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1.
J Exp Clin Cancer Res ; 43(1): 155, 2024 May 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38822401

ABSTRACT

Longitudinal sampling of tumor tissue from patients with solid cancers, aside from melanoma and a few other cases, is often unfeasible, and thus may not capture the plasticity of interactions between the tumor and immune system under selective pressure of a given therapy. Peripheral blood analyses provide salient information about the human peripheral immunome while offering technical and practical advantages over traditional tumor biopsies, and should be utilized where possible alongside interrogation of the tumor. Some common blood-based biomarkers used to study the immune response include immune cell subsets, circulating tumor DNA, and protein analytes such as cytokines. With the recent explosion of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) as a modality of treatment in multiple cancer types, soluble immune checkpoints have become a relevant area of investigation for peripheral immune-based biomarkers. However, the exact functions of soluble immune checkpoints and their roles in cancer for the most part remain unclear. This review discusses current literature on the production, function, and expression of nine soluble immune checkpoints - sPD-L1, sPD-1, sCTLA4, sCD80, sTIM3, sLAG3, sB7-H3, sBTLA, and sHVEM - in patients with solid tumors, and explores their role as biomarkers of response to ICI as well as to conventional therapies (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery) in cancer patients.


Subject(s)
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Neoplasms , Humans , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasms/immunology , Prognosis , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Immune Checkpoint Proteins/metabolism , Biomarkers, Tumor , Immunotherapy/methods
2.
Mol Cancer ; 23(1): 117, 2024 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38824567

ABSTRACT

Significant advancements have been made in the application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T treatment for blood cancers during the previous ten years. However, its effectiveness in treating solid tumors is still lacking, necessitating the exploration of alternative immunotherapies that can overcome the significant challenges faced by current CAR-T cells. CAR-based immunotherapy against solid tumors shows promise with the emergence of macrophages, which possess robust phagocytic abilities, antigen-presenting functions, and the ability to modify the tumor microenvironment and stimulate adaptive responses. This paper presents a thorough examination of the latest progress in CAR-M therapy, covering both basic scientific studies and clinical trials. This study examines the primary obstacles hindering the realization of the complete potential of CAR-M therapy, as well as the potential strategies that can be employed to overcome these hurdles. With the emergence of revolutionary technologies like in situ genetic modification, synthetic biology techniques, and biomaterial-supported gene transfer, which provide a wider array of resources for manipulating tumor-associated macrophages, we suggest that combining these advanced methods will result in the creation of a new era of CAR-M therapy that demonstrates improved efficacy, safety, and availability.


Subject(s)
Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Neoplasms , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Tumor Microenvironment , Humans , Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasms/immunology , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics , Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Animals , Immunotherapy/methods
3.
J Hematol Oncol ; 17(1): 38, 2024 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38824603

ABSTRACT

Peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) represents a group of heterogeneous hematological malignancies, which are notoriously challenging to treat and outcomes are typically poor. Over the past two decades, clinical prognostic indices for patient risk stratification have evolved, while several targeted agents are now available to complement combination chemotherapy in the frontline setting or as a salvage strategy. With further understanding of the molecular pathobiology of PTCL, several innovative approaches incorporating immunomodulatory agents, epigenetic therapies, oncogenic kinase inhibitors and immunotherapeutics have come to the forefront. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the progress in developing clinical prognostic indices for PTCL and describe the broad therapeutic landscape, emphasizing novel targetable pathways that have entered early phase clinical studies.


Subject(s)
Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral , Humans , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/drug therapy , Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/therapy , Risk Assessment , Prognosis , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Immunotherapy/methods , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods
4.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1369531, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38799429

ABSTRACT

Background: Desmoplastic melanoma (DM) is a rare subtype of melanoma characterized by high immunogenicity which makes it particularly suitable for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treatment. Case presentation: We report the case of a 53-year-old man with metastatic DM successfully treated with the combination of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies, who developed serious immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The primary tumor was characterized by absent PD-L1 expression and no-brisk lymphocytes infiltration. NGS showed absence of BRAF mutation, a high tumor mutational burden, and an UV-induced DNA damage signature. Metastatic lesions regressed rapidly after few cycles of ICIs until complete response, however the patient developed serious irAEs including hypothyroidism, adrenal deficiency, and acute interstitial nephritis which led to the definitive suspension of treatment. Currently, the patient has normal renal functionality and no disease relapse after 26 months from starting immunotherapy, and after 9 months from its definitive suspension. Conclusion: Efficacy and toxicity are two sides of the same coin of high sensitivity to ICIs in DM. For this reason, these patients should be closely monitored during ICIs therapy to promptly identify serious side effects and to correctly manage them.


