Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
BioMedInformatics biomedinformatics	-	1.7	2021	22 Days	CHF 1000
Cancers cancers	4.5	8.0	2009	17.4 Days	CHF 2900
Cells cells	5.1	9.9	2012	17 Days	CHF 2700
Diagnostics diagnostics	3.0	4.7	2011	20.3 Days	CHF 2600
Immuno immuno	2.1	2.6	2021	26.8 Days	CHF 1000
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	8.1	2000	16.8 Days	CHF 2900

36 pages, 11803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interplay of Transcriptomic Regulation, Microbiota, and Signaling Pathways in Lung and Gut Inflammation-Induced Tumorigenesis

by Beatriz Andrea Otálora-Otálora, César Payán-Gómez, Juan Javier López-Rivera, Natalia Belén Pedroza-Aconcha, Sally Lorena Arboleda-Mojica, Claudia Aristizábal-Guzmán, Mario Arturo Isaza-Ruget and Carlos Arturo Álvarez-Moreno

Cells 2025, 14(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14010001 - 24 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1359

Abstract

Inflammation can positively and negatively affect tumorigenesis based on the duration, scope, and sequence of related events through the regulation of signaling pathways. A transcriptomic analysis of five pulmonary arterial hypertension, twelve Crohn’s disease, and twelve ulcerative colitis high throughput sequencing datasets using [...] Read more.

Inflammation can positively and negatively affect tumorigenesis based on the duration, scope, and sequence of related events through the regulation of signaling pathways. A transcriptomic analysis of five pulmonary arterial hypertension, twelve Crohn’s disease, and twelve ulcerative colitis high throughput sequencing datasets using R language specialized libraries and gene enrichment analyses identified a regulatory network in each inflammatory disease. IRF9 and LINC01089 in pulmonary arterial hypertension are related to the regulation of signaling pathways like MAPK, NOTCH, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis c infection. ZNF91 and TP53TG1 in Crohn’s disease are related to the regulation of PPAR, MAPK, and metabolic signaling pathways. ZNF91, VDR, DLEU1, SATB2-AS1, and TP53TG1 in ulcerative colitis are related to the regulation of PPAR, AMPK, and metabolic signaling pathways. The activation of the transcriptomic network and signaling pathways might be related to the interaction of the characteristic microbiota of the inflammatory disease, with the lung and gut cell receptors present in membrane rafts and complexes. The transcriptomic analysis highlights the impact of several coding and non-coding RNAs, suggesting their relationship with the unlocking of cell phenotypic plasticity for the acquisition of the hallmarks of cancer during lung and gut cell adaptation to inflammatory phenotypes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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17 pages, 44291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inflammation-Triggering Engineered Macrophages (MacTriggers) Enhance Reactivity of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Only in Tumor Tissues

by Kenta Tanito, Teruki Nii, Kanae Wakuya, Yusuke Hamabe, Toma Yoshimi, Takanatsu Hosokawa, Akihiro Kishimura, Takeshi Mori and Yoshiki Katayama

Cancers 2024, 16(22), 3787; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16223787 - 10 Nov 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1854

Abstract

Background: We have previously reported engineered macrophages (MacTriggers) that can accelerate the release of tumor necrosis factor-α in response to M2 polarization. MacTriggers are characterized by two original characteristics of macrophages: (1) migration to tumors; and (2) polarization to the M2 phenotype in [...] Read more.

