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Bauer M, Schöbel CM, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B, Jasinski-Bergner S. Deciphering the role of alternative splicing in neoplastic diseases for immune-oncological therapies. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1386993. [PMID: 38736877 PMCID: PMC11082354 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1386993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is an important molecular biological mechanism regulated by complex mechanisms involving a plethora of cis and trans-acting elements. Furthermore, AS is tissue specific and altered in various pathologies, including infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases. Recently developed immuno-oncological therapies include monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting, among others, immune checkpoint (ICP) molecules. Despite therapeutic successes have been demonstrated, only a limited number of patients showed long-term benefit from these therapies with tumor entity-related differential response rates were observed. Interestingly, splice variants of common immunotherapeutic targets generated by AS are able to completely escape and/or reduce the efficacy of mAb- and/or CAR-based tumor immunotherapies. Therefore, the analyses of splicing patterns of targeted molecules in tumor specimens prior to therapy might help correct stratification, thereby increasing therapy success by antibody panel selection and antibody dosages. In addition, the expression of certain splicing factors has been linked with the patients' outcome, thereby highlighting their putative prognostic potential. Outstanding questions are addressed to translate the findings into clinical application. This review article provides an overview of the role of AS in (tumor) diseases, its molecular mechanisms, clinical relevance, and therapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Bauer
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Chiara-Maria Schöbel
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
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Massa C, Karn T, Weber K, Schneeweiss A, Hanusch C, Uwe Blohmer J, Zahm D, Jackisch C, van Mackelenbergh M, Thomalla J, Marmé F, Huober J, Müller V, Schem C, Müller A, Stickeler E, Biehl K, Fasching PA, Untch M, Loibl S, Denkert C, Seliger B. Baseline CD4 + and expansion of γδ T cells correlate with response to durvalumab in triple-negative breast cancer patients. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1617. [PMID: 38664548 PMCID: PMC11045558 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical ImmunologyMartin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalleGermany
- Institute for Translational ImmunologyBrandenburg Medical School Theodor FontaneBrandenburg an der HavelGermany
| | - Thomas Karn
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyGoethe UniversityFrankfurtGermany
| | - Karsten Weber
- German Breast Group, GBG Forschungs GmbHNeu‐IsenburgGermany
| | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- Nationales Centrum für TumorerkrankungenUniversitätsklinikum und Deutsches KrebsforschungszentrumHeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Jens Uwe Blohmer
- Gynäkologie mit Brustzentrum der Charite CCMCharité‐Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
| | | | - Christian Jackisch
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySana Klinikum OffenbachOffenbachGermany
| | | | | | - Frederik Marmé
- UniversitätsfrauenklinikMedizinische Fakultät Mannheim der Universität HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Jens Huober
- Breast CancerCantonal Hospital St.GallenSt. GallenSwitzerland
| | - Volkmar Müller
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversitätsklinikum Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | | | - Anja Müller
- Institute of Medical ImmunologyMartin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalleGermany
| | - Elmar Stickeler
- Klinik für Gynäkologie und GeburtsmedizinUniklinik RWTH AachenAachenGermany
| | - Katharina Biehl
- Institute of Medical ImmunologyMartin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalleGermany
| | - Peter A. Fasching
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversitätsklinikum ErlangenErlangenGermany
| | - Michael Untch
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyHELIOS Klinikum Berlin BuchBerlinGermany
| | - Sibylle Loibl
- German Breast Group, GBG Forschungs GmbHNeu‐IsenburgGermany
| | - Carsten Denkert
- Institute of PathologyPhilipps‐University Marburg and University Hospital Marburg (UKGM)MarburgGermany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical ImmunologyMartin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalleGermany
- Institute for Translational ImmunologyBrandenburg Medical School Theodor FontaneBrandenburg an der HavelGermany
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Seliger B. Role of HLA-G in tumors and upon COVID-19 infection. Hum Immunol 2024:110792. [PMID: 38555250 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2024.110792] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
HLA-G expression of tumors and upon viral infections is involved in their immune escape leading to the evasion from both T and NK cell recognition. The underlying mechanisms of HLA-G expression in both pathophysiologic conditions are broad and range from genetic abnormalities to epigenetic, transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the frequency, regulation and clinical relevance of HLA-G expression upon neoplastic and viral transformation, its interaction with components of the microenvironment as well as its potential as diagnostic marker and/or therapeutic target. In addition, it discusses urgent topics, which have to be addressed in HLA-G research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", 14770, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany; Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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4
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Dinter L, Karitzky PC, Schulz A, Wurm AA, Mehnert MC, Sergon M, Tunger A, Lesche M, Wehner R, Müller A, Käubler T, Niessner H, Dahl A, Beissert S, Schmitz M, Meier F, Seliger B, Westphal D. BRAF and MEK inhibitor combinations induce potent molecular and immunological effects in NRAS-mutant melanoma cells: Insights into mode of action and resistance mechanisms. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1057-1072. [PMID: 38078628 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
About 25% of melanoma harbor activating NRAS mutations, which are associated with aggressive disease therefore requiring a rapid antitumor intervention. However, no efficient targeted therapy options are currently available for patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma. MEK inhibitors (MEKi) appear to display a moderate antitumor activity and also immunological effects in NRAS-mutant melanoma, providing an ideal backbone for combination treatments. In our study, the MEKi binimetinib, cobimetinib and trametinib combined with the BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) encorafenib, vemurafenib and dabrafenib were investigated for their ability to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and alter the expression of immune modulatory molecules in sensitive NRAS-mutant melanoma cells using two- and three-dimensional cell culture models as well as RNA sequencing analyses. Furthermore, NRAS-mutant melanoma cells resistant to the three BRAFi/MEKi combinations were established to characterize the mechanisms contributing to their resistance. All BRAFi induced a stress response in the sensitive NRAS-mutant melanoma cells thereby significantly enhancing the antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity of the MEKi analyzed. Furthermore, BRAFi/MEKi combinations upregulated immune relevant molecules, such as ICOS-L, components of antigen-presenting machinery and the "don't eat me signal" molecule CD47 in the melanoma cells. The BRAFi/MEKi-resistant, NRAS-mutant melanoma cells counteracted the molecular and immunological effects of BRAFi/MEKi by upregulating downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway molecules, inhibiting apoptosis and promoting immune escape mechanisms. Together, our study reveals potent molecular and immunological effects of BRAFi/MEKi in sensitive NRAS-mutant melanoma cells that may be exploited in new combinational treatment strategies for patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Dinter
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Paula C Karitzky
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander Schulz
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander A Wurm
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Translational Medical Oncology, NCT Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, NCT Dresden, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie-Christin Mehnert
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Mildred Sergon
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Antje Tunger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mathias Lesche
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center, Technology Platform at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rebekka Wehner
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anja Müller
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Theresa Käubler
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Heike Niessner
- Department of Dermatology, Oncology, University Medical Center, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahl
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center, Technology Platform at the Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Beissert
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friedegund Meier
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Skin Cancer Center at the University Cancer Center Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dana Westphal
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Dresden, a partnership between German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
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Hassan L, Bedir A, Kraus FB, Ostheimer C, Vordermark D, Mikolajczyk R, Seliger B, Medenwald D. Correlation of Increased Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 with Mortality and Dependence on Treatment in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:525. [PMID: 38339276 PMCID: PMC10854918 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030525] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a multipotent cytokine involved in inflammation and anti-tumor activity. TNF-α exerts its function upon binding to TNF-receptor 1 (TNF-R1) and TNF-receptor 2 (TNF-R2). This study investigates the relationship of soluble (s) TNF-R1 levels in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with treatment and overall survival. METHODS In total, 134 NSCLC patients treated at the Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg between 2017 and 2019 were included in this study. Serum levels of sTNF-R1 were measured via ELISA at baseline and during and after treatment. A linear mixed-effects model was used to assess sTNF-R1 changes over time. Linear regression was applied to investigate the association between clinical characteristics and changes in sTNF-R1. Cox regression models were used to estimate associations with overall mortality. RESULTS The estimated average sTNFR-1 at baseline was 2091.71 pg/mL, with a change of 6.19 pg/mL per day. Cox models revealed that the individual change in sTNF-R1 was more strongly associated with mortality than its baseline value, especially after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that the individual change in sTNF-R1 levels during and after treatment were associated with the risk of mortality, suggesting the use of the sTNF-R1 trajectory as a prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamiaa Hassan
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany (R.M.)
| | - Ahmed Bedir
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Health Services Research Group, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany (D.V.)
| | - Frank Bernhard Kraus
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Unit II LM-CC, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Christian Ostheimer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Dirk Vordermark
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Health Services Research Group, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany (D.V.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Rafael Mikolajczyk
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics, and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany (R.M.)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School “Theodor Fontane”, 16816 Brandenburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Medenwald
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Health Services Research Group, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany (D.V.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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Seliger B. Tumor immunology meets oncology (TIMO) XVII, April 20-22 2023 in Halle/Saale, Germany. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:4431-4439. [PMID: 37872395 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03553-w] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
During the TIMO meeting 2023, national and international scientists as well as clinicians gave novel insights as well as perspectives into basic and translational tumor immunology. https://dgfi.org/arbeitskreise/ak-tumorimmunologie/meeting/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School, Theodor Fontane", Hochstraße 29, 14770, Brandenburg, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 02, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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Blümke J, Bauer M, Vaxevanis C, Wilfer A, Mandelboim O, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B, Jasinski-Bergner S. Identification and characterization of the anti-viral interferon lambda 3 as direct target of the Epstein-Barr virus microRNA-BART7-3p. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2284483. [PMID: 38126030 PMCID: PMC10732682 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2284483] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The human Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), as a member of the human γ herpes viruses (HHV), is known to be linked with distinct tumor types. It is a double-stranded DNA virus and its genome encodes among others for 48 different microRNAs (miRs). Current research demonstrated a strong involvement of certain EBV-miRs in molecular immune evasion mechanisms of infected cells by, e.g., the disruption of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class Ia and NKG2D functions. To determine novel targets of EBV-miRs involved in immune surveillance, ebv-miR-BART7-3p, an EBV-encoded miR with high expression levels during the different lytic and latent EBV life cycle phases, was overexpressed in human HEK293T cells. Using a cDNA microarray-based comparative analysis, 234 (229 downregulated and 5 upregulated) deregulated human transcripts were identified in ebv-miR-BART7-3p transfectants, which were mainly involved in cellular processes and molecular binding. A statistically significant downregulation of the anti-proliferative and tumor-suppressive hsa-miR-34A and the anti-viral interferon lambda (IFNL)3 mRNA was found. The ebv-miR-BART7-3p-mediated downregulation of IFNL3 expression was due to a direct interaction with the IFNL3 3'-untranslated region (UTR) as determined by luciferase reporter gene assays including the identification of the accurate ebv-miR-BART7-3p binding site. The effect of ebv-miR-BART7-3p on the IFNL3 expression was validated both in human cell lines in vitro and in human tissue specimen with known EBV status. These results expand the current knowledge of EBV-encoded miRs and their role in immune evasion, pathogenesis and malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Blümke
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Marcus Bauer
- Institute for Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Christoforos Vaxevanis
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Andreas Wilfer
- Institute for Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Krukenberg Cancer Center, University Hospital Halle, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute for Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School (MHB), Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
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Pérez-Nicado R, Massa C, Rodríguez-Noda LM, Müller A, Puga-Gómez R, Ricardo-Delgado Y, Paredes-Moreno B, Rodríguez-González M, García-Ferrer M, Palmero-Álvarez I, Garcés-Hechavarría A, Rivera DG, Valdés-Balbín Y, Vérez-Bencomo V, García-Rivera D, Seliger B. Comparative Immune Response after Vaccination with SOBERANA ® 02 and SOBERANA ® plus Heterologous Scheme and Natural Infection in Young Children. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1636. [PMID: 38005968 PMCID: PMC10675375 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111636] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: In children, SARS-CoV-2 infection is mostly accompanied by mild COVID-19 symptoms. However, multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and long-term sequelae are often severe complications. Therefore, the protection of the pediatric population against SARS-CoV-2 with effective vaccines is particularly important. Here, we compare the humoral and cellular immune responses elicited in children (n = 15, aged 5-11 years) vaccinated with the RBD-based vaccines SOBERANA® 02 and SOBERANA® Plus combined in a heterologous scheme with those from children (n = 10, aged 4-11 years) who recovered from mild symptomatic COVID-19. (2) Methods: Blood samples were taken 14 days after the last dose for vaccinated children and 45-60 days after the infection diagnosis for COVID-19 recovered children. Anti-RBD IgG and ACE2-RBD inhibition were assessed by ELISA; IgA, cytokines, and cytotoxic-related proteins were determined by multiplex assays. Total B and T cell subpopulations and IFN-γ release were measured by multiparametric flow cytometry using a large panel of antibodies after in vitro stimulation with S1 peptides. (3) Results: Significant higher levels of specific anti-RBD IgG and IgA and ACE2-RBD inhibition capacity were found in vaccinated children in comparison to COVID-19 recovered children. Th1-like and Th2-like CD4+ T cells were also significantly higher in vaccinated subjects. IFN-γ secretion was higher in central memory CD4+ T cells of COVID-19 recovered children, but no differences between both groups were found in the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell effector, terminal effector, and naïve T cell subpopulations. In contrast to low levels of IL-4, high levels of IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-10 suggest a predominant Th1 cell polarization. Cytotoxic-related proteins granzyme A and B, perforin, and granulin were also found in the supernatant after S1 stimulation in both vaccinated and recovered children. (4) Conclusions: Vaccination with the heterologous scheme of SOBERANA® 02/SOBERANA® Plus induces a stronger antibody and cellular immune response compared to natural infections in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocmira Pérez-Nicado
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School “Theodor Fontane”, 14770 Brandenburg, Germany;
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Laura Marta Rodríguez-Noda
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Anja Müller
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Rinaldo Puga-Gómez
- Pediatric Hospital “Juan Manuel Márquez”, Havana 11500, Cuba; (R.P.-G.); (Y.R.-D.)
