Development, Histological, and Ultrastructural Evaluation of Sheep Hyperimmune Serum Therapy for COVID-19 / Desarrollo, Evaluación Histológica y Ultraestructural de la Terapia con Suero Hiperinmune de Oveja para COVID-19

SUMMARY: In response to the threat posed by new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the urgent need for effective treatments in the absence of vaccines, the aim of this study was to develop a rapid and cost-effective hyperimmune serum (HS) derived from sheep and assess its efficacy. The utilization of a halal-certified, easily maintained in certain geographic regions, easy-to-handle animal such as sheep could provide a viable alternative to the expensive option of horses. Sheep were immunized with a whole inactivated SARS-CoV- 2 antigen to produce HS, which was evaluated for neutralizing potency using the PRNT50 assay. K18-hACE2 transgenic mice (n=35) were divided into three groups: control, SARS-CoV-2 exposure through inhalation, and SARS-CoV-2 exposed mice treated with HS. HS efficacy was assessed through serum proinflammatory cytokine levels, qRT-PCR analysis, histopathological examination of lungs and hearts, and transmission electron microscopy. Purified HS exhibited significant neutralizing activity (1/24,576). The SARS-CoV-2+HS group showed lower levels of TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-6 (P<0.01) and relatively lower levels of MCP-1 compared to the SARS-CoV-2 group. HS prevented death, reduced viral RNA levels in the lungs and hearts, protected against severe interstitial pneumonia, preserved lung tissue integrity, and prevented myocyte damage, while the SARS-CoV-2 group exhibited viral presence in the lungs. This study successfully developed a sheep-derived HS against the entire SARS-CoV-2 virus, resulting in a significant reduction in infection severity, inflammation, and systemic cytokine production. The findings hold promise for treating severe COVID-19 cases, including emerging viral variants, and immunocompromised patients.

En respuesta a la amenaza que suponen las nuevas variantes del SARS-CoV-2 y la urgente necesidad de tratamientos eficaces en ausencia de vacunas, el objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar un suero hiperinmune (HS) rápido y rentable derivado de ovejas. y evaluar su eficacia. La utilización de un animal con certificación halal, de fácil mantenimiento en determinadas regiones geográficas y de fácil manejo, como las ovejas, podría proporcionar una alternativa viable a la costosa opción de los caballos. Las ovejas fueron inmunizadas con un antígeno de SARS-CoV-2 completamente inactivado para producir HS, cuya potencia neutralizante se evaluó mediante el ensayo PRNT50. Los ratones transgénicos K18-hACE2 (n = 35) se dividieron en tres grupos: control, exposición al SARS-CoV-2 mediante inhalación y ratones expuestos al SARS-CoV-2 tratados con HS. La eficacia de HS se evaluó mediante niveles de citoquinas proinflamatorias en suero, análisis qRT-PCR, examen histopatológico de pulmones y corazones y microscopía electrónica de transmisión. El HS purificado exhibió una actividad neutralizante significativa (1/24,576). El grupo SARS-CoV-2+HS mostró niveles más bajos de TNF-α, IL-10 e IL-6 (P<0,01) y niveles relativamente más bajos de MCP-1 en comparación con el grupo SARS-CoV-2. HS evitó la muerte, redujo los niveles de ARN viral en los pulmones y el corazón, protegió contra la neumonía intersticial grave, preservó la integridad del tejido pulmonar y evitó el daño de los miocitos, mientras que el grupo SARS-CoV-2 exhibió presencia viral en los pulmones. Este estudio desarrolló con éxito un HS derivado de ovejas contra todo el virus SARS-CoV-2, lo que resultó en una reducción significativa de la gravedad de la infección, la inflamación y la producción sistémica de citocinas. Los hallazgos son prometedores para el tratamiento de casos graves de COVID- 19, incluidas las variantes virales emergentes y los pacientes inmunocomprometidos.

