and drug sensitivity of Egl-9 family hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (EGLN1) expression on cervical cancer. Methods: Bioinformatics were obtained from Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), and the human cancer metastasis database (HCMDB), and the effect of EGLN1 expression level on the prognosis of cervical cancer was comprehensively analyzed. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed by Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING), and the possible mechanism of EGLN1 affecting the prognosis of cervical cancer was discussed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. In addition, Gene Set Cancer Analysis (GSCALite) was used to predict sensitive drugs online. Results: The higher the expression level of EGLN1, the shorter the tumor-free survival time and overall survival time of cervical cancer. The higher the stage of cervical cancer, the higher the expression level of EGLN1. The expression of EGLN1 affects the degree of immune infiltration, the variation of somatic copy number, and the level of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in cervical cancer. COX regression model suggested that EGLN1 was an independent prognostic factor of cervical cancer. Conclusions: The high expression of EGLN1 in cervical cancer is an independent risk factor for the prognosis of cervical cancer, which affects the prognosis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) through different signal pathways. It is expected to be used to predict the sensitive anticancer drugs for the treatment of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Zhaoqing, Zhaoqing, P.R. China
| | - Lin-Jing Xu
- Department of Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Zhaoqing, Zhaoqing, P.R. China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Zhaoqing, Zhaoqing, P.R. China
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Trujillo-Cirilo L, Weiss-Steider B, Vargas-Angeles CA, Corona-Ortega MT, Rangel-Corona R. Immune microenvironment of cervical cancer and the role of IL-2 in tumor promotion. Cytokine 2023; 170:156334. [PMID: 37598478 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156334] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a heterogeneous mixture of resident and tumor cells that maintain close communication through their secretion products. The composition of the TME is dynamic and complex among the different types of cancer, where the immune cells play a relevant role in the elimination of tumor cells, however, under certain circumstances they contribute to tumor development. In cervical cancer (CC) the human papilloma virus (HPV) shapes the microenvironment in order to mediate persistent infections that favors transformation and tumor development. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an important TME cytokine that induces CD8+ effector T cells and NKs to eliminate tumor cells, however, IL-2 can also suppress the immune response through Treg cells. Recent studies have shown that CC cells express the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), that are induced to proliferate at low concentrations of exogenous IL-2 through alterations in the JAK/STAT pathway. This review provides an overview of the main immune cells that make up the TME in CC, as well as the participation of IL-2 in the tumor promotion. Finally, it is proposed that the low density of IL-2 produced by immunocompetent cells is used by tumor cells through its IL-2R as a mechanism to proliferate simultaneously depleting this molecule in order to evade immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Trujillo-Cirilo
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Research Unit Cell Differentiation and Cancer, L-4 P.B. FES Zaragoza, National University of Mexico, Av., Guelatao No. 66 Col. Ejercito de Oriente, Iztapalapa, C.P. 09230 Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Benny Weiss-Steider
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Research Unit Cell Differentiation and Cancer, L-4 P.B. FES Zaragoza, National University of Mexico, Av., Guelatao No. 66 Col. Ejercito de Oriente, Iztapalapa, C.P. 09230 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Adrian Vargas-Angeles
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Research Unit Cell Differentiation and Cancer, L-4 P.B. FES Zaragoza, National University of Mexico, Av., Guelatao No. 66 Col. Ejercito de Oriente, Iztapalapa, C.P. 09230 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Maria Teresa Corona-Ortega
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Research Unit Cell Differentiation and Cancer, L-4 P.B. FES Zaragoza, National University of Mexico, Av., Guelatao No. 66 Col. Ejercito de Oriente, Iztapalapa, C.P. 09230 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosalva Rangel-Corona
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Research Unit Cell Differentiation and Cancer, L-4 P.B. FES Zaragoza, National University of Mexico, Av., Guelatao No. 66 Col. Ejercito de Oriente, Iztapalapa, C.P. 09230 Mexico City, Mexico
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Sun Q, Hong Z, Zhang C, Wang L, Han Z, Ma D. Immune checkpoint therapy for solid tumours: clinical dilemmas and future trends. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:320. [PMID: 37635168 PMCID: PMC10460796 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01522-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICBs), in addition to targeting CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1, novel targeting LAG-3 drugs have also been approved in clinical application. With the widespread use of the drug, we must deeply analyze the dilemma of the agents and seek a breakthrough in the treatment prospect. Over the past decades, these agents have demonstrated dramatic efficacy, especially in patients with melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nonetheless, in the field of a broad concept of solid tumours, non-specific indications, inseparable immune response and side effects, unconfirmed progressive disease, and complex regulatory networks of immune resistance are four barriers that limit its widespread application. Fortunately, the successful clinical trials of novel ICB agents and combination therapies, the advent of the era of oncolytic virus gene editing, and the breakthrough of the technical barriers of mRNA vaccines and nano-delivery systems have made remarkable breakthroughs currently. In this review, we enumerate the mechanisms of each immune checkpoint targets, associations between ICB with tumour mutation burden, key immune regulatory or resistance signalling pathways, the specific clinical evidence of the efficacy of classical targets and new targets among different tumour types and put forward dialectical thoughts on drug safety. Finally, we discuss the importance of accurate triage of ICB based on recent advances in predictive biomarkers and diagnostic testing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Zhenya Hong
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Cong Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Liangliang Wang
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China
| | - Zhiqiang Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
| | - Ding Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
- Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China.