| | | | - Beatriz Paredes-Moreno
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Meiby Rodríguez-González
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Marylé García-Ferrer
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Ilianet Palmero-Álvarez
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Aniurka Garcés-Hechavarría
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Daniel G. Rivera
- Laboratory of Synthetic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Havana 10400, Cuba;
| | - Yury Valdés-Balbín
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Vicente Vérez-Bencomo
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Dagmar García-Rivera
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School “Theodor Fontane”, 14770 Brandenburg, Germany;
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany;
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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9
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Möller M, Schütte W, Turzer S, Seliger B, Riemann D. Blood Immune Cells as Biomarkers in Long-Term Surviving Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing a Combined Immune/Chemotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4873. [PMID: 37835567 PMCID: PMC10572005 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194873] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
An important challenge remains in identifying the baseline characteristics of cancer patients who will mostly benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies. Furthermore, biomarkers could help in the choice of an optimal therapy duration after a primary therapy response. In this pilot study, the time courses of four different immune cell parameters were followed in 12 patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing ICI therapy combined with chemotherapy and surviving at least 12 months. Blood was collected at the time point of the first and third antibody administration, as well as after 12 months of patients' survival. Using multi-color flow cytometry, two suppressive markers (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the frequency of circulating HLA-DRlow monocytes), as well as two markers of an ongoing immune response (6-Sulfo LacNAc (slan)+ non-classical monocytes and dendritic cell (DC) subtypes), were determined. In most of those who survived > 12 months, a low NLR and a low number of HLA-DRlow monocytes combined with clearly detectable numbers of slan+ non-classical monocytes and of DC subtypes were seen. Two of the patients had an increase in the suppressive markers paired with a decrease in slan+ non-classical monocytes and in DC subtypes, which, in at least one patient, was the correlate of an ongoing clinical progression. Our results implicate that the NLR, specific subtypes of monocytes, and the number of blood DCs might be useful predictive biomarkers for cancer patients during long-term treatment with ICI/chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Möller
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Hospital Martha-Maria Halle-Dölau, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schütte
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Hospital Martha-Maria Halle-Dölau, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Steffi Turzer
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", 14770 Brandenburg, Germany
| | - Dagmar Riemann
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany
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10
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Massa C, Seliger B. Combination of multiple omics techniques for a personalized therapy or treatment selection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258013. [PMID: 37828984 PMCID: PMC10565668 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite targeted therapies and immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of cancer patients, only a limited number of patients have long-term responses. Moreover, due to differences within cancer patients in the tumor mutational burden, composition of the tumor microenvironment as well as of the peripheral immune system and microbiome, and in the development of immune escape mechanisms, there is no "one fit all" therapy. Thus, the treatment of patients must be personalized based on the specific molecular, immunologic and/or metabolic landscape of their tumor. In order to identify for each patient the best possible therapy, different approaches should be employed and combined. These include (i) the use of predictive biomarkers identified on large cohorts of patients with the same tumor type and (ii) the evaluation of the individual tumor with "omics"-based analyses as well as its ex vivo characterization for susceptibility to different therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Massa
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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11
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Schäfer H, Subbarayan K, Massa C, Vaxevanis C, Mueller A, Seliger B. Correlation of the tumor escape phenotype with loss of PRELP expression in melanoma. J Transl Med 2023; 21:643. [PMID: 37730606 PMCID: PMC10512569 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04476-x] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite immunotherapies having revolutionized the treatment of advanced cutaneous melanoma, effective and durable responses were only reported in a few patients. A better understanding of the interaction of melanoma cells with the microenvironment, including extracellular matrix (ECM) components, might provide novel therapeutic options. Although the ECM has been linked to several hallmarks of cancer, little information is available regarding the expression and function of the ECM protein purine-arginine-rich and leucine-rich protein (PRELP) in cancer, including melanoma. METHODS The structural integrity, expression and function of PRELP, its correlation with the expression of immune modulatory molecules, immune cell infiltration and clinical parameters were determined using standard methods and/or bioinformatics. RESULTS Bioinformatics analysis revealed a heterogeneous, but statistically significant reduced PRELP expression in available datasets of skin cutaneous melanoma when compared to adjacent normal tissues, which was associated with reduced patients' survival, low expression levels of components of the MHC class I antigen processing machinery (APM) and interferon (IFN)-γ signal transduction pathway, but increased expression of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β isoform 1 (TFGB1) and TGF-β receptor 1 (TGFBR1). In addition, a high frequency of intra-tumoral T cells directly correlated with the expression of MHC class I and PRELP as well as the T cell attractant CCL5 in melanoma lesions. Marginal to low PRELP expression levels were found in the 47/49 human melanoma cell lines analysis. Transfection of PRELP into melanoma cell lines restored MHC class I surface expression due to transcriptional upregulation of major MHC class I APM and IFN-γ pathway components. In addition, PRELP overexpression is accompanied by high CCL5 secretion levels in cell supernatant, an impaired TGF-β signaling as well as a reduced cell proliferation, migration and invasion of melanoma cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that PRELP induces the expression of MHC class I and CCL5 in melanoma, which might be involved in an enhanced T cell recruitment and immunogenicity associated with an improved patients' outcome. Therefore, PRELP might serve as a marker for predicting disease progression and its recovery could revert the tumorigenic phenotype, which represents a novel therapeutic option for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Schäfer
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Karthikeyan Subbarayan
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Christoforos Vaxevanis
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anja Mueller
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstr. 1, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical School Brandenburg, Hochstr. 29, 14770, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany.
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12
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Seliger B. Tumor immunology meets oncology (TIMO) XVI, July 07-09 2022 in Halle/Saale, Germany. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3125-3132. [PMID: 37347257 PMCID: PMC10412497 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03468-6] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
During the TIMO meeting 2022, national and international scientists as well as clinicians gave novel insights as well as perspectives into basic and translational tumor immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School "Theodor Fontane", Hochstraße 29, 14770, Brandenburg, Germany.
- Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 02, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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13
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Bache M, Kadler F, Struck O, Medenwald D, Ostheimer C, Güttler A, Keßler J, Kappler M, Riemann A, Thews O, Seliger B, Vordermark D. Correlation between Circulating miR-16, miR-29a, miR-144 and miR-150, and the Radiotherapy Response and Survival of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12835. [PMID: 37629015 PMCID: PMC10454434 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612835] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the success of current therapy concepts, patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still have a very poor prognosis. Therefore, biological markers are urgently needed, which allow the assessment of prognosis, or prediction of the success of therapy or resistance in this disease. Circulating microRNAs (miRs) have potential as biomarkers for the prognosis and prediction of response to therapy in cancer patients. Based on recent evidence that circulating miR-16, miR-29a, miR-144 and miR-150 can be regulated by ionizing radiation, the concentration of these four miRs was assessed in the plasma of NSCLC patients at different time points of radiotherapy by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). Furthermore, their impact on patients' prognosis was evaluated. The mean plasma levels of miR-16, miR-29a, miR-144 and miR-150 significantly differed intra- and inter-individually, and during therapy in NSCLC patients, but showed a strong positive correlation. The individual plasma levels of miR-16, miR-29a and miR-144 had prognostic value in NSCLC patients during or at the end of radiotherapy in Cox's regression models. NSCLC patients with low levels of these three miRs at the end of radiotherapy had the worst prognosis. However, miR-150 plasma levels and treatment-dependent changes were not predictive. In conclusion, circulating miR-16, miR-29a and miR-144, but not miR-150, have a prognostic value in NSCLC patients undergoing radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Bache
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany; (F.K.); (O.S.); (D.M.); (A.G.); (J.K.); (D.V.)
| | - Frauke Kadler
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany; (F.K.); (O.S.); (D.M.); (A.G.); (J.K.); (D.V.)
| | - Olivia Struck
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany; (F.K.); (O.S.); (D.M.); (A.G.); (J.K.); (D.V.)
- Department of Radiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Daniel Medenwald
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany; (F.K.); (O.S.); (D.M.); (A.G.); (J.K.); (D.V.)
| | - Christian Ostheimer
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany; (F.K.); (O.S.); (D.M.); (A.G.); (J.K.); (D.V.)
| | - Antje Güttler
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany; (F.K.); (O.S.); (D.M.); (A.G.); (J.K.); (D.V.)
| | - Jacqueline Keßler
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany; (F.K.); (O.S.); (D.M.); (A.G.); (J.K.); (D.V.)
| | - Matthias Kappler
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany;
| | - Anne Riemann
- Julius Bernstein Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 6, 06112 Halle, Germany; (A.R.); (O.T.)
| | - Oliver Thews
- Julius Bernstein Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 6, 06112 Halle, Germany; (A.R.); (O.T.)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 16, 06112 Halle, Germany;
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School “Theodor Fontane”, 14770 Brandenburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dirk Vordermark
- Department of Radiotherapy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120 Halle, Germany; (F.K.); (O.S.); (D.M.); (A.G.); (J.K.); (D.V.)