Subject(s)
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Melanoma , Humans , Male , Melanoma/drug therapy , Melanoma/immunology , Middle Aged , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/adverse effects , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Immunotherapy/adverse effects , Immunotherapy/methods , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Skin Neoplasms/immunology , CTLA-4 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors , Treatment Outcome , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors
5.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1376590, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38799431

ABSTRACT

Background: Research of immunotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma has yielded some results, but more clinical data are needed to prove its efficacy and safety. Moreover, there is a need to identify accessible indexes for selecting patients who may benefit from such treatments. Methods: The medical records of 66 cholangiocarcinoma patients who underwent immunotherapy were retrospectively collected. The effectiveness of immunotherapy was assessed by tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), while safety was evaluated by adverse events during treatment. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic risk factors for PFS and OS, and Kaplan-Meier curves of potential prognostic factors were drawn. Results: Overall, in this study, immunotherapy achieved an objective response rate of 24.2% and a disease control rate of 89.4% for the included patients. The median PFS was 445 days, and the median OS was 772.5 days. Of the 66 patients, 65 experienced adverse events during treatment, but none had severe consequences. Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that tumor number is a prognostic risk factor for disease progression following immunotherapy in cholangiocarcinoma patients, while tumor differentiation and the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index are independent risk factors for OS. Conclusion: In general, immunotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma is safe, with adverse events remaining within manageable limits, and it can effectively control disease progression in most patients. The FIB-4 index may reflect the potential benefit of immunotherapy for patients with cholangiocarcinoma.


Subject(s)
Bile Duct Neoplasms , Cholangiocarcinoma , Immunotherapy , Humans , Cholangiocarcinoma/therapy , Cholangiocarcinoma/immunology , Cholangiocarcinoma/mortality , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Bile Duct Neoplasms/therapy , Bile Duct Neoplasms/mortality , Bile Duct Neoplasms/immunology , Aged , Prognosis , Immunotherapy/adverse effects , Immunotherapy/methods , Retrospective Studies , Adult , Fibrosis , Aged, 80 and over , Risk Factors
6.
Cell Rep Med ; 5(5): 101549, 2024 May 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38703767

ABSTRACT

There is a compelling need for approaches to predict the efficacy of immunotherapy drugs. Tumor-on-chip technology exploits microfluidics to generate 3D cell co-cultures embedded in hydrogels that recapitulate simplified tumor ecosystems. Here, we present the development and validation of lung tumor-on-chip platforms to quickly and precisely measure ex vivo the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on T cell-mediated cancer cell death by exploiting the power of live imaging and advanced image analysis algorithms. The integration of autologous immunosuppressive FAP+ cancer-associated fibroblasts impaired the response to anti-PD-1, indicating that tumors-on-chips are capable of recapitulating stroma-dependent mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance. For a small cohort of non-small cell lung cancer patients, we generated personalized tumors-on-chips with their autologous primary cells isolated from fresh tumor samples, and we measured the responses to anti-PD-1 treatment. These results support the power of tumor-on-chip technology in immuno-oncology research and open a path to future clinical validations.


Subject(s)
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Lung Neoplasms , Precision Medicine , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/immunology , Precision Medicine/methods , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunology , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/immunology , Lab-On-A-Chip Devices , Immunotherapy/methods , Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Cell Line, Tumor
7.
Immunol Lett ; 267: 106864, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38705481

ABSTRACT

Tumor-associated myeloid cells, including macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, can be highly prevalent in solid tumors and play a significant role in the development of the tumor. Therefore, myeloid cells are being considered potential targets for cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we focused on strategies aimed at targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Most strategies were studied preclinically but we also included a limited number of clinical studies based on these strategies. We describe possible underlying mechanisms and discuss future challenges and prospects.


