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Vilbois S, Xu Y, Ho PC. Metabolic interplay: tumor macrophages and regulatory T cells. Trends Cancer 2024; 10:242-255. [PMID: 38135571 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) contains a complex cellular ecosystem where cancer, stromal, vascular, and immune cells interact. Macrophages and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical not only for maintaining immunological homeostasis and tumor growth but also for monitoring the functional states of other immune cells. Emerging evidence reveals that metabolic changes in macrophages and Tregs significantly influence their pro-/antitumor functions through the regulation of signaling cascades and epigenetic reprogramming. Hence, they are increasingly recognized as therapeutic targets in cancer immunotherapy. Specific metabolites in the TME may also affect their pro-/antitumor functions by intervening with the metabolic machinery. We discuss how metabolites influence the immunosuppressive phenotypes of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and Tregs. We then describe how TAMs and Tregs, independently or collaboratively, utilize metabolic mechanisms to suppress the activity of CD8+ T cells. Finally, we highlight promising metabolic interventions that can improve the outcome of current cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Vilbois
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Yingxi Xu
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
| | - Ping-Chih Ho
- Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
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Huang R, Ning Q, Zhao J, Zhao X, Zeng L, Yi Y, Tang S. Targeting ENPP1 for cancer immunotherapy: Killing two birds with one stone. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 220:116006. [PMID: 38142838 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.116006] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, particularly with immune checkpoint inhibitors, has revolutionized the paradigm of cancer treatment. Nevertheless, the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy remains limited in most clinical settings due to the lack of a preexisting antitumor T-cell response in tumors. Therefore, the clinical outcomes of cancer immunotherapy must be improved crucially. With increased awareness of the importance of the innate immune response in the recruitment of T cells, as well as the onset and maintenance of the T cell response, great interest has been shown in activating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway to awaken the innate immune response, thereby orchestrating both innate and adaptive immune responses to induce tumor clearance. However, tumor cells have evolved to overexpress ectonucleotide pyrophosphate phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1), which degrades the immunotransmitter 2',3'-cGAMP and promotes the production of immune-suppressing adenosine, resulting in inhibition of the anticancer immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Clinically, ENPP1 overexpression is closely associated with poor prognosis in patients with cancer. Conversely, depleting or inhibiting ENPP1 has been verified to elevate extracellular 2',3'-cGAMP levels and inhibit the generation of adenosine, thereby reinvigorating the anticancer immune response for tumor elimination. A variety of ENPP1 inhibitors have recently been developed and have demonstrated significant promise for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we provide an overview of ENPP1, dissect its immunosuppressive mechanisms, and discuss the development of ENPP1 inhibitors with the potential to further improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruilei Huang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Qian Ning
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China; College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Jihui Zhao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Xuhong Zhao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Luting Zeng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Yi Yi
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Shengsong Tang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory for Antibody-Based Drug and Intelligent Delivery System, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua 418000, China; College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, and Institute of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
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3
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Zhang C, Wang K, Wang H. Adenosine in cancer immunotherapy: Taking off on a new plane. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189005. [PMID: 37913941 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
As a new pillar of cancer therapy, tumor immunotherapy has brought irreplaceable durable responses in tumors. Considering its low response rate, additional immune regulatory mechanisms will be critical for the development of next-generation immune therapeutics. As a key regulatory mechanism, adenosine (ADO) protects tissues from excessive immune responses, but as a metabolite highly concentrated in tumor microenvironments, extracellular adenosine acts on adenosine receptors (mainly A2A receptors) expressed on MDSCs, Tregs, NK cells, effector T cells, DCs, and macrophages to promote tumor cell escape from immune surveillance by inhibiting the immune response. Amounting preclinical studies have demonstrated the adenosine pathway as a novel checkpoint for immunotherapy. Large number of adenosine pathway targeting clinical trials are now underway, including antibodies against CD39 and CD73 as well as A2A receptor inhibitors. There has been evidence of antitumor efficacy of these inhibitors in early clinical trials among a variety of tumors such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, etc. As more clinical trial results are published, the combination of blockade of this pathway with immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted drugs, traditional chemotherapy medications, radiotherapy and endocrine therapy will provide cancer patients with better clinical outcomes. We would elaborate on the role of CD39-CD73-A2AR pathway in the contribution of tumor microenvironment and the targeting of the adenosinergic pathway for cancer therapy in the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyue Zhang
- Department of Integrated Therapy, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Haiyong Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China.
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Chen L, Alabdullah M, Mahnke K. Adenosine, bridging chronic inflammation and tumor growth. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258637. [PMID: 38022572 PMCID: PMC10643868 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosine (Ado) is a well-known immunosuppressive agent that may be released or generated extracellularly by cells, via degrading ATP by the sequential actions of the ectonucleotides CD39 and CD73. During inflammation Ado is produced by leukocytes and tissue cells by different means to initiate the healing phase. Ado downregulates the activation and the effector functions of different leukocyte (sub-) populations and stimulates proliferation of fibroblasts for re-establishment of intact tissues. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory actions of Ado are already intrinsically triggered during each episode of inflammation. These tissue-regenerating and inflammation-tempering purposes of Ado can become counterproductive. In chronic inflammation, it is possible that Ado-driven anti-inflammatory actions sustain the inflammation and prevent the final clearance of the tissues from possible pathogens. These chronic infections are characterized by increased tissue damage, remodeling and accumulating DNA damage, and are thus prone for tumor formation. Developing tumors may further enhance immunosuppressive actions by producing Ado by themselves, or by "hijacking" CD39+/CD73+ cells that had already developed during chronic inflammation. This review describes different and mostly convergent mechanisms of how Ado-induced immune suppression, initially induced in inflammation, can lead to tumor formation and outgrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karsten Mahnke
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
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Madeira D, Domingues J, Lopes CR, Canas PM, Cunha RA, Agostinho P. Modification of astrocytic Cx43 hemichannel activity in animal models of AD: modulation by adenosine A 2A receptors. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:340. [PMID: 37898985 PMCID: PMC10613596 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04983-6] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence implicates astrocytic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive cognitive loss. The accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques is a histopathological hallmark of AD and associated with increased astrocyte reactivity. In APP/PS1 mice modelling established AD (9 months), we now show an altered astrocytic morphology and enhanced activity of astrocytic hemichannels, mainly composed by connexin 43 (Cx43). Hemichannel activity in hippocampal astrocytes is also increased in two models of early AD: (1) mice with intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of Aβ1-42, and (2) hippocampal slices superfused with Aβ1-42 peptides. In hippocampal gliosomes of APP/PS1 mice, Cx43 levels were increased, whereas mice administered icv with Aβ1-42 only displayed increased Cx43 phosphorylation levels. This suggests that hemichannel activity might be differentially modulated throughout AD progression. Additionally, we tested if adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) blockade reversed alterations of astrocytic hemichannel activity and found that the pharmacological blockade or genetic silencing (global and astrocytic) of A2AR prevented Aβ-induced hemichannel dysregulation in hippocampal slices, although A2AR genetic silencing increased the activity of astroglial hemichannels in control conditions. In primary cultures of astrocytes, A2AR-related protective effect was shown to occur through a protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. Our results indicate that the dysfunction of hemichannel activity in hippocampal astrocytes is an early event in AD, which is modulated by A2AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Madeira
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Polo I FMUC, First Floor, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Domingues
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Polo I FMUC, First Floor, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cátia R Lopes
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Polo I FMUC, First Floor, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula M Canas
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Polo I FMUC, First Floor, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo A Cunha
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Polo I FMUC, First Floor, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula Agostinho
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Coimbra, Portugal.
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Polo I FMUC, First Floor, 3004-504, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Gjuka D, Adib E, Garrison K, Chen J, Zhang Y, Li W, Boutz D, Lamb C, Tanno Y, Nassar A, El Zarif T, Kale N, Rakaee M, Mouhieddine TH, Alaiwi SA, Gusev A, Rogers T, Gao J, Georgiou G, Kwiatkowski DJ, Stone E. Enzyme-mediated depletion of methylthioadenosine restores T cell function in MTAP-deficient tumors and reverses immunotherapy resistance. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:1774-1787.e9. [PMID: 37774699 PMCID: PMC10591910 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.09.005] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal region 9p21 containing tumor suppressors CDKN2A/B and methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) is one of the most frequent genetic deletions in cancer. 9p21 loss is correlated with reduced tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Previously thought to be caused by CDKN2A/B loss, we now show that it is loss of MTAP that leads to poor outcomes on ICI therapy and reduced TIL density. MTAP loss causes accumulation of methylthioadenosine (MTA) both intracellularly and extracellularly and profoundly impairs T cell function via the inhibition of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) and by adenosine receptor agonism. Administration of MTA-depleting enzymes reverses this immunosuppressive effect, increasing TILs and drastically impairing tumor growth and importantly, synergizes well with ICI therapy. As several studies have shown ICI resistance in 9p21/MTAP null/low patients, we propose that MTA degrading therapeutics may have substantial therapeutic benefit in these patients by enhancing ICI effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donjeta Gjuka
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Elio Adib
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Lank Genitourinary Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kendra Garrison
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jianfeng Chen
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yuxue Zhang
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wenjiao Li
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Daniel Boutz
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Candice Lamb
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Yuri Tanno
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Amin Nassar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Talal El Zarif
- Lank Genitourinary Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neil Kale
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Mehrdad Rakaee
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tarek H Mouhieddine
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Abou Alaiwi
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Lank Genitourinary Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Gusev
- Division of Population Sciences, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas Rogers
- Children's Medical Center Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jianjun Gao
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - George Georgiou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Oncology, University of Texas Dell Medical School, LiveSTRONG Cancer Institutes, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Everett Stone
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA; Department of Oncology, University of Texas Dell Medical School, LiveSTRONG Cancer Institutes, Austin, TX, USA.