Advances in predictive biomarkers associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors for tumor therapy / 生物工程学报

Malignant tumors are diseases that seriously threaten human health and social development. Traditional tumor therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy cannot fully meet the needs of clinical treatment, and emerging immunotherapy has become a research hotspot in the field of tumor treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved as a tumor immunotherapy method for the treatment of various tumors, such as lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer and colorectal cancer, etc. However, during the clinical use of ICIs, only a small number of patients experienced durable responses, which also led to drug resistance and adverse reactions. Therefore, the identification and development of predictive biomarkers is crucial to improve the therapeutic efficacy of ICIs. The predictive biomarkers of tumor ICIs mainly include tumor biomarkers, tumor microenvironment biomarkers, circulation-related biomarkers, host environmental biomarkers and combinatorial biomarkers. They are of great significance for screening, individualized treatment and prognosis evaluation of tumor patients. This article reviews the advances of predictive markers for tumor ICIs therapy.

Research status and prospect of immunotherapy in gastrointestinal stromal tumors / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) significantly reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis and prolong survival in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), but drug resistance is often inevitable. Immunotherapy has been proven effective in multiple solid tumors, but the efficacy in GIST is unclear. The efficacy of immunotherapy depends on the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-infiltrating immune cells and immune checkpoints are important components of TME, which not only participate in the regulation of tumor immune response but are also the key target of immunotherapy. A comprehensive analysis of them can clarify the mechanism of tumor immune escape. This review found that there are abundant tumor-infiltrating immune cells in GIST, which play an important role in tumor immune surveillance and escape. Although early clinical studies have shown that patients with GIST have a good tolerance to immunotherapy, the curative effect is not satisfactory. Therefore, how to select the responders of immunotherapy and coordinate the relationship between immunotherapy and TKIs is the key issue to be explored. At the same time, the gradual deepening of basic research and large sample prospective clinical trials will certainly provide more strategies for the application of immunotherapy in GIST.

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy for colorectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Immunotherapy has been one of the hot topics in the field of colorectal cancer research in recent years. Patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) are the main beneficiaries of immunotherapy. The response rate of patients with dMMR/MSI-H colorectal cancer receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy is nearly 100%, of which the pathological complete response rate approximately accounts for 60%-67%. The prospect of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in dMMR or MSI-H colorectal cancer patients, especially in the rectal cancer patients, lies in achieving sustainable clinical complete response so as to achieve organ preservation and avoid adverse effects on reproductive, sexual, bowel and bladder function after surgery and radiotherapy. Studies have shown that part of the colorectal cancer patients of microsatellite stability (MSS) or mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) can respond to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in combination with other treatment methods such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In pMMR or MSS colorectal cancer, optimizing neoadjuvant immunotherapy regimens and finding effective efficacy prediction biomarkers are important research directions. In neoadjuvant immunotherapy, overcoming primary and secondary resistance and identifying the pseudoprogression and hyperprogression of neoadjuvant immunotherapy are clinical challenges that require attention. This paper comprehensively reviews the research progress, controversies,challenges and future research directions of neoadjuvant immunotherapy (mainly immune checkpoint inhibitors) in colorectal cancer.

Expert consensus on PD-L1 expression testing in esophageal carcinoma in China / 中华肿瘤杂志

In recent years, immunotherapy represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors programmed death 1 (PD-1) has made great progress in the treatment of esophageal cancer and is rewriting the global paradigm for the treatment of esophageal cancer. According to current data, only a small number of patients with esophageal cancer could benefit from immunotherapy. Therefore, it is a challenge to screen the potential beneficiaries of PD-1 inhibitors. Studies have shown that the expression level of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in esophageal cancer is closely associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors, and PD-L1 is the most important predictive biomarker of the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors. With the clinical application of different PD-1 inhibitors and PD-L1 protein expression detection platforms, clarifying the clinical significance and timing of detection of PD-L1 protein expression in esophageal cancer, and establishing a standardized PD-L1 testing procedure, are of great significance to improve the accuracy of detection and reduce the difference between laboratories, so as to maximize the therapeutic benefits for patients. This consensus was finally reached, based on the combination of literature, expert experience, and internal discussion and voting of committee members, to provide an accurate and reliable evidence for clinicians to make decisions.