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14
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Tong L, Kremer V, Neo SY, Liu Y, Chen Y, Wagner AK, Yang Y, Chen Z, Seitz C, Tobin NP, Ligtenberg MA, Alici E, Chen X, Haglund F, Seliger B, Harmenberg U, Colón E, Plogell AHS, Liu LL, Lundqvist A. Renal cell carcinoma escapes NK cell-mediated immune surveillance through the downregulation of DNAM-1. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2023. [PMID: 37314951 PMCID: PMC10354414 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Le Tong
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Veronika Kremer
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shi Yong Neo
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Singapore Immunology Network, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yaxuan Liu
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
| | | | - Ying Yang
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ziqing Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, New Jersey, USA
| | - Christina Seitz
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Maarten Alexander Ligtenberg
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Evren Alici
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xinsong Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Felix Haglund
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, 14770, and Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrika Harmenberg
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eugenia Colón
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and S:t Göran's Hospital-Unilabs, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Lisa Lei Liu
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Kegler A, Drewitz L, Arndt C, Daglar C, Rodrigues Loureiro L, Mitwasi N, Neuber C, González Soto KE, Bartsch T, Baraban L, Ziehr H, Heine M, Nieter A, Moreira-Soto A, Kühne A, Drexler JF, Seliger B, Laube M, Máthé D, Pályi B, Hajdrik P, Forgách L, Kis Z, Szigeti K, Bergmann R, Feldmann A, Bachmann M. A novel ACE2 decoy for both neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants and killing of infected cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1204543. [PMID: 37383226 PMCID: PMC10293748 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1204543] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to millions of infections and deaths worldwide. As this virus evolves rapidly, there is a high need for treatment options that can win the race against new emerging variants of concern. Here, we describe a novel immunotherapeutic drug based on the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor ACE2 and provide experimental evidence that it cannot only be used for (i) neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in SARS-CoV-2-infected animal models but also for (ii) clearance of virus-infected cells. For the latter purpose, we equipped the ACE2 decoy with an epitope tag. Thereby, we converted it to an adapter molecule, which we successfully applied in the modular platforms UniMAB and UniCAR for retargeting of either unmodified or universal chimeric antigen receptor-modified immune effector cells. Our results pave the way for a clinical application of this novel ACE2 decoy, which will clearly improve COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kegler
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Laura Drewitz
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Claudia Arndt
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cansu Daglar
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Liliana Rodrigues Loureiro
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Nicola Mitwasi
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Christin Neuber
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Karla Elizabeth González Soto
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Tabea Bartsch
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Larysa Baraban
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Holger Ziehr
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Markus Heine
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Annabel Nieter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andres Moreira-Soto
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arne Kühne
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical High School, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Markus Laube
- Department of Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Domokos Máthé
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, In Vivo Imaging Advanced Core Facility, Szeged, Hungary
- CROmed Translational Research Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bernadett Pályi
- National Biosafety Laboratory, Division of Microbiological Reference Laboratories, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Polett Hajdrik
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Forgách
- Semmelweis University School of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kis
- National Biosafety Laboratory, Division of Microbiological Reference Laboratories, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Szigeti
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ralf Bergmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anja Feldmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Department of Radioimmunology, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Bauer M, Vetter M, Stückrath K, Yohannes M, Desalegn Z, Yalew T, Bekuretsion Y, Kenea TW, Joffe M, van den Berg EJ, Nikulu JI, Bakarou K, Manraj SS, Ogunbiyi OJ, Ekanem IO, Igbinoba F, Diomande M, Adebamowo C, Dzamalala CP, Anele AA, Zietsman A, Galukande M, Foerster M, dos-Santos-Silva I, Liu B, Santos P, Jemal A, Abebe T, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B, McCormack V, Kantelhardt EJ. Regional Variation in the Tumor Microenvironment, Immune Escape and Prognostic Factors in Breast Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:720-731. [PMID: 37058582 PMCID: PMC10552870 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0795] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
The low overall survival rates of patients with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are driven by regionally differing tumor biology, advanced tumor stages at diagnosis, and limited access to therapy. However, it is not known whether regional differences in the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) exist and affect patients' prognosis. In this international, multicentre cohort study, 1,237 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast cancer samples, including samples of the "African Breast Cancer-Disparities in Outcomes (ABC-DO) Study," were analyzed. The immune cell phenotypes, their spatial distribution in the TME, and immune escape mechanisms of breast cancer samples from SSA and Germany (n = 117) were investigated using histomorphology, conventional and multiplex IHC, and RNA expression analysis. The data revealed no regional differences in the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in the 1,237 SSA breast cancer samples, while the distribution of TILs in different breast cancer IHC subtypes showed regional diversity, particularly when compared with German samples. Higher TIL densities were associated with better survival in the SSA cohort (n = 400), but regional differences concerning the predictive value of TILs existed. High numbers of CD163+ macrophages and CD3+CD8+ T cells accompanied by reduced cytotoxicity, altered IL10 and IFNγ levels and downregulation of MHC class I components were predominantly detected in breast cancer samples from Western SSA. Features of nonimmunogenic breast cancer phenotypes were associated with reduced patient survival (n = 131). We therefore conclude that regional diversity in the distribution of breast cancer subtypes, TME composition, and immune escape mechanisms should be considered for therapy decisions in SSA and the design of personalized therapies. See related Spotlight by Bergin et al., p. 705.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Bauer
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Halle, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Global Health Working Group, Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Martina Vetter
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Halle, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kathrin Stückrath
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Halle, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Meron Yohannes
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Zelalem Desalegn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tewodros Yalew
- Department of Pathology, Tikur Anbessa Specialized University Hospital, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yonas Bekuretsion
- Department of Pathology, Tikur Anbessa Specialized University Hospital, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tariku W. Kenea
- Department of Surgery, Aira General Hospital, Aira, Ethiopia
| | - Maureen Joffe
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Division, Wits Health Consortium (PTY) Ltd, Johannesburg, South Africa and U Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences, Strengthening Oncology Services Research Unit
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Eunice J van den Berg
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Julien I. Nikulu
- Ligue congolaise contre le cancer, l’Unité Pilote du GFAOP, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Kamate Bakarou
- Service d’anatomie, Cytologie Pathologique au C.H.U. du point G BP:333, Bamako, Mali
| | - Shyam S. Manraj
- Central Health Laboratory, Victoria Hospital, Candos, Mauritius
| | - Olufemi J. Ogunbiyi
- Department of Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria
| | - Ima-Obong Ekanem
- Department of Pathology, Calabar Cancer Registry, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria
| | | | - Mohenou Diomande
- Service d’anatomie et cytologie pathologiques, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
| | - Clement Adebamowo
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, and the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | | | | | - Annelle Zietsman
- AB May Cancer Centre, Windhoek Central Hospital, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Moses Galukande
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Milena Foerster
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, Lyon, France
| | - Isabel dos-Santos-Silva
- Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
| | - Biying Liu
- African Cancer Registry Network, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Pablo Santos
- Global Health Working Group, Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tamrat Abebe
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Halle, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical School ‘Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Valerie McCormack
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Environment and Lifestyle Epidemiology Branch, Lyon, France
| | - Eva J. Kantelhardt
- Global Health Working Group, Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Halle, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Wang Y, Jasinski-Bergner S, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B. Cancer Immunology: Immune Escape of Tumors-Expression and Regulation of HLA Class I Molecules and Its Role in Immunotherapies. Adv Anat Pathol 2023; 30:148-159. [PMID: 36517481 DOI: 10.1097/pap.0000000000000389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The addition of "avoiding immune destruction" to the hallmarks of cancer demonstrated the importance of cancer immunology and in particular the role of immune surveillance and escape from malignancies. However, the underlying mechanisms contributing to immune impairment and immune responses are diverse. Loss or reduced expression of the HLA class I molecules are major characteristics of human cancers resulting in an impaired recognition of tumor cells by CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This is of clinical relevance and associated with worse patients outcome and limited efficacy of T-cell-based immunotherapies. Here, we summarize the role of HLA class I antigens in cancers by focusing on the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for HLA class I defects, which are caused by either structural alterations or deregulation at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and posttranslational levels. In addition, the influence of HLA class I abnormalities to adaptive and acquired immunotherapy resistances will be described. The in-depth knowledge of the different strategies of malignancies leading to HLA class I defects can be applied to design more effective cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Medical Immunology
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", Brandenburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology
- Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, GermanyLeipzig, Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", Brandenburg, Germany
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Massa C, Wang Y, Marr N, Seliger B. Interferons and Resistance Mechanisms in Tumors and Pathogen-Driven Diseases—Focus on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Antigen Processing Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076736. [PMID: 37047709 PMCID: PMC10095295 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferons (IFNs), divided into type I, type II, and type III IFNs represent proteins that are secreted from cells in response to various stimuli and provide important information for understanding the evolution, structure, and function of the immune system, as well as the signaling pathways of other cytokines and their receptors. They exert comparable, but also distinct physiologic and pathophysiologic activities accompanied by pleiotropic effects, such as the modulation of host responses against bacterial and viral infections, tumor surveillance, innate and adaptive immune responses. IFNs were the first cytokines used for the treatment of tumor patients including hairy leukemia, renal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. However, tumor cells often develop a transient or permanent resistance to IFNs, which has been linked to the escape of tumor cells and unresponsiveness to immunotherapies. In addition, loss-of-function mutations in IFN signaling components have been associated with susceptibility to infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and mycobacterial infections. In this review, we summarize general features of the three IFN families and their function, the expression and activity of the different IFN signal transduction pathways, and their role in tumor immune evasion and pathogen clearance, with links to alterations in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II antigen processing machinery (APM). In addition, we discuss insights regarding the clinical applications of IFNs alone or in combination with other therapeutic options including immunotherapies as well as strategies reversing the deficient IFN signaling. Therefore, this review provides an overview on the function and clinical relevance of the different IFN family members, with a specific focus on the MHC pathways in cancers and infections and their contribution to immune escape of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Massa
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Hochstr. 29, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Yuan Wang
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Nico Marr
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Hochstr. 29, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Hochstr. 29, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstr. 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Werner J, Walter S, Sachsenmaier C, Schulze J, Phippard D, Olek S, Seliger B, Wickenhauser C. Abstract 993: Epigenetic immune cell profiling in B-non-Hodgkin lymphoma biopsies. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2023-993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Early detection and differential diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is essential for the initiation of suitable therapy options. Biopsy based diagnosis allows allocation to World Health Organization (WHO) sub-classification groups but prognosis often needs identification of specific genetic aberrations or gene expression patterns. Despite this strategy, prognosis is difficult, since diseases, like e.g. mantel cell lymphoma, can be indolent or aggressive. Here we report the characterization of NHL biopsies using epigenetic immune cell quantification. This approach is based on the identification of specifically demethylated regions in individual immune cell types. These regions are then quantified using methylation-sensitive qPCR after bisulfite conversion. This highly reproducible and objective method allows in depth immunophenotyping of the tumor microenvironment. Next to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells and NK cells more specialized immune cells like regulatory T cells (Tregs), follicular T helper cells, PD-1 expressing cells and Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) were quantitatively determined in formalin-fixed tissue samples of 251 patients with different B cell Non-Hodgkin lymphomas. As a result, characteristic immune cell distribution patterns were identified for the different lymphoma entities, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) (n=41), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) (n=32), follicular lymphoma (FL) (n=33), diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (n=74), marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) (n=40) and B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) (n=26). In addition, substantial heterogeneity within the entities was observed that may correlate with disease prognosis. Among others, this is particularly the case for MDSC in B-CLL patients as well as for NK cells and Tregs in MCL and PD-1+ cells in FL patients. Currently clusters within the different disease groups are analyzed with regard to the clinical outcome to investigate if disease prognosis can be predicted by epigenetic immune cell quantification. In conclusion, epigenetic immune cell quantification is a suitable method to analyze the tumor microenvironment of NHL patients with the potential to support patient’s prognosis.
Citation Format: Jeannette Werner, Steffi Walter, Christoph Sachsenmaier, Janika Schulze, Deborah Phippard, Sven Olek, Barbara Seliger, Claudia Wickenhauser. Epigenetic immune cell profiling in B-non-Hodgkin lymphoma biopsies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 993.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sven Olek
- 2Precision for Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- 3Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale, Germany
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Massa C, Karn T, Weber K, Schneeweiss A, Hanusch C, Blohmer JU, Zahm DM, Jackisch C, van Mackelenbergh M, Thomalla J, Marmé F, Huober J, Müller V, Schem C, Müller A, Stickeler E, Biehl K, Fasching PA, Untch M, Loibl S, Denkert C, Seliger B. Abstract PD9-04: Immunological and clinical consequences of durvalumab treatment in combination to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients. Cancer Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs22-pd9-04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The implementation of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the therapy of different cancer types has provided promising results, but only a limited number of patients respond. Therefore, biomarkers to identify these responding patients are urgently needed. Methods: The GeparNuevo was a randomized, double-blind phase II trial in which triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) consisting of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel in an initial phase followed by treatment with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide. Placebo or durvalumab were given throughout the neo-adjuvant treatment and in the “window” sub-cohort also prior to chemotherapy. Primary objective of this report was to evaluate changes in the blood immune cell repertoires of TNBC patients receiving durvalumab (anti-PD-L1) versus placebo in combination with NACT. At up to 4 different time points during therapy, blood samples were taken and underwent immunomonitoring using multicolor flow cytometry. The absolute counts of the major immune cell subtypes in the blood as well as the frequencies of different immune cell subpopulations and their functional phenotypes along treatment were determined and correlated to clinico-pathologic characteristics of the patients and to treatment response. Results: 120 out of 174 patients included in the GeparNuevo trial underwent blood immunomonitoring; 63 patients belonged to the “window” sub-cohort. Durvalumab administration almost completely blocked the detection of the inhibitory ligand PD-L1 and induced changes in the composition of the immune cell subpopulations. Evaluation of the “window” sub-cohort, in which an enhanced, but not significant pathological clinical response was observed within the immunomonitored patients, identified different markers correlating with clinical response to durvalumab. Higher frequencies of CD4+ T cells at recruitment as well as increased frequencies of T cells bearing the gamma delta TCR along treatment were some of the characteristics of patients responding to durvalumab treatment. Conclusions: The flow cytometry-based immunomonitoring of the clinical trial identified different immune-relevant biomarkers at recruitment as well as during treatment that predict clinical response to durvalumab. After validation of this data in an independent patient cohort, these markers could be implemented for an improved patient stratification to immunotherapy.