Background: We have previously reported engineered macrophages (MacTriggers) that can accelerate the release of tumor necrosis factor-α in response to M2 polarization. MacTriggers are characterized by two original characteristics of macrophages: (1) migration to tumors; and (2) polarization to the M2 phenotype in tumors. Intravenously administered MacTriggers efficiently accumulated in the tumors and induced tumor-specific inflammation. This study reports a novel methodology for enhancing the anti-tumor effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Results: In this study, we newly found that the intravenously administered MacTriggers in BALB/c mouse models upregulated the expression levels of immune checkpoint proteins, such as programmed cell death (PD)-1 in CD8⁺ T cells and PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in cancer cells and macrophages. Consequently, in two ICI-resistant tumor-inoculated mouse models, the combined administration of MacTrigger and anti-PD-1 antibody (aPD-1) synergistically inhibited tumor growth, whereas monotherapy with aPD-1 did not exhibit anti-tumor effects. This synergistic effect was mainly from aPD-1 enhancing the tumor-attacking ability of CD8⁺ T cells, which could infiltrate into the tumors following MacTrigger treatment. Importantly, no side effects were observed in normal tissues, particularly in the liver and spleen, indicating that the MacTriggers did not enhance the aPD-1 reactivity in normal tissues. This specificity was from the MacTriggers not polarizing to the M2 phenotype in normal tissues, thereby avoiding inflammation and increased PD-1/PD-L1 expression. MacTriggers could enhance aPD-1 reactivity only in tumors following tumor-specific inflammation induction. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the MacTrigger and aPD-1 combination therapy is a novel approach for potentially overcoming the current low ICI response rates while avoiding side effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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7 pages, 1009 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Galectin-1 Induces the Production of Immune-Suppressive Cytokines in Human and Mouse T Cells

by Kimberly D. Herman, Ian Holyer, Duncan C. Humphries, Anna Adamska, James A. Roper, Kristoffer Peterson, Fredrik R. Zetterberg, Anders Pedersen, Alison C. MacKinnon and Robert J. Slack

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 11948; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252211948 - 7 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1196

Abstract

Galectin-1 is implicated in several pro-tumourigenic mechanisms and is considered immune-suppressive. The pharmacological inhibition of galectin-1 may be beneficial in cancers in which galectin-1 is overexpressed and driving cancer progression. This study aimed to further characterise the immunosuppressive cytokines influenced by galectin-1 in [...] Read more.

Galectin-1 is implicated in several pro-tumourigenic mechanisms and is considered immune-suppressive. The pharmacological inhibition of galectin-1 may be beneficial in cancers in which galectin-1 is overexpressed and driving cancer progression. This study aimed to further characterise the immunosuppressive cytokines influenced by galectin-1 in in vitro immune cell cultures and an in vivo inflammatory model using a recently discovered selective inhibitor of galectin-1, GB1908. To enable a translational approach and link mouse and human pharmacology, anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulated T cells cultured from human whole blood and mouse spleens were compared. For in vivo studies of T cell-mediated inflammation, the concanavalin-A (Con-A) mouse model was used to induce a T lymphocyte-driven acute liver injury phenotype. The inhibition of galectin-1 with GB1908 reduced IL-17A, IFNγ and TNFα in a concentration-dependent manner in both mouse and human T cells in vitro. The immunosuppressive cytokines measured in Con-A-treated mice were all upregulated compared to naïve mice. Subsequently, mice treated with GB1908 demonstrated a significant reduction in IL-17A, IFNγ, IL-6 and TNFα compared to vehicle-treated mice. In conclusion, galectin-1 induced the production of several important immune-suppressive cytokines from T cells in vitro and in vivo. This result suggests that, in the context of cancer therapy, a selective galectin-1 could be a viable approach as a monotherapy, or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents and/or checkpoint inhibitors, to enhance the numbers and activity of cytotoxic T cells in the tumour microenvironment of high galectin-1 expressing cancers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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17 pages, 932 KiB

Open AccessReview

Mechanisms of Immune Evasion in PTEN Loss Prostate Cancer

by Jorge Esteban-Villarrubia, Pablo Alvarez Ballesteros, Miguel Martín-Serrano, María Ruiz Vico, Juan M Funes, Guillermo de Velasco, Elena Castro, David Olmos, Daniel Castellano and Enrique González-Billalabeitia

Immuno 2024, 4(4), 444-460; https://doi.org/10.3390/immuno4040028 - 1 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1910

Abstract

PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) is a frequently lost tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer, leading to aggressive tumor behavior and poor clinical outcomes. PTEN loss results in aberrant activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, promoting oncogenesis. These alterations also lead to an immunosuppressive [...] Read more.

PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) is a frequently lost tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer, leading to aggressive tumor behavior and poor clinical outcomes. PTEN loss results in aberrant activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, promoting oncogenesis. These alterations also lead to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment with altered immune cell infiltration, cytokine profiles, and immune checkpoint regulation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms underlying PTEN loss in prostate cancer and the consequent immune alterations observed in this subtype, thus underscoring the importance of understanding PTEN-mediated immune modulation for the development of effective therapeutic interventions in prostate cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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26 pages, 10009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contemporaneous Inflammatory, Angiogenic, Fibrogenic, and Angiostatic Cytokine Profiles of the Time-to-Tumor Development by Cancer Cells to Orchestrate Tumor Neovascularization, Progression, and Metastasis

by Elizabeth Skapinker, Emilyn B. Aucoin, Haley L. Kombargi, Abdulrahman M. Yaish, Yunfan Li, Leili Baghaie and Myron R. Szewczuk

Cells 2024, 13(20), 1739; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13201739 - 20 Oct 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1660

Abstract

Cytokines can promote various cancer processes, such as angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and tumor progression, and maintain cancer stem-cell-like (CSCs) cells. The mechanism(s) that continuously promote(s) tumors to progress in the TME still need(s) to be investigated. The data in [...] Read more.

Cytokines can promote various cancer processes, such as angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and tumor progression, and maintain cancer stem-cell-like (CSCs) cells. The mechanism(s) that continuously promote(s) tumors to progress in the TME still need(s) to be investigated. The data in the present study analyzed the inflammatory, angiogenic, fibrogenic, and angiostatic cytokine profiles in the host serum during tumor development in a mouse model of human pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic MiaPaCa-2-eGFP cancer cells were subcutaneously implanted in RAG2xCγ double mutant mice. Blood samples were collected before cancer cell implantation and every week until the end point of the study. The extracted serum from the blood of each mouse at different time points during tumor development was analyzed using a Bio-Plex microarray analysis and a Bio-Plex 200 system for proinflammatory (IL-1β, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) and angiogenic and fibrogenic (IL-15, IL-18, basic FGF, LIF, M-CSF, MIG, MIP-2, PDGF-BB, and VEGF) cytokines. Here, we find that during cancer cell colonization for tumor development, host angiogenic, fibrogenic, and proinflammatory cytokine profiling in the tumor-bearing mice has been shown to significantly reduce host angiostatic and proinflammatory cytokines that restrain tumor development and increase those for tumor growth. The proinflammatory cytokines IL-15, IL-18, and IL-1β profiles reveal a significant host serum increase after day 35 when the tumor began to progress in growth. In contrast, the angiostatic cytokine profiles of TNFα, MIG, M-CSF, IL-10, and IFNγ in the host serum revealed a dramatic and significant decrease after day 5 post-implantation of cancer cells. OP treatment of tumor-bearing mice on day 35 maintained high levels of angiostatic and fibrogenic cytokines. The data suggest an entirely new regulation by cancer cells for tumor development. The findings identify for the first time how pancreatic cancer cells use host cytokine profiling to orchestrate the initiation of tumor development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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23 pages, 7113 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tumor-Infiltrating T Cells in Skin Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Global Th1 Preponderance with Th17 Enrichment—A Cross-Sectional Study

by Daniela Cunha, Marco Neves, Daniela Silva, Ana Rita Silvestre, Paula Borralho Nunes, Fernando Arrobas, Julie C. Ribot, Fernando Ferreira, Luís F. Moita, Luís Soares-de-Almeida, João Maia Silva, Paulo Filipe and João Ferreira

Cells 2024, 13(11), 964; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13110964 - 3 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2349

Abstract

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are high-incidence, non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). The success of immune-targeted therapies in advanced NMSCs led us to anticipate that NMSCs harbored significant populations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with potential anti-tumor activity. The main aim of [...] Read more.

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are high-incidence, non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). The success of immune-targeted therapies in advanced NMSCs led us to anticipate that NMSCs harbored significant populations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with potential anti-tumor activity. The main aim of this study was to characterize T cells infiltrating NMSCs. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were used to assess, respectively, the proportions and densities of T cell subpopulations in BCCs (n = 118), SCCs (n = 33), and normal skin (NS, n = 30). CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cell subsets, namely, Th1, Th2, Th17, Th9, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD8+ and CD4+ memory T cells, and γδ T cells were compared between NMSCs and NS samples. Remarkably, both BCCs and SCCs featured a significantly higher Th1/Th2 ratio (~four-fold) and an enrichment for Th17 cells. NMSCs also showed a significant enrichment for IFN-γ-producing CD8+T cells, and a depletion of γδ T cells. Using immunohistochemistry, NMSCs featured denser T cell infiltrates (CD4+, CD8+, and Tregs) than NS. Overall, these data favor a Th1-predominant response in BCCs and SCCs, providing support for immune-based treatments in NMSCs. Th17-mediated inflammation may play a role in the progression of NMSCs and thus become a potential therapeutic target in NMSCs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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11 pages, 2281 KiB