Subject(s)
Immunotherapy , Neoplasms , Tumor Microenvironment , Tumor-Associated Macrophages , Humans , Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasms/immunology , Immunotherapy/methods , Animals , Tumor-Associated Macrophages/immunology , Tumor-Associated Macrophages/metabolism , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Macrophages/immunology , Macrophages/metabolism , Cellular Reprogramming/immunology , Macrophage Activation/immunology
8.
Cell Death Dis ; 15(5): 377, 2024 May 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38816455

ABSTRACT

Gastric cancer (GC) is a major global health issue, being the fifth most prevalent cancer and the third highest contributor to cancer-related deaths. Although treatment strategies for GC have diversified, the prognosis for advanced GC remains poor. Hence, there is a critical need to explore new directions for GC treatment to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and patient prognosis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key players in tumor development and progression. Different sources of EVs carry different molecules, resulting in distinct biological functions. For instance, tumor-derived EVs can promote tumor cell proliferation, alter the tumor microenvironment and immune response, while EVs derived from immune cells carry molecules that regulate immune function and possess tumor-killing capabilities. Numerous studies have demonstrated the crucial role of EVs in the development, immune escape, and immune microenvironment remodeling in GC. In this review, we discuss the role of GC-derived EVs in immune microenvironment remodeling and EVs derived from immune cells in GC development. Furthermore, we provide an overview of the potential uses of EVs in immunotherapy for GC.


Subject(s)
Extracellular Vesicles , Stomach Neoplasms , Tumor Escape , Tumor Microenvironment , Humans , Stomach Neoplasms/immunology , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology , Stomach Neoplasms/therapy , Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism , Extracellular Vesicles/immunology , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Cell Death , Animals , Immunotherapy/methods
9.
BMC Cancer ; 24(1): 662, 2024 May 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38816701

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite increased use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with advanced melanoma, little is known about patient experiences during this treatment. This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of experiences and unmet care needs of patients treated in the adjuvant or metastatic setting for advanced melanoma regarding their ICI treatment trajectory. METHODS: Interviews and focus groups were conducted among 35 patients treated with ICIs in the adjuvant setting for completely resected stage III (n = 14), or in the metastatic setting for irresectable stage IV (n = 21) melanoma. A thorough thematic content analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified. When (1) dealing with uncertainty in the decision-making process, adjuvant patients explored the pros and cons, whereas metastatic patients considered immunotherapy their only viable option. Both groups expressed the need for additional guidance. In (2) navigating the immunotherapy course, both perceived the trajectory as intense, experienced a major impact on their and their (close) relatives' lives, and felt the need to (re)gain control. When (3) looking back on the immunotherapy experience, metastatic patients generally felt relieved, while among adjuvant patients, feelings of doubt regarding their choice for ICIs were also reported. CONCLUSIONS: ICI treatment is perceived as intensive for both patient groups, facing both comparable and distinct challenges throughout the treatment trajectory, underscoring the need for stage-specific, individualised guidance. Options regarding flexible follow-ups, low-threshold contact and psychosocial support throughout the treatment trajectory should be explored.


Subject(s)
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Immunotherapy , Melanoma , Humans , Melanoma/therapy , Melanoma/drug therapy , Melanoma/immunology , Female , Male , Middle Aged , Aged , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Adult , Immunotherapy/methods , Decision Making , Focus Groups , Neoplasm Metastasis , Qualitative Research , Aged, 80 and over
10.
Anticancer Res ; 44(6): 2343-2348, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38821609