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Cao G, Yue J, Ruan Y, Han Y, Zhi Y, Lu J, Liu M, Xu X, Wang J, Gu Q, Wen X, Gao J, Zhang Q, Kang J, Wang C, Li F. Single-cell dissection of cervical cancer reveals key subsets of the tumor immune microenvironment. EMBO J 2023; 42:e110757. [PMID: 37427448 PMCID: PMC10425846 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022110757] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) directly determines patients' outcomes and therapeutic efficiencies. An in-depth understanding of the TME is required to improve the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer (CC). This study conducted single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing of six-paired tumors and adjacent normal tissues to map the CC immune landscape. T and NK cells were highly enriched in the tumor area and transitioned from cytotoxic to exhaustion phenotypes. Our analyses suggest that cytotoxic large-clone T cells are critical effectors in the antitumor response. This study also revealed tumor-specific germinal center B cells associated with tertiary lymphoid structures. A high-germinal center B cell proportion in patients with CC is predictive of improved clinical outcomes and is associated with elevated hormonal immune responses. We depicted an immune-excluded stromal landscape and established a joint model of tumor and stromal cells to predict CC patients' prognosis. The study revealed tumor ecosystem subsets linked to antitumor response or prognosis in the TME and provides information for future combinational immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxu Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jiali Yue
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Science and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yetian Ruan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ya Han
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Science and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yong Zhi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jianqiao Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xinxin Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Quan Gu
- CVR BioinformaticsUniversity of Glasgow Centre for Virus ResearchGlasgowUK
| | - Xuejun Wen
- Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, School of EngineeringVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Jinli Gao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Qingfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Science and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jiuhong Kang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chenfei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Science and TechnologyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
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Cheng H, Li Y, Cheng J, Zhang Y, Zhang B. Study on the effect and mechanisms of piperine against cervical cancer based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2023:1-24. [PMID: 37235876 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2023.2217611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Piperine has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, and its potential in treating cervical cancer needs further exploration. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we identified immune-related differentially expressed genes (IRDEGs) in cervical cancer. Predicted targets of piperine were compared with cervical cancer-associated genes from various databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, enrichment of GO and KEGG pathways, and molecular docking were performed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was done to assess prognostic significance. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to confirm findings. We obtained 403 IRDEGs, 125 piperine targets, and 7037 cervical cancer genes. PPI network analysis revealed potential targets and pathways regulated by piperine. Molecular docking showed good binding activity of piperine with specific targets. In vitro, piperine inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis. In vivo, piperine suppressed tumor growth and downregulated expression of IL-1β and NLRP3 in tumor cells. Piperine also downregulated expression of IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, and RORγt, and decreased the number of Th17 cells in tumor tissues. Piperine may inhibit cervical cancer progression through modulation of Th17 cell activation mediated by the NLRP3/IL-1β axis. Further studies are warranted to explore the potential of piperine as an immunomodulatory agent in cervical cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanyu Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanling Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Li Y, Gao X, Huang Y, Zhu X, Chen Y, Xue L, Zhu Q, Wang B, Wu M. Tumor microenvironment promotes lymphatic metastasis of cervical cancer: its mechanisms and clinical implications. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1114042. [PMID: 37234990 PMCID: PMC10206119 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1114042] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Although previous studies have shed light on the etiology of cervical cancer, metastasis of advanced cervical cancer remains the main reason for the poor outcome and high cancer-related mortality rate. Cervical cancer cells closely communicate with immune cells recruited to the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as lymphocytes, tumor-associated macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. The crosstalk between tumors and immune cells has been clearly shown to foster metastatic dissemination. Therefore, unraveling the mechanisms of tumor metastasis is crucial to develop more effective therapies. In this review, we interpret several characteristics of the TME that promote the lymphatic metastasis of cervical cancer, such as immune suppression and premetastatic niche formation. Furthermore, we summarize the complex interactions between tumor cells and immune cells within the TME, as well as potential therapeutic strategies to target the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases; Department of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaofan Gao
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases; Department of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yibao Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases; Department of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoran Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases; Department of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yingying Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases; Department of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Liru Xue
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases; Department of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qingqing Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases; Department of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bo Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases; Department of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mingfu Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases; Department of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Liu J, Chen H, Qiao G, Zhang JT, Zhang S, Zhu C, Chen Y, Tang J, Li W, Wang S, Tian H, Chen Z, Ma D, Tian J, Wu YL. PLEK2 and IFI6, representing mesenchymal and immune-suppressive microenvironment, predicts resistance to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:881-893. [PMID: 36121452 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03288-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy has largely improved clinical outcome of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, a proportion of patients still fail to benefit. Thus, biomarkers predicting therapeutic resistance and underlying mechanism needs to be investigated. METHODS Transcriptomic profiling was applied in FFPE tissues from 103 ESCC patients, including surgical samples from 66 treatment-naïve patients with long-term follow-up, and endoscopic biopsies from 37 local advanced ESCC cases receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy. Unsupervised clustering indicated an aggressive phenotype with mesenchymal character in 66 treatment-naïve samples. Univariant logistic regression was applied to identify candidate biomarkers potentially predicted resistance to neoadjuvant immunotherapy within the range of mesenchymal phenotype enriched genes. These biomarkers were further validated by immunohistochemistry. Putative mechanisms mediating immunotherapy resistance, as indicated by microenvironment and immune cell infiltration, were evaluated by transcriptomic data, and validated by multiplex immunofluorescence. RESULTS PLEK2 and IFI6, highly expressed in mesenchymal phenotype, were identified as novel biomarkers relating to non-MPR in neoadjuvant immunotherapy cohort [PLEK2high, OR (95% CI): 2.15 (1.07-4.33), P = 0.032; IFI6high, OR (95% CI): 2.21 (1.16-4.23), P = 0.016). PLEK2high and IFI6 high ESCC patients (versus low expressed patients) further exhibit higher chance of non-major pathological remissions (90%, P = 0.004) in neoadjuvant immunotherapy cohort and high mortality (78.9%, P = 0.05), poor prognosis in retrospective cohort. PLEK2high/IFI6high ESCC recapitulated mesenchymal phenotype, characterized by extracellular matrix composition and matrix remodeling. In addition, PLEK2high or IFI6high ESCC displayed an immune-unfavored microenvironment, represented by positive correlating with regulatory T cells, Helper 2 T cell as well as less infiltration of B cells, effector T cells and mast cells. CONCLUSIONS PLEK2 and IFI6 was discovered of first time to identify a distinct ESCC subpopulation cannot be benefited from neoadjuvant immunotherapy and present a poor survival, which putatively associated with mesenchymal and immune-suppressive microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Liu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, 253 Gongye Middle Avenue, Guangzhou, 510280, China
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.123 Huifu Road West, Guangzhou, 510180, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Guibin Qiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jia-Tao Zhang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Shuaitong Zhang
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, No.37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation,, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Changbin Zhu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Xiamen, 361027, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jiming Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Department of Translational Medicine, Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd, Xiamen, 361027, China
| | - Siyun Wang
- Department of PET Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hongxia Tian
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhihong Chen
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Dong Ma
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, No.123 Huifu Road West, Guangzhou, 510180, China.