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Zohair B, Chraa D, Rezouki I, Benthami H, Razzouki I, Elkarroumi M, Olive D, Karkouri M, Badou A. The immune checkpoint adenosine 2A receptor is associated with aggressive clinical outcomes and reflects an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in human breast cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1201632. [PMID: 37753093 PMCID: PMC10518422 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1201632] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The crosstalk between the immune system and cancer cells has aroused considerable interest over the past decades. To escape immune surveillance cancer cells evolve various strategies orchestrating tumor microenvironment. The discovery of the inhibitory immune checkpoints was a major breakthrough due to their crucial contribution to immune evasion. The A2AR receptor represents one of the most essential pathways within the TME. It is involved in several processes such as hypoxia, tumor progression, and chemoresistance. However, its clinical and immunological significance in human breast cancer remains elusive. Methods The mRNA expression and protein analysis were performed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. The log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test was used to estimate Kaplan-Meier analysis for overall survival. Using large-scale microarray data (METABRIC), digital cytometry was conducted to estimate cell abundance. Analysis was performed using RStudio software (7.8 + 2023.03.0) with EPIC, CIBERSORT, and ImmuneCellAI algorithms. Tumor purity, stromal and immune scores were calculated using the ESTIMATE computational method. Finally, analysis of gene set enrichment (GSEA) and the TISCH2 scRNA-seq database were carried out. Results Gene and protein analysis showed that A2AR was overexpressed in breast tumors and was significantly associated with high grade, elevated Ki-67, aggressive molecular and histological subtypes, as well as poor survival. On tumor infiltrating immune cells, A2AR was found to correlate positively with PD-1 and negatively with CTLA-4. On the other hand, our findings disclosed more profuse infiltration of protumoral cells such as M0 and M2 macrophages, Tregs, endothelial and exhausted CD8+ T cells within A2ARhigh tumors. According to the Single-Cell database, A2AR is expressed in malignant, stromal and immune cells. Moreover, it is related to tumor purity, stromal and immune scores. Our results also revealed that CD8+T cells from A2ARhigh patients exhibited an exhausted functional profile. Finally, GSEA analysis highlighted the association of A2AR with biological mechanisms involved in tumor escape and progression. Conclusion The present study is the first to elucidate the clinical and immunological relevance of A2AR in breast cancer patients. In light of these findings, A2AR could be deemed a promising therapeutic target to overcome immune evasion prevailing within the TME of breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basma Zohair
- Immuno-Genetics and Human Pathology Laboratory (LIGEP), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Dounia Chraa
- Team Immunity and Cancer, The Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), Inserm, 41068, CNRS, UMR7258, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, UM 105, Marseille, France
| | - Ibtissam Rezouki
- Immuno-Genetics and Human Pathology Laboratory (LIGEP), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Hamza Benthami
- Immuno-Genetics and Human Pathology Laboratory (LIGEP), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Ibtissam Razzouki
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Elkarroumi
- Mohamed VI Oncology Center, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Daniel Olive
- Team Immunity and Cancer, The Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM), Inserm, 41068, CNRS, UMR7258, Paoli-Calmettes Institute, Aix-Marseille University, UM 105, Marseille, France
| | - Mehdi Karkouri
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Abdallah Badou
- Immuno-Genetics and Human Pathology Laboratory (LIGEP), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
- Mohammed VI Center for Research & Innovation, Rabat, Morocco and Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Casablanca, Morocco
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Kurago Z, Guo G, Shi H, Bollag RJ, Groves MW, Byrd JK, Cui Y. Inhibitors of the CD73-adenosinergic checkpoint as promising combinatory agents for conventional and advanced cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1212209. [PMID: 37435071 PMCID: PMC10330720 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1212209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell surface enzyme CD73 is increasingly appreciated as a pivotal non-redundant immune checkpoint (IC) in addition to PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4. CD73 produces extracellular adenosine (eADO), which not only inhibits antitumor T cell activity via the adenosine receptor (AR) A2AR, but also enhances the immune inhibitory function of cancer-associated fibroblasts and myeloid cells via A2BR. Preclinical studies show that inhibition of the CD73-adenosinergic pathway in experimental models of many solid tumors either as a monotherapy or, more effectively, in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4 IC blockades, improves antitumor immunity and tumor control. Consequently, approximately 50 ongoing phase I/II clinical trials targeting the CD73-adenosinergic IC are currently listed on https://clinicaltrials.gov. Most of the listed trials employ CD73 inhibitors or anti-CD73 antibodies alone, in combination with A2AR antagonists, and/or with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Recent evidence suggests that the distribution of CD73, A2AR and A2BR in tumor microenvironments (TME) is heterogeneous, and this distribution affects CD73-adenosinergic IC function. The new insights have implications for the optimally effective, carefully tailored approaches to therapeutic targeting of this essential IC. In the mini-review, we briefly discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms of CD73/eADO-mediated immunosuppression during tumor progression and therapy in the spatial context of the TME. We include preclinical data regarding therapeutic CD73-eADO blockade in tumor models as well as available clinical data from completed trials that targeted CD73-adenosinergic IC with or without PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and discuss factors that are potentially important for optimal therapeutic outcomes in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoya Kurago
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Gang Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Huidong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Roni J. Bollag
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Michael W. Groves
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - J. Kenneth Byrd
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | - Yan Cui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
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Zahavi D, Hodge JW. Targeting Immunosuppressive Adenosine Signaling: A Review of Potential Immunotherapy Combination Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108871. [PMID: 37240219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment regulates many aspects of cancer progression and anti-tumor immunity. Cancer cells employ a variety of immunosuppressive mechanisms to dampen immune cell function in the tumor microenvironment. While immunotherapies that target these mechanisms, such as immune checkpoint blockade, have had notable clinical success, resistance is common, and there is an urgent need to identify additional targets. Extracellular adenosine, a metabolite of ATP, is found at high levels in the tumor microenvironment and has potent immunosuppressive properties. Targeting members of the adenosine signaling pathway represents a promising immunotherapeutic modality that can potentially synergize with conventional anti-cancer treatment strategies. In this review, we discuss the role of adenosine in cancer, present preclinical and clinical data on the efficacy adenosine pathway inhibition, and discuss possible combinatorial approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zahavi
- Center for Immuno-Oncology (CIO), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 10, Rm 8B13, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20879, USA
| | - James W Hodge
- Center for Immuno-Oncology (CIO), Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 10, Rm 8B13, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20879, USA
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Ye H, Zhao J, Xu X, Zhang D, Shen H, Wang S. Role of adenosine A2a receptor in cancers and autoimmune diseases. Immun Inflamm Dis 2023; 11:e826. [PMID: 37102661 PMCID: PMC10091380 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosine receptors are P1 class of purinergic receptors that belong to G protein-coupled receptors. There are 4 subtypes of adenosine receptors, namely A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. A2AR has a high affinity for the ligand adenosine. Under pathological conditions or external stimuli, ATP is sequentially hydrolyzed to adenosine by CD39 and CD73. The combination of adenosine and A2AR can increase the concentration of cAMP and activate a series of downstream signaling pathways, and further playing the role of immunosuppression and promotion of tumor invasion. A2AR is expressed to some extent on various immune cells, where it is abnormally expressed on immune cells in cancers and autoimmune diseases. A2AR expression also correlates with disease progression. Inhibitors and agonists of A2AR may be potential new strategies for treatment of cancers and autoimmune diseases. We herein briefly reviewed the expression and distribution of A2AR, adenosine/A2AR signaling pathway, expression, and potential as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongling Ye
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Junqi Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xuejing Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Dagan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Han Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Sen Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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11
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Kowash RR, Akbay EA. Tumor intrinsic and extrinsic functions of CD73 and the adenosine pathway in lung cancer. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1130358. [PMID: 37033953 PMCID: PMC10079876 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1130358] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The adenosine pathway is an exciting new target in the field of cancer immunotherapy. CD73 is the main producer of extracellular adenosine. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has one of the highest CD73 expression signatures among all cancer types and the presence of common oncogenic drivers of NSCLC, such as mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and KRAS, correlate with increased CD73 expression. Current immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies only benefit a subset of patients, and it has proved challenging to understand which patients might respond even with the current understanding of predictive biomarkers. The adenosine pathway is well known to disrupt cytotoxic function of T cells, which is currently the main target of most clinical agents. Data thus far suggests that combining ICB therapies already in the clinic with adenosine pathway inhibitors provides promise for the treatment of lung cancer. However, antigen loss or lack of good antigens limits efficacy of ICB; simultaneous activation of other cytotoxic immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells can be explored in these tumors. Clinical trials harnessing both T and NK cell activating treatments are still in their early stages with results expected in the coming years. In this review we provide an overview of new literature on the adenosine pathway and specifically CD73. CD73 is thought of mainly for its role as an immune modulator, however recent studies have demonstrated the tumor cell intrinsic properties of CD73 are potentially as important as its role in immune suppression. We also highlight the current understanding of this pathway in lung cancer, outline ongoing studies examining therapies in combination with adenosine pathway targeting, and discuss future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan R. Kowash