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: The standard treatment for localized prostate cancer involves surgical removal of the prostate with curative intent. However, when tumor cells persist in the operation site, there is high risk of local recurrence and tumor spread, leading to stressful follow-up treatments, impaired quality of life, and reduced overall survival. This study examined photoimmunotherapy (PIT) as a new treatment option for prostate cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We generated conjugates consisting of either a humanized antibody or Fab fragments thereof targeting the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), along with our silicon phthalocyanine photosensitizer dye WB692-CB1. PSMA-expressing prostate cancer cells were incubated with the antibody dye or Fab dye conjugates and cell binding was measured using flow cytometry. Cells were irradiated with varying doses of red light for dye activation, and cytotoxicity was determined by erythrosin B staining and subsequent analysis using a Neubauer counting chamber. RESULTS: Specific cytotoxicity was induced with the antibody dye conjugate in the prostate cancer cells in a light dose-dependent manner. Treatment of the cells with the Fab dye conjugate resulted in lower cytotoxicity, which could be attributed to a reduced binding affinity and a reduced dye uptake of the Fab fragment. CONCLUSION: Our new antibody dye and Fab dye conjugates offer potential for future intraoperative PIT in patients with localized prostate cancer, with the aim to ensure complete removal of tumor cells from the surgical area, to avoid local recurrence, and to improve clinical outcome.


Subject(s)
Antigens, Surface , Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments , Immunotherapy , Prostatic Neoplasms , Humans , Male , Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/immunology , Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/chemistry , Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/pharmacology , Prostatic Neoplasms/therapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Immunotherapy/methods , Cell Line, Tumor , Antigens, Surface/immunology , Antigens, Surface/metabolism , Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II/immunology , Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II/metabolism , Photosensitizing Agents/pharmacology , Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use , Phototherapy/methods , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use
11.
J Immunother Cancer ; 12(5)2024 May 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38821716

ABSTRACT

Cytokines are small proteins that regulate the growth and functional activity of immune cells, and several have been approved for cancer therapy. Oncolytic viruses are agents that mediate antitumor activity by directly killing tumor cells and inducing immune responses. Talimogene laherparepvec is an oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (oHSV), approved for the treatment of recurrent melanoma, and the virus encodes the human cytokine, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). A significant advantage of oncolytic viruses is the ability to deliver therapeutic payloads to the tumor site that can help drive antitumor immunity. While cytokines are especially interesting as payloads, the optimal cytokine(s) used in oncolytic viruses remains controversial. In this review, we highlight preliminary data with several cytokines and chemokines, including GM-CSF, interleukin 12, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 2, interleukin 15, interleukin 18, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 4, or their combinations, and show how these payloads can further enhance the antitumor immunity of oHSV. A better understanding of cytokine delivery by oHSV can help improve clinical benefit from oncolytic virus immunotherapy in patients with cancer.


Subject(s)
Cytokines , Immunotherapy , Neoplasms , Oncolytic Virotherapy , Oncolytic Viruses , Humans , Oncolytic Virotherapy/methods , Oncolytic Viruses/immunology , Oncolytic Viruses/genetics , Cytokines/metabolism , Immunotherapy/methods , Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasms/immunology , Animals , Simplexvirus/immunology , Simplexvirus/genetics , Herpesvirus 1, Human/immunology
13.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1399926, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38817608

ABSTRACT

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a groundbreaking advance in the treatment of malignancies such as melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, showcasing substantial therapeutic benefits. Nonetheless, the efficacy of ICIs is limited to a small subset of patients, primarily benefiting those with "hot" tumors characterized by significant immune infiltration. The challenge of converting "cold" tumors, which exhibit minimal immune activity, into "hot" tumors to enhance their responsiveness to ICIs is a critical and complex area of current research. Central to this endeavor is the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway, a pivotal nexus between innate and adaptive immunity. This pathway's activation promotes the production of type I interferon (IFN) and the recruitment of CD8+ T cells, thereby transforming the tumor microenvironment (TME) from "cold" to "hot". This review comprehensively explores the cGAS-STING pathway's role in reconditioning the TME, detailing the underlying mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity and highlighting the contributions of various immune cells to tumor immunity. Furthermore, we delve into the latest clinical research on STING agonists and their potential in combination therapies, targeting this pathway. The discussion concludes with an examination of the challenges facing the advancement of promising STING agonists in clinical trials and the pressing issues within the cGAS-STING signaling pathway research.