Terapia com células CAR-T: reprogramação celular para o combate de neoplasias malignas / CAR-T cell therapy: cell reprogramming to combat malignant neoplasms

As células CAR-T são linfócitos geneticamente modificados para reconhecerem um espectro amplo de antígenos de superfície celulares. Além disso, atacam células tumorais malignas, que expressam esses antígenos, por meio da ativação da coestimulação citoplasmática, secreção de citocinas, citólise de células tumorais e proliferação de células T. O objetivo desse estudo é abordar a imunoterapia com células CAR-T, a fim de explicar seu conceito, processo de fabricação e papel no tratamento de neoplasias hematológicas e tumores sólidos. Foi realizada uma revisão através do portal PubMed, utilizando como descritores: "car-t cell therapy" e "neoplasms", determinados com base nos "Descritores em Ciências da Saúde". Foram obtidos, inicialmente, 10 artigos, os quais foram lidos integralmente para a confecção dessa revisão. Além disso, foram adicionados 3 ensaios clínicos atualizados sobre o tema. Na terapia com células CAR-T, as células T são coletadas do paciente, geneticamente modificadas para incluir receptores de antígeno específicos e, posteriormente, expandidas em laboratórios e transfundidas de volta para o paciente. Assim, esses receptores podem reconhecer células tumorais que expressam um antígeno associado a um tumor. A terapia com células CAR-T é mais conhecida por seu papel no tratamento de malignidades hematológicas de células B, sendo a proteína CD19 o alvo antigênico mais bem estudado até o momento. Entretanto, estudos estão sendo feitos para verificar a eficácia desse tratamento, também, em tumores sólidos. Portanto, apesar de inicialmente ser indicada apenas para um grupo seleto de pessoas, essa terapia tem demonstrado grande potencial para atuar em um espectro maior de pacientes.

The CAR-T cells are lymphocytes genetically modified to recognize a broader spectrum of cell surface antigens. In addition, they attack malignant tumor cells, which express these antigens, by activating cytoplasmic co-stimulation, cytokine secretion, tumor cell cytolysis and T cell proliferation. The aim of this study is to address immunotherapy with CAR-T cells, in order to explain its concept, manufacturing process and role in the treatment of hematological neoplasms and solid tumors. This is a literature review conducted through the PubMed portal, that uses the terms "car-t cell therapy" and "neoplasms" as descriptors, determined based on the DeCS (Descritores em Ciências da Saúde). To prepare this review, initially 10 articles were found and read in full. In addition, 3 updated clinical trials on the subject were added. For CAR-T cell therapy, T cells are collected from the patient, genetically modified to include specific antigen receptors, and later expanded in laboratories and transfused back to the patient. Thus, these receptors can recognize tumor cells that express a tumor-associated antigen. CAR-T cell therapy is best known for its role in the treatment of B cell hematological malignancies, with the CD19 protein being the most studied antigenic target to date. However, studies are being conducted to verify the effectiveness of this treatment, also, in solid tumors. Therefore, despite being formulated only for a selected group of patients, this therapy has great potential to act on a broader spectrum of patients.