| | - Jie Tian
- School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, No.37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Institute of Automation,, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
| | - Yi-Long Wu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, 253 Gongye Middle Avenue, Guangzhou, 510280, China.
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
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Arpinati L, Scherz-Shouval R. From gatekeepers to providers: regulation of immune functions by cancer-associated fibroblasts. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:421-443. [PMID: 36870916 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major protumorigenic components of the tumor microenvironment in solid cancers. CAFs are heterogeneous, consisting of multiple subsets that display diverse functions. Recently, CAFs have emerged as major promoters of immune evasion. CAFs favor T cell exclusion and exhaustion, promote recruitment of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and induce protumoral phenotypic shifts in macrophages and neutrophils. With the growing appreciation of CAF heterogeneity came the understanding that different CAF subpopulations may be driving distinct immune-regulatory effects, interacting with different cell types, and perhaps even driving opposing effects on malignancy. In this review we discuss the current understanding of CAF-immune interactions, their effect on tumor progression and therapeutic response, and the possibility of exploiting CAF-immune interactions as potential targets for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Arpinati
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ruth Scherz-Shouval
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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Liu C, Zhang M, Yan X, Ni Y, Gong Y, Wang C, Zhang X, Wan L, Yang H, Ge C, Li Y, Zou W, Huang R, Li X, Sun B, Liu B, Yue J, Yu J. Single-cell dissection of cellular and molecular features underlying human cervical squamous cell carcinoma initiation and progression. Sci Adv 2023; 9:eadd8977. [PMID: 36706185 PMCID: PMC9882988 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add8977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) is a prototypical human cancer with well-characterized pathological stages of initiation and progression. However, high-resolution knowledge of the transcriptional programs underlying each stage of CESC is lacking, and important questions remain. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of 76,911 individual cells from 13 samples of human cervical tissues at various stages of malignancy, illuminating the transcriptional tumorigenic trajectory of cervical epithelial cells and revealing key factors involved in CESC initiation and progression. In addition, we found significant correlations between the abundance of specific myeloid, lymphoid, and endothelial cell populations and the progression of CESC, which were also associated with patients' prognosis. Last, we demonstrated the tumor-promoting function of matrix cancer-associated fibroblasts via the NRG1-ERBB3 pathway in CESC. This study provides a valuable resource and deeper insights into CESC initiation and progression, which is helpful in refining CESC diagnosis and for the design of optimal treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Xinlong Yan
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yanli Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Senior Department of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yandong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Senior Department of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Lingfei Wan
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Chen Ge
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yunqiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Senior Department of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Wenxue Zou
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Xiaohui Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Bing Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Senior Department of Hematology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Jinbo Yue
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
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Basak M, Chaudhary DK, Takahashi RU, Yamamoto Y, Tiwari S, Tahara H, Mittal A. Immunocyte Derived Exosomes: Insight into the Potential Chemo-immunotherapeutic Nanocarrier Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:20-39. [PMID: 36524837 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
"Cancer" is a dreadful immune-pathological condition that is characterized by anti-inflammatory and tumorigenic responses, elicited by the infiltrating immune cells in the vicinity of an uncontrollably proliferative tumor in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME offers a conducive microenvironment that supports cancer cell survival by modulating the host immune defense. Recent advancement in exosomal research has shown exosomes, originating from immune cells as well as the cancer cells, have immense potential for suppressing cancer progression and survival in the TME. Additionally, exosomes, irrespective of their diverse sources, have been reported to be efficient nanocarriers for cancer therapeutics with the ability for targeted delivery due to their biogenic nature, ease of cellular uptake, and scope for functionalization with biomolecules like peptides, aptamers, targeting ligands, etc. Immune cell-derived exosomes per se have been found efficacious against cancer owing to their immune-stimulant properties (in either naive or antigen primed form) even without loading any of cancer therapeutics or targeting ligand conjugation. Nevertheless, exosomes are being primarily explored as nanovesicular carriers for therapeutic molecules with different loading and targeting strategies, and the synergism between immunotherapeutic behavior of exosomes and the anticancer effect of the therapeutic molecules is yet to be explored. Hence, this review focuses specifically on the possible strategies to modulate the immunological nature of the source immune cells to obtain immune stimulant exosomes and bring these into the spotlight as chemo-immunotherapeutic nanovesicles, that can easily target and modulate the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moumita Basak