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Esra A. Akbay
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dallas, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Esra A. Akbay,
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12
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Slaats J, Wagena E, Smits D, Berends AA, Peters E, Bakker GJ, van Erp M, Weigelin B, Adema GJ, Friedl P. Adenosine A2a Receptor Antagonism Restores Additive Cytotoxicity by Cytotoxic T Cells in Metabolically Perturbed Tumors. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:1462-1474. [PMID: 36162129 PMCID: PMC9716258 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are antigen-specific effector cells with the ability to eradicate cancer cells in a contact-dependent manner. Metabolic perturbation compromises the CTL effector response in tumor subregions, resulting in failed cancer cell elimination despite the infiltration of tumor-specific CTLs. Restoring the functionality of these tumor-infiltrating CTLs is key to improve immunotherapy. Extracellular adenosine is an immunosuppressive metabolite produced within the tumor microenvironment. Here, by applying single-cell reporter strategies in 3D collagen cocultures in vitro and progressing tumors in vivo, we show that adenosine weakens one-to-one pairing of activated effector CTLs with target cells, thereby dampening serial cytotoxic hit delivery and cumulative death induction. Adenosine also severely compromised CTL effector restimulation and expansion. Antagonization of adenosine A2a receptor (ADORA2a) signaling stabilized and prolonged CTL-target cell conjugation and accelerated lethal hit delivery by both individual contacts and CTL swarms. Because adenosine signaling is a near-constitutive confounding parameter in metabolically perturbed tumors, ADORA2a targeting represents an orthogonal adjuvant strategy to enhance immunotherapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Slaats
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Wagena
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Daan Smits
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Annemarie A. Berends
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ella Peters
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Gert-Jan Bakker
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Merijn van Erp
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Bettina Weigelin
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) “Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies,” University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gosse J. Adema
- Radiotherapy and Onco-Immunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Genitourinary Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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13
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Monticone G, Huang Z, Csibi F, Leit S, Ciccone D, Champhekar AS, Austin JE, Ucar DA, Hossain F, Ibba SV, Boulares AH, Carpino N, Xu K, Majumder S, Osborne BA, Loh C, Miele L. Targeting the Cbl-b-Notch1 axis as a novel immunotherapeutic strategy to boost CD8+ T-cell responses. Front Immunol 2022; 13:987298. [PMID: 36090975 PMCID: PMC9459147 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.987298] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A critical feature of cancer is the ability to induce immunosuppression and evade immune responses. Tumor-induced immunosuppression diminishes the effectiveness of endogenous immune responses and decreases the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we describe a new immunosuppressive pathway in which adenosine promotes Casitas B-lineage lymphoma b (Cbl-b)-mediated Notch1 degradation, causing suppression of CD8+ T-cells effector functions. Genetic knockout and pharmacological inhibition of Cbl-b prevents Notch1 degradation in response to adenosine and reactivates its signaling. Reactivation of Notch1 results in enhanced CD8+ T-cell effector functions, anti-cancer response and resistance to immunosuppression. Our work provides evidence that targeting the Cbl-b-Notch1 axis is a novel promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Monticone
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Zhi Huang
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Fred Csibi
- Nimbus Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Silvana Leit
- Nimbus Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Ameya S. Champhekar
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jermaine E. Austin
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Deniz A. Ucar
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Fokhrul Hossain
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Salome V. Ibba
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - A. Hamid Boulares
- Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Nicholas Carpino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Keli Xu
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Samarpan Majumder
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Barbara A. Osborne
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | | | - Lucio Miele
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- *Correspondence: Lucio Miele,
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14
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Böttcher M, Böttcher-loschinski R, Kahlfuss S, Aigner M, Gießl A, Mackensen A, Schlötzer-schrehardt U, Tüting T, Bruns H, Mougiakakos D. CLL-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Impair T-Cell Activation and Foster T-Cell Exhaustion via Multiple Immunological Checkpoints. Cells 2022; 11:2176. [PMID: 35883619 PMCID: PMC9320608 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the clonal expansion of malignant B-cells and multiple immune defects. This leads, among others, to severe infectious complications and inefficient immune surveillance. T-cell deficiencies in CLL include enhanced immune(-metabolic) exhaustion, impaired activation and cytokine production, and immunological synapse malformation. Several studies have meanwhile reported CLL-cell–T-cell interactions that culminate in T-cell dysfunction. However, the complex entirety of their interplay is incompletely understood. Here, we focused on the impact of CLL cell-derived vesicles (EVs), which are known to exert immunoregulatory effects, on T-cell function. Methods: We characterized EVs secreted by CLL-cells and determined their influence on T-cells in terms of survival, activation, (metabolic) fitness, and function. Results: We found that CLL-EVs hamper T-cell viability, proliferation, activation, and metabolism while fostering their exhaustion and formation of regulatory T-cell subsets. A detailed analysis of the CLL-EV cargo revealed an abundance of immunological checkpoints (ICs) that could explain the detected T-cell dysregulations. Conclusions: The identification of a variety of ICs loaded on CLL-EVs may account for T-cell defects in CLL patients and could represent a barrier for immunotherapies such as IC blockade or adoptive T-cell transfer. Our findings could pave way for improving antitumor immunity by simultaneously targeting EV formation or multiple ICs.
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15
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Guo S, Han F, Zhu W. CD39 - A bright target for cancer immunotherapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 151:113066. [PMID: 35550530 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ATP-adenosine pathway functions as a key modulator of innate and adaptive immunity within the tumor microenvironment, and cancer immune evasion largely involves the generation of high amounts of immunosuppressive extracellular adenosine (eADO). Consequently, inhibition of eADO-generating enzymes and/or eADO receptors can effectively restore the antitumor immunity of multiple immune cells. With several clinical strategies currently being explored to modulating the eADO pathway in patients with cancer, recent clinical data with antagonists targeting CD73 and A2A receptor have demonstrated a promising therapeutic potential in cancer. Recent findings reveal that the ectonucleotidase CD39, the limiting enzyme been viewed as "immunological switch", converts ATP-driven pro-inflammatory milieu to an anti-inflammatory state mediated by adenosine. Owing to its superior feature of CD39 antagonism that rely not only on preventing the accumulation of adenosine but also on the stabilization of extracellular ATP to restore antitumor immunity, several inhibitors and clinical trials based on CD39 are being evaluated. Consequently, there is currently a focus on understanding the role of CD39 in governing immunity and how therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway alter the antitumor potential. We herein review the impact of CD39 on tumor microenvironment with a focus on treatment preference. Additionally, we also discuss the implication for rational combination therapies, molecular regulation, as well as potential limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwei Guo
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fengfeng Han
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
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16
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Zhou B, Lin W, Long Y, Yang Y, Zhang H, Wu K, Chu Q. Notch signaling pathway: architecture, disease, and therapeutics. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:95. [PMID: 35332121 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00934-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The NOTCH gene was identified approximately 110 years ago. Classical studies have revealed that NOTCH signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway. NOTCH receptors undergo three cleavages and translocate into the nucleus to regulate the transcription of target genes. NOTCH signaling deeply participates in the development and homeostasis of multiple tissues and organs, the aberration of which results in cancerous and noncancerous diseases. However, recent studies indicate that the outcomes of NOTCH signaling are changeable and highly dependent on context. In terms of cancers, NOTCH signaling can both promote and inhibit tumor development in various types of cancer. The overall performance of NOTCH-targeted therapies in clinical trials has failed to meet expectations. Additionally, NOTCH mutation has been proposed as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade therapy in many cancers. Collectively, the NOTCH pathway needs to be integrally assessed with new perspectives to inspire discoveries and applications. In this review, we focus on both classical and the latest findings related to NOTCH signaling to illustrate the history, architecture, regulatory mechanisms, contributions to physiological development, related diseases, and therapeutic applications of the NOTCH pathway. The contributions of NOTCH signaling to the tumor immune microenvironment and cancer immunotherapy are also highlighted. We hope this review will help not only beginners but also experts to systematically and thoroughly understand the NOTCH signaling pathway.
