scholarly journals Phototherapy meets immunotherapy: a win–win strategy to fight against cancer

Nanophotonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhua Zou ◽  
Ling Li ◽  
Zhen Yang ◽  
Xiaoyuan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Therapeutic Modality ◽  
Oncological Treatment ◽  
Therapeutic Modalities ◽  
Tumor Metastases ◽  
Antigen Presenting ◽  
Fight Against Cancer

Abstract Phototherapy usually includes photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) to induce cell death. PDT utilizes the sensitization of the photosensitizers to generate reactive oxygen species by the intersystem crossing while PTT undergoes nonradiative decay to generate heat. Cancer immunotherapy has evolved as a new therapeutic modality to eradicate tumor cells by activating antigen-presenting cells, and thus, inducing innate or adaptive immune responses. Phototherapy is able to stimulate the immune system, usually by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) is an oncological treatment that combines the phototherapy of the tumor with immunotherapy treatment. Combining phototherapy with immunotherapy enhances the immunostimulating response and has synergistic effects for metastatic cancer treatment. PIT is able to enhance the antitumor immune response by ICD and prevent tumor metastases and recurrence. In this review article, we would like to summarize the recent advances in the development of phototherapy (such as PDT, PTT, and synergistic PDT/PTT) triggered immunotherapy for cancer treatment. In addition, immunotherapy triggered by phototherapy and other therapeutic modalities will be discussed. PIT may be a win-win strategy to fight against cancer.

Anticancer Activity of Diosgenin and its Semi-synthetic Derivatives: Role in Autophagy Mediated Cell Death and Induction of Apoptosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nivedita Bhardwaj ◽  
Nancy Tripathi ◽  
Bharat Goel ◽  
Shreyans K. Jain
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Anticancer Activity ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Rational Approach ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Potential Implication ◽  
Apoptosis Protein ◽  
Synthetic Derivatives

: During cancer progression, the unrestricted proliferation of cells is supported by the impaired cell death response provoked by certain oncogenes. Both autophagy and apoptosis are the signaling pathways of cell death, which are targeted for cancer treatment. Defects in apoptosis result in reduced cell death and ultimately tumor progression. The tumor cells lacking apoptosis phenomena are killed by ROS- mediated autophagy. The autophagic programmed cell death requires apoptosis protein for inhibiting tumor growth; thus, the interconnection between these two pathways determines the fate of a cell. The cross-regulation of autophagy and apoptosis is an important aspect to modulate autophagy, apoptosis and to sensibilise apoptosis-resistant tumor cells under metabolic stress and might be a rational approach for drug designing strategy for the treatment of cancer. Numerous proteins involved in autophagy have been investigated as the druggable target for anticancer therapy. Several compounds of natural origin have been reported, to control autophagy activity through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR key pathway. Diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin has emerged as a potential candidate for cancer treatment. It induces ROS-mediated autophagy, inhibits PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and produces cytotoxicity selectively in cancer cells. This review aims to focus on optimal strategies using diosgenin to induce apoptosis by modulating the pathways involved in autophagy regulation and its potential implication in the treatment of various cancer. The discussion has been extended to the medicinal chemistry of semi-synthetic derivatives of diosgenin exhibiting anticancer activity.

scholarly journals An autophagy enhancer ameliorates diabetes of human IAPP-transgenic mice through clearance of amyloidogenic oligomer

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinyoung Kim ◽  
Kihyoun Park ◽  
Min Jung Kim ◽  
Hyejin Lim ◽  
Kook Hwan Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Therapeutic Modality ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Islet Amyloid ◽  
Amyloid Accumulation ◽  
Human Diabetes

AbstractWe have reported that autophagy is crucial for clearance of amyloidogenic human IAPP (hIAPP) oligomer, suggesting that an autophagy enhancer could be a therapeutic modality against human diabetes with amyloid accumulation. Here, we show that a recently identified autophagy enhancer (MSL-7) reduces hIAPP oligomer accumulation in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived β-cells (hiPSC-β-cells) and diminishes oligomer-mediated apoptosis of β-cells. Protective effects of MSL-7 against hIAPP oligomer accumulation and hIAPP oligomer-mediated β-cell death are significantly reduced in cells with knockout of MiTF/TFE family members such as Tfeb or Tfe3. MSL-7 improves glucose tolerance and β-cell function of hIAPP+ mice on high-fat diet, accompanied by reduced hIAPP oligomer/amyloid accumulation and β-cell apoptosis. Protective effects of MSL-7 against hIAPP oligomer-mediated β-cell death and the development of diabetes are also significantly reduced by β-cell-specific knockout of Tfeb. These results suggest that an autophagy enhancer could have therapeutic potential against human diabetes characterized by islet amyloid accumulation.