Predictive model of curative effect of mite subcutaneous immunotherapy in 5-18 years of age patients with allergic asthma / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To analyze the factors affecting the efficacy of mite subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in allergic asthma patients aged 5-18 years, and to find the best predictive model for the curative effect. Methods: The data of 688 patients aged 5-18 years with allergic asthma who completed more than 3 years of mite SCIT from December 2006 to November 2021 in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. Male, results of skin prick test (SPT), age, daily medication score (DMS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and enrollment season were defined as independent variables. R language models, including Logistic regression model, random forest model and extreme gradient boosting (XGboost) model, were used to analyze the impact of these independent variables on the outcomes. The receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to compare the predictive ability of the models. Hypothesis testing of the area under curve (AUC) of the 3 models was performed using DeLong test. Results: There were 435 males and 253 females in the 688 patients. There were 349 patients aged 5-<8 years, 240 patients aged 8-<11 years, and 99 patients aged 11-18 years. SPT showed that 429 cases (62.4%) were only allergic to mite, and 259 cases (37.7%) were also allergic to other allergens. According to the efficacy after 3 years of SCIT, 351 cases (51.0%) discontinued the treatment and 337 cases (49.0%) required continued treatment. The DMS was 4 (3, 6) at initiation, 3 (2, 5) at 3 months, 3 (2, 5) at 4 months, 2 (1, 3) at 12 months, and 0 (0, 1) at 3 years of SCIT treatment. The VAS was 3.5 (2.5, 5.2) at initiation, 3.2 (2.2, 4.8) at 3 months, 2.6 (1.4, 4.1) at 4 months, 1.0 (0.6, 1.8) at 12 months, and 0.5 (0, 1.2) at 3 years of treatment. At 3, 4, and 12 months, the rate of decline in DMS was 0 (0, 20%), 16.7% (0, 33.3%), and 50.0% (31.0%, 75.0%), respectively; and the VAS decreased by 7.1% (3.2%,13.8%), 27.6% (16.7%,44.4%), and 70.2% (56.1%, 82.3%), respectively. Regarding the enrollment season, 99 cases were in spring, 230 cases in summer, 171 cases in autumn, and 188 cases in winter. The R language Logistic regression model found that DMS>3 points at 3 months (OR=-3.5, 95%CI:-4.3--2.7, P<0.01), male (OR=-1.7, 95%CI:-2.3--1.0), P<0.01), DMS decline rate>16.7% at 4 months (OR=-1.6, 95%CI:-2.3--0.8, P<0.01) and DMS decline rate>0 at 3 months (OR=-0.7, 95%CI:-1.3--0.2, P<0.05) had higher possibility of drug discontinuation; whereas, the decline rate of DMS at 12 months>50.0% (OR=0.7, 95%CI: 0.1-1.3, P<0.05), VAS at 12 months>1.0 points (OR=0.9, 95%CI: 0.3-1.6, P<0.05), and initial VAS<4.0 points (OR=1.0, 95%CI: 0.4-1.6, P<0.01) had lower possibility of drug discontinuation. Both the random forest model and the XGboost model showed that DMS>3 points at 3 months (mean decrease accuracy=30.9, importance=0.45) had the greatest impact on drug discontinuation. The AUC of the random forest model was the largest at 0.900, with an accuracy of 78.2% and a sensitivity of 84.5%. Logistic regression model had AUC of 0.891, accuracy of 80.0%, and sensitivity of 80.0%; XGboost model had AUC of 0.886, accuracy of 76.9%, and sensitivity of 84.5%. The AUC of the pairwise comparison model by DeLong test found that all three models could be used for the prediction of this data set (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The more drugs used to control the primary disease, and the more careful reduction of the control medicine after starting SCIT treatment, the more favorable it is to stop all drugs after 3 years. The random forest model is the best predictive model for the efficacy of mite SCIT in asthmatic children.

Progress of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / 中国肺癌杂志

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy, including neoadjuvant single- or dual-drug immunotherapy or combined immunotherapy with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, has witnessed a rapid development in non-small cell lung cancer. Clinical trials exhibited the encouraging pathological responses and certain clinical benefits in selected patients, with tolerable toxicity. Nivolumab with chemotherapy has been approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first immunotherapy-based treatment for non-small cell lung cancer in the neoadjuvant treatment setting. There is the need for further evaluation of long-term efficacy, side effects or surgical issues for neoadjuvant immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.
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Clinical Progress in the Immunotherapy of Small Cell Lung Cancer / 中国肺癌杂志

Small cell lung cancer is a kind of malignant tumor with strong invasiveness and poor prognosis, and the classic therapeutic modality of the disease remains multidisciplinary and comprehensive treatment. Treatment options for small cell lung cancer have been stalled for a long time, and new opportunities have emerged in recent years due to the development and initial experience of immunotherapeutic drugs. Clinical trials of some selected immune checkpoint inhibitors have confirmed the efficacy and safety in small cell lung cancer. Based on the results of phase III clinical trials (Impower133 and CASPIAN), Atezolizumab or Durvalumab in combination with chemotherapy has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Clinical trials involving immune checkpoint inhibitors are being actively carried out and provide different perspectives for the management of small cell lung cancer. This article aimed to review the clinical progress in immunotherapy of small cell lung cancer.
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Impact of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy for primary liver cancer / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the impact of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on clinical outcomes of patients receiving anti-PD-1 immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.@*METHODS@#We conducted a retrospective study among 215 patients with primary liver cancer receiving immunotherapy between June, 2018 and October, 2020. The patients with balanced baseline characteristics were selected based on propensity matching scores, and among them 33 patients who used NSAIDs were matched at the ratio of 1∶3 with 78 patients who did not use NSAIDs. We compared the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease control rate (DCR) between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in OS between the patients using NSAIDs (29.7%) and those who did not use NSAIDs (70.2%). Univariate and multivariate analyses did not show an a correlation of NSAIDs use with DCR (univariate analysis: OR=0.602, 95% CI: 0.299-1.213, P=0.156; multivariate analysis: OR=0.693, 95% CI: 0.330-1.458, P=0.334), PFS (univariate analysis: HR=1.230, 95% CI: 0.789-1.916, P=0.361; multivariate analysis: HR=1.151, 95% CI: 0.732-1.810, P=9.544), or OS (univariate analysis: HR=0.552, 95% CI: 0.208-1.463, P=0.232; multivariate analysis: HR=1.085, 95% CI: 0.685-1.717, P=0.729).@*CONCLUSION@#Our results show no favorable effect of NSAIDs on the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with advanced primary liver cancer, but this finding still needs to be verified by future prospective studies of large cohorts.