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17
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Turiello R, Capone M, Morretta E, Monti MC, Madonna G, Azzaro R, Del Gaudio P, Simeone E, Sorrentino A, Ascierto PA, Morello S. Exosomal CD73 from serum of patients with melanoma suppresses lymphocyte functions and is associated with therapy resistance to anti-PD-1 agents. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004043. [PMID: 35273100 PMCID: PMC8915288 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD73 is an ectonucleotidase producing the immunosuppressor mediator adenosine. Elevated levels of circulating CD73 in patients with cancer have been associated with disease progression and poor response to immunotherapy. Immunosuppressive pathways associated with exosomes can affect T-cell function and the therapeutic efficacy of anti-programmed cell-death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy. Here, we conducted a retrospective pilot study to evaluate levels of exosomal CD73 before and early during treatment with anti-PD-1 agents in patients with melanoma and its potential contribution to affect T-cell functions and to influence the clinical outcomes of anti-PD-1 monotherapy. METHODS Exosomes were isolated by mini size exclusion chromatography from serum of patients with melanoma (n=41) receiving nivolumab or pembrolizumab monotherapy. Expression of CD73 and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) were evaluated on exosomes enriched for CD63 by on-bead flow cytometry. The CD73 AMPase activity was evaluated by mass spectrometry, also in the presence of selective inhibitors of CD73. Interferon (IFN)-γ production and granzyme B expression were measured in CD3/28 activated T cells incubated with exosomes in presence of the CD73 substrate AMP. Levels of CD73 and PD-L1 on exosomes were correlated with therapy response. Exosomes isolated from healthy subjects were used as control. RESULTS Isolated exosomes carried CD73 on their surface, which is enzymatically active in producing adenosine. Incubation of exosomes with CD3/28 activated T cells in the presence of AMP resulted in a significant reduction of IFN-γ release, which was reversed by the CD73 inhibitor APCP or by the selective A2A adenosine receptor antagonist ZM241385. Expression levels of exosomal CD73 from serum of patients with melanoma were not significantly different from those in healthy subjects. Early on-treatment, expression levels of both CD73 and PD-L1 on exosomes isolated from patients receiving pembrolizumab or nivolumab monotherapy were significantly increased compared with baseline. Early during therapy exosomal PD-L1 increased in responders, while exosomal CD73 resulted significantly increased in non-responders. CONCLUSIONS CD73 expressed on exosomes from serum of patients with melanoma produces adenosine and contributes to suppress T-cell functions. Early on-treatment, elevated expression levels of exosomal CD73 might affect the response to anti-PD-1 agents in patients with melanoma who failed to respond to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Turiello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy.,PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | | | - Elva Morretta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Madonna
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Rosa Azzaro
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Ester Simeone
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Paolo A Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvana Morello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
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18
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Qin VM, Haynes NM, D'Souza C, Neeson PJ, Zhu JJ. CAR-T Plus Radiotherapy: A Promising Combination for Immunosuppressive Tumors. Front Immunol 2022; 12:813832. [PMID: 35095911 PMCID: PMC8790144 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.813832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is the standard-of-care treatment for more than half of cancer patients with localized tumors and is also used as palliative care to facilitate symptom relief in metastatic cancers. In addition, RT can alter the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors to augment the anti-tumor immune response of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). The rationale of this combination therapy can also be extended to other forms of immunotherapy, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy. Similar to ICB, the efficacy of CAR-T therapy is also significantly impacted by the immunosuppressive TME, leading to compromised T cell function and/or insufficient T cell infiltration. In this review, we will discuss some of the key barriers to the activity of CAR-T cells in the immunosuppressive TME and focus on how RT can be used to eliminate or bypass these barriers. We will present the challenges to achieving success with this therapeutic partnership. Looking forward, we will also provide strategies currently being investigated to ensure the success of this combination strategy in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicky Mengfei Qin
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicole M Haynes
- Division of Cancer Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Criselle D'Souza
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul J Neeson
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joe Jiang Zhu
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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19
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Tu E, McGlinchey K, Wang J, Martin P, Ching SL, Floc’h N, Kurasawa J, Starrett JH, Lazdun Y, Wetzel L, Nuttall B, Ng FS, Coffman KT, Smith PD, Politi K, Cooper ZA, Streicher K. Anti-PD-L1 and anti-CD73 combination therapy promotes T cell response to EGFR-mutated NSCLC. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e142843. [PMID: 35132961 PMCID: PMC8855814 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.142843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment with anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapies has shown durable clinical benefit in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, patients with NSCLC with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations do not respond as well to treatment as patients without an EGFR mutation. We show that EGFR-mutated NSCLC expressed higher levels of CD73 compared with EGFR WT tumors and that CD73 expression was regulated by EGFR signaling. EGFR-mutated cell lines were significantly more resistant to T cell killing compared with WT cell lines through suppression of T cell proliferation and function. In a xenograft mouse model of EGFR-mutated NSCLC, neither anti-PD-L1 nor anti-CD73 antibody alone inhibited tumor growth compared with the isotype control. In contrast, the combination of both antibodies significantly inhibited tumor growth, increased the number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, and enhanced IFN-γ and TNF-α production of these T cells. Consistently, there were increases in gene expression that corresponded to inflammation and T cell function in tumors treated with the combination of anti-PD-L1 and anti-CD73. Together, these results further support the combination of anti-CD73 and anti-PD-L1 therapies in treating EGFR-mutated NSCLC, while suggesting that increased T cell activity may play a role in response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelly McGlinchey
- Research Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - Nicolas Floc’h
- Oncology R&D, Bioscience, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - James Kurasawa
- Biologics Engineering, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Leslie Wetzel
- Research Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - Paul D. Smith
- Oncology R&D, Bioscience, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Katerina Politi
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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20
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Levack RC, Newell KL, Cabrera-Martinez B, Cox J, Perl A, Bastacky SI, Winslow GM. Adenosine receptor 2a agonists target mouse CD11c +T-bet + B cells in infection and autoimmunity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:452. [PMID: 35064115 PMCID: PMC8782827 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28086-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
CD11c+T-bet+ B cells are recognized as an important component of humoral immunity and autoimmunity. These cells can be distinguished from other B cells by their higher expression of the adenosine receptor 2a. Here we address whether A2A receptor activation can affect CD11c+T-bet+ B cells. We show that administration of the A2A receptor agonist CGS-21680 depletes established CD11c+T-bet+ B cells in ehrlichial-infected mice, in a B cell-intrinsic manner. Agonist treatment similarly depletes CD11c+T-bet+ B cells and CD138+ B cells and reduces anti-nuclear antibodies in lupus-prone mice. Agonist treatment is also associated with reduced kidney pathology and lymphadenopathy. Moreover, A2A receptor stimulation depletes pathogenic lymphocytes and ameliorates disease even after disease onset, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this treatment. This study suggests that targeting the adenosine signaling pathway may provide a method for the treatment of lupus and other autoimmune diseases mediated by T-bet+ B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell C Levack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Krista L Newell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | | | - Justin Cox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Andras Perl
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Sheldon I Bastacky
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Gary M Winslow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
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21
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Masoumi E, Tahaghoghi-Hajghorbani S, Jafarzadeh L, Sanaei MJ, Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi A, Bashash D. The application of immune checkpoint blockade in breast cancer and the emerging role of nanoparticle. J Control Release 2021; 340:168-187. [PMID: 34743998 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in the female population with a high mortality rate. Despite the satisfying depth of studies evaluating the contributory role of immune checkpoints in this malignancy, few articles have reviewed the pros and cons of immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs). In the current review, we provide an overview of immune-related inhibitory molecules and also discuss the original data obtained from international research laboratories on the aberrant expression of T and non-T cell-associated immune checkpoints in breast cancer. Then, we especially focus on recent studies that utilized ICBs as the treatment strategy in breast cancer and provide their efficiency reports. As there are always costs and benefits, we discuss the limitations and challenges toward ICB therapy such as adverse events and drug resistance. In the last section, we allocate an overview of the recent data concerning the application of nanoparticle systems for cancer immunotherapy and propose that nano-based ICB approaches may overcome the challenges related to ICB therapy in breast cancer. In conclusion, it seems it is time for nanoscience to more rapidly move forward into clinical trials and illuminates the breast cancer treatment area with its potent features for the target delivery of ICBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Masoumi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran; Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Sahar Tahaghoghi-Hajghorbani
- Microbiology and Virology Research Center, Qaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Leila Jafarzadeh
- Department of Laboratory Science, Sirjan Faculty of Medical Science, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Javad Sanaei
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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22
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Zhdanovskaya N, Firrincieli M, Lazzari S, Pace E, Scribani Rossi P, Felli MP, Talora C, Screpanti I, Palermo R. Targeting Notch to Maximize Chemotherapeutic Benefits: Rationale, Advanced Strategies, and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205106. [PMID: 34680255 PMCID: PMC8533696 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Notch signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, stem cell self-renewal, and differentiation in a context-dependent fashion both during embryonic development and in adult tissue homeostasis. Consistent with its pleiotropic physiological role, unproper activation of the signaling promotes or counteracts tumor pathogenesis and therapy response in distinct tissues. In the last twenty years, a wide number of studies have highlighted the anti-cancer potential of Notch-modulating agents as single treatment and in combination with the existent therapies. However, most of these strategies have failed in the clinical exploration due to dose-limiting toxicity and low efficacy, encouraging the development of novel agents and the design of more appropriate combinations between Notch signaling inhibitors and chemotherapeutic drugs with improved safety and effectiveness for distinct types of cancer. Abstract Notch signaling guides cell fate decisions by affecting proliferation, apoptosis, stem cell self-renewal, and differentiation depending on cell and tissue context. Given its multifaceted function during tissue development, both overactivation and loss of Notch signaling have been linked to tumorigenesis in ways that are either oncogenic or oncosuppressive, but always context-dependent. Notch signaling is critical for several mechanisms of chemoresistance including cancer stem cell maintenance, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor-stroma interaction, and malignant neovascularization that makes its targeting an appealing strategy against tumor growth and recurrence. During the last decades, numerous Notch-interfering agents have been developed, and the abundant preclinical evidence has been transformed in orphan drug approval for few rare diseases. However, the majority of Notch-dependent malignancies remain untargeted, even if the application of Notch inhibitors alone or in combination with common chemotherapeutic drugs is being evaluated in clinical trials. The modest clinical success of current Notch-targeting strategies is mostly due to their limited efficacy and severe on-target toxicity in Notch-controlled healthy tissues. Here, we review the available preclinical and clinical evidence on combinatorial treatment between different Notch signaling inhibitors and existent chemotherapeutic drugs, providing a comprehensive picture of molecular mechanisms explaining the potential or lacking success of these combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezda Zhdanovskaya
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Mariarosaria Firrincieli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Lazzari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Eleonora Pace
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Pietro Scribani Rossi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Maria Pia Felli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Claudio Talora
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
| | - Isabella Screpanti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (R.P.)