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS PILANI), Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Chaudhary
- Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology Division, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226014, India
| | - Ryou-U Takahashi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamamoto
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Swasti Tiwari
- Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology Division, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226014, India
| | - Hidetoshi Tahara
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Anupama Mittal
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS PILANI), Pilani, Rajasthan 333031, India.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
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Guo X, Chen S, Wang S, Zhang H, Yin F, Guo P, Zhang X, Liu X, Han Y. CircRNA-Based Cervical Cancer Prognosis Model, Immunological Validation and Drug Prediction. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:7994-8018. [PMID: 36354693 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29110633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer (CC) is a common cancer in female, which is associated with problems like poor prognosis. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a kind of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that has an important role in regulating microRNA (miRNA) in many cancers. The regulatory mechanisms of CC immune microenvironment and the transcriptome level remain to be fully explored. METHODS In this study, we constructed the ceRNA network through the interaction data and expression matrix of circRNA, miRNA and mRNA. Meanwhile, based on the gene expression matrix, CIBERSORT algorithm was used to reveal contents of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs). Then, we screened prognostic markers based on ceRNA network and immune infiltration and constructed two nomograms. In order to find immunological differences between the high- and low-risk CC samples, we examined multiple immune checkpoints and predicted the effect of PD-L1 ICI immunotherapy. In addition, the sensitive therapeutics for high-risk patients were screened, and the potential agents with anti-CC activity were predicted by Connective Map (CMap). RESULTS We mapped a ceRNA network including 5 circRNAs, 17 miRNAs and 129 mRNAs. From the mRNA nodes of the network six genes and two kind of cells were identified as prognostic makers for CC. Among them, there was a significant positive correlation between CD8+ T cells and SNX10 gene. The results of TIDE and single sample GSEA (ssGSEA) showed that T cells CD8 do play a key role in inhibiting tumor progression. Further, our study screened 24 drugs that were more sensitive to high-risk CC patients and several potential therapeutic agents for reference. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified several circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory axes and six prognostic genes based on the ceRNA network. In addition, through TIIC, survival analysis and a series of immunological analyses, T cells were proved to be good prognostic markers, besides play an important role in the immune process. Finally, we screened 24 potentially more effective drugs and multiple potential drug compounds for high- and low-risk patients.
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Sun F, Mo L, Lan Y, Lu Q, Wu N, Song H. WDR5 drives the development of cervical squamous cell carcinoma by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer-associated fibroblasts formation. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 238:154076. [PMID: 36055087 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5) has been indicated to be involved in tumor progression, however, its role in cervical cancer (CC) has not been investigated yet. METHODS A total of 350 pairs of CC tissues and para-carcinoma tissues (PCT) were collected. Primary human cervical epithelial cells (hCECs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were isolated from cervical cancer tissues. MM102 was used to block the interaction between WDR5 and mixed lineage leukemia protein-1 (MLL1), and it was used in vivo to investigate its therapeutic value. RESULTS WDR5 was up-regulated in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) tissues compared to that in PCT. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) was indicated to be the target gene of WDR5. Highly expressed CXCL8 promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to form CAFs, and enhanced the cytokine secretions in CAFs to promote CSCC progression. CXCL8 expression was regulated by the interaction between WDR5 and MLL1, and blocking the interaction between these two proteins using MM102 significantly suppressed tumor growth in mice models. CONCLUSIONS WDR5 plays a key role in CSCC progression by inducing CXCL8 expression and promoting the transformation of CAFs from epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangli Sun
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning City, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Linmei Mo
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning City, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Ying Lan
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning City, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Qiuping Lu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning City, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Nengxian Wu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning City, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Honglin Song
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning City, Guangxi Province, China.