scholarly journals Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns Modulation by microRNA: Relevance on Immunogenic Cell Death and Cancer Treatment Outcome

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2566
Author(s):  
María Julia Lamberti ◽  
Annunziata Nigro ◽  
Vincenzo Casolaro ◽  
Natalia Belén Rumie Vittar ◽  
Jessica Dal Col
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Immunogenic Cell Death ◽  
Basal Expression ◽  
Antigen Presenting ◽  
Molecular Patterns ◽  
Damage Associated Molecular Patterns

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer is a functionally unique regulated form of stress-mediated cell death that activates both the innate and adaptive immune response against tumor cells. ICD makes dying cancer cells immunogenic by improving both antigenicity and adjuvanticity. The latter relies on the spatiotemporally coordinated release or exposure of danger signals (DAMPs) that drive robust antigen-presenting cell activation. The expression of DAMPs is often constitutive in tumor cells, but it is the initiating stressor, called ICD-inducer, which finally triggers the intracellular response that determines the kinetics and intensity of their release. However, the contribution of cell-autonomous features, such as the epigenetic background, to the development of ICD has not been addressed in sufficient depth. In this context, it has been revealed that several microRNAs (miRNAs), besides acting as tumor promoters or suppressors, can control the ICD-associated exposure of some DAMPs and their basal expression in cancer. Here, we provide a general overview of the dysregulation of cancer-associated miRNAs whose targets are DAMPs, through which new molecular mediators that underlie the immunogenicity of ICD were identified. The current status of miRNA-targeted therapeutics combined with ICD inducers is discussed. A solid comprehension of these processes will provide a framework to evaluate miRNA targets for cancer immunotherapy.

scholarly journals Calreticulin—Multifunctional Chaperone in Immunogenic Cell Death: Potential Significance as a Prognostic Biomarker in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Michal Kielbik ◽  
Izabela Szulc-Kielbik ◽  
Magdalena Klink
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cytotoxic T Cells ◽  
Adaptive Immune Response ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽  
Immunogenic Cell Death ◽  
Antigen Presenting ◽  
Molecular Patterns

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a type of death, which has the hallmarks of necroptosis and apoptosis, and is best characterized in malignant diseases. Chemotherapeutics, radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy induce intracellular stress response pathways in tumor cells, leading to a secretion of various factors belonging to a family of damage-associated molecular patterns molecules, capable of inducing the adaptive immune response. One of them is calreticulin (CRT), an endoplasmic reticulum-associated chaperone. Its presence on the surface of dying tumor cells serves as an “eat me” signal for antigen presenting cells (APC). Engulfment of tumor cells by APCs results in the presentation of tumor’s antigens to cytotoxic T-cells and production of cytokines/chemokines, which activate immune cells responsible for tumor cells killing. Thus, the development of ICD and the expression of CRT can help standard therapy to eradicate tumor cells. Here, we review the physiological functions of CRT and its involvement in the ICD appearance in malignant disease. Moreover, we also focus on the ability of various anti-cancer drugs to induce expression of surface CRT on ovarian cancer cells. The second aim of this work is to discuss and summarize the prognostic/predictive value of CRT in ovarian cancer patients.

scholarly journals DCision-making in tumors governs T cell anti-tumor immunity

Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Alfei ◽  
Ping-Chih Ho ◽  
Wan-Lin Lo
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Dendritic Cell ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Tumor Immunity ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Oncological Treatment