| | - Rocco Palermo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (N.Z.); (M.F.); (S.L.); (E.P.); (P.S.R.); (C.T.)
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (I.S.); (R.P.)
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23
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Cuthbertson P, Geraghty NJ, Adhikary SR, Bird KM, Fuller SJ, Watson D, Sluyter R. Purinergic Signalling in Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Graft-versus-Host Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8343. [PMID: 34361109 PMCID: PMC8348324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158343] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative therapy for blood cancers and other haematological disorders. However, allo-HSCT leads to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a severe and often lethal immunological response, in the majority of transplant recipients. Current therapies for GVHD are limited and often reduce the effectiveness of allo-HSCT. Therefore, pro- and anti-inflammatory factors contributing to disease need to be explored in order to identify new treatment targets. Purinergic signalling plays important roles in haematopoiesis, inflammation and immunity, and recent evidence suggests that it can also affect haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and GVHD development. This review provides a detailed assessment of the emerging roles of purinergic receptors, most notably P2X7, P2Y2 and A2A receptors, and ectoenzymes, CD39 and CD73, in GVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Cuthbertson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (P.C.); (N.J.G.); (S.R.A.); (K.M.B.)
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Nicholas J. Geraghty
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (P.C.); (N.J.G.); (S.R.A.); (K.M.B.)
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Sam R. Adhikary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (P.C.); (N.J.G.); (S.R.A.); (K.M.B.)
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Katrina M. Bird
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (P.C.); (N.J.G.); (S.R.A.); (K.M.B.)
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Stephen J. Fuller
- Sydney Medical School Nepean, University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, NSW 2747, Australia;
| | - Debbie Watson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (P.C.); (N.J.G.); (S.R.A.); (K.M.B.)
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Ronald Sluyter
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (P.C.); (N.J.G.); (S.R.A.); (K.M.B.)
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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24
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Choi JU, Lee NK, Seo H, Chung SW, Al-Hilal TA, Park SJ, Kweon S, Min N, Kim SK, Ahn S, Kim UI, Park JW, Kang CY, Kim IS, Kim SY, Kim K, Byun Y. Anticoagulation therapy promotes the tumor immune-microenvironment and potentiates the efficacy of immunotherapy by alleviating hypoxia. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002332. [PMID: 34341129 PMCID: PMC8330593 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Here, this study verifies that cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) accelerates hypoxia, which is detrimental to the tumor immune microenvironment by limiting tumor perfusion. Therefore, we designed an oral anticoagulant therapy to improve the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and potentiate the efficacy of immunotherapy by alleviating tumor hypoxia. Experimental design A novel oral anticoagulant (STP3725) was developed to consistently prevent CAT formation. Tumor perfusion and hypoxia were analyzed with or without treating STP3725 in wild-type and P selectin knockout mice. Immunosuppressive cytokines and cells were analyzed to evaluate the alteration of the tumor microenvironment. Effector lymphocyte infiltration in tumor tissue was assessed by congenic CD45.1 mouse lymphocyte transfer model with or without anticoagulant therapy. Finally, various tumor models including K-Ras mutant spontaneous cancer model were employed to validate the role of the anticoagulation therapy in enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. Results CAT was demonstrated to be one of the perfusion barriers, which fosters immunosuppressive microenvironment by accelerating tumor hypoxia. Consistent treatment of oral anticoagulation therapy was proved to promote tumor immunity by alleviating hypoxia. Furthermore, this resulted in decrease of both hypoxia-related immunosuppressive cytokines and myeloid-derived suppressor cells while improving the spatial distribution of effector lymphocytes and their activity. The anticancer efficacy of αPD-1 antibody was potentiated by co-treatment with STP3725, also confirmed in various tumor models including the K-Ras mutant mouse model, which is highly thrombotic. Conclusions Collectively, these findings establish a rationale for a new and translational combination strategy of oral anticoagulation therapy with immunotherapy, especially for treating highly thrombotic cancers. The combination therapy of anticoagulants with immunotherapies can lead to substantial improvements of current approaches in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Uk Choi
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - Na Kyeong Lee
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - Hyungseok Seo
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Seung Woo Chung
- Center for Nanomedicine, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Taslim A Al-Hilal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Seong Jin Park
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - Seho Kweon
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Nuri Min
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Kyoon Kim
- Laboratory Animal Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Seohyun Ahn
- ST Pharm Research & Development Center, Siheung-si, South Korea
| | - Uk-Il Kim
- ST Pharm Research & Development Center, Siheung-si, South Korea
| | - Jin Woo Park
- Department of Biomedicine, Health & Life Convergence Sciences, BK21 Four, Biomedical and Healthcare Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, South Korea
| | - Chang-Yuil Kang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
| | - In-San Kim
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seongbuk-gu, South Korea
| | - Sang Yoon Kim
- College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea
- Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyungjin Kim
- ST Pharm Research & Development Center, Siheung-si, South Korea
| | - Youngro Byun
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, South Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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25
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Aggarwal V, Tuli HS, Varol M, Tuorkey M, Sak K, Parashar NC, Barwal TS, Sharma U, Iqubal A, Parashar G, Jain A. NOTCH signaling: Journey of an evolutionarily conserved pathway in driving tumor progression and its modulation as a therapeutic target. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 164:103403. [PMID: 34214610 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling, an evolutionarily conserved signaling cascade, is critical for normal biological processes of cell differentiation, development, and homeostasis. Deregulation of the Notch signaling pathway has been associated with tumor progression. Thus, Notch presents as an interesting target for a variety of cancer subtypes and its signaling mechanisms have been actively explored from the therapeutic viewpoint. However, besides acting as an oncogene, Notch pathway can possess also tumor suppressive functions, being implicated in inhibition of cancer development. Given such interesting dual and dynamic role of Notch, in this review, we discuss how the evolutionarily conserved Notch signaling pathway drives hallmarks of tumor progression and how it could be targeted for a promising treatment and management of cancer. In addition, the up-to-date information on the inhibitors currently under clinical trials for Notch targets is presented along with how NOTCH inhibitors can be used in conjunction with established chemotherapy/radiotherapy regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Aggarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
| | - Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133 207, Haryana, India.
| | - Mehmet Varol
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Mugla, TR48000, Turkey.
| | - Muobarak Tuorkey
- Division of Physiology, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt.
| | | | - Nidarshana Chaturvedi Parashar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133 207, Haryana, India.
| | - Tushar Singh Barwal
- Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Village-Ghudda, 151 401, Punjab, India.
| | - Uttam Sharma
- Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Village-Ghudda, 151 401, Punjab, India.
| | - Ashif Iqubal
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Formerly Faculty of Pharmacy), Jamia Hamdard (Deemed to be University), Delhi, India.
| | - Gaurav Parashar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala, 133 207, Haryana, India.
| | - Aklank Jain
- Department of Zoology, Central University of Punjab, Village-Ghudda, 151 401, Punjab, India.