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Zhang W, Cao W, Tong Z, Jin Q, Jiang X, Yang Y, Yao H, Chen G, Gao W, Zhu Y, Zhou S. Identification and validation of a novel necroptosis-related prognostic signature in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1011000. [PMID: 36185274 PMCID: PMC9523405 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1011000] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic signature of necroptosis-related lncRNAs (NRLs) and explore their association with immune-related functions and sensitivity of the therapeutic drug in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC).MethodsUCSC Xena provided lncRNA sequencing and clinical data about CESC, and a necroptosis gene list was obtained from the KEGG database. NRLs were selected by structuring a co-expression network of lncRNAs and necroptosis-related genes. To further screen lncRNAs, we used the univariate Cox regression method, Lasso regression, and multivariate Cox regression. Afterward, an NRL signature was established. We used the xCell algorithm and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to clarify the pertinence between immune infiltration and NRL expressions in CESC patients and explored the relationship between the target lncRNAs and immune-related genes. By leveraging the GDSC database, the therapy-sensitive response of the prognostic signature was forecasted and an experimental validation was performed. We performed GSEA with the aim of recognizing the potential pathway related to the individual prognostic signature.ResultsThe two prognostic NRLs (AC009095.1 and AC005332.4) showed significant diversity and constituted the NRL signature. On the grounds of our signature, risk score was an independent element which was bound up with patient outcome (HR = 4.97 CI: 1.87–13.2, P = 0.001). The CESC patients were classified by the median risk score. Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant increases in CD4 + Tcm, eosinophils, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, NKT, plasma cells, platelets, and smooth muscle in the high-risk group (P< 0.05). Target lncRNAs also showed some correlation with NRGs. The estimated IC50 values of bicalutamide, CHIR.99021, and imatinib were lower in the high-risk group. Through the subsequent experimental validation, both AC009095.1 and AC005332.4 were significantly more highly expressed in SiHa than in Hela. AC009095.1 was expressed more highly in SiHa than in HUCEC, but the expression of AC005332.4 was reversed.ConclusionsThis study elucidated that NRLs, as a novel signature, were indispensable factors which can significantly influence the prognosis of patients with CESC and could provide novel clinical evidence to serve as a potential molecular biomarker for future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyu Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Province Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Wujun Cao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Anhui Province Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Zhuting Tong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qinqin Jin
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Province Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Xiya Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Province Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Yinting Yang
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Province Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Hui Yao
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Province Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Guo Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Province Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Province Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Yuting Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Province Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
| | - Shuguang Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Medical University Affiliated Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
- Department of Gynecology, Anhui Province Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Shuguang Zhou,
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Sun W, Hang D, Han S, Fu S, Ma H, Dong X, Xu Y, Li N, Hu Z. Construction of circRNA-associated ceRNA network reveals the regulation of fibroblast proliferation in cervical cancer. Gene 2022;:146824. [PMID: 35995117 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is one of the major cancers that threaten the health of women. CircRNA is an important factor in the regulation of cancer development and progression. The role of circRNA in cervical cancer is less well studied. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism of circRNA effects on cervical cancer using circRNA-seq technology to study the expression profile data of 9 pairs of primary cervical cancer and paracancerous tissues. METHOD DESeq2 was used to analyse differentially expressed circRNA and mRNA in cervical cancer and paracancerous tissues. MiRanda and TargetScan are used to predict miRNAs that interact with circRNAs and mRNAs and to construct circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks. KEGG and GO are used for functional annotation of differentially expressed genes. TIDE, TIMER2.0 was used to assess the status of the tumour immune microenvironment in cervical cancer. GEPIA2 was used to validate the results of differential expression analysis. RESULTS We eventually obtained 22 differentially expressed circRNAs (7 up-regulated and 15 down-regulated) and 1834 differentially expressed genes (613 up-regulated and 1221 down-regulated). The results of the KEGG analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in cell cycle and cancer-related signalling pathways. The new circRNA: circZNF208 was identified to promote fibroblast proliferation by interfering with its downstream hsa-miR-324-3p regulating four downstream genes LPHN3. The level of fibroblast infiltration is implicated in the poor prognosis of cervical cancer. CONCLUSION We have identified a novel circRNA: circZNF208 that can interfere with fibroblast proliferation in cervical cancer through a ceRNA regulatory network, thereby promoting fibroblast proliferation in cervical cancer and affecting the prognosis of cancer patients.
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Shiri Aghbash P, Shirvaliloo M, Khalo Abass Kasho A, Alinezhad F, Nauwynck H, Bannazadeh Baghi H. Cluster of differentiation frequency on antigen presenting-cells: The next step to cervical cancer prognosis? Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 108:108896. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Wang X, Tang W, Lu Y, You J, Han Y, Zheng Y. Prognostic Significance of Alternative Splicing Genes in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Endocervical Adenocarcinoma. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:7933-7949. [PMID: 34785939 PMCID: PMC8590485 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s335475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alternative splicing (AS) acts on many tumors and its relationship with cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) needs to be researched. Methods RNA sequencing data and clinical information of CESC cohorts were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and SpliceSeq was used to analyze the splicing profile of mRNA in CESC. UpSetR displayed the intersections among AS events and univariate analysis chose survival-associated AS and splicing factor (SF) genes. Functional analysis was operated on Enrichr, STRING database and MCODE analysis were used to evaluate protein-protein interaction (PPI) information. LASSO and multivariate analysis constructed prognostic model and risk analysis of tumor infiltrating immune cells was also conducted. Results A total of 402 AS-generated genes were found to be associated with CESC prognosis. Functional analysis showed that Golgi to lysosome transport was enriched. PPI network suggested that UBA52 was most functional. Dendritic cells activated, dendritic cells resting, macrophages M0, mast cells resting, T cells CD4 memory activated and T cells CD8 were most correlative with the risk score. Conclusion SFs and AS events can directly or indirectly affect the prognosis of CESC patients and this study identified SNRPA and CELF2 as two CESC-engaged SFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Weichun Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yilin Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun You
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanli Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, People's Republic of China
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Xu T, Xie M, Jing X, Cui J, Wu X, Shu Y. Crosstalk between Environmental Inflammatory Stimuli and Non-Coding RNA in Cancer Occurrence and Development. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4436. [PMID: 34503246 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Increasing evidence has indicated that chronic inflammatory processes have an influence on tumor occurrence and all stages of tumor development. A dramatic increase of studies into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) biology has shown that ncRNAs act as oncogenic drivers and tumor suppressors in various inflammation-induced cancers. Thus, this complex network of inflammation-associated cancers and ncRNAs offers targets for prevention from the malignant transformation from inflammation and treatment of malignant diseases. Abstract There is a clear relationship between inflammatory response and different stages of tumor development. Common inflammation-related carcinogens include viruses, bacteria, and environmental mutagens, such as air pollutants, toxic metals, and ultraviolet light. The expression pattern of ncRNA changes in a variety of disease conditions, including inflammation and cancer. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have a causative role in enhancing inflammatory stimulation and evading immune responses, which are particularly important in persistent pathogen infection and inflammation-to-cancer transformation. In this review, we investigated the mechanism of ncRNA expression imbalance in inflammation-related cancers. A better understanding of the function of inflammation-associated ncRNAs may help to reveal the potential of ncRNAs as a new therapeutic strategy.