Treatment Sequencing Strategies in Lung Cancer / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#The advances in the lung cancer screening methods and therapeutics, together with awareness towards deleterious habits, such as smoking, is increasing the overall survival with better quality of life for the patients. However, lung cancer is still one of the most common and fatal neoplasm with a high incidence and consequently burden to public health worldwide. Thus, based on guidelines and recent phases II and III clinical trials studies, this manuscript summarizes the current treatment sequencing strategies in lung cancer.@*METHODS@#A comprehensive search of related articles was performed focused on phases II and III clinical trials studies.@*RESULTS@#The lung cancer management should take into consideration the tumor characteristics, histology, molecular pathology and be discussed in a multidisciplinary team. Lung cancer treatment options comprises surgery whenever possible, radiotherapy associate with/or chemotherapy and immunotherapy as monotherapy, or combined with chemotherapy and best palliative care.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The screening predictability in more patients, smoking reduction, early diagnosis, better disease understanding and individualized, more effective and tolerable therapeutics are related to an increasing in overall survival and quality of life. In the near future improvement of personalized therapy in precision medicine is expected, enhancing new predictive biomarkers, optimal doses and optimal treatment sequencing as well as anti-cancer vaccines development.

Research Progress, Benefit Groups, Treatment Cycle and Efficacy Prediction of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / 中国肺癌杂志

The emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has dramatically changed the therapeutic outlook for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Preoperative neoadjuvant immunotherapy has been paid more and more attention as an effective and safe treatment. Neoadjuvant immune therapy, however, the relevant research started late, relatively few research results and mainly focused on the small sample size of phase I and II studies, treatment itself exists many places it is not clear, also in benefit population screening, the respect such as the choice of treatment and curative effect prediction has not yet reached broad consensus. This paper reviews the important studies and recent achievements related to neoadjuvant immunotherapy, aiming to comprehensively discuss the procedures and existing problems of this kind of therapy from three aspects of beneficiary groups, treatment cycle and efficacy prediction.
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A comprehensive profile of TCF1+ progenitor and TCF1- terminally exhausted PD-1+CD8+ T cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: implications for prognosis and immunotherapy / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

The heterogeneity of exhausted T cells (Tex) is a critical determinant of immune checkpoint blockade therapy efficacy. However, few studies have explored exhausted T cell subpopulations in human cancers. In the present study, we examined samples from two cohorts of 175 patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) by multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) to investigate two subsets of Tex, CD8+PD1+TCF1+ progenitor exhausted T cells (TCF1+Texprog) and CD8+PD1+TCF1- terminally exhausted T cells (TCF1-Texterm). Moreover, fresh tumor samples from 34 patients with HNSCC were examined by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry to further investigate their properties and cytotoxic capabilities and their correlation with regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). mIHC and flow cytometry analysis showed that TCF1-Texterm represented a greater proportion of CD8+PD1+Tex than TCF1+Texprog in most patients. TCF1+Texprog produced abundant TNFα, while TCF1-Texterm expressed higher levels of CD103, TIM-3, CTLA-4, and TIGIT. TCF1-Texterm exhibited a polyfunctional TNFα+GZMB+IFNγ+ phenotype; and were associated with better overall survival and recurrence-free survival. The results also indicated that larger proportions of TCF1-Texterm were accompanied by an increase in the proportion of Tregs. Therefore, it was concluded that TCF1-Texterm was the major CD8+PD1+Tex subset in the HNSCC TIME and that these cells favor patient survival. A high proportion of TCF1-Texterm was associated with greater Treg abundance.