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26
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Balta E, Wabnitz GH, Samstag Y. Hijacked Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment: Molecular Mechanisms of Immunosuppression and Cues to Improve T Cell-Based Immunotherapy of Solid Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5736. [PMID: 34072260 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been expanding in recent years in the context of interactions among different cell types, through direct cell–cell communication as well as through soluble factors. It has become evident that the development of a successful antitumor response depends on several TME factors. In this context, the number, type, and subsets of immune cells, as well as the functionality, memory, and exhaustion state of leukocytes are key factors of the TME. Both the presence and functionality of immune cells, in particular T cells, are regulated by cellular and soluble factors of the TME. In this regard, one fundamental reason for failure of antitumor responses is hijacked immune cells, which contribute to the immunosuppressive TME in multiple ways. Specifically, reactive oxygen species (ROS), metabolites, and anti-inflammatory cytokines have central roles in generating an immunosuppressive TME. In this review, we focused on recent developments in the immune cell constituents of the TME, and the micromilieu control of antitumor responses. Furthermore, we highlighted the current challenges of T cell-based immunotherapies and potential future strategies to consider for strengthening their effectiveness.
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27
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Huang Z, Xie N, Illes P, Di Virgilio F, Ulrich H, Semyanov A, Verkhratsky A, Sperlagh B, Yu SG, Huang C, Tang Y. From purines to purinergic signalling: molecular functions and human diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:162. [PMID: 33907179 PMCID: PMC8079716 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00553-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purines and their derivatives, most notably adenosine and ATP, are the key molecules controlling intracellular energy homoeostasis and nucleotide synthesis. Besides, these purines support, as chemical messengers, purinergic transmission throughout tissues and species. Purines act as endogenous ligands that bind to and activate plasmalemmal purinoceptors, which mediate extracellular communication referred to as "purinergic signalling". Purinergic signalling is cross-linked with other transmitter networks to coordinate numerous aspects of cell behaviour such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis and other physiological processes critical for the proper function of organisms. Pathological deregulation of purinergic signalling contributes to various diseases including neurodegeneration, rheumatic immune diseases, inflammation, and cancer. Particularly, gout is one of the most prevalent purine-related disease caused by purine metabolism disorder and consequent hyperuricemia. Compelling evidence indicates that purinoceptors are potential therapeutic targets, with specific purinergic agonists and antagonists demonstrating prominent therapeutic potential. Furthermore, dietary and herbal interventions help to restore and balance purine metabolism, thus addressing the importance of a healthy lifestyle in the prevention and relief of human disorders. Profound understanding of molecular mechanisms of purinergic signalling provides new and exciting insights into the treatment of human diseases.
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Grants
- National Key R&D Program of China (2019YFC1709101,2020YFA0509400, 2020YFC2002705), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81821002, 81790251, 81373735, 81972665), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2019B030302012), the Project First-Class Disciplines Development of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CZYHW1901), São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP 2018/07366-4), Russian Science Foundation grant 20-14-00241, NSFC-BFBR;and Science and Technology Program of Sichuan Province, China (2019YFH0108)
- National Key R&D Program of China (2020YFA0509400, 2020YFC2002705), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81821002, 81790251).
- National Key R&D Program of China (2020YFA0509400, 2020YFC2002705), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81821002, 81790251), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2019B030302012).
- the Project First-Class Disciplines Development of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CZYHW1901) and Science and Technology Program of Sichuan Province, China (2019YFH0108).
- the Project First-Class Disciplines Development of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CZYHW1901), and Science and Technology Program of Sichuan Province, China (2019YFH0108).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Na Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China
| | - Peter Illes
- International Collaborative Centre on Big Science Plan for Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universitaet Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Henning Ulrich
- International Collaborative Centre on Big Science Plan for Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexey Semyanov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- International Collaborative Centre on Big Science Plan for Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Beata Sperlagh
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Shu-Guang Yu
- International Collaborative Centre on Big Science Plan for Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Acupuncture and Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yong Tang
- International Collaborative Centre on Big Science Plan for Purinergic Signalling, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
- Acupuncture and Chronobiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
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28
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Zefferino R, Piccoli C, Di Gioia S, Capitanio N, Conese M. How Cells Communicate with Each Other in the Tumor Microenvironment: Suggestions to Design Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052550. [PMID: 33806300 PMCID: PMC7961918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexin- and pannexin (Panx)-formed hemichannels (HCs) and gap junctions (GJs) operate an interaction with the extracellular matrix and GJ intercellular communication (GJIC), and on account of this they are involved in cancer onset and progression towards invasiveness and metastatization. When we deal with cancer, it is not correct to omit the immune system, as well as neglecting its role in resisting or succumbing to formation and progression of incipient neoplasia until the formation of micrometastasis, nevertheless what really occurs in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which are the main players and which are the tumor or body allies, is still unclear. The goal of this article is to discuss how the pivotal players act, which can enhance or contrast cancer progression during two important process: "Activating Invasion and Metastasis" and the "Avoiding Immune Destruction", with a particular emphasis on the interplay among GJIC, Panx-HCs, and the purinergic system in the TME without disregarding the inflammasome and cytokines thereof derived. In particular, the complex and contrasting roles of Panx1/P2X7R signalosome in tumor facilitation and/or inhibition is discussed in regard to the early/late phases of the carcinogenesis. Finally, considering this complex interplay in the TME between cancer cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and focusing on their means of communication, we should be capable of revealing harmful messages that help the cancer growth and transform them in body allies, thus designing novel therapeutic strategies to fight cancer in a personalized manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Zefferino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.D.G.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0881-884673
| | - Claudia Piccoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (C.P.); (N.C.)
| | - Sante Di Gioia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.D.G.); (M.C.)
| | - Nazzareno Capitanio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (C.P.); (N.C.)
| | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.D.G.); (M.C.)
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Jin K, Mao C, Chen L, Wang L, Liu Y, Yuan J. Adenosinergic Pathway: A Hope in the Immunotherapy of Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:E229. [PMID: 33435205 PMCID: PMC7826839 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors comprise different types of malignancies, most of which are originated from glial cells. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain tumor with a poor response to conventional therapies and dismal survival rates (15 months) despite multimodal therapies. The development of immunotherapeutic strategies seems to be necessary to enhance the overall survival of GBM patients. So far, the immunotherapies applied in GBM had promising results in the primary phases of clinical trials but failed to continue their beneficial effects in later phases. GBM-microenvironment (GME) is a heterogenic and rigorously immunosuppressive milieu wrapping by an impenetrable blood-brain barrier. Hence, in-depth knowledge about the dominant immunosuppressive mechanisms in the GME could foster GBM immunotherapy. Recently, the adenosinergic pathway (AP) is found to be a major player in the suppression of antitumor immune responses in the GME. Tumor cells evolve to metabolize pro-inflammatory ATP to anti-inflammatory adenosine. Adenosine can suppress immune responses through the signaling of adenosine receptors on immune cells. The preclinical results targeting AP in GBM showed promising results in reinvigorating antitumor responses, overriding chemoresistance, and increasing survival. We reviewed the current GBM immunotherapies and elaborated on the role of AP in the immunopathogenesis, treatment, and even prognosis of GBM. We suggest that future clinical studies should consider this pathway in their combination therapies along with other immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketao Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China; (C.M.); (L.C.); (Y.L.)
| | - Chunsen Mao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China; (C.M.); (L.C.); (Y.L.)
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China; (C.M.); (L.C.); (Y.L.)