Open AccessReview

Immune System Disorder and Cancer-Associated Cachexia

by Lingbing Zhang and Philip D. Bonomi

Cancers 2024, 16(9), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16091709 - 27 Apr 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3853

Abstract

Cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) is a debilitating condition marked by muscle and fat loss, that is unresponsive to nutritional support and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Immune dysfunction, driven by cytokine imbalance, contributes to CAC progression. This review explores [...] Read more.

Cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) is a debilitating condition marked by muscle and fat loss, that is unresponsive to nutritional support and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Immune dysfunction, driven by cytokine imbalance, contributes to CAC progression. This review explores the potential relationship between CAC and anti-cancer immune response in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Pre-clinical studies showcase the involvement of cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and TGF-β, in CAC. IL-6 and TNF-α, interacting with muscle and adipose tissues, induce wasting through JAK/STAT and NF-κB pathways. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) exacerbate CAC by promoting inflammation. Clinical studies confirm elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNFα) and immune markers like the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with CAC. Thus, immunomodulatory mechanisms involved in CAC may impact the anti-neoplastic immune response. Inhibiting CAC mechanisms could enhance anti-cancer therapies, notably immunotherapy. R-ketorolac, a new immunomodulator, reversed the weight loss and increased survival in mice. Combining these agents with immunotherapy may benefit patients with cancer experiencing CAC. Further research is vital to understand the complex interplay between tumor-induced immune dysregulation and CAC during immunotherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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22 pages, 11501 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Radiation-Induced Innate Neutrophil Response in Tumor Is Mediated by the CXCLs/CXCR2 Axis

by Faya Zhang, Oscar Mulvaney, Erica Salcedo, Subrata Manna, James Z. Zhu, Tao Wang, Chul Ahn, Laurentiu M. Pop and Raquibul Hannan

Cancers 2023, 15(23), 5686; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15235686 - 1 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2712

Abstract

The early events that lead to the inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects of radiation therapy (RT) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) after its DNA damage response activating the innate DNA-sensing pathways are largely unknown. Neutrophilic infiltration into the TME in response to RT is [...] Read more.

The early events that lead to the inflammatory and immune-modulatory effects of radiation therapy (RT) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) after its DNA damage response activating the innate DNA-sensing pathways are largely unknown. Neutrophilic infiltration into the TME in response to RT is an early innate inflammatory response that occurs within 24–48 h. Using two different syngeneic murine tumor models (RM-9 and MC-38), we demonstrated that CXCR2 blockade significantly reduced RT-induced neutrophilic infiltration. CXCR2 blockade showed the same effects on RT-induced tumor inhibition and host survival as direct neutrophil depletion. Neutrophils highly and preferentially expressed CXCR2 compared to other immune cells. Importantly, RT induced both gene and protein expression of CXCLs in the TME within 24 h, attracting neutrophils into the tumor. Expectedly, RT also upregulated the gene expression of both cGAS and AIM2 DNA-sensing pathways in cGAS-positive MC-38 tumors but not in cGAS-negative RM-9 tumors. Activation of these pathways resulted in increased IL-1β, which is known to activate the CXCLs/CXCR2 axis. Gene ontology analysis of mRNA-Seq supported these findings. Taken together, the findings suggest that the CXCLs/CXCR2 axis mediates the RT-induced innate inflammatory response in the TME, likely translating the effects of innate DNA-sensing pathways that are activated in response to RT-induced DNA damage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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16 pages, 2384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inflammatory Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Multiple Myeloma: Transcriptional Signature and In Vitro Modeling

by Lei Wang, Weijun Yi, Li Ma, Emily Lecea, Lori A. Hazlehurst, Donald A. Adjeroh and Gangqing Hu

Cancers 2023, 15(21), 5148; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15215148 - 26 Oct 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3122