Citation Format: Chiara Massa, Thomas Karn, Karsten Weber, Andreas Schneeweiss, Claus Hanusch, Jens-Uwe Blohmer, Dirk-Michael Zahm, Christian Jackisch, Marion van Mackelenbergh, Jörg Thomalla, Frederik Marmé, Jens Huober, Volkmar Müller, Christian Schem, Anja Müller, Elmar Stickeler, Katharina Biehl, Peter A. Fasching, Michael Untch, Sibylle Loibl, Carsten Denkert, Barbara Seliger. Immunological and clinical consequences of durvalumab treatment in combination to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr PD9-04.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Massa
- 1Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Thomas Karn
- 2Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- 4National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Christian Jackisch
- 8Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sana Klinikum Offenbach, Germany
| | - Marion van Mackelenbergh
- 9Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Jörg Thomalla
- 10Institut für Versorgungsforschung in der Oncologie Koblenz am Rhein, Germany
| | - Frederik Marmé
- 11Med. Fakultät Mannheim der Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jens Huober
- 12Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Brustzentrum, Departement Interdisziplinäre medizinische Dienste, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Volkmar Müller
- 13Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Anja Müller
- 15Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Elmar Stickeler
- 16Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtsmedizin, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Katharina Biehl
- 17Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Peter A. Fasching
- 18Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | - Carsten Denkert
- 21Institut für Pathologie, Philipps Universität Marburg und Universitätsklinikum Marburg (UKGM), Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- 22Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Pane AA, Kordaß T, Hotz‐Wagenblatt A, Dickes E, Kopp‐Schneider A, Will R, Seliger B, Osen W, Eichmüller SB. MicroRNAs affecting the susceptibility of melanoma cells to CD8 + T cell-mediated cytolysis. Clin Transl Med 2023; 13:e1186. [PMID: 36718025 PMCID: PMC9887093 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1186] [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: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The regulatory functions of microRNAs (miRNAs) in anti-tumour immunity have been mainly described in immune effector cells. Since little is known about miRNA effects on the susceptibility of target cells during T cell-target cell interaction, this study focused on the identification of miRNAs expressed in tumour cells controlling their susceptibility to CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. METHODS Luciferase expressing B16F10 melanoma (B16F10 Luci+ ) cells transfected with individual miRNAs covering a comprehensive murine miRNA library were screened for their susceptibility to lysis by an established cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) line (5a, clone Nβ) specific for the melanoma-associated antigen tyrosinase-related protein 2. miRNAs with the most pronounced effects on T cell-mediated lysis were validated and stably expressed in B16F10 cells. In silico analyses identified common targets of miRNA sets determined by the screen, which were further confirmed by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing experiments modulating immune surveillance. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from miRNA-overexpressing cell lines were applied to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-derived miRNA sequencing data were used to assess the correlation of miRNA expression with melanoma patients' survival. RESULTS The miRNA screen resulted in the selection of seven miRNAs enhancing CTL-mediated melanoma cell killing in vitro. Upon stable overexpression of selected miRNAs, hsa-miR-320a-3p, mmu-miR-7037-5p and mmu-miR-666-3p were determined as most effective in enhancing susceptibility to CTL lysis. In silico analyses and subsequent siRNA-mediated silencing experiments identified Psmc3 and Ndufa1 as common miRNA targets possibly involved in the functional effects observed. The analyses of RNA-seq data with IPA showed pathways, networks, biological functions and key molecules potentially involved in the miRNA-mediated functional effects. Finally, based on TCGA data analysis, a positive correlation of the conserved miRNAs among the panel of the seven identified miRNAs with overall survival of melanoma patients was determined. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, this study uncovered miRNA species that affect the susceptibility of melanoma cells to T cell-mediated killing. These miRNAs might represent attractive candidates for novel therapy approaches against melanoma and other tumour entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino A. Pane
- Research Group GMP & T Cell TherapyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
- Faculty of BiosciencesUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
- Present address:
Immatics Biotechnologies GmbHTübingenGermany
| | - Theresa Kordaß
- Research Group GMP & T Cell TherapyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
- Faculty of BiosciencesUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
- Present address:
Section Multiple MyelomaInternal Medicine V, University Clinic HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Agnes Hotz‐Wagenblatt
- Omics IT and Data Management Core FacilityGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Elke Dickes
- Research Group GMP & T Cell TherapyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | | | - Rainer Will
- Core Facility Cellular ToolsGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical ImmunologyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle/SaaleGermany
| | - Wolfram Osen
- Research Group GMP & T Cell TherapyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Stefan B. Eichmüller
- Research Group GMP & T Cell TherapyGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
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Riemann D, Turzer S, Ganchev G, Schütte W, Seliger B, Möller M. Monitoring Blood Immune Cells in Patients with Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer Undergoing a Combined Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor/Chemotherapy. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020190. [PMID: 36830562 PMCID: PMC9953684 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this exploratory prospective observational study on 40 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors, blood immune cells were characterized by multi-color flow cytometry at the baseline and at the third therapy cycle. The numbers of neutrophils and of T-, B-, and NK cells, as well as the frequency of HLA-DRlow monocytes, 6-SulfoLacNAc (slan)+ non-classical monocytes and circulating dendritic cell (DC) subtypes were determined. The prognostic value of the parameters was evaluated by the patient's survival analysis with overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint. In addition, blood cell parameters from SCLC patients were compared to those from non-SCLC (NSCLC). The global median OS of patients was 10.4 ± 1.1 months. Disease progression (15% of patients) correlated with a higher baseline neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), more HLA-DRlow monocytes, and lower NK cell and DC numbers. The risk factors for poor OS were the presence of brain/liver metastases, a baseline NLR ≥ 6.1, HLA-DRlow monocytes ≥ 21% of monocytes, slan+ non-classical monocytes < 0.12%, and/or CD1c+ myeloid DC < 0.05% of leukocytes. Lymphocytic subpopulations did not correlate with OS. When comparing biomarkers in SCLC versus NSCLC, SCLC had a higher frequency of brain/liver metastases, a higher NLR, the lowest DC frequencies, and lower NK cell numbers. Brain/liver metastases had a substantial impact on the survival of SCLC patients. At the baseline, 45% of SCLC patients, but only 24% of NSCLC patients, had between three and five risk factors. A high basal NLR, a high frequency of HLA-DRlow monocytes, and low levels of slan+ non-classical monocytes were associated with poor survival in all lung cancer histotypes. Thus, the blood immune cell signature might contribute to a better prediction of SCLC patient outcomes and may uncover the pathophysiological peculiarities of this tumor entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Riemann
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-345-5571358
| | - Steffi Turzer
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Georgi Ganchev
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Hospital Martha-Maria Halle-Dölau, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schütte
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Hospital Martha-Maria Halle-Dölau, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Miriam Möller
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Hospital Martha-Maria Halle-Dölau, 06120 Halle, Germany
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23
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Tintelnot J, Ristow I, Sauer M, Simnica D, Schultheiß C, Scholz R, Goekkurt E, von Wenserski L, Willscher E, Paschold L, Lorenzen S, Riera-Knorrenschild J, Depenbusch R, Ettrich TJ, Dörfel S, Al-Batran SE, Karthaus M, Pelzer U, Hinke A, Bauer M, Massa C, Seliger B, Wickenhauser C, Bokemeyer C, Hegewisch-Becker S, Binder M, Stein A. Translational analysis and final efficacy of the AVETUX trial - Avelumab, cetuximab and FOLFOX in metastatic colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:993611. [PMID: 36605436 PMCID: PMC9808039 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.993611] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has so far been limited to patients with microsatellite instability high tumors (MSI-H). Unfortunately, most mCRC patients suffer from non-immunogenic microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors. Therefore, new combinatorial strategies are urgently needed to enhance the immunogenicity of MSS tumors to finally increase the number of patients benefiting from ICB. Methods The AVETUX trial aimed to combine the PD-L1 antibody avelumab with the standard of care chemotherapy combination FOLFOX and the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab. Furthermore, we performed a central radiological review of the pre- and on-treatment computed tomography scans to better define the individual response to treatment. Results and Discussion In total, 43 patients were treated of which 39 patients were confirmed as RAS/BRAF wildtype in central tissue review and finally response evaluated. A final progression-free survival (PFS) of 11.1 (range: 0.8 to 22.3 months) and a herein updated final overall survival (OS) of 32.9 months (range: 0.8 to 47.1 months) was reached. We observed a strong median depth of response of 67.5% tumor shrinkage and deepness of response correlated significantly with survival. On the other hand, early tumor shrinkage was not an indicator of better outcome at a cut-off of 20% (median values). In a next step, we correlated the individual best radiological response with potential ICB response biomarkers and found that the clonality and diversity, but not frequency of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TiLs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), strongly correlated with response. In summary, we report the final overall survival of the AVETUX trial and propose T cell clonality and diversity as a potential marker to predict response to chemo-immunotherapy combinations in MSS mCRC by performing a central radiological review. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT03174405).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Tintelnot
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany,*Correspondence: Joseph Tintelnot, ; Alexander Stein,
| | - Inka Ristow
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Sauer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Donjete Simnica
- Department of Internal Medicine IV – Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Christoph Schultheiß
- Department of Internal Medicine IV – Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Rebekka Scholz
- Department of Internal Medicine IV – Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Eray Goekkurt
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany,Hämatologisch-Onkologische Praxis Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lisa von Wenserski
- Department of Internal Medicine IV – Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Edith Willscher
- Department of Internal Medicine IV – Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Lisa Paschold
- Department of Internal Medicine IV – Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Sylvie Lorenzen
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Haematology/Medical Oncology), Technical University of Munich Hospital Rechts der Isar, Munchen, Bayern, Germany
| | | | - Reinhard Depenbusch
- Private Practice Onkodoc GmbH Götersloh, Götersloh, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Thomas J. Ettrich
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Baden-Wörttemberg, Germany
| | - Steffen Dörfel
- Private Practice Onkozentrum Dresden, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Salah-Eddin Al-Batran
- Institute of Clinical Cancer Research Institut für Klinisch-Onkologische Forschung (IKF) at Northwest Hospital, Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany
| | - Meinolf Karthaus
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Munich Hospital Neuperlach, Munchen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Uwe Pelzer
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Axel Hinke
- Clinical Cancer Research Consulting (CCRC), Dösseldorf, Germany
| | - Marcus Bauer
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Carsten Bokemeyer
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Mascha Binder
- Department of Internal Medicine IV – Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Alexander Stein
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany,Hämatologisch-Onkologische Praxis Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany,*Correspondence: Joseph Tintelnot, ; Alexander Stein,
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Vaxevanis CK, Bauer M, Subbarayan K, Friedrich M, Massa C, Biehl K, Al-Ali HK, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B. Biglycan as a mediator of proinflammatory response and target for MDS and sAML therapy. Oncoimmunology 2022; 12:2152998. [PMID: 36531688 PMCID: PMC9757483 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2152998] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and their progression to secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) are associated with an altered protein expression including extracellular matrix (ECM) components thereby promoting an inflammatory environment. Since the role of the proteoglycan biglycan (BGN) as an inflammatory mediator has not yet been investigated in both diseases and might play a role in disease progression, its expression and/or function was determined in cell lines and bone marrow biopsies (BMBs) of MDS and sAML patients and subpopulations of MDS stem cells by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment was analyzed by multispectral imaging, patients' survival by Cox regression. ROC curves were assessed for diagnostic value of BGN. All cell lines showed a strong BGN surface expression in contrast to only marginal expression levels in mononuclear cells and CD34+ cells from healthy donors. In the MDS-L cell line, CD34-CD33+ and CD34+CD33+ blast subpopulations exhibited a differential BGN surface detection. Increased BGN mediated inflammasome activity of CD34-CD33+TLR4+ cells was observed, which was inhibited by direct targeting of BGN or NLRP3. BGN was heterogeneously expressed in BMBs of MDS and sAML, but was not detected in control biopsies. BGN expression in BMBs positively correlated with MUM1+ and CD8+, but negatively with CD33+TLR4+ cell infiltration and was accompanied by a decreased progression-free survival of MDS patients. BGN-mediated inflammasome activation appears to be a crucial mechanism in MDS pathogenesis implicating its use as suitable biomarker and potential therapeutic target. Abbreviations: Ab, antibody; alloSCT, allogenic stem cell transplant; AML, acute myeloid leukemia; BGN, biglycan; BM, bone marrow; BMB, bone marrow biopsy; casp1, caspase 1; CTLA-4, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4; DAMP, danger-associated molecular pattern; ECM, extracellular matrix; FCS, fetal calf serum; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; HD, healthy donor; HSPC, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell; HSC, hematopoietic stem cell; IFN, interferon; IHC, immunohistochemistry; IL, interleukin; MDS, myelodysplastic syndrome; MPN, myeloproliferative neoplasm; MSI, multispectral imaging; NGS, next-generation sequencing; NLRP3, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3; OS, overall survival; PBMC, peripheral blood mononuclear cell; PD-1, programmed cell death protein 1; PD-L1, programmed death-ligand 1, PFS, progression-free survival; PRR, pattern recognition receptor; SC, stem cell; SLRP, small leucine-rich proteoglycan; TGF, transforming growth factor; TIRAP, toll/interleukin 1 receptor domain-containing adapter protein; TLR, toll-like receptor; Treg, regulatory T cell.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcus Bauer