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China;
| | - Lude Wang
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China;
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuyao Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China; (C.M.); (L.C.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jianlie Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 365, Renmin Eastern Road, Jinhua 321000, Zhejiang, China
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Antonioli L, Fornai M, Pellegrini C, D'Antongiovanni V, Turiello R, Morello S, Haskó G, Blandizzi C. Adenosine Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment. Adv Exp Med Biol 2021; 1270:145-167. [PMID: 33123998 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-47189-7_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Adenosine, deriving from ATP released by dying cancer cells and then degradated in the tumor environment by CD39/CD73 enzyme axis, is linked to the generation of an immunosuppressed niche favoring the onset of neoplasia. Signals delivered by extracellular adenosine are detected and transduced by G-protein-coupled cell surface receptors, classified into four subtypes: A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. A critical role of this nucleoside is emerging in the modulation of several immune and nonimmune cells defining the tumor microenvironment, providing novel insights about the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at undermining the immune-privileged sites where cancer cells grow and proliferate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Antonioli
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Matteo Fornai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Roberta Turiello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy.,PhD Program in Drug discovery and Development, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Silvana Morello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - György Haskó
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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31
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Majumder S, Crabtree JS, Golde TE, Minter LM, Osborne BA, Miele L. Targeting Notch in oncology: the path forward. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 20:125-144. [PMID: 33293690 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-00091-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Notch signalling is involved in many aspects of cancer biology, including angiogenesis, tumour immunity and the maintenance of cancer stem-like cells. In addition, Notch can function as an oncogene and a tumour suppressor in different cancers and in different cell populations within the same tumour. Despite promising preclinical results and early-phase clinical trials, the goal of developing safe, effective, tumour-selective Notch-targeting agents for clinical use remains elusive. However, our continually improving understanding of Notch signalling in specific cancers, individual cancer cases and different cell populations, as well as crosstalk between pathways, is aiding the discovery and development of novel investigational Notch-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samarpan Majumder
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Judy S Crabtree
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Todd E Golde
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lisa M Minter
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Barbara A Osborne
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Lucio Miele
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA. .,Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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32
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Ye L, Shi H, Yu C, Fu J, Chen C, Wu S, Zhan T, Wang B, Zheng L. LncRNA Neat1 positively regulates MAPK signaling and is involved in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 88:106992. [PMID: 33182021 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands. Recent, studies have shown that the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1 plays a crucial role in regulating the immune response. However, studies on the lncRNA NEAT1 in pSS are limited. Exploring the role of the lncRNA NEAT1 in the pathogenesis of pSS was the purpose of this study. METHODS The expression of NEAT1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with pSS and healthy controls (HCs) was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and siRNA or immune stimulation with PMA/ionomycin were used to perform loss-and-gain-of-function experiments. RT-PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot were performed to detect the RNA and protein levels of specific genes induced by PMA/ionomycin stimulation. Microarray analysis was used to generate an overview of the genes that might be regulated by NEAT1. RESULTS Compared with that in HC patient cells, the expression of NEAT1 in pSS patients was mainly increased in peripheral T cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Additionally, the expression of NEAT1 in CD4+ T cells of patients with pSS was positively correlated with the course of disease. NEAT1 expression in Jurkat cells was induced by PMA/ionomycin stimulation upon activation of the TCR-p38 pathway. Upregulation of NEAT1 expression also increased the expression of CXCL8 and TNF-α. Knocking down NEAT1 expression with an ASO suppressed the expression of CXCL8 and TNF-α in PMA/ionomycin-stimulated Jurkat cells. Then, we found that NEAT1 regulated the activation of MAPK pathway to regulate NEAT1-induced factors, selectively activating the expression of p-p38 and p-ERK1/2. Furthermore, we also detected the expression profile of Jurkat cells stimulated by PMA/ionomycin when NEAT1 was silenced or not, in order to produce an overview of NEAT1-regulated genes. CONCLUSION These results provide a new understanding of the mechanisms of pSS and reveal that NEAT1 is a positive regulator of pSS, which is of substantial significance to its pathogenesis. Thus, NEAT1 provides a potential therapeutic target for pSS.
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Sek K, Kats LM, Darcy PK, Beavis PA. Pharmacological and genetic strategies for targeting adenosine to enhance adoptive T cell therapy of cancer. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 53:91-97. [PMID: 32854024 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cellular therapy involves the ex vivo expansion of immune cells, conventionally T cells, before reinfusion back to the patient. Variations in adoptive cellular therapy include transduction of a patient's T cells with either a transgenic T cell receptor or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to recognize a defined tumor antigen. Given that adenosine is a major axis of immunosuppression of T cells, particularly in hypoxic tumor microenvironments, therapeutics targeting this pathway are currently being assessed for their potential to enhance adoptive T cell therapies. The use of gene-editing technology, commonly used in tandem with CAR and transgenic T cell receptor (TCR) based adoptive cellular therapy, offers further opportunities to specifically modulate responses to adenosine. This review will discuss recent advances in targeting the adenosine pathway for enhancing the effectiveness of adoptive cellular therapy in the treatment of solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Sek
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Lev M Kats
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Phillip K Darcy
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia; Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Immunology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
| | - Paul A Beavis
- Cancer Immunology Program, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, 3000, Victoria, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.
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Goruganthu MUL, Shanker A, Dikov MM, Carbone DP. Specific Targeting of Notch Ligand-Receptor Interactions to Modulate Immune Responses: A Review of Clinical and Preclinical Findings. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1958. [PMID: 32922403 PMCID: PMC7456812 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding and targeting Notch signaling effectively has long been valued in the field of cancer and other immune disorders. Here, we discuss key discoveries at the intersection of Notch signaling, cancer and immunology. While there is a plethora of Notch targeting agents tested in vitro, in vivo and in clinic, undesirable off-target effects and therapy-related toxicities have been significant obstacles. We make a case for the clinical application of ligand-derived and affinity modifying compounds as novel therapeutic agents and discuss major research findings with an emphasis on Notch ligand-specific modulation of immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounika U L Goruganthu
- Department of Internal Medicine, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Anil Shanker
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States.,Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Mikhail M Dikov
- Department of Internal Medicine, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - David P Carbone
- Department of Internal Medicine, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
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35
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Wang S, Gao S, Zhou D, Qian X, Luan J, Lv X. The role of the CD39-CD73-adenosine pathway in liver disease. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:851-862. [PMID: 32648591 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a danger signal released by dying and damaged cells, and it functions as an immunostimulatory signal that promotes inflammation. The ectonucleotidases CD39/ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 and CD73/ecto-5'-nucleotidase are cell-surface enzymes that breakdown extracellular ATP into adenosine. This drives a shift from an ATP-driven proinflammatory environment to an anti-inflammatory milieu induced by adenosine. The CD39-CD73-adenosine pathway changes dynamically with the pathophysiological context in which it is embedded. Accumulating evidence suggests that CD39 and CD73 play important roles in liver disease as critical components of the extracellular adenosinergic pathway. Recent studies have shown that the modification of the CD39-CD73-adenosine pathway alters the liver's response to injury. Moreover, adenosine exerts different effects on the pathophysiology of the liver through different receptors. In this review, we aim to describe the role of the CD39-CD73-adenosine pathway and adenosine receptors in liver disease, highlighting potential therapeutic targets in this pathway, which will facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, Anhui, China.,The Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Institute for Liver Disease, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Songsen Gao
- Department of Orthopedics (Spinal Surgery), The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dexi Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Xueyi Qian
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Jiajie Luan
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College), Wuhu, Anhui, China
| | - Xiongwen Lv
- The Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Institute for Liver Disease, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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36
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Festag J, Thelemann T, Schell M, Raith S, Michel S, Jaschinski F, Klar R. Preventing ATP Degradation by ASO-Mediated Knockdown of CD39 and CD73 Results in A2aR-Independent Rescue of T Cell Proliferation. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2020; 21:656-669. [PMID: 32739778 PMCID: PMC7393471 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.06.020] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The adenosine axis contributes to the suppression of antitumor immune responses. The ectonucleotidase CD39 degrades extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to adenosine monophosphate (AMP), which is degraded to adenosine by CD73. Adenosine binds to, e.g., the A2a receptor (A2aR), which reportedly suppresses effector immune cells. We investigated effects of ATP, AMP, and adenosine analogs on T cell proliferation, apoptosis, and proinflammatory cytokine secretion. CD39 and CD73 expression were suppressed using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and A2aR was blocked using small molecules. Addition of ATP to T cells reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis. Intriguingly, those effects were reverted by suppression of CD39 and/or CD73 expression but not A2aR inhibition. Adenosine analogs did not suppress proliferation but inhibited secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Here, we suggest that suppression of T cell proliferation is not directly mediated by A2aR but by intracellular downstream metabolites of adenosine, as blockade of the equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) or adenosine kinase rescued proliferation and prevented induction of apoptosis. In conclusion, adenosine might primarily affect cytokine secretion directly via adenosine receptors, whereas adenosine metabolites might impair T cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Therefore, inhibition of CD39 and/or CD73 has evident advantages over A2aR blockade to fully revert suppression of antitumor immune responses by the adenosine axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Festag
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany
| | - Tamara Thelemann
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany
| | - Monika Schell
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany
| | - Stefanie Raith
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sven Michel
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany
| | - Frank Jaschinski
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany
| | - Richard Klar
- Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany.
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Jacobson KA, Gao Z, Matricon P, Eddy MT, Carlsson J. Adenosine A2Areceptor antagonists: from caffeine to selective non‐xanthines. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 179:3496-3511. [DOI: 10.1111/bph.15103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A. Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic ChemistryNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD USA
| | - Zhan‐Guo Gao
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic ChemistryNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD USA
| | - Pierre Matricon
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life LaboratoryUppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Matthew T. Eddy
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Jens Carlsson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life LaboratoryUppsala University Uppsala Sweden
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Nawaz W, Xu S, Li Y, Huang B, Wu X, Wu Z. Nanotechnology and immunoengineering: How nanotechnology can boost CAR-T therapy. Acta Biomater 2020; 109:21-36. [PMID: 32294554 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy has achieved remarkable clinical efficacy against hematological cancers and has been approved by FDA for treatment of B-cell tumors. However, the complex manufacturing process and limited success in solid tumors hamper its widespread applications, thus prompting the development of new strategies for overcoming the abovementioned hurdles. In the last decade, nanotechnology has provided sustainable strategies for improving cancer immunotherapy through vaccine development and delivery of immunomodulatory drugs. Nanotechnology can boost CAR-T therapy and may overcome the existing challenges by emerging as a carrier for CAR-T therapy or in combination with CAR-T, it may inhibit solid tumors more effectively than conventional approaches. The revealing of cellular mechanisms, barriers and potential strategies that could be used to manipulate and/or modify cells would enable unprecedented advances in nanotechnology for biologics delivery. This review outlines the journey and barriers of nanoparticles (NPs) across the cell. Subsequently, the approaches to tackle the barriers and strategies to modulate NPs as a carrier for CAR-T therapy are discussed. Finally, the role of NPs in CAR-T therapy and the potential challenges are summarized. This review aims to provide the readers with a detailed overview of NP-based CAR-T therapy research and distil this information into an accessible form conducive to design desired CAR-T therapy using NP approach. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is the most vibrant field in immuno-oncology today, with enormous benefits to patients with B-cell malignancies. However, a rapid and straightforward procedure for CAR-T generation is an exigent need to broaden its therapeutic avenue. Nanotechnology has emerged as a novel alternative approach for CAR-T generation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in-depth review that briefly highlights the various aspects of nanotechnology in CAR-T therapy, including the strategies to brand NPs as an effective carrier for CAR cargo, its potential advantages, challenges, and future roadmap. It provides readers with a detailed overview of NP-based CAR-T therapy research, and researchers would be able to distill this information into an accessible form conducive to design the desired CAR therapy using the nanotechnology approach.