Abstract

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM MSCs) play a tumor-supportive role in promoting drug resistance and disease relapse in multiple myeloma (MM). Recent studies have discovered a sub-population of MSCs, known as inflammatory MSCs (iMSCs), exclusive to the MM BM microenvironment and implicated [...] Read more.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM MSCs) play a tumor-supportive role in promoting drug resistance and disease relapse in multiple myeloma (MM). Recent studies have discovered a sub-population of MSCs, known as inflammatory MSCs (iMSCs), exclusive to the MM BM microenvironment and implicated in drug resistance. Through a sophisticated analysis of public expression data from unexpanded BM MSCs, we uncovered a positive association between iMSC signature expression and minimal residual disease. While in vitro expansion generally results in the loss of the iMSC signature, our meta-analysis of additional public expression data demonstrated that cytokine stimulation, including IL1-β and TNF-α, as well as immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, and MM cells, can reactivate the signature expression of iMSCs to varying extents. These findings underscore the importance and potential utility of cytokine stimulation in mimicking the gene expression signature of early passage of iMSCs for functional characterizations of their tumor-supportive roles in MM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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16 pages, 2442 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interleukin-8 and Interleukin-6 Are Biomarkers of Poor Prognosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

by Paula Roberta Aguiar Pastrez, Ana Margarida Barbosa, Vânia Sammartino Mariano, Rhafaela Lima Causin, Antonio Gil Castro, Egídio Torrado and Adhemar Longatto-Filho

Cancers 2023, 15(7), 1997; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15071997 - 27 Mar 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2394

Abstract

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common type of cancer characterized by fast progression and high mortality rates, which generally implies a poor prognosis at time of diagnosis. Intricate interaction networks of cytokines produced by resident and inflammatory cells in the tumor [...] Read more.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common type of cancer characterized by fast progression and high mortality rates, which generally implies a poor prognosis at time of diagnosis. Intricate interaction networks of cytokines produced by resident and inflammatory cells in the tumor microenvironment play crucial roles in ESCC development and metastasis, thus influencing therapy efficiency. As such, cytokines are the most prominent targets for specific therapies and prognostic parameters to predict tumor progression and aggressiveness. In this work, we examined the association between ESCC progression and the systemic levels of inflammatory cytokines to determine their usefulness as diagnostic biomarkers. We analyzed the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α e IL-12p70 in a group of 70 ESCC patients and 70 healthy individuals using Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) technology. We detected increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in ESCC patients compared to controls. However, multivariate analysis revealed that only IL8 was an independent prognostic factor for ESCC, as were the well-known risk factors: alcohol consumption, tobacco usage, and exposure to pesticides/insecticides. Importantly, patients with low IL-6, IL-8, TNM I/II, or those who underwent surgery had a significantly higher overall survival rate. We also studied cultured Kyse-30 and Kyse-410 cells in mice. We determined that the ESCC cell line Kyse-30 grew more aggressively than the Kyse-410 cell line. This enhanced growth was associated with the recruitment/accumulation of intratumoral polymorphonuclear leukocytes. In conclusion, our data suggest IL-8 as a valuable prognostic factor with potential as a biomarker for ESCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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17 pages, 4038 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The CXCL10/CXCR3 Pathway Contributes to the Synergy of Thermal Ablation and PD-1 Blockade Therapy against Tumors

by Wenlu Xiao, Hao Huang, Panpan Zheng, Yingting Liu, Yaping Chen, Junjun Chen, Xiao Zheng, Lujun Chen and Jingting Jiang

Cancers 2023, 15(5), 1427; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15051427 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2657

Abstract

As a practical local therapeutic approach to destroy tumor tissue, thermal ablation can activate tumor-specific T cells via enhancing tumor antigen presentation to the immune system. In the present study, we investigated changes in infiltrating immune cells in tumor tissues from the non-radiofrequency [...] Read more.