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale)06112, Germany
| | | | - Michael Friedrich
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale)06112, Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale)06112, Germany
| | - Katharina Biehl
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale)06112, Germany
| | - Haifa Kathrin Al-Ali
- Krukenberg Cancer Center Halle, University Hospital Halle, Krukenberg-Krebszentrum, Halle (Saale)06120, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale)06112, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale)06112, Germany,Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig04103, Germany,Medical School Theodor Fontane, Institute of Translational Medicine, Brandenburg an der Havel14770, Germany,CONTACT Barbara Seliger Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), 06112, Germany
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Toma G, Karapetian E, Massa C, Quandt D, Seliger B. Characterization of the effect of histone deacetylation inhibitors on CD8 + T cells in the context of aging. J Transl Med 2022; 20:539. [PMID: 36419167 PMCID: PMC9682763 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03733-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttranslational protein modifications regulate essential cellular processes, including the immune cell activation. Despite known age-related alterations of the phenotype, composition and cytokine profiles of immune cells, the role of acetylation in the aging process of the immune system was not broadly investigated. Therefore, in the current study the effect of acetylation on the protein expression profiles and function of CD8+ T cells from donors of distinct age was analyzed using histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). METHODS CD8+ T cells isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 30 young (< 30 years) and 30 old (> 60 years) healthy donors were activated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies in the presence and absence of a cocktail of HDACi. The protein expression profiles of untreated and HDACi-treated CD8+ T cells were analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Proteins with a differential expression level (less than 0.66-fold decrease or more than 1.5-fold increase) between CD8+ T cells of young and old donors were identified by matrix-associated laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Functional enrichment analysis of proteins identified was performed using the online tool STRING. The function of CD8+ T cells was assessed by analyses of cytokine secretion, surface expression of activation markers, proliferative capacity and apoptosis rate. RESULTS The HDACi treatment of CD8+ T cells increased in an age-independent manner the intracellular acetylation of proteins, in particular cytoskeleton components and chaperones. Despite a strong similarity between the protein expression profiles of both age groups, the functional activity of CD8+ T cells significantly differed with an age-dependent increase in cytokine secretion and expression of activation markers for CD8+ T cells from old donors, which was maintained after HDACi treatment. The proliferation and apoptosis rate of CD8+ T cells after HDACi treatment was equal between both age groups. CONCLUSIONS Despite a comparable effect of HDACi treatment on the protein signature of CD8+ T cells from donors of different ages, an initial higher functionality of CD8+ T cells from old donors when compared to CD8+ T cells from young donors was detected, which might have clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgiana Toma
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Eliza Karapetian
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Dagmar Quandt
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle, Germany ,grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Seliger B, Jasinski-Bergner S, Massa C, Mueller A, Biehl K, Yang B, Bachmann M, Jonigk D, Eichhorn P, Hartmann A, Wickenhauser C, Bauer M. Induction of pulmonary HLA-G expression by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:582. [PMID: 36334153 PMCID: PMC9637071 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04592-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The non-classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G exerts immune-suppressive properties modulating both NK and T cell responses. While it is physiologically expressed at the maternal-fetal interface and in immune-privileged organs, HLA-G expression is found in tumors and in virus-infected cells. So far, there exists little information about the role of HLA-G and its interplay with immune cells in biopsies, surgical specimen or autopsy tissues of lung, kidney and/or heart muscle from SARS-CoV-2-infected patients compared to control tissues. Heterogeneous, but higher HLA-G protein expression levels were detected in lung alveolar epithelial cells of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients compared to lung epithelial cells from influenza-infected patients, but not in other organs or lung epithelia from non-viral-infected patients, which was not accompanied by high levels of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen and spike protein, but inversely correlated to the HLA-G-specific miRNA expression. High HLA-G expression levels not only in SARS-CoV-2-, but also in influenza-infected lung tissues were associated with a high frequency of tissue-infiltrating immune cells, but low numbers of CD8+ cells and an altered expression of hyperactivation and exhaustion markers in the lung epithelia combined with changes in the spatial distribution of macrophages and T cells. Thus, our data provide evidence for an involvement of HLA-G and HLA-G-specific miRNAs in immune escape and as suitable therapeutic targets for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
- Institute of Translational Immunology, Medical School "Theodor Fontane", 14770, Brandenburg, Germany.
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anja Mueller
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Katharina Biehl
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - Danny Jonigk
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School (BREATH), 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Philip Eichhorn
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Marcus Bauer
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Seliger B, Al-Samadi A, Yang B, Salo T, Wickenhauser C. In vitro models as tools for screening treatment options of head and neck cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:971726. [PMID: 36160162 PMCID: PMC9489836 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.971726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Various in vitro models using primary and established 2- and 3-dimensional cultures, multicellular tumor spheroids, standardized tumor slice cultures, tumor organoids, and microfluidic systems obtained from tumor lesions/biopsies of head and neck cancer (HNC) have been employed for exploring and monitoring treatment options. All of these in vitro models are to a different degree able to capture the diversity of tumors, recapitulate the disease genetically, histologically, and functionally and retain their tumorigenic potential upon xenotransplantation. The models were used for the characterization of the malignant features of the tumors and for in vitro screens of drugs approved for the treatment of HNC, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as recently developed targeted therapies and immunotherapies, or for novel treatments not yet licensed for these tumor entities. The implementation of the best suitable model will enlarge our knowledge of the oncogenic properties of HNC, expand the drug repertoire and help to develop individually tailored treatment strategies resulting in the translation of these findings into the clinic. This review summarizes the different approaches using preclinical in vitro systems with their advantages and disadvantages and their implementation as preclinical platforms to predict disease course, evaluate biomarkers and test therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Barbara Seliger,
| | - Ahmed Al-Samadi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Research Program Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bo Yang
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Tuula Salo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Research Program Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Cancer Research and Translational Medicine Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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Galas K, Gleitsmann M, Rey J, Solbach C, Witzel I, Seliger B, Karn T, Schmatloch S, Schneeweiss A, Sinn B, Fehm T, Denkert C, Litmeyer AS, Jank P, Furlanetto J, Ortmann O, Van Mackelenbergh M, Nekljudova V, Loibl S. 151P Tumor biology and immunology in patients (pts) with breast cancer occurring during pregnancy (BCP) compared to non-pregnant breast cancer pts. Ann Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.07.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Seliger B, Koehl U. Underlying mechanisms of evasion from NK cells as rational for improvement of NK cell-based immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:910595. [PMID: 36045670 PMCID: PMC9422402 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.910595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells belong to the family of innate immune cells with the capacity to recognize and kill tumor cells. Different phenotypes and functional properties of NK cells have been described in tumor patients, which could be shaped by the tumor microenvironment. The discovery of HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors controlling NK cell activity paved the way to the fundamental concept of modulating immune responses that are regulated by an array of inhibitory receptors, and emphasized the importance to explore the potential of NK cells in cancer therapy. Although a whole range of NK cell-based approaches are currently being developed, there are still major challenges that need to be overcome for improved efficacy of these therapies. These include escape of tumor cells from NK cell recognition due to their expression of inhibitory molecules, immune suppressive signals of NK cells, reduced NK cell infiltration of tumors, an immune suppressive micromilieu and limited in vivo persistence of NK cells. Therefore, this review provides an overview about the NK cell biology, alterations of NK cell activities, changes in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment contributing to immune escape or immune surveillance by NK cells and their underlying molecular mechanisms as well as the current status and novel aspects of NK cell-based therapeutic strategies including their genetic engineering and their combination with conventional treatment options to overcome tumor-mediated evasion strategies and improve therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Barbara Seliger,
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Vaxevanis CK, Friedrich M, Tretbar SU, Handke D, Wang Y, Blümke J, Dummer R, Massa C, Seliger B. Identification and characterization of novel CD274 (PD-L1) regulating microRNAs and their functional relevance in melanoma. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e934. [PMID: 35802807 PMCID: PMC9270002 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.934] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors directed against programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1/PD1) receptor and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (CD274/PD-L1) have been recently successfully implemented for the treatment of many cancers, but the response rate of tumour patients is still limited due to intrinsic and acquired resistances. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this limited response have still to be defined in detail. The aim of this study is to uncover processes inhibiting PDCD1/CD274 expression thereby enhancing anti-tumour immune responses. The identification and characterization of microRNAs (miRNAs) targeting the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) as well as the coding sequence (CDS) of CD274 will provide the basis for a new drug development. METHODS Human melanoma cell lines and tissue samples were subjected to mRNA and/or protein expression analysis using qPCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, and/or immunohistochemistry. The data were correlated to clinical parameters. MiRNA trapping by RNA in vitro affinity purification (miTRAP) technology in combination with small RNA sequencing and different bioinformatics tools were employed to identify CD274-regulating miRNAs. RESULTS Screening based on miTRAP in combination with RNAseq identified a large number of novel CD274-regulating candidate miRNAs, from which eight selected miRNAs were functionally validated. Five out of eight miRNAs were able to significantly reduce CD274 surface expression indicating that these miRNAs directly bind to the 3'-UTR or CDS of the CD274 gene. The miRNA-mediated inhibition of CD274 expression was accompanied by an increased T cell recognition. Furthermore, an inverse expression of three CD274-regulating miRNAs and CD274 was demonstrated in melanoma lesions. A CD274 miRNA score was generated, which was associated with disease progression and reduced survival of melanoma patients. CONCLUSIONS These data revealed a novel mechanism that miRNAs targeting the CDS of immune checkpoint genes are functional, have prognostic relevance, and also the potential for the development of novel miRNA-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Friedrich
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Sandy Uta Tretbar
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Diana Handke
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Yuan Wang
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Juliane Blümke
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Clinic of Dermatology, Universitäts-Spital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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Seliger B, Massa C. Modulation of Lymphocyte Functions in the Microenvironment by Tumor Oncogenic Pathways. Front Immunol 2022; 13:883639. [PMID: 35663987 PMCID: PMC9160824 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.883639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the broad application of different immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of solid as well as hematopoietic cancers, the efficacy of these therapies is still limited, with only a minority of patients having a long-term benefit resulting in an improved survival rate. In order to increase the response rates of patients to the currently available immunotherapies, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the intrinsic and/or extrinsic resistance to treatment is required. There exist increasing evidences that activation of different oncogenic pathways as well as inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) in tumor cells inhibit the immune cell recognition and influegnce the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME), thus leading to an impaired anti-tumoral immune response. A deeper understanding of the link between the tumor milieu and genomic alterations of TSGs and oncogenes is indispensable for the optimization of immunotherapies and to predict the patients’ response to these treatments. This review summarizes the role of different cancer-related, oncogene- and TSG-controlled pathways in the context of anti-tumoral immunity and response to different immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Welslau M, Müller V, Lüftner D, Schütz F, Stickeler E, Fasching PA, Janni W, Thomssen C, Witzel I, Fehm TN, Belleville E, Bader S, Seitz K, Untch M, Thill M, Tesch H, Ditsch N, Lux MP, Aktas B, Banys-Paluchowski M, Schneeweiss A, Harbeck N, Würstlein R, Hartkopf AD, Wöckel A, Seliger B, Massa C, Kolberg HC. Update Breast Cancer 2022 Part 1 – Early Stage Breast Cancer. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2022; 82:580-589. [PMID: 35903719 PMCID: PMC9315400 DOI: 10.1055/a-1811-6106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractEvidence relating to the treatment of breast cancer patients with early-stage disease has increased significantly in the past year. Abemaciclib, olaparib, and pembrolizumab are new drugs
with good efficacy in the relevant patient groups. However, some questions remain unanswered. In particular, it remains unclear which premenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive
breast cancer should be spared unnecessary treatment. The question of the degree to which chemotherapy exerts a direct cytotoxic effect on the tumor or reduces ovarian function through
chemotherapy could be of key importance. This group of patients could potentially be spared chemotherapy. New, previously experimental biomarker analysis methods, such as spatial analysis of
