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Zhang K, Xu Y, Chang X, Xu C, Xue W, Ding D, Nie M, Cai H, Xu J, Zhan L, Han J, Cai T, Ju D, Feng L, Zhang X, Yin K. Co-targeting CD47 and VEGF elicited potent anti-tumor effects in gastric cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:75. [PMID: 38532108 PMCID: PMC10965671 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03667-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD47, serving as an intrinsic immune checkpoint, has demonstrated efficacy as an anti-tumor target in hematologic malignancies. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance of CD47 in gastric cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target remains unclear. METHODS The expression of CD47 in clinical gastric cancer tissues was assessed using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Patient-derived cells were obtained from gastric cancer tissues and co-cultured with macrophages derived from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Flow cytometry analyses were employed to evaluate the rate of phagocytosis. Humanized patient-derived xenografts (Hu-PDXs) models were established to assess the efficacy of anti-CD47 immunotherapy or the combination of anti-CD47 and anti-VEGF therapy in treating gastric cancer. The infiltrated immune cells in the xenograft were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS In this study, we have substantiated the high expression of CD47 in gastric cancer tissues, establishing a strong association with unfavorable prognosis. Through the utilization of SIRPα-Fc to target CD47, we have effectively enhanced macrophage phagocytosis of PDCs in vitro and impeded the growth of Hu-PDXs. It is noteworthy that anti-CD47 immunotherapy has been observed to sustain tumor angiogenic vasculature, with a positive correlation between the expression of VEGF and CD47 in gastric cancer. Furthermore, the successful implementation of anti-angiogenic treatment has further augmented the anti-tumor efficacy of anti-CD47 therapy. In addition, the potent suppression of tumor growth, prevention of cancer recurrence after surgery, and significant prolongation of overall survival in Hu-PDX models can be achieved through the simultaneous targeting of CD47 and VEGF using the bispecific fusion protein SIRPα-VEGFR1 or by combining the two single-targeted agents. CONCLUSIONS Our preclinical studies collectively offer substantiation that CD47 holds promise as a prospective target for gastric cancer, while also highlighting the potential of anti-angiogenic therapy to enhance tumor responsiveness to anti-CD47 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiqi Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yuan Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xusheng Chang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Caili Xu
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wenjing Xue
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Dan Ding
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Mingming Nie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hui Cai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Lu Zhan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jiangbo Han
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Tiancai Cai
- Department of Sanatorium and Nursing Section, Xiamen Special Service Health Center, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Dianwen Ju
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Li Feng
- Department of Endoscopy Center, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, 170 Xinsong Road, Shanghai, 201199, China.
| | - Xuyao Zhang
- Department of Biological Medicines & Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Immunotherapeutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Kai Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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