As a practical local therapeutic approach to destroy tumor tissue, thermal ablation can activate tumor-specific T cells via enhancing tumor antigen presentation to the immune system. In the present study, we investigated changes in infiltrating immune cells in tumor tissues from the non-radiofrequency ablation (RFA) side by analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of tumor-bearing mice compared with control tumors. We showed that ablation treatment could increase the proportion of CD8⁺T cells and the interaction between macrophages and T cells was altered. Another thermal ablation treatment, microwave ablation (MWA), increased the enrichment of signaling pathways for chemotaxis and chemokine response and was associated with the chemokine CXCL10. In addition, the immune checkpoint PD-1 was especially up-regulated in the infiltrating T cells of tumors on the non-ablation side after thermal ablation treatment. Combination therapy of ablation and PD-1 blockade had a synergistic anti-tumor effect. Furthermore, we found that the CXCL10/CXCR3 axis contributed to the therapeutic efficacy of ablation combined with anti-PD-1 therapy, and activation of the CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling pathway might improve the synergistic effect of this combination treatment against solid tumors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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19 pages, 7918 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Combined Risk Score Model to Assess Prognostic Value in Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcomas

by Zihua Li, Zhengwei Duan, Keyao Jia, Yiwen Yao, Kaiyuan Liu, Yue Qiao, Qiuming Gao, Yunfeng Yang, Guodong Li and Anquan Shang

Cells 2022, 11(24), 4077; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11244077 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2306

Abstract

A study by Tsvetkov et al. recently published a proposed novel form of copper-induced cell death in Science; however, few studies have looked into the possible mechanism in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Herein, this study sought to investigate the function of cuproptosis-related [...] Read more.

A study by Tsvetkov et al. recently published a proposed novel form of copper-induced cell death in Science; however, few studies have looked into the possible mechanism in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Herein, this study sought to investigate the function of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in the development of tumor-associated immune cells and the prognosis of sarcoma. Herein, this study aimed to explore the role of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in the development, tumor-associated immune cells, and the prognosis of sarcoma. Methods: The prognostic model was established via the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm as well as multivariate Cox regression analysis. The stromal scores, immune scores, ESTIMA scores, and tumor purity of sarcoma patients were evaluated by the ESTIMATE algorithm. Functional analyses were performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of immune cell infiltration and the prognosis of CRGs in sarcoma. Results: Two molecular subgroups with different CRG expression patterns were recognized, which showed that patients with a higher immune score and more active immune status were prone to have better prognostic survival. Moreover, GO and KEGG analyses showed that these differentially expressed CRGs were mainly enriched in metabolic/ions-related signaling pathways, indicating that CRGs may have impacts on the immune cell infiltration and prognosis of sarcoma via regulating the bioprocess of mitochondria and consequently affecting the immune microenvironment. The expression levels of CRGs were closely correlated to the immunity condition and prognostic survival of sarcoma patients. Conclusions: The interaction between cuproptosis and immunity in sarcoma may provide a novel insight into the study of molecular mechanisms and candidate biomarkers for the prognosis, resulting in effective treatments for sarcoma patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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15 pages, 2284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clinical Value of Ultrasonography and Serum Markers in Preoperative N Staging of Thyroid Cancer

by Hui Wang, Shanshan Zhao, Chunyang Xu, Jincao Yao, Xiuhua Yu and Dong Xu

Cells 2022, 11(22), 3621; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11223621 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2282

Abstract

We aimed to determine factors influencing lymph node metastasis (LNM) and develop a more effective method to assess preoperative N staging. Overall, data of 2130 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer between 2018 and 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into [...] Read more.

We aimed to determine factors influencing lymph node metastasis (LNM) and develop a more effective method to assess preoperative N staging. Overall, data of 2130 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer between 2018 and 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into groups according to pN0, pN1a, and pN1b stages. Pathology was used to analyse the correlation between preoperative serum marker indicators and LNM. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the diagnostic value of ultrasound (US) examination alone, serum thyroglobulin, age, and combined method for LNM. A significant moderate agreement was observed between preoperative US and postoperative pathology for N staging. Between the pN0 and pN1 (pN1a + pN1b) groups, the differences in free triiodothyronine, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody, and serum thyroglobulin levels were statistically significant. Among the indicators, serum thyroglobulin was an independent predictor of LNM. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.610 for serum thyroglobulin level for predicting LNM, 0.689 for US alone, and 0.742 for the combined method. Both preoperative US and serum thyroglobulin level provide a specific value when evaluating the N staging of thyroid cancer, and the combined method is more valuable in the diagnosis of LNM than US alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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20 pages, 2577 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Focus on the Dynamics of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

by Yusheng Guo, Dongqiao Xiang, Jiayu Wan, Lian Yang and Chuansheng Zheng

Cancers 2022, 14(21), 5297; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14215297 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 3505

Abstract

Background: A number of studies have reported an association between the dynamics of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and clinical efficacy in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), but there is still a lack of a meta-analysis or systematic review. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web [...] Read more.