gene expression (spatial transcriptomics) are gradually finding their way into large randomized phase III trials, such as the NeoTRIP trial. This in turn leads to a better understanding of
the predictive factors of new therapies, for example immunotherapy. This review summarizes the scientific innovations from recent congresses such as the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
2021 but also from recent publications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Volkmar Müller
- Department of Gynecology, Hamburg-Eppendorf University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Diana Lüftner
- Charité University Hospital, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumour Immunology, University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Schütz
- Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Diakonissen-Stiftungs-Krankenhaus Speyer, Speyer, Germany
| | - Elmar Stickeler
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter A. Fasching
- Erlangen University Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen,
Germany
| | - Wolfgang Janni
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christoph Thomssen
- Department of Gynaecology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Isabell Witzel
- Department of Gynecology, Hamburg-Eppendorf University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tanja N. Fehm
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Simon Bader
- Erlangen University Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen,
Germany
| | - Katharina Seitz
- Erlangen University Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen,
Germany
| | - Michael Untch
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Breast Cancer Center, Genecologic Oncology Center, Helios Klinikum Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marc Thill
- Agaplesion Markus Krankenhaus, Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Frankfurt am Main
| | - Hans Tesch
- Oncology Practice at Bethanien Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nina Ditsch
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Michael P. Lux
- Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Frauenklinik St. Louise, Paderborn, St. Josefs-Krankenhaus, Salzkotten, St. Vincenz Krankenhaus GmbH, Germany
| | - Bahriye Aktas
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Gynäkologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maggie Banys-Paluchowski
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nadia Harbeck
- Breast Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and CCC Munich LMU, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Rachel Würstlein
- Breast Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and CCC Munich LMU, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas D. Hartkopf
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Achim Wöckel
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Medical Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Medical Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Hunger R, Seliger B, Ogino S, Mantke R. Mortality factors in pancreatic surgery: A systematic review. How important is the hospital volume? Int J Surg 2022; 101:106640. [PMID: 35525416 PMCID: PMC9239346 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2022.106640] [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: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND How the extent of confounding adjustment impact (hospital) volume-outcome relationships in published studies on pancreatic cancer surgery is unknown. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted for studies that investigated the relationship between volume and outcome using a risk adjustment procedure by querying the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Livivo, Medline and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (last query: 2020/09/16). Importance of risk-adjusting covariates were assessed by effect size (odds ratio, OR) and statistical significance. The impact of covariate adjustment on hospital (or surgeon) volume effects was analyzed by regression and meta-regression models. RESULTS We identified 87 studies (75 based on administrative data) with nearly 1 million patients undergoing pancreatic surgery that included in total 71 covariates for risk adjustment. Of these, 33 (47%) had statistically significant effects on short-term mortality and 23 (32%) did not, while for 15 (21%) factors neither effect size nor statistical significance were reported. The most important covariates for short term mortality were patient-specific factors. Concerning the covariates, single comorbidities (OR: 4.6, 95% CI: 3.3 to 6.3) had the strongest impact on mortality followed by hospital volume (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 2.5 to 3.3) and the procedure (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.9 to 2.5). Among the single comorbidities, coagulopathy (OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 2.8 to 7.2) and dementia (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.2 to 8.0) had the strongest influence on mortality. The regression analysis showed a significant decrease hospital volume effect with an increasing number of covariates considered (OR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.10 to -0.03, P < 0.001), while such a relationship was not observed for surgeon volume (P = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS This analysis demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between the extent of risk adjustment and the volume effect, suggesting the presence of unmeasured confounding and overestimation of volume effects. However, the conclusions are limited in that only the number of included covariates was considered, but not the effect size of the non-included covariates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Hunger
- Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute of Medical Immunology, Halle, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Shuji Ogino
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Program in MPE Molecular Pathological Epidemiology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rene Mantke
- Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg, Germany; Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg, Germany.
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Axelrod ML, Wang Y, Xu Y, Sun X, Bejan CA, Gonzalez-Ericsson PI, Nunnery S, Bergman RE, Donaldson J, Guerrero-Zotano AL, Massa C, Seliger B, Sanders M, Mayer IA, Balko JM. Peripheral Blood Monocyte Abundance Predicts Outcomes in Patients with Breast Cancer. Cancer Res Commun 2022; 2:286-292. [PMID: 36304942 PMCID: PMC9604512 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Biomarkers of response are needed in breast cancer to stratify patients to appropriate therapies and avoid unnecessary toxicity. We used peripheral blood gene expression and cell type abundance to identify biomarkers of response and recurrence in neoadjuvant chemotherapy treated breast cancer patients. We identified a signature of interferon and complement response that was higher in the blood of patients with pathologic complete response. This signature was preferentially expressed by monocytes in single cell RNA sequencing. Monocytes are routinely measured clinically, enabling examination of clinically measured monocytes in multiple independent cohorts. We found that peripheral monocytes were higher in patients with good outcomes in four cohorts of breast cancer patients. Blood gene expression and cell type abundance biomarkers may be useful for prognostication in breast cancer. Significance Biomarkers are needed in breast cancer to identify patients at risk for recurrence. Blood is an attractive site for biomarker identification due to the relative ease of longitudinal sampling. Our study suggests that blood-based gene expression and cell type abundance biomarkers may have clinical utility in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L. Axelrod
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Yaomin Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Xiaopeng Sun
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Cosmin A. Bejan
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Sara Nunnery
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Riley E. Bergman
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Joshua Donaldson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Melinda Sanders
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Ingrid A. Mayer
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Justin M. Balko
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Breast Cancer Research Program, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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35
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Jasinski-Bergner S, Blümke J, Bauer M, Skiebe SL, Mandelboim O, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B. Novel approach to identify putative Epstein–Barr–virus microRNAs regulating host cell genes with relevance in tumor biology and immunology. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2070338. [PMID: 35529676 PMCID: PMC9067544 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2070338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The human Epstein–Barr virus is associated with several human solid and hematopoietic malignancies. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms including virus-encoded microRNAs (miRs), which lead to the malignant transformation of infected cells and immune evasion of EBV-associated tumors, have not yet been characterized. The expression levels of numerous known EBV-specific miRs and their suitability as diagnostic and/or prognostic markers were determined in different human EBV-positive tissues followed by in silico analyses to identify putative EBV-miR-regulated target genes, thereby offering a suitable screening strategy to overcome the limited available data sets of EBV-miRs and their targeted gene networks. Analysis of microarray data sets from healthy human B cells and malignant-transformed EBV-positive B cells of patients with Burkitt’s lymphoma revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) deregulated genes with known functions in oncogenic properties, immune escape and anti-tumoral immune responses. Alignments of in vivo and in silico data resulted in the prediction of putative candidate EBV-miRs and their target genes. Thus, a combinatorial approach of bioinformatics, transcriptomics and in situ expression analyses is a promising tool for the identification of EBV-miRs and their potential targets as well as their eligibility as markers for EBV detection in different EBV-associated human tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Juliane Blümke
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Marcus Bauer
- Institute for Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Saskia Luise Skiebe
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, En Kerem, P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute for Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
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Subbarayan K, Massa C, Leisz S, Steven A, Bethmann D, Biehl K, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B. Biglycan as a potential regulator of tumorgenicity and immunogenicity in K-RAS-transformed cells. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2069214. [PMID: 35529675 PMCID: PMC9067524 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2069214] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix component biglycan (BGN) plays an essential role in various physiological and pathophysiological processes. A deficient BGN expression associated with reduced immunogenicity was found in HER-2/neu-overexpressing cells. To determine whether BGN is suppressed by oncogene-driven regulatory networks, the expression and function of BGN was analyzed in murine and human BGNlow/BGNhigh K-RASG12V-transformed model systems as well as in different patients' datasets of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) lesions. K-RAS-mutated CRC tissues expressed low BGN mRNA and protein levels when compared to normal colon epithelial cells, which was associated with a reduced patients' survival. Transfection of BGN in murine and human BGNlow K-RAS-expressing cells resulted in a reduced growth and migration of BGNhigh vs BGNlow K-RAS cells. In addition, increased MHC class I surface antigens as a consequence of an enhanced antigen processing machinery component expression was found upon restoration of BGN, which was confirmed by RNA-sequencing of BGNlow vs. BGNhigh K-RAS models. Furthermore, a reduced tumor formation of BGNhigh versus BGNlow K-RAS-transformed fibroblasts associated with an enhanced MHC class I expression and an increased frequency of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in tumor lesions was found. Our data provide for the first time an inverse link between BGN and K-RAS expression in murine and human K-RAS-overexpressing models and CRC lesions associated with altered growth properties, reduced immunogenicity and worse patients' outcome. Therefore, reversion of BGN might be a novel therapeutic option for K-RAS-associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthikeyan Subbarayan
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Sandra Leisz
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - André Steven
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Daniel Bethmann
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Katharina Biehl
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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Jasinski-Bergner S, Eckstein M, Taubert H, Wach S, Fiebig C, Strick R, Hartmann A, Seliger B. The Human Leukocyte Antigen G as an Immune Escape Mechanism and Novel Therapeutic Target in Urological Tumors. Front Immunol 2022; 13:811200. [PMID: 35185904 PMCID: PMC8855320 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.811200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The non-classical human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a potent regulatory protein involved in the induction of immunological tolerance. This is based on the binding of membrane-bound as well as soluble HLA-G to inhibitory receptors expressed on various immune effector cells, in particular NK cells and T cells, leading to their attenuated functions. Despite its restricted expression on immune-privileged tissues under physiological conditions, HLA-G expression has been frequently detected in solid and hematopoietic malignancies including urological cancers, such as renal cell and urothelial bladder carcinoma and has been associated with progression of urological cancers and poor outcome of patients: HLA-G expression protects tumor cells from anti-tumor immunity upon interaction with its inhibitory receptors by modulating both the phenotype and function of immune cells leading to immune evasion. This review will discuss the expression, regulation, functional and clinical relevance of HLA-G expression in urological tumors as well as its use as a putative biomarker and/or potential therapeutic target for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma as well as urothelial bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Markus Eckstein
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helge Taubert
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Wach
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Fiebig
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Reiner Strick
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany.,Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU), Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-Europäische Metropolregion Nürnberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Main Department of GMP Cell and Gene Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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Toma G, Lemnian IM, Karapetian E, Grosse I, Seliger B. Transcriptional Analysis of Total CD8 + T Cells and CD8 +CD45RA - Memory T Cells From Young and Old Healthy Blood Donors. Front Immunol 2022; 13:806906. [PMID: 35154123 PMCID: PMC8829550 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.806906] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory CD8+ T cells accumulate with aging, while the naïve T cell compartment decreases, leading to an increased susceptibility to infections and a decreased vaccine efficiency. To get deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms, this study aims to determine the age-dependent expression profile of total versus memory CD8+ T cells from young and old donors. Total CD8+ and CD8+CD45RA- memory T cells isolated from young (<30 years) and old (>60 years) donors were stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies for 48h before analyzing the cytokine secretion and activation markers by flow cytometry and changes in the expression profiles using RNA sequencing. Gene ontology (GO) term enrichment analyses were performed for up-regulated and uniquely expressed transcripts identified in the T cell populations of both age groups. Total and memory CD8+ T cells from old donors expressed significantly higher CD25 levels and have an increased cytokine secretion. While approximately 1,500 up-regulated transcripts were identified in all groups, CD8+CD45RA- memory T cells of old donors had approximately 500 more uniquely expressed transcripts. Four GO terms related to the JAK-STAT pathway were identified for up-regulated transcripts in the total CD8+ T cells of old donors, whereas CD8+CD45RA- memory T cells GO terms related to adjacent pathways, like JNK and MAPK/ERK, were found. Additionally, the unique transcripts of CD8+CD45RA- memory T cells of old donors were related to the JNK, MAPK and IL-12 pathways. For both T cell populations of the old donors, cytokine and JAK-STAT pathway transcripts were up-regulated. Thus, an age-dependent effect was observed on the transcriptomes of total and memory CD8+ T cells. The CD8+ CD45RA- memory T cells from old donors maintained the increased cytokine secretion of the total CD8+ T cell population and the increased JAK-STAT pathway transcripts, which have an impact on inflammation and senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgiana Toma