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Theobald L, Stroeder R, Melchior P, Iordache II, Tänzer T, Port M, Glombitza B, Marx S, Schub D, Herr C, Hart M, Ludwig N, Meese E, Kim YJ, Bohle RM, Smola S, Rübe C, Solomayer EF, Walch-Rückheim B. Chemoradiotherapy-induced increase in Th17 cell frequency in cervical cancer patients is associated with therapy resistance and early relapse. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:3559-3577. [PMID: 34469022 PMCID: PMC8637579 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer therapy is still a major clinical challenge, as patients substantially differ in their response to standard treatments, including chemoradiotherapy (CRT). During cervical carcinogenesis, T-helper (Th)-17 cells accumulate in the peripheral blood and tumor tissues of cancer patients and are associated with poor prognosis. In this prospective study, we find increased Th17 frequencies in the blood of patients after chemoradiotherapy and a post-therapeutic ratio of Th17/CD4+ T cells > 8% was associated with early recurrence. Furthermore, Th17 cells promote resistance of cervical cancer cells toward CRT, which was dependent on the AKT signaling pathway. Consistently, patients with high Th17 frequencies in pretherapeutic biopsies exhibit lower response to primary CRT. This work reveals a key role of Th17 cells in CRT resistance and elevated Th17 frequencies in the blood after CRT correspond with early recurrence. Our results may help to explain individual treatment responses of cervical cancer patients and suggest evaluation of Th17 cells as a novel predictive biomarker for chemoradiotherapy responses and as a potential target for immunotherapy in cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Theobald
- Institute of Virology and Center of Human and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Russalina Stroeder
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Patrick Melchior
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Ioan Iulian Iordache
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Tanja Tänzer
- Institute of Virology and Center of Human and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Meike Port
- Institute of Virology and Center of Human and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Birgit Glombitza
- Institute of Virology and Center of Human and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Stefanie Marx
- Department of Transplant and Infection Immunology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - David Schub
- Department of Transplant and Infection Immunology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Christian Herr
- Department of Internal Medicine V - Pulmonology, Allergology and Critical Care Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Martin Hart
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Nicole Ludwig
- Institute of Human Genetics and Center of Human and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Eckart Meese
- Institute of Human Genetics, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Yoo-Jin Kim
- Institute of Pathology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Rainer Maria Bohle
- Institute of Pathology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Sigrun Smola
- Institute of Virology and Center of Human and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Christian Rübe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Erich Franz Solomayer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Barbara Walch-Rückheim
- Institute of Virology and Center of Human and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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21
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Soongsathitanon J, Jamjuntra P, Sumransub N, Yangngam S, De la Fuente M, Landskron G, Thuwajit P, Hermoso MA, Thuwajit C. Crosstalk between Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth and Immunosuppression of Breast Cancer. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:8840066. [PMID: 34337083 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8840066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Signals from the tumor microenvironment (TME) have a profound influence on the maintenance and progression of cancers. Chronic inflammation and the infiltration of immune cells in breast cancer (BC) have been strongly associated with early carcinogenic events and a switch to a more immunosuppressive response. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal component and can modulate tumor progression according to their secretomes. The immune cells including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and helper T cell (Th)), monocyte-infiltrating cells (MICs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), mast cells (MCs), and natural killer cells (NKs) play an important part in the immunological balance, fluctuating TME between protumoral and antitumoral responses. In this review article, we have summarized the impact of these immunological players together with CAF secreted substances in driving BC progression. We explain the crosstalk of CAFs and tumor-infiltrating immune cells suppressing antitumor response in BC, proposing these cellular entities as predictive markers of poor prognosis. CAF-tumor-infiltrating immune cell interaction is suggested as an alternative therapeutic strategy to regulate the immunosuppressive microenvironment in BC.