Background: A number of studies have reported an association between the dynamics of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and clinical efficacy in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), but there is still a lack of a meta-analysis or systematic review. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched until September 2022 for studies reporting on the association between the change in NLR after ICI treatment and clinical outcomes. Outcome measures of interest included: change in NLR before and after treatment, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR). Results: A total of 4154 patients in 38 studies were included. The pooled percentage of patients with increased NLR was 49.7% (95CI%: 43.7–55.8%). Six studies discussing the change in NLR in patients with different tumor responses all showed that the NLR level in patients without response to immunotherapy may increase after ICI treatment. The upward trend in NLR was associated with shorter OS (pooled HR: 2.05, 95%CI: 1.79–2.35, p < 0.001) and PFS (pooled HR: 1.89, 95%CI: 1.66–2.14, p < 0.001) and higher ORR (pooled OR: 0.27, 95%CI: 0.19–0.39, p < 0.001), and downward trend in NLR was associated with longer OS (pooled HR: 0.49, 95%CI: 0.42–0.58, p < 0.001) and PFS (pooled HR: 0.55, 95%CI: 0.48–0.63, p < 0.001) and lower ORR (pooled OR: 3.26, 95%CI: 1.92–5.53, p < 0.001). In addition, post-treatment high NLR was associated with more impaired survival than baseline high NLR (pooled HR of baseline high NLR: 1.82, 95%CI: 1.52–2.18; pooled HR of post-treatment high NLR: 2.93, 95%CI: 2.26–3.81), but the NLR at different time points may have a similar predictive effect on PFS (pooled HR of baseline high NLR: 1.68, 95%CI: 1.44–1.97; pooled HR of post-treatment high NLR: 2.00, 95%CI: 1.54–2.59). Conclusions: The NLR level of tumor patients after ICI treatment is stable overall, but the NLR level in patients without response to immunotherapy may increase after ICI treatment. Patients with an upward trend in NLR after ICI treatment were associated with worse clinical outcomes; meanwhile, the downward trend in NLR was associated with better clinical outcomes. Post-treatment high NLR was associated with more impaired survival than baseline high NLR. Full article

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17 pages, 19297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inhibition of Autophagy Promotes the Anti-Tumor Effect of Metformin in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

by Wei Zhao, Chen Chen, Jianjun Zhou, Xiaoqing Chen, Kuan Cai, Miaomiao Shen, Xuan Chen, Lei Jiang and Guodong Wang

Cancers 2022, 14(17), 4185; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14174185 - 29 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3074

Abstract

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumor in the head and neck. Due to its high malignancy and easy recurrence, the five-year survival rate is only 50–60%. Currently, commonly used chemotherapy drugs for OSCC include cisplatin, paclitaxel, and fluorouracil, [...] Read more.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant tumor in the head and neck. Due to its high malignancy and easy recurrence, the five-year survival rate is only 50–60%. Currently, commonly used chemotherapy drugs for OSCC include cisplatin, paclitaxel, and fluorouracil, which are highly cytotoxic and cause drug resistance in patients. Therefore, a safe and effective treatment strategy for OSCC is urgent. To address this issue, our study investigated the anti-tumor activity of metformin (the first-line diabetes drug) in OSCC. We found that metformin could inhibit OSCC cell proliferation by promoting apoptosis and blocking the cell cycle in G1 phase. Additionally, we also found that metformin could induce protective autophagy of OSCC cells. After inhibiting autophagy with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), the metformin-induced apoptosis was enhanced. In vitro, metformin inhibited the growth of subcutaneous xenograft tumor in nude mice and HCQ enhanced this effect of metformin. Therefore, metformin combined with HCQ may become a safe and effective treatment strategy for OSCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammatory Tumor Immune Microenvironment)

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