Cancer immunology

Author(s):  
Herman Waldmann

Until recently, the prospects for harnessing immune mechanisms to fight cancer were not encouraging. The advent of monoclonal antibodies, both as diagnostics and as probes for molecular function, have been important, while the identification of dendritic cells as a major intermediary between the antigen source and T-cell activation has been crucial. Major advances in molecular biology and the creation of mutant mice lacking defined gene products have pinpointed key molecules influencing immune function. Finally, many translational efforts in vaccination, autoimmune disease, and transplantation have enabled identification of hitherto undervalued mechanisms that the immune system uses to regulate itself. A fuller understanding of self-tolerance mechanisms, tumour antigens, and the tumour microenvironment has catalysed a wide range of novel therapeutic strategies and has also allowed a re-evaluation of mechanisms underlying the benefits of past chemotherapies.

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Zhao-Peng Liu

Statins are currently the major therapeutic strategies to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. However, a number of hypercholesterolemia patients still have a residual cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk despite taking the maximum-tolerated dose of statins. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), inducing its degradation in the lysosome and inhibiting LDLR recirculating to the cell membranes. The gain-offunction mutations in PCSK9 elevate the LDL-C levels in plasma. Therefore, PCSK9 inhibitors become novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Several PCSK9 inhibitors have been under investigation, and much progress has been made in clinical trials, especially for monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). Two MoAbs, evolocumab and alirocumab, are now in clinical use. In this review, we summarize the development of PCSK9 inhibitors, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNA (siRNA), small molecule inhibitor, MoAbs, mimetic peptides and adnectins, and the related safety issues.


Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 485
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Cuollo ◽  
Fabrizio Antonangeli ◽  
Angela Santoni ◽  
Alessandra Soriani

Cellular senescence represents a robust tumor-protecting mechanism that halts the proliferation of stressed or premalignant cells. However, this state of stable proliferative arrest is accompanied by the Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP), which entails the copious secretion of proinflammatory signals in the tissue microenvironment and contributes to age-related conditions, including, paradoxically, cancer. Novel therapeutic strategies aim at eliminating senescent cells with the use of senolytics or abolishing the SASP without killing the senescent cell with the use of the so-called “senomorphics”. In addition, recent works demonstrate the possibility of modifying the composition of the secretome by genetic or pharmacological intervention. The purpose is not to renounce the potent immunostimulatory nature of SASP, but rather learning to modulate it for combating cancer and other age-related diseases. This review describes the main molecular mechanisms regulating the SASP and reports the evidence of the feasibility of abrogating or modulating the SASP, discussing the possible implications of both strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5394
Author(s):  
Tomas Lidak ◽  
Nikol Baloghova ◽  
Vladimir Korinek ◽  
Radislav Sedlacek ◽  
Jana Balounova ◽  
...  

Multisubunit cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase 4 (CRL4)-DCAF12 recognizes the C-terminal degron containing acidic amino acid residues. However, its physiological roles and substrates are largely unknown. Purification of CRL4-DCAF12 complexes revealed a wide range of potential substrates, including MOV10, an “ancient” RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) complex RNA helicase. We show that DCAF12 controls the MOV10 protein level via its C-terminal motif in a proteasome- and CRL-dependent manner. Next, we generated Dcaf12 knockout mice and demonstrated that the DCAF12-mediated degradation of MOV10 is conserved in mice and humans. Detailed analysis of Dcaf12-deficient mice revealed that their testes produce fewer mature sperms, phenotype accompanied by elevated MOV10 and imbalance in meiotic markers SCP3 and γ-H2AX. Additionally, the percentages of splenic CD4+ T and natural killer T (NKT) cell populations were significantly altered. In vitro, activated Dcaf12-deficient T cells displayed inappropriately stabilized MOV10 and increased levels of activated caspases. In summary, we identified MOV10 as a novel substrate of CRL4-DCAF12 and demonstrated the biological relevance of the DCAF12-MOV10 pathway in spermatogenesis and T cell activation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852096389
Author(s):  
Stefania Kaninia ◽  
Alexandros Grammatikos ◽  
Kathryn Urankar ◽  
Shelley A Renowden ◽  
Nikunj K Patel ◽  
...  

Background: The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) pathway acts as a negative immune regulator of T-cell activation and promotes self-tolerance. Case: We report the first case of biopsy-proven central nervous system inflammatory demyelination in the context of primary immunodeficiency and a novel CTLA-4 variant. Conclusion: This case has significant implications for the development of novel treatments for autoimmune conditions including multiple sclerosis and further emphasises the need for caution with clinical use of CTLA-4 immune checkpoint inhibitors in those with a history of inflammatory demyelination.


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