Subject(s)
Immunotherapy , Membrane Proteins , Neoplasms , Nucleotidyltransferases , Signal Transduction , Tumor Microenvironment , Humans , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Immunotherapy/methods , Neoplasms/immunology , Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasms/metabolism , Animals , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Immunity, Innate , Adaptive Immunity
14.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1416914, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38817605

ABSTRACT

Background: Angiogenesis, the process of forming new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, plays a crucial role in the development and advancement of cancer. Although blocking angiogenesis has shown success in treating different types of solid tumors, its relevance in prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) has not been thoroughly investigated. Method: This study utilized the WGCNA method to identify angiogenesis-related genes and assessed their diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with PRAD through cluster analysis. A diagnostic model was constructed using multiple machine learning techniques, while a prognostic model was developed employing the LASSO algorithm, underscoring the relevance of angiogenesis-related genes in PRAD. Further analysis identified MAP7D3 as the most significant prognostic gene among angiogenesis-related genes using multivariate Cox regression analysis and various machine learning algorithms. The study also investigated the correlation between MAP7D3 and immune infiltration as well as drug sensitivity in PRAD. Molecular docking analysis was conducted to assess the binding affinity of MAP7D3 to angiogenic drugs. Immunohistochemistry analysis of 60 PRAD tissue samples confirmed the expression and prognostic value of MAP7D3. Result: Overall, the study identified 10 key angiogenesis-related genes through WGCNA and demonstrated their potential prognostic and immune-related implications in PRAD patients. MAP7D3 is found to be closely associated with the prognosis of PRAD and its response to immunotherapy. Through molecular docking studies, it was revealed that MAP7D3 exhibits a high binding affinity to angiogenic drugs. Furthermore, experimental data confirmed the upregulation of MAP7D3 in PRAD, correlating with a poorer prognosis. Conclusion: Our study confirmed the important role of angiogenesis-related genes in PRAD and identified a new angiogenesis-related target MAP7D3.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma , Immunotherapy , Machine Learning , Neovascularization, Pathologic , Prostatic Neoplasms , Humans , Male , Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/immunology , Prostatic Neoplasms/therapy , Prognosis , Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics , Neovascularization, Pathologic/immunology , Immunotherapy/methods , Adenocarcinoma/genetics , Adenocarcinoma/immunology , Adenocarcinoma/therapy , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics , Molecular Docking Simulation , Gene Expression Profiling , Angiogenesis
15.
World J Gastroenterol ; 30(19): 2496-2501, 2024 May 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38817664

ABSTRACT

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy has dramatically improved patient prognosis, and thereby transformed the treatment in various cancer types including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the past decade. Monoclonal antibodies that selectively inhibit programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) activity has now become standard of care in the treatment of ESCC in metastatic settings, and has a high expectation to provide clinical benefit during perioperative period. Further, anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibody has also been approved in the treatment of recurrent/metastatic ESCC in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody. Well understanding of the existing evidence of immune-based treatments for ESCC, as well as recent clinical trials on various combinations with chemotherapy for different clinical settings including neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic diseases, may provide future prospects of ESCC treatment for better patient outcomes.


Subject(s)
CTLA-4 Antigen , Esophageal Neoplasms , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Immunotherapy , Neoadjuvant Therapy , Humans , Esophageal Neoplasms/therapy , Esophageal Neoplasms/immunology , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Esophageal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/therapy , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/immunology , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/pathology , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/drug therapy , Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods , CTLA-4 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors , CTLA-4 Antigen/immunology , Immunotherapy/methods , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunology , Treatment Outcome , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/methods , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Prognosis , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/prevention & control , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/immunology
16.
World J Gastroenterol ; 30(19): 2512-2522, 2024 May 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38817666