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ioana Maria Lemnian
- Institute for Computer Science, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,Institute for Human Genetics, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Eliza Karapetian
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ivo Grosse
- Institute for Computer Science, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,Department for Therapeutics, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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39
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Massa C, Seliger B. Enhanced function of vaccine dendritic cells from obese donors upon inhibition of the lipid metabolism. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e557. [PMID: 35212164 PMCID: PMC8874345 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Fraunhofer Institute for Cell therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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Abstract
The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a non-classical HLA class I molecule, which has distinct features to classical HLA-A, -B, -C antigens, such as a low polymorphism, different splice variants, highly restricted, tightly regulated expression and immune modulatory properties. HLA-G expression in tumor cells and virus-infected cells, as well as the release of soluble HLA-G leads to escape from host immune surveillance. Increased knowledge of the link between HLA-G expression, viral infection and disease progression is urgently required, which highlights the possible use of HLA-G as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for viral infections, but also as therapeutic target. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the expression, regulation, function and impact of HLA-G in the context of different viral infections including virus-associated cancers. The characterization of HLA-G-driven immune escape mechanisms involved in the interactions between host cells and viruses might result in the design of novel immunotherapeutic strategies targeting HLA-G and/or its interaction with its receptors on immune effector cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Dominik Schmiedel
- Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The BioMedical Research Institute Israel Canada of the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Development & Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Barbara Seliger,
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Chaouat AE, Seliger B, Mandelboim O, Schmiedel D. The HHV-6A Proteins U20 and U21 Target NKG2D Ligands to Escape Immune Recognition. Front Immunol 2021; 12:714799. [PMID: 34721381 PMCID: PMC8554080 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.714799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The coevolution of the human immune system and herpesviruses led to the emergence and diversification of both cellular danger molecules recognized by immune cells on the one hand and viral countermeasures that prevent the expression of these proteins on infected cells on the other. There are eight ligands for the activating receptor NKG2D in humans - MICA, MICB, ULBP1-6. Several of them are induced and surface-expressed on herpesvirus-infected cells to serve as danger signals to activate the immune system. Therefore, these ligands are frequently targeted for suppression by viral immune evasion mechanisms. Mechanisms to downregulate NKG2D ligands and thereby escape immune recognition have been identified in all other human herpesviruses (HHV), except for HHV-6A. In this study, we identify two HHV-6A encoded immunoevasins, U20 and U21, which suppress the expression of the NKG2D ligands ULBP1 and ULBP3, respectively, during infection. Additionally, MICB is targeted by a so far unexplored viral protein. Due to the diminished NKG2D ligand surface expression on infected cells, recognition of HHV-6A infected cells by innate immune cells is impaired. Importantly, our study indicates that immune escape mechanisms between the related herpesviruses HHV-6A and HHV-6B are evolutionary conserved as the same NKG2D ligands are targeted. Our data contribute an additional piece of evidence for the importance of the NKG2D receptor - NKG2D ligand axis during human herpesvirus infections and sheds light on immune evasion mechanisms of HHV-6A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigael Eva Chaouat
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The BioMedical Research Institute Israel Canada of the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Martin Luther University, Institute of Medical Immunology, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.,Department of GMP Development and ATMP Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The BioMedical Research Institute Israel Canada of the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dominik Schmiedel
- The Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The BioMedical Research Institute Israel Canada of the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.,Department of GMP Development and ATMP Design, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, Germany
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Wang Y, Lazaridou MF, Massa C, Seliger B. 910 Overexpression of miR-155–5p can upregulate antigen processing and presentation pathway via targeting tapasin. J Immunother Cancer 2021. [DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-sitc2021.910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundDysregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) components in the tumor as one main molecular mechanism of immune escape leading to deactivation of T cell immune surveillance could be due to post-transcriptional regulation via immune-modulatory microRNAs (miRNA). It is now well established from a variety of studies that several miRNAs could effectively modulate the expression of some MHC class I APM components in tumors. Tapasin is an important APM molecule involved in the association of MHC class I with transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) and peptide loading. Since so far no detailed investigation of the posttranscriptional regulation of tapasin exists, the aim of this study is to identify and functionally characterize miRNAs targeting tapasin in melanoma.MethodsUsing miRNA trapping by RNA in vitro affinity purification (miTRAP) and in silico as well as small RNA sequencing, miRNAs will be identified, which bind to the 3’untranslated region (3’ UTR) of tapasin. Dual-luciferase assays will be performed to determine to bind of the miRNA. In silico analysis was performed to predict the effect of miRNAs on the survival of melanoma patients in correlation to tapasin. RT-qPCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, and other functional assays were performed after transfecting miRNA mimics in three melanoma cell lines.ResultsUsing the combination strategy of miTRAP and RNA seq we identified miR-155-5p to bind to the 3’UTR of tapasin, which was further confirmed by in silico analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Transfection of miR-155-5p mimics demonstrated that miR-155-5p upregulate tapasin protein level, which was accompanied by an upregulation of the MHC class I (HLA-ABC) surface expression. Simultaneously, in several different types of cancer, including melanoma, the expression of miR-155-5p is significantly positively correlated with the patient‘s survival and HLA-A protein.ConclusionsOur data revealed for the first time a positive role of miR-155-5p in the posttranscriptional regulation of tapasin in melanoma and provide further insights into the miR-155-5p-mediated induction of HLA-ABC surface expression. This might lead to a better T cell response, avoidance tumor cell escape, improvement of patients‘ survival and thus might be a potential therapeutic target.AcknowledgementsThe work was supported by a grant from the DKH (BS).
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Bauer M, Jasinski-Bergner S, Mandelboim O, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B. Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Malignancies and Immune Escape: The Role of the Tumor Microenvironment and Tumor Cell Evasion Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205189. [PMID: 34680337 PMCID: PMC8533749 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Epstein–Barr virus, also termed human herpes virus 4, is a human pathogenic double-stranded DNA virus. It is highly prevalent and has been linked to the development of 1–2% of cancers worldwide. EBV-associated malignancies encompass various structural and epigenetic alterations. In addition, EBV-encoded gene products and microRNAs interfere with innate and adaptive immunity and modulate the tumor microenvironment. This review provides an overview of the characteristic features of EBV with a focus on the intrinsic and extrinsic immune evasion strategies, which contribute to EBV-associated malignancies. Abstract The detailed mechanisms of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection in the initiation and progression of EBV-associated malignancies are not yet completely understood. During the last years, new insights into the mechanisms of malignant transformation of EBV-infected cells including somatic mutations and epigenetic modifications, their impact on the microenvironment and resulting unique immune signatures related to immune system functional status and immune escape strategies have been reported. In this context, there exists increasing evidence that EBV-infected tumor cells can influence the tumor microenvironment to their own benefit by establishing an immune-suppressive surrounding. The identified mechanisms include EBV gene integration and latent expression of EBV-infection-triggered cytokines by tumor and/or bystander cells, e.g., cancer-associated fibroblasts with effects on the composition and spatial distribution of the immune cell subpopulations next to the infected cells, stroma constituents and extracellular vesicles. This review summarizes (i) the typical stages of the viral life cycle and EBV-associated transformation, (ii) strategies to detect EBV genome and activity and to differentiate various latency types, (iii) the role of the tumor microenvironment in EBV-associated malignancies, (iv) the different immune escape mechanisms and (v) their clinical relevance. This gained information will enhance the development of therapies against EBV-mediated diseases to improve patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Bauer
- Department of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 14, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Department of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, En Kerem, P.O. Box 12271, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Department of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 14, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (M.B.); (C.W.)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Department of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany;
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstr. 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(345)-557-1357
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Junk D, Krämer S, Broschewitz J, Laura H, Massa C, Moulla Y, Hoang NA, Monecke A, Eichfeld U, Bechmann I, Lordick F, Seliger B, Kallendrusch S. Human tissue cultures of lung cancer predict patient susceptibility to immune-checkpoint inhibition. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:264. [PMID: 34564709 PMCID: PMC8464600 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00651-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite novel immunotherapies being approved and established for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ex vivo models predicting individual patients' responses to immunotherapies are missing. Especially immune modulating therapies with moderate response rates urge for biomarkers and/or assays to determine individual prediction of treatment response and investigate resistance mechanisms. Here, we describe a standardized ex vivo tissue culture model to investigate individual tumor responses. NSCLC tissue cultures preserve morphological characteristics of the baseline tumor specimen for up to 12 days ex vivo and also maintain T-cell function for up to 10 days ex vivo. A semi-automated analysis of proliferating and apoptotic tumor cells was used to evaluate tissue responses to the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab (n = 12), from which two cases could be successfully correlated to the clinical outcome. T-cell responses upon nivolumab treatment were investigated by flow cytometry and multispectral imaging. Alterations in the frequency of the Treg population and reorganization of tumor tissues could be correlated to nivolumab responsiveness ex vivo. Thus, our findings not only demonstrate the functionality of T cells in NSCLC slice cultures up to 10 days ex vivo, but also suggests this model for stratifying patients for treatment selection and to investigate in depth the tumor-associated T-cell regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Junk
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sebastian Krämer
- Department of Visceral, Transplantation, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Broschewitz
- Department of Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Brandenburg, Gehrbelliner Straße 38, 16816, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Hennig Laura
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle, Germany
| | - Yousef Moulla
- Department of Visceral, Transplantation, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ngoc Anh Hoang
- University Cancer Center Leipzig, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Astrid Monecke
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstraße 26, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uwe Eichfeld
- Department of Visceral, Transplantation, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ingo Bechmann
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Florian Lordick
- University Cancer Center Leipzig, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112, Halle, Germany
| | - Sonja Kallendrusch
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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Bosch NC, Martin LM, Voskens CJ, Berking C, Seliger B, Schuler G, Schaft N, Dörrie J. A Chimeric IL-15/IL-15Rα Molecule Expressed on NFκB-Activated Dendritic Cells Supports Their Capability to Activate Natural Killer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910227. [PMID: 34638566 PMCID: PMC8508776 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, members of the innate immune system, play an important role in the rejection of HLA class I negative tumor cells. Hence, a therapeutic vaccine, which can activate NK cells in addition to cells of the adaptive immune system might induce a more comprehensive cellular response, which could lead to increased tumor elimination. Dendritic cells (DCs) are capable of activating and expanding NK cells, especially when the NFκB pathway is activated in the DCs thereby leading to the secretion of the cytokine IL-12. Another prominent NK cell activator is IL-15, which can be bound by the IL-15 receptor alpha-chain (IL-15Rα) to be transpresented to the NK cells. However, monocyte-derived DCs do neither secrete IL-15, nor express the IL-15Rα. Hence, we designed a chimeric protein consisting of IL-15 and the IL-15Rα. Upon mRNA electroporation, the fusion protein was detectable on the surface of the DCs, and increased the potential of NFκB-activated, IL-12-producing DC to activate NK cells in an autologous cell culture system with ex vivo-generated cells from healthy donors. These data show that a chimeric IL-15/IL-15Rα molecule can be expressed by monocyte-derived DCs, is trafficked to the cell surface, and is functional regarding the activation of NK cells. These data represent an initial proof-of-concept for an additional possibility of further improving cellular DC-based immunotherapies of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi C. Bosch
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (N.C.B.); (B.S.)