Immunotherapy for microsatellite-instability-high advanced colorectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancer accounts for approximately 10%-15% of all colorectal cancer patients, while in metastatic diseases the MSI-H population accounts for only 5% of patients. Previous studies have shown that early-stage MSI-H colorectal cancer patients have a good prognosis, but those with advanced disease have a poor prognosis and are not sensitive to chemotherapy. The advent of PD-1 antibodies has significantly improved the prognosis and changed treatment landscape in this population, not only achieving good outcomes in late-line therapy, but also significantly outperforming traditional chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy in first-line therapy. How to overcome primary and secondary drug resistance is a key issue in improving the outcome of MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer, and commonly used approaches include changing chemotherapy regimens, combining with other immunotherapies, combining with anti-angiogenesis, and local treatments (surgery, radiotherapy, or interventional therapy). It is worth noting that immunotherapy has certain lifelong or even lethal toxicity, and the indications for neoadjuvant immunotherapy must be evaluated with caution. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy in MSI-H advantaged population can achieve high rates of pathological complete remission (pCR) and clinical complete remission (cCR). Therefore, for MSI-H patients with a strong intention to preserve anal sphincter and a strict evaluation of cCR after neoadjuvant immunotherapy, the Watch-and-Wait strategy offers an opportunity to preserve sphincter function and improve long-term survival quality in a subset of mid-to-low rectal cancers. Research on adjuvant immunotherapy in the field of colorectal cancer is also in full swing, and the results are worth waiting for.

Anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-l1 antibodies as immunotherapy against cancer: a structural perspective

ABSTRACT Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand, programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1), play key roles in the suppression of the cytotoxic activity of T cells. PD-L1 is overexpressed on various types of cancer cells, leading to immune evasion. In the past decade, therapeutic antibodies that target the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have been developed to inhibit the immune suppression triggered by these two proteins. At present, five antibodies (two anti-PD-1 and three anti-PD-L1) have received approval by regulatory agencies in the US and Europe. In this work, we aimed to review their clinical applications and adverse effects. Furthermore, using their reported crystal structures, we discuss the similarities and differences between the PD-1/PD-L1 interface and the epitopes that are recognized by the antibodies. Detailed analyses of the contact residues involved in the ligand-receptor and target-antibody interactions have shown partial overlap. Altogether, the data presented here demonstrate that: (1) in contrast to other therapeutic antibodies, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 has a wide range of clinical applications; (2) these targeted therapies are not exempt from adverse effects; and (3) the characterization of the structural domains that are recognized by the antibodies can guide the development of new PD-1- and PD-L1-blocking agents. (REV INVEST CLIN. 2021;73(1):8-16)

Peripheral Blood Inflammation Indicators as Predictive Indicators in Immunotherapy of Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / 中国肺癌杂志

BACKGROUND@#Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death, of which non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have now become one of the main treatments for advanced NSCLC. This paper retrospectively investigated the effect of peripheral blood inflammatory indexes on the efficacy of immunotherapy and survival of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, in order to find strategies to guide immunotherapy in NSCLC.@*METHODS@#Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who were hospitalized in The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from October 2018 to August 2019 were selected to receive anti-PD-1 (pembrolizumab, sintilimab or toripalimab) monotherapy or combination regimens. And were followed up until 10 December 2020, and the efficacy was evaluated according to RECIST1.1 criteria. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were followed up for survival analysis. A clinical prediction model was constructed to analyze the predictive value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) based on NLR data at three different time points: before treatment, 6 weeks after treatment and 12 weeks after treatment (0w, 6w and 12w), and the accuracy of the model was verified.@*RESULTS@#173 patients were finally included, all of whom received the above treatment regimen, were followed up for a median of 19.7 months. The objective response rate (ORR) was 27.7% (48/173), the disease control rate (DCR) was 89.6% (155/173), the median PFS was 8.3 months (7.491-9.109) and the median OS was 15.5 months (14.087-16.913). The chi-square test and logistic multi-factor analysis showed that NLR6w was associated with ORR and NLR12w was associated with ORR and DCR. Further Cox regression analysis showed that NLR6w and NLR12w affected PFS and NLR0w, NLR6w and NLR12w were associated with OS.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, NLR values at different time points are valid predictors of response to immunotherapy, and NLR <3 is often associated with a good prognosis.