ABSTRACT

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a high mortality neoplasm which usually appears on a cirrhotic liver. The therapeutic arsenal and subsequent prognostic outlook are intrinsically linked to the HCC stage at diagnosis. Notwithstanding the current deployment of treatments with curative intent (liver resection/local ablation and liver transplantation) in early and intermediate stages, a high rate of HCC recurrence persists, underscoring a pivotal clinical challenge. Emergent systemic therapies (ST), particularly immunotherapy, have demonstrate promising outcomes in terms of increase overall survival, but they are currently bound to the advanced stage of HCC. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the literature, encompassing studies up to March 10, 2024, evaluating the impact of novel ST in the early and intermediate HCC stages, specially focusing on the findings of neoadjuvant and adjuvant regimens, aimed at increasing significantly overall survival and recurrence-free survival after a treatment with curative intent. We also investigate the potential role of ST in enhancing the downstaging rate for the intermediate-stage HCC initially deemed ineligible for treatment with curative intent. Finally, we critically discuss about the current relevance of the results of these studies and the encouraging future implications of ST in the treatment schedules of early and intermediate HCC stages.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , Neoadjuvant Therapy , Neoplasm Staging , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/mortality , Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods , Neoadjuvant Therapy/trends , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Immunotherapy/methods , Hepatectomy , Liver Transplantation , Treatment Outcome , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/methods , Prognosis
17.
J Immunol Res ; 2024: 3604935, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38774604

ABSTRACT

Objective: Immunotherapy has proven effective in treating advanced gastric cancer (AGC), yet its benefits are limited to a subset of patients. Our aim is to swiftly identify prognostic biomarkers using cytokines to improve the precision of clinical guidance and decision-making for PD-1 inhibitor-based cancer immunotherapy in AGC. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study compared 36 patients with AGC who received combined anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and chemotherapy (immunochemotherapy) with a control group of 20 patients who received chemotherapy alone. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17 in the serum were assessed using chemiluminescence immunoassay at three distinct time intervals following the commencement of immunochemotherapy. Results: When compared to controls, patients undergoing immunochemotherapy demonstrated a generalized rise in cytokine levels after the start of treatment. However, patients who benefited from immunochemotherapy showed a decrease in IL-6 or IL-8 concentrations throughout treatment (with varied trends observed for IL-1ß, IL-2R, IL-10, IL-17, and TNF-α) was evident in patients benefiting from immunochemotherapy but not in those who did not benefit. Among these markers, the combination of IL-6, IL-8, and CEA showed optimal predictive performance for short-term efficacy of immunochemotherapy in AGC patients. Conclusion: Reductions in IL-6/IL-8 levels observed during immunochemotherapy correlated with increased responsiveness to treatment effectiveness. These easily accessible blood-based biomarkers are predictive and rapid and may play a crucial role in identifying individuals likely to derive benefits from PD-1 blockade immunotherapy.


Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Interleukin-6 , Interleukin-8 , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor , Stomach Neoplasms , Humans , Stomach Neoplasms/drug therapy , Stomach Neoplasms/diagnosis , Stomach Neoplasms/therapy , Stomach Neoplasms/immunology , Female , Male , Middle Aged , Aged , Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Interleukin-6/blood , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors , Interleukin-8/blood , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Adult , Prognosis , Immunotherapy/methods , Neoplasm Staging , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
18.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1397541, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38774870

ABSTRACT

Aim: Despite the significant therapeutic outcomes achieved in systemic treatments for liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), it is an objective reality that only a low proportion of patients exhibit an improved objective response rate (ORR) to current immunotherapies. Antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) immunotherapy is considered the new engine for precision immunotherapy. Based on this, we aim to develop an ADCP-based LIHC risk stratification system and screen for relevant targets. Method: Utilizing a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA-seq data, we screened for ADCP modulating factors in LIHC and identified differentially expressed genes along with their involved functional pathways. A risk scoring model was established by identifying ADCP-related genes with prognostic value through LASSO Cox regression analysis. The risk scoring model was then subjected to evaluations of immune infiltration and immunotherapy relevance, with pan-cancer analysis and in vitro experimental studies conducted on key targets. Results: Building on the research by Kamber RA et al., we identified GYPA, CLDN18, and IRX5 as potential key target genes regulating ADCP in LIHC. These genes demonstrated significant correlations with immune infiltration cells, such as M1-type macrophages, and the effectiveness of immunotherapy in LIHC, as well as a close association with clinical pathological staging and patient prognosis. Pan-cancer analysis revealed that CLDN18 was prognostically and immunologically relevant across multiple types of cancer. Validation through tissue and cell samples confirmed that GYPA and CLDN18 were upregulated in liver cancer tissues and cells. Furthermore, in vitro knockdown of CLDN18 inhibited the malignancy capabilities of liver cancer cells. Conclusion: We have identified an ADCP signature in LIHC comprising three genes. Analysis based on a risk scoring model derived from these three genes, coupled with subsequent experimental validation, confirmed the pivotal role of M1-type macrophages in ADCP within LIHC, establishing CLDN18 as a critical ADCP regulatory target in LIHC.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Liver Neoplasms , RNA-Seq , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/immunology , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Prognosis , Immunotherapy/methods , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Single-Cell Analysis , Phagocytosis/genetics , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Tumor Microenvironment/genetics , Gene Expression Profiling , Male , Claudins/genetics , Female , Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis
19.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1399975, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38774882