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen–EMN, NCT WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lena-Marie Martin
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
| | - Caroline J. Voskens
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen–EMN, NCT WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carola Berking
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen–EMN, NCT WERA, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (N.C.B.); (B.S.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.-M.M.); (C.J.V.); (C.B.); (G.S.); (N.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-8531127
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Jasinski-Bergner S, Mandelboim O, Seliger B. Molecular mechanisms of human herpes viruses inferring with host immune surveillance. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000841. [PMID: 32616556 PMCID: PMC7333871 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000841] [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] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Several human herpes viruses (HHVs) exert oncogenic potential leading to malignant transformation of infected cells and/or tissues. The molecular processes induced by viral-encoded molecules including microRNAs, peptides, and proteins contributing to immune evasion of the infected host cells are equal to the molecular processes of immune evasion mediated by tumor cells independently of viral infections. Such major immune evasion strategies include (1) the downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines as well as the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, (2) the downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ia directly as well as indirectly by downregulation of the components involved in the antigen processing, and (3) the downregulation of stress-induced ligands for activating receptors on immune effector cells with NKG2D leading the way. Furthermore, (4) immune modulatory molecules like MHC class Ib molecules and programmed cell death1 ligand 1 can be upregulated on infections with certain herpes viruses. This review article focuses on the known molecular mechanisms of HHVs modulating the above-mentioned possibilities for immune surveillance and even postulates a temporal order linking regular tumor immunology with basic virology and offering putatively novel insights for targeting HHVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jasinski-Bergner
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Immunology & Cancer Research Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Subbarayan K, Ulagappan K, Wickenhauser C, Seliger B. Expression and Clinical Significance of SARS-CoV-2 Human Targets in Neoplastic and Non-Neoplastic Lung Tissues. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 21:428-442. [PMID: 33292131 DOI: 10.2174/1568009620666201207145019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A higher incidence of COVID-19 infection was demonstrated in cancer patients, including lung cancer patients. This study was conducted to get insights into the enhanced frequency of COVID-19 infection in cancer. METHODS Using different bioinformatics tools, the expression and methylation patterns of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were analyzed in healthy and malignant tissues, focusing on lung adenocarcinoma and data were correlated to clinical parameters and smoking history. RESULTS ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were heterogeneously expressed across 36 healthy tissues with the highest expression levels in digestive, urinary and reproductive organs, while the overall analysis of 72 paired tissues demonstrated significantly lower expression levels of ACE2 in cancer tissues when compared to normal counterparts. In contrast, ACE2, but not TMPRSS2, was overexpressed in LUAD, which inversely correlated to the promoter methylation. This upregulation of ACE2 was age-dependent in LUAD, but not in normal lung tissues. TMPRSS2 expression in non-neoplastic lung tissues was heterogeneous and dependent on sex and smoking history, while it was downregulated in LUAD of smokers. Cancer progression was associated with a decreased TMPRSS2 but unaltered ACE2. In contrast, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 of lung metastases derived from different cancer subtypes was higher than organ metastases of other sites. TMPRSS2, but not ACE2, was associated with LUAD patients' survival. CONCLUSIONS Comprehensive molecular analyses revealed a heterogeneous and distinct expression and/or methylation profile of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in healthy lung vs. LUAD tissues across sex, age and smoking history and might have implications for COVID-19 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthikeyan Subbarayan
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kamatchi Ulagappan
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Claudia Wickenhauser
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany
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Meyer S, Handke D, Mueller A, Biehl K, Kreuz M, Bukur J, Koehl U, Lazaridou MF, Berneburg M, Steven A, Massa C, Seliger B. Distinct Molecular Mechanisms of Altered HLA Class II Expression in Malignant Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153907. [PMID: 34359808 PMCID: PMC8345549 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules are constitutively expressed in some melanoma, but the underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been characterized. METHODS The expression of HLA class II antigen processing machinery (APM) components was determined in melanoma samples by qPCR, Western blot, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical and TCGA datasets were used for correlation of HLA class II expression to tumor grading, T-cell infiltration and patients' survival. RESULTS The heterogeneous HLA class II expression in melanoma samples allowed us to characterize four distinct phenotypes. Phenotype I totally lacks constitutive HLA class II surface expression, which is inducible by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ); phenotype II expresses low basal surface HLA class II that is further upregulated by IFN-γ; phenotype III lacks constitutive and IFN-γ controlled HLA class II expression, but could be induced by epigenetic drugs; and in phenotype IV, lack of HLA class II expression is not recovered by any drug tested. High levels of HLA class II APM component expression were associated with an increased intra-tumoral CD4+ T-cell density and increased patients' survival. CONCLUSIONS The heterogeneous basal expression of HLA class II antigens and/or APM components in melanoma cells is caused by distinct molecular mechanisms and has clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Meyer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.M.); (M.B.)
| | - Diana Handke
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (D.H.); (A.M.); (K.B.); (J.B.); (M.-F.L.); (A.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Anja Mueller
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (D.H.); (A.M.); (K.B.); (J.B.); (M.-F.L.); (A.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Katharina Biehl
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (D.H.); (A.M.); (K.B.); (J.B.); (M.-F.L.); (A.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Markus Kreuz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstr. 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.K.); (U.K.)
| | - Jürgen Bukur
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (D.H.); (A.M.); (K.B.); (J.B.); (M.-F.L.); (A.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstr. 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.K.); (U.K.)
| | - Maria-Filothei Lazaridou
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (D.H.); (A.M.); (K.B.); (J.B.); (M.-F.L.); (A.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Mark Berneburg
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (S.M.); (M.B.)
| | - André Steven
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (D.H.); (A.M.); (K.B.); (J.B.); (M.-F.L.); (A.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (D.H.); (A.M.); (K.B.); (J.B.); (M.-F.L.); (A.S.); (C.M.)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 2, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany; (D.H.); (A.M.); (K.B.); (J.B.); (M.-F.L.); (A.S.); (C.M.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstr. 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (M.K.); (U.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(0)-345-557-4054
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Stein A, Simnica D, Schultheiß C, Scholz R, Tintelnot J, Gökkurt E, von Wenserski L, Willscher E, Paschold L, Sauer M, Lorenzen S, Riera-Knorrenschild J, Depenbusch R, Ettrich TJ, Dörfel S, Al-Batran SE, Karthaus M, Pelzer U, Waberer L, Hinke A, Bauer M, Massa C, Seliger B, Wickenhauser C, Bokemeyer C, Hegewisch-Becker S, Binder M. PD-L1 targeting and subclonal immune escape mediated by PD-L1 mutations in metastatic colorectal cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002844. [PMID: 34315821 PMCID: PMC8317124 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), immune checkpoint blockade is ineffective, and combinatorial approaches enhancing immunogenicity need exploration. METHODS We treated 43 patients with predominantly microsatellite stable RAS/BRAF wild-type mCRC on a phase II trial combining chemotherapy with the epidermal growth factor receptor antibody cetuximab and the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody avelumab. We performed next-generation gene panel sequencing for mutational typing of tumors and liquid biopsy monitoring as well as digital droplet PCR to confirm individual mutations. Translational analyses included tissue immunohistochemistry, multispectral imaging and repertoire sequencing of tumor-infiltrating T cells. Detected PD-L1 mutations were mechanistically validated in CRISPR/Cas9-generated cell models using qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay, antibody-dependent cytotoxicity by natural killer cell degranulation assay and LDH release assay as well as live cell imaging of T cell mediated tumor cell killing. RESULTS Circulating tumor DNA showed rapid clearance in the majority of patients mirroring a high rate of early tumor shrinkage. In 3 of 13 patients expressing the high-affinity Fcγ receptor 3a (FcγR3a), tumor subclones with PD-L1 mutations were selected that led to loss of tumor PD-L1 by nonsense-mediated RNA decay in PD-L1 K162fs and protein degradation in PD-L1 L88S. As a consequence, avelumab binding and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity were impaired, while T cell killing of these variant clones was increased. Interestingly, PD-L1 mutant subclones showed slow selection dynamics reversing on avelumab withdrawal and patients with such subclones had above-average treatment benefit. This suggested that the PD-L1 mutations mediated resistance to direct antitumor effects of avelumab, while at the same time loss of PD-L1 reduced biological fitness by enhanced T cell killing limiting subclonal expansion. CONCLUSION The addition of avelumab to standard treatment appeared feasible and safe. PD-L1 mutations mediate subclonal immune escape to avelumab in some patients with mCRC expressing high-affinity FcγR3a, which may be a subset experiencing most selective pressure. Future trials evaluating the addition of avelumab to standard treatment in MSS mCRC are warranted especially in this patient subpopulation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03174405.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Stein
- Hämatologisch-Onkologische Praxis Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Oncology and Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Donjete Simnica
- Department of Internal Medicine IV - Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Christoph Schultheiß
- Department of Internal Medicine IV - Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Rebekka Scholz
- Department of Internal Medicine IV - Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Joseph Tintelnot
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eray Gökkurt
- Hämatologisch-Onkologische Praxis Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lisa von Wenserski
- Department of Internal Medicine IV - Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Edith Willscher
- Department of Internal Medicine IV - Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Lisa Paschold
- Department of Internal Medicine IV - Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Markus Sauer
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sylvie Lorenzen
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Haematology/Medical Oncology), Technical University of Munich Hospital Rechts der Isar, Munchen, Bayern, Germany
| | | | - Reinhard Depenbusch
- Private Practice Onkodoc GmbH Gütersloh, Gütersloh, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Thomas J Ettrich
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Steffen Dörfel
- Private Practice Onkozentrum Dresden, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Salah-Eddin Al-Batran
- Institute of Clinical Cancer Research IKF at Northwest hospital, Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany
| | - Meinolf Karthaus
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Munich Hospital Neuperlach, Munchen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Uwe Pelzer
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa Waberer
- IKF Klinische Krebsforschung GmbH at Krankenhaus Nordwest, Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany
| | - Axel Hinke
- Clinical Cancer Research Consulting (CCRC), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marcus Bauer
- Institute of Pathology, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Carsten Bokemeyer
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Penumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Mascha Binder
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany .,Department of Internal Medicine IV - Oncology/Hematology, Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
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Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Characterization of host immune cell parameters before and during immunotherapy is expected to identify predictive biomarkers for clinical outcome. We prospectively monitored blood immune cells from 35 patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer undergoing checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy. The aim was to identify parameters correlating with better/worse outcome. Peripheral blood was serially collected before each infusion at the onset and at cycle 3 and 5 of immunotherapy. A complete leukocyte blood count, the lymphocytic subpopulations and the percentages of both HLA-DRlow monocytes and dendritic cells (DC) were monitored. Disease control was defined as partial/complete response and stable disease on computed tomography scan according to RECIST 1.1. The predictive value of the immune cell parameters investigated was evaluated by patients’ survival analysis. Forty percent of patients showed a clinical response, and the global median overall survival was 7.0 months (95% confidence interval: 3.5–10.5). Patients with an initial neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥5.2, and/or an amount of HLA-DRlow monocytes ≥11% and/or a total DC level ≤0.4% of leukocytes did rarely respond to PD-1 inhibitor therapy. Otherwise, the immunotherapy-induced decrease of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and/or HLA-DRlow monocytes and the increase of total DC frequencies were correlated with improved therapy response and prolonged overall survival. Blood values in the third cycle of immunotherapy did already reflect the effects observed. On the basis of the 3 immune cell parameters identified we created 3 different variants of scores that enable to stratify patients into groups of risk/therapy response. Our results warrant further investigation in larger prospective clinical trials for validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Möller
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Hospital Martha-Maria Halle-Dölau
| | - Steffi Turzer
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Dagmar Riemann
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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