PD-1 blockade as a future treatment for colorectal cancer with microsatellite instability / Bloqueio do PD-1 como futuro tratamento do cancro colorretal com instabilidade de microssatélites

ABSTRACT Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, with about 15% of these tumours related with microsatellite instability, which confers distinct characteristics to these tumours, both clinicopathological and in the response to treatments. In fact, the poor response to chemotherapy in these tumours has led to the investigation for new treatments, with immunotherapy being the most successful one to date. The focus of this review is to assess the response of microsatellite unstable colorectal cancer to PD-1 blockade, and the mechanisms behind that response. Methods: A PubMed research was conducted, resulting in the inclusion of 47 articles in this review. Results: Microsatellite instability results in a high neoantigen load, leading to a highly active immune microenvironment of the tumour, mainly due to T-cells. To counteract this, there is an upregulation of PD-1, acting as a "brake" for immune cells, facilitating tumour growth and metastasis. This upregulation makes these tumours great candidates for treatment with PD-1 blockade, as seen in many clinical trials, where the overall responses and progression free survival rates were higher than those observed in microsatellite stable tumours. Conclusion: With the importance of colorectal cancer with microsatellite instability new treatments are necessary. Therefore, PD-1 blockade is a promising treatment for colorectal cancer with microsatellite instability, with improvement in survival rates and a better prognosis for these patients.

RESUMO Introdução: O câncer colorretal é o terceiro mais comum em todo o mundo, com cerca de 15% desses tumores relacionados com instabilidade dos microssatélites, o que confere características distintas a esses tumores, tanto clínico patológicas quanto na resposta aos tratamentos. De fato, a fraca resposta à quimioterapia nesses tumores levou à investigação de novos tratamentos, sendo a imunoterapia a mais bem sucedida até o momento. O foco desta revisão é avaliar a resposta do câncer colorretal com microssatélites instáveis ao bloqueio do PD-1 e os mecanismos por trás dessa resposta. Métodos: Foi realizada uma pesquisa na base de dados PubMed, resultando na inclusão de 47 artigos nesta revisão. Resultados: A instabilidade de microssatélites resulta em uma alta carga de neoantígenos, levando a um microambiente imunológico altamente ativo do tumor, principalmente devido às células T. Para neutralizar isso, há uma maior expressão do PD-1, atuando como um "freio" para as células imunes, facilitando o crescimento do tumor e suas metástases. Essa expressão faz desses tumores grandes candidatos ao tratamento com bloqueio PD-1, como demonstrado em vários ensaios clínicos, onde as respostas globais e as taxas de sobrevivência livres de progressão foram maiores do que as observadas em tumores com microssatélites estáveis. Conclusão: Com a importância do câncer colorretal com instabilidade de microssatélites, novos tratamentos são necessários. Portanto, o bloqueio do PD-1 é um tratamento promissor para o câncer colorretal com instabilidade de microssatélites, com melhora nas taxas de sobrevivência e melhor prognóstico para esses pacientes.

Los ensayos clínicos en la ruta del cáncer a la cronicidad / Clinical trials in the way of cancer to a chronic disease

RESUMEN El cáncer es actualmente uno de los problemas de salud más importantes en la mayoría de los países occidentales. En Cuba, el cáncer es la segunda causa de muerte para todos los grupos de edad superada solo por las enfermedades cardiovasculares. En Matanzas, en los últimos años el cáncer ha mostrado una tendencia creciente con datos de incidencia y prevalencia por encima de la media del país. Por tales motivos realizamos este estudio con el objetivo de evaluar el impacto de la inmunoterapia como una alternativa terapéutica que mejora las funciones de supervivencia en pacientes con cáncer avanzado (AU).

SUMMARY Cancer is actually one of the most important health problems in the occidental countries. In Cuba, cancer is the second cause of death in all ages, under heart diseases. In Matanzas, in the last years cancer had showed and ascending growth on incidence and prevalence, over country media. That is wy, we make this study with the objective to evaluate the impact of inmunotherapy as a therapeutic alternative which increase the survival function in patients with advanced cancer (AU).