ABSTRACT

Recently, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have emerged as effective treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This progress has been facilitated by the rapid development of diagnostic and therapeutic technologies and the continuous research and development of new drugs, leading to a new era in precision medicine for NSCLC. This is a breakthrough for patients with common mutations in the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in NSCLC. Consequently, the use of targeted drugs has significantly improved survival. Nevertheless, certain rare genetic mutations are referred to as EGFR exon 20 insertion (ex20ins) mutations, which differ in structure from conventional EGFR gene mutations, namely, exon 19 deletion mutations (19-Del) and exon 21 point mutations. Owing to their distinct structural characteristics, patients harboring these EGFR ex20ins mutations are unresponsive to traditional tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. This particular group of patients did not fall within the scope of their applicability. However, the activating A763_Y764insFQEA mutation elicits a more pronounced response than mutations in the near and far regions of the C-helix immediately following it and should, therefore, be treated differently. Currently, there is a lack of effective treatments for EGFR ex20ins mutations NSCLC. The efficacy of chemotherapy has been relatively favorable, whereas the effectiveness of immunotherapy remains ambiguous owing to inadequate clinical data. In addition, the efficacy of the first- and second-generation targeted drugs remains limited. However, third-generation and novel targeted drugs have proven to be effective. Although novel EGFR-TKIs are expected to treat EGFR ex20ins mutations in patients with NSCLC, they face many challenges. The main focus of this review is on emerging therapies that target NSCLC with EGFR ex20ins and highlight major ongoing clinical trials while also providing an overview of the associated challenges and research advancements in this area.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , ErbB Receptors , Exons , Lung Neoplasms , Humans , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , ErbB Receptors/genetics , ErbB Receptors/antagonists & inhibitors , Exons/genetics , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Immunotherapy/methods , Mutagenesis, Insertional , Molecular Targeted Therapy , Mutation , Animals
20.
Acta Oncol ; 63: 368-372, 2024 May 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38779868

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Drug Rediscovery Protocol (DRUP) is a Dutch, pan-cancer, nonrandomized clinical trial that aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of targeted and immunotherapies outside their registered indication in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. PATIENTS: Patients with advanced or metastatic cancer are eligible when there are no standard of care treatment options left and the tumor possesses a molecular genomic variant for which commercially available anticancer treatment is accessible off-label in DRUP. Clinical benefit is the study's primary endpoint, characterized by a confirmed objective response or stable disease after at least 16 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: More than 2,500 patients have undergone evaluation, of which over 1,500 have started treatment in DRUP. The overall clinical benefit rate (CBR) remains 33%. The nivolumab cohort for patients with microsatellite instable metastatic tumors proved highly successful with a CBR of 63%, while palbociclib or ribociclib in patients with tumors harboring CDK4/6 pathway alterations showed limited efficacy, with a CBR of 15%. The formation of two European initiatives (PCM4EU and PRIME-ROSE) strives to accelerate implementation and enhance data collection to broaden equitable access to anticancer treatments and gather more evidence. CONCLUSION: DRUP persists in improving patients access to off-label targeted or immunotherapy in the Netherlands and beyond. The expansion of DRUP-like clinical trials across Europe provides countless opportunities for broadening the horizon of precision oncology.


Subject(s)
Neoplasms , Precision Medicine , Humans , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasms/genetics , Precision Medicine/methods , Netherlands , Immunotherapy/methods , Medical Oncology/methods , Medical Oncology/trends , Piperazines/therapeutic use , Pyridines/therapeutic use , Nivolumab/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods
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