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22
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R S J. The Immune Microenvironment in Human Papilloma Virus-Induced Cervical Lesions-Evidence for Estrogen as an Immunomodulator. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:649815. [PMID: 33996630 PMCID: PMC8120286 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.649815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is a common sexually transmitted disease. However, most of the HPV infections eventually resolve aided by the body’s efficient cell-mediated immune responses. In the vast majority of the small group of patients who develop overt disease too, it is the immune response that culminates in regression of lesions. It is therefore a rarity that persistent infection by high-risk genotypes of HPV compounded by other risk factors progresses through precancer (various grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia—CIN) to cervical cancer (CxCa). Hence, although CxCa is a rare culmination of HPV infection, the latter is nevertheless causally linked to >90% of cancer. The three ‘Es’ of cancer immunoediting viz. elimination, equilibrium, and escape come into vogue during the gradual evolution of CIN 1 to CxCa. Both cell-intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms operate to eliminate virally infected cells: cell-extrinsic players are anti-tumor/antiviral effectors like Th1 subset of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, Natural Killer cells, etc. and pro-tumorigenic/immunosuppressive cells like regulatory T cells (Tregs), Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs), type 2 macrophages, etc. And accordingly, when immunosuppressive cells overpower the effectors e.g., in high-grade lesions like CIN 2 or 3, the scale is tilted towards immune escape and the disease progresses to cancer. Estradiol has long been considered as a co-factor in cervical carcinogenesis. In addition to the gonads, the Peyer’s patches in the gut synthesize estradiol. Over and above local production of the hormone in the tissues, estradiol metabolism by the gut microbiome: estrobolome versus tryptophan non-metabolizing microbiome, regulates free estradiol levels in the intestine and extraintestinal mucosal sites. Elevated tissue levels of the hormone serve more than one purpose: besides a direct growth-promoting action on cervical epithelial cells, estradiol acting genomically via Estrogen Receptor-α also boosts the function of the stromal and infiltrating immunosuppressive cells viz. Tregs, MDSCs, and carcinoma-associated fibroblasts. Hence as a corollary, therapeutic repurposing of Selective Estrogen Receptor Disruptors or aromatase inhibitors could be useful for modulating immune function in cervical precancer/cancer. The immunomodulatory role of estradiol in HPV-mediated cervical lesions is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayshree R S
- Department of Microbiology, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India
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23
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De Nola R, Loizzi V, Cicinelli E, Cormio G. Dynamic crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment of uterine cervical carcinoma: baseline network, iatrogenic alterations, and translational implications. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 162:103343. [PMID: 33930531 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent gynecological tumor worldwide. The tumor microenvironment of cervical cancer is the result of persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection together with stromal activation of estrogen receptor alpha and the pro-angiogenic and pro-inflammatory activity of immune cells, mainly T-helper 17 cells and tumor-associated macrophages. Therapeutic management (e.g., immunotherapy, especially in advanced cases) may be influenced by the translational implications of tumoral stroma crosstalk and an abundance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes within the tumor microenvironment. The prognosis of cervical cancer is inversely correlated with microvessel density, making anti-angiogenic strategies with agents such as bevacizumab crucial for improving both progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with advanced and recurrent tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba De Nola
- Department of Tissues and Organs Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, D.E.O.T., University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11-Policlinico, 70124, Bari, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Human Oncological Science, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11-Policlinico, 70124, Bari, Italy; Gynecologic Oncology Unit, IRCCS, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70142, Bari, Italy.
| | - Vera Loizzi
- Department of Biomedical and Human Oncological Science, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11-Policlinico, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Ettore Cicinelli
- Department of Biomedical and Human Oncological Science, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11-Policlinico, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Gennaro Cormio
- Department of Biomedical and Human Oncological Science, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11-Policlinico, 70124, Bari, Italy; Gynecologic Oncology Unit, IRCCS, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70142, Bari, Italy
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24
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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: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
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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
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25
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Dou D, Liang J, Zhai X, Li G, Wang H, Han L, Lin L, Ren Y, Liu S, Liu C, Guo W, Li J. Oxytocin signalling in dendritic cells regulates immune tolerance in the intestine and alleviates DSS-induced colitis. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:597-611. [PMID: 33564880 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is associated with immune dysfunction. Recent studies have indicated that the neurosecretory hormone oxytocin (OXT) has been proven to alleviate experimental colitis. METHODS We investigated the role of OXT/OXT receptor (OXTR) signalling in dendritic cells (DCs) using mice with specific OXTR deletion in CD11c+ cells (OXTRflox/flox×CD11c-cre mice) and a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model. RESULTS The level of OXT was abnormal in the serum or colon tissue of DSS-induced colitis mice or the plasma of UC patients. Both bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) and lamina propria DCs (LPDCs) express OXTR. Knocking out OXTR in DCs exacerbated DSS-induced acute and chronic colitis in mice. In contrast, the injection of OXT-pretreated DCs significantly ameliorated colitis. Mechanistically, OXT prevented DC maturation through the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (Pi3K)/AKT pathway and promoted phagocytosis, adhesion and cytokine modulation in DCs. Furthermore, OXT pre-treated DCs prevent CD4+ T cells differentiation to T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that OXT-induced tolerogenic DCs efficiently protect against experimental colitis via Pi3K/AKT pathway. Our work provides evidence that the nervous system participates in the immune regulation of colitis by modulating DCs. Our findings suggest that generating ex vivo DCs pretreated with OXT opens new therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of UC in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Dou
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jinghui Liang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhai
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Guosheng Li
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hongjuan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Liying Han
- College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yifei Ren
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Shilian Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Chuanyong Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jingxin Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
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26