Efectividad de inducción de tolerancia inmune en niños con hemofilia A y aloanticuerpos neutralizantes / Immunotolerance induction effectivity in hemophilia A children and neutralizing alloantibodies

Resumen: Introducción: El desarrollo de aloanticuerpos neutralizantes anti-factor VIII en hemofilia A es la complicación más seria relacionada al tratamiento. La inducción de tolerancia inmune (ITI) o inmunotolerancia es el único tratamiento que erradica inhibidores, permitiendo utilizar nuevamente factor VIII para el tratamiento o profilaxis de eventos hemorrágicos. Objetivo: reportar la experiencia en niños sometidos a inmunotolerancia en la red pública del país. Pacientes y Método: Análisis retrospectivo y descriptivo de 13 niños con Hemofilia A severa e inhibidores persistentes de alto título, que recibieron ITI y seguimiento completo. Se utilizó concentrado de FVIII plasmático en dosis de 70-180 UI/Kg/diarias, definiendo éxito como la negativización del inhibidor y recu peración de la vida media del FVIII. Resultados expresados en media (rango). Resultados: En 13 pacientes se identificó el inhibidor, a una edad de 17,6 meses (2-48), tras 35,2 días (9-112) de exposición a FVIII. Once pacientes (84,6%) recuperaron la vida media del FVIII, tras 49,6 meses (26-70) de tratamiento. En los pacientes que respondieron, el título del inhibidor se negativizó en 7,3 meses (1-20). Conclusiones: En niños con hemofilia A e inhibidores persistentes de alto título, la ITI tiene un elevado éxito. Dado que el tiempo de respuesta es variable, la inmunotolerancia debe ser personalizada.

Abstract: Introduction: The development of anti-factor VIII neutralizing antibodies in hemophilia A is the most severe com plication related to treatment. Immune tolerance induction (ITI) is the only known treatment for eradicating inhibitors. A successful ITI allows using factor VIII (FVIII) again for the treatment or prophylaxis of hemorrhagic events. Objective: To report the experience of pediatric patients who underwent ITI in the country's public health care network. Patients and Method: Retrospective and descriptive analysis of 13 pediatric patients with severe Hemophilia A and high-titer inhibitors persis tence who underwent ITI and complete follow-up. Plasma-derived FVIII concentrate was used at 70 180 IU/kg/day doses. The success of the treatment is defined by achieving a negative titer and a half life recovery of the FVIII. The results were expressed in median (range). Results: In 13 patients, the inhibitor was identified at an average age of 17.6 months, after 35.2 days of exposure to the FVIII. 11 patients (84.6%) recovered the half-life of FVIII after 49.6 months of treatment. In the patients who responded to treatment, the inhibitor titer was negative at 6 months on average. Conclusions: ITI is the treatment of choice for patients with hemophilia A and inhibitors persistence. ITI must be perso nalized since the time response is variable in each patient.

LMP2-DC Vaccine Elicits Specific EBV-LMP2 Response to Effectively Improve Immunotherapy in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Cancer / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine based on latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2) modified dendritic cells (DCs) that boosts specific responses of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to LMP2 before and after intradermal injection in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).@*Methods@#DCs were derived from peripheral blood monocytes of patients with NPC. We prepared LMP2-DCs infected by recombinant adenovirus vector expressing LMP2 (rAd-LMP2). NPC patients were immunized with 2 × 10 @*Results@#We demonstrated that DCs derived from monocytes displayed typical DC morphologies; the expression of LMP2 in the LMP2-DCs vaccine was confirmed by immunocytochemical assay. Twenty-nine patients with NPC were enrolled in this clinical trial. The LMP2-DCs vaccine was well tolerated in all of the patients. Boosted responses to LMP2 peptide sub-pools were observed in 18 of the 29 patients with NPC. The follow-up data of 29 immunized patients from April, 2010 to April 2015 indicated a five-year survival rate of 94.4% in responders and 45.5% in non-responders.@*Conclusion@#In this pilot study, we demonstrated that the LMP2-DCs vaccine is safe and effective in patients with NPC. Specific CTLs responses to LMP2 play a certain role in controlling and preventing the recurrence and metastasis of NPC, which warrants further clinical testing.