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Capone M, Fratangelo F, Giannarelli D, Sorrentino C, Turiello R, Zanotta S, Galati D, Madonna G, Tuffanelli M, Scarpato L, Grimaldi AM, Esposito A, Azzaro R, Pinto A, Cavalcanti E, Pinto A, Morello S, Ascierto PA. Frequency of circulating CD8+CD73+T cells is associated with survival in nivolumab-treated melanoma patients. J Transl Med 2020; 18:121. [PMID: 32160899 PMCID: PMC7065327 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND PD-1 blocking agents, such as nivolumab, have demonstrated clear anti-tumor effects and clinical benefits in a subset of patients with advanced malignancies. Nonetheless, more efforts are needed to identify reliable biomarkers for outcome, to correctly select patients who will benefit from anti-PD-1 treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of peripheral CD8+T cells expressing CD73, involved in the generation of the immune suppressive molecule adenosine, in predicting outcome after nivolumab treatment in advanced melanoma patients. METHODS PBMCs from 100 melanoma patients treated with nivolumab were collected at National Cancer Institute "G. Pascale" of Naples. Frequencies of CD8+ lymphocytes phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry at baseline before nivolumab treatment, along with clinical characteristics and blood count parameters. Healthy controls (n = 20) were also analysed. Percentages of baseline T cells expressing PD-1 and CD73 were correlated with outcome after nivolumab treatment. RESULTS Melanoma patients presented a lower frequency of total circulating CD8+ lymphocytes than control subjects (p = 0.008). Patients with low baseline percentage of circulating CD8+PD-1+CD73+ lymphocytes (< 2.3%) had better survival (22.4 months vs 6.9 months, p = 0.001). Patients (39%) with clinical benefit from nivolumab therapy presented a significantly lower frequency of circulating CD8+PD-1+CD73+ lymphocytes than patients who progressed to nivolumab treatment (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Our observations suggest that baseline CD73 expression on circulating CD8+PD-1+ lymphocytes appear a promising biomarker of response to anti-PD-1 treatment in melanoma patients. Further investigations are needed for validation and for clarifying its role as prognostic or predictive marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariaelena Capone
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS - Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudia Sorrentino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA Italy
- Present Address: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberta Turiello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA Italy
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Serena Zanotta
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS - Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Galati
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS - Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriele Madonna
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS - Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Scarpato
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS - Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Assunta Esposito
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS - Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Azzaro
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS - Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Pinto
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS - Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | - Ernesta Cavalcanti
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS - Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | - Aldo Pinto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA Italy
| | - Silvana Morello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA Italy
| | - Paolo A. Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori – IRCCS - Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
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Aquila G, Vieceli Dalla Sega F, Marracino L, Pavasini R, Cardelli LS, Piredda A, Scoccia A, Martino V, Fortini F, Bononi I, Martini F, Manfrini M, Pannuti A, Ferrari R, Rizzo P, Campo G. Ticagrelor Increases SIRT1 and HES1 mRNA Levels in Peripheral Blood Cells from Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1576. [PMID: 32106619 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticagrelor is a powerful P2Y12 inhibitor with pleiotropic effects in the cardiovascular system. Consistently, we have reported that in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 1-month treatment with ticagrelor was superior in improving biological markers of endothelial function, compared with clopidogrel. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects of ticagrelor by conducting molecular analyses of RNA isolated from peripheral blood cells of these patients. We determined mRNAs levels of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, such as RORγt (T helper 17 cells marker), FoxP3 (regulatory T cells marker), NLRP3, ICAM1, SIRT1, Notch ligands JAG1 and DLL4, and HES1, a Notch target gene. We found that 1-month treatment with ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, led to increased levels of SIRT1 and HES1 mRNAs. In patients treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel, we observed a negative correlation among changes in both SIRT1 and HES1 mRNA and serum levels of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), a marker of endothelial dysfunction found to be reduced by ticagrelor treatment in our previous study. In conclusion, we report that in stable CAD/COPD patients ticagrelor positively regulates HES1 and SIRT1, two genes playing a protective role in the context of inflammation and oxidative stress. Our observations confirm and expand previous studies showing that the beneficial effects of ticagrelor in stable CAD/COPD patients may be, at least in part, mediated by its capacity to reduce systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.
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Hargadon KM. Tumor microenvironmental influences on dendritic cell and T cell function: A focus on clinically relevant immunologic and metabolic checkpoints. Clin Transl Med 2020; 10:374-411. [PMID: 32508018 PMCID: PMC7240858 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [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: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is fast becoming one of the most promising means of treating malignant disease. Cancer vaccines, adoptive cell transfer therapies, and immune checkpoint blockade have all shown varying levels of success in the clinical management of several cancer types in recent years. However, despite the clinical benefits often achieved by these regimens, an ongoing problem for many patients is the inherent or acquired resistance of their cancer to immunotherapy. It is now appreciated that dendritic cells and T lymphocytes both play key roles in antitumor immune responses and that the tumor microenvironment presents a number of barriers to the function of these cells that can ultimately limit the success of immunotherapy. In particular, the engagement of several immunologic and metabolic checkpoints within the hostile tumor microenvironment can severely compromise the antitumor functions of these important immune populations. This review highlights work from both preclinical and clinical studies that has shaped our understanding of the tumor microenvironment and its influence on dendritic cell and T cell function. It focuses on clinically relevant targeted and immunotherapeutic strategies that have emerged from these studies in an effort to prevent or overcome immune subversion within the tumor microenvironment. Emphasis is also placed on the potential of next-generation combinatorial regimens that target metabolic and immunologic impediments to dendritic cell and T lymphocyte function as strategies to improve antitumor immune reactivity and the clinical outcome of cancer immunotherapy going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian M. Hargadon
- Hargadon LaboratoryDepartment of BiologyHampden‐Sydney CollegeHampden‐SydneyVirginiaUSA
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Eberhardt N, Sanmarco LM, Bergero G, Theumer MG, García MC, Ponce NE, Cano RC, Aoki MP. Deficiency of CD73 activity promotes protective cardiac immunity against Trypanosoma cruzi infection but permissive environment in visceral adipose tissue. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1866:165592. [PMID: 31678157 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.165592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Damaged cells release the pro-inflammatory signal ATP, which is degraded by the ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 to the anti-inflammatory mediator adenosine (ADO). The balance between ATP/ADO is known to determine the outcome of inflammation/infection. However, modulation of the local immune response in different tissues due to changes in the balance of purinergic metabolites has yet to be investigated. Here, we explored the contribution of CD73-derived ADO on the acute immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, which invades and proliferates within different target tissues. Deficiency of CD73 activity led to an enhanced cardiac microbicidal immune response with an augmented frequency of macrophages with inflammatory phenotype and increased CD8+ T cell effector functions. The increment of local inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS)+ macrophages and the consequent rise of myocardial NO production in association with reduced ADO levels induced protection against T. cruzi infection as observed by the diminished cardiac parasite burden compared to their wild-type (WT) counterpart. Unexpectedly, parasitemia was substantially raised in CD73KO mice in comparison with WT mice, suggesting the existence of tissue reservoir/s outside myocardium. Indeed, CD73KO liver and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) showed increased parasite burden associated with a reduced ATP/ADO ratio and the lack of substantial microbicidal immune response. These data reveal that the purinergic system has a tissue-dependent impact on the host immune response against T. cruzi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Eberhardt
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Liliana Maria Sanmarco
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Gastón Bergero
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Martín Gustavo Theumer
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Mónica Cristina García
- Unidad de Tecnología Farmacéutica (UNITEFA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Nicolas Eric Ponce
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Roxana Carolina Cano
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina; Unidad Asociada Área Ciencias Agrarias, Ingeniería, Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Maria Pilar Aoki
- Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina; Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
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