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He M, Wang Y, Zhang G, Cao K, Yang M, Liu H. The prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in cervical cancer. J Gynecol Oncol 2021; 32:e32. [PMID: 33825354 PMCID: PMC8039170 DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2021.32.e32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To predict the prognosis of cervical cancer, we constructed a novel model with 5 specific cell types and identified a potential biomarker. Methods We employed CIBERSORT and xCell method to evaluate the abundances of 23 cells types in tumor microenvironment. Five specific cell types were filtrated to determine different immunotypes by applying least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression method. The expression of immune checkpoints (ICPs) and effectors were validated by immunohistochemistry. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relevance between PIK3CA mutational status and ICPs. Results Unsupervised clustering of patients on the basis of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and fibroblasts identified patients with shorter overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR]=3.0729; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.5103–6.2522; p=0.0118). An immunoscore (IS) signature consisting of 5 immune cell types infiltrating in tumor core (CD8T, activated NK cells, neutrophils, activated mast cells, macrophages) was constructed using LASSO Cox regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves confirmed that the area under the curve of IS was significantly higher to that of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging alone (0.637 vs. 0.55). Survival analysis revealed patients in high IS group exhibited a poorer OS (HR=3.0113; 95% CI=1.8746–4.8373; p<0.0001). The multivariate analysis indicated the IS was an independent prognostic factor. In addition, the lower IS related to higher expression of ICPs and neoantigen load. Conclusions The identification of IS in cervical cancer tissues could facilitate patient risk stratification and selection of immunotherapeutic responses, but more prospective studies are needed to assess its reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi He
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiying Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guodong Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kankan Cao
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Moran Yang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiou Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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27
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Lu Z, Zhu M, Marley JL, Bi K, Wang K, Zhai M, Hu H, Guo P, Li C, Xu Y, Chen Y, Zhou P, Wei Z, Jiang H, Cao Y. The combined action of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells and mucosal-associated invariant T cells promotes the progression of cervical cancer. Int J Cancer 2020; 148:1499-1507. [PMID: 33245569 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
One of the most common promoters of the initiation and growth of the tumor is an immune disturbance. Numerous immune cells and inflammatory factors play a role in the tumor-immune microenvironment. However, few studies have investigated the correlation between these immunological events and clinical consequences in cervical cancer. We measured the levels of numerous inflammatory mediators and frequencies of regulatory T cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in peripheral blood (PB) of cervical cancer patients. Cervical cancer patients showed elevated production of interleukin (IL)-18 and plasma C-C chemokine ligand (CCL) 3/5. Meanwhile, an accumulation of C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) monocytic (Mo)-MDSCs and Tregs was observed. The cervical cancer group displayed increased frequencies of CD8+ , CD4+ and highly activated CD38+ CD8+ MAIT cells, and reduction of double-negative (DN) and PD1(CD279+ ) DN MAIT cells. Importantly, it was demonstrated that MAIT cells were positively related to Mo-MDSCs. Furthermore, an elevated concentration of PD1(CD279+ ) DN MAIT cells was significantly related to increased progression-free survival of patients with cervical cancer. In conclusion, our study suggests that the combined action of Mo-MDSCs and MAIT cells might be associated with the progression of cervical cancer, and the frequency of DN MAIT cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was associated with the survival benefit of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Lu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mengting Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jordan Lee Marley
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Kaihuan Bi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kangxia Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Muxin Zhai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Peipei Guo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Caihua Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuping Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ya Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhaolian Wei
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Huanhuan Jiang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Chen GG, Woo PYM, Ng SCP, Wong GKC, Chan DTM, van Hasselt CA, Tong MCF, Poon WS. Impact of metformin on immunological markers: Implication in its anti-tumor mechanism. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107585. [PMID: 32473961 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Metformin, an anti-hyperglycemic drug, has been known to have antitumor properties for around 15 years. Although there are a number of reports attributing the antitumor function of metformin to its impact on energy homeostasis and oxygen re-distribution in tumor microenvironment, detailed mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the past several years, there is an increasing number of publications indicating that metformin can affect various immunological components including lymphocytes, macrophages, cytokines and several key immunological molecules in both human and animal studies. These interesting results appear to be in line with emerging data that suggest associations between immune responses and energy homeostasis/oxygen re-distribution, which may explain effective impacts of metformin on immunotherapies against autoimmune diseases as well as cancers. This review article is to analyse and discuss recent development in the above areas with aim to justify metformin as a new adjuvant for immunotherapy against human cancers. We hope that our summary will help to optimize the application of metformin for various types of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- George G Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Peter Y M Woo
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Stephanie C P Ng
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - George K C Wong
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Danny T M Chan
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Charles A van Hasselt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Michael C F Tong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Sang Poon
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
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Wang J, Li Z, Gao A, Wen Q, Sun Y. The prognostic landscape of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in cervical cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 120:109444. [PMID: 31562978 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TICs) are highly relevant to tumor development and are promising prognostic biomarkers. However, the precise assessment of TICs is limited by the deficiencies of traditional measurements, such as the lack of phenotypic markers. Here, we analyzed the composition of TICs in cervical cancer based on RNA expression data with a metagene approach called CIBERSORT and evaluated the prognostic value of TICs. The immune infiltration profiles functioned as intrinsic features to distinguish cervical cancer from normal tissue. According to the Cox regression analysis, higher levels of activated memory CD4+ T cells were independently associated with favorable overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-0.89; p = 0.003), whereas a higher fraction of activated mast cells was independently associated with adverse outcomes (HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.23-1.91; p < 0.001). Furthermore, a novel prognostic model named aTMNs (activated memory CD4+ T cells, activated mast cells and activated natural killer [NK] cells) was constructed to predict OS in cervical cancer with high accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.723, concordance index [C-index] = 0.738): risk score = -0.34508 × (proportion of activated memory CD4+ T cells) + 0.426841 × (proportion of activated mast cells) + 0.272202 × (proportion of activated NK cells). The aTMNs model outperformed the immunomodulator model (AUC = 0.673, C-index = 0.693). Overall, TICs are important prognostic determinants in cervical cancer and may be a useful resource for the development of effective immunotherapy.
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Frazer IH, Chandra J. Immunotherapy for HPV associated cancer. Papillomavirus Res 2019; 8:100176. [PMID: 31310819 PMCID: PMC6639647 DOI: 10.1016/j.pvr.2019.100176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian H Frazer
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia.
| | - Janin Chandra
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
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Abstract
Evidence is emerging that a complex interplay between high-risk human papillomavirus infection, the local microenvironment and the immune system is critical for cervical carcinogenesis. To establish persistence, the virus has to evade or overcome immune control. At the transition from precancer to cancer, however, chronic stromal inflammation and immune deviation build up, which may eventually determine the course of disease. Understanding the molecular basis underlying these pivotal stage-specific changes may help to define new tools for better diagnosis and therapy that are required to efficiently combat human papillomavirus-associated disease.
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