AbstractThe exploitation of T cell-based immunotherapies and immune checkpoint blockade for cancer treatment has dramatically shifted oncological treatment paradigms and broadened the horizons of cancer immunology. Dendritic cells have emerged as the critical tailors of T cell immune responses, which initiate and coordinate anti-tumor immunity. Importantly, genetic alterations in cancer cells, cytokines and chemokines produced by cancer and stromal cells, and the process of tumor microenvironmental regulation can compromise dendritic cell–T cell cross-talk, thereby disrupting anti-tumor T cell responses. This review summarizes how T cell activation is controlled by dendritic cells and how the tumor microenvironment alters dendritic cell properties in the context of the anti-tumor immune cycle. Furthermore, we will highlight therapeutic options for tailoring dendritic cell-mediated decision-making in T cells for cancer treatment.

scholarly journals Plasmon-Enhanced Theranostic Nanoplatform for Synergistic Chemo-Phototherapy of Hypoxic Tumors in the NIR-II Window

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Ming Chen ◽  
Hai-Li Hao ◽  
Wei Zhao ◽  
Xueli Zhao ◽  
Hong-Yuan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Therapeutic Modalities

Development of simple and effective synergistic therapy by combination of different therapeutic modalities within one single nanostructure is of great importance for cancer treatment. In this study, by integrating the...

scholarly journals Personalized neoantigen pulsed dendritic cell vaccine for advanced lung cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenyu Ding ◽  
Qing Li ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Li Xie ◽  
Yang Shu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Dendritic Cell ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Therapeutic Modality ◽  
Advanced Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Vaccine ◽  
Lung Cancer Treatment ◽  
Dc Vaccine

AbstractNeoantigens are considered to be ultimate target of tumor immunotherapy due to their high tumor specificity and immunogenicity. Dendritic cell (DCs) vaccines based on neoantigens have exciting effects in treatment of some malignant tumors and are a promising therapeutic modality. Lung cancer is a lethal disease with the highest morbidity and mortality rate in the world. Despite the rapid development of targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors for lung cancer in recent years, their efficacy is still unsatisfactory overall. Therefore, there is an urgent unmet clinical need for lung cancer treatment. Here, we attempted to treat lung cancer using a personalized neoantigen peptide-pulsed autologous DC vaccine and conducted a single-arm, 2 medical centers, pilot study initiated by the investigator (ChiCTR-ONC-16009100, NCT02956551). The patients enrolled were patients with heavily treated metastatic lung cancer. Candidate neoantigens were derived from whole-exome sequencing and RNA sequencing of fresh biopsy tissues as well as bioinformatics analysis. A total of 12 patients were enrolled in this study. A total of 85 vaccine treatments were administered with a median value of 5 doses/person (range: 3–14 doses/person). In total, 12–30 peptide-based neoantigens were selected for each patient. All treatment-related adverse events were grade 1–2 and there were no delays in dosing due to toxic effects. The objective effectiveness rate was 25%; the disease control rate was 75%; the median progression-free survival was 5.5 months and the median overall survival was 7.9 months. This study provides new evidence for neoantigen vaccine therapy and new therapeutic opportunities for lung cancer treatment.

scholarly journals Combined Inhibition of AKT and KIT Restores Expression of Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4) in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3699
Author(s):  
Marya Kozinova ◽  
Shalina Joshi ◽  
Shuai Ye ◽  
Martin G. Belinsky ◽  
Dinara Sharipova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Stromal Tumor ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Preclinical Model ◽  
Kit Mutation

The majority of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients develop resistance to the first-line KIT inhibitor, imatinib mesylate (IM), through acquisition of secondary mutations in KIT or bypass signaling pathway activation. In addition to KIT, AKT is a relevant target for inhibition, since the PI3K/AKT pathway is crucial for IM-resistant GIST survival. We evaluated the activity of a novel pan-AKT inhibitor, MK-4440 (formerly ARQ 751), as monotherapy and in combination with IM in GIST cell lines and preclinical models with varying IM sensitivities. Dual inhibition of KIT and AKT demonstrated synergistic effects in IM-sensitive and -resistant GIST cell lines. Proteomic analyses revealed upregulation of the tumor suppressor, PDCD4, in combination treated cells. Enhanced PDCD4 expression correlated to increased cell death. In vivo studies revealed superior efficacy of MK-4440/IM combination in an IM-sensitive preclinical model of GIST compared with either single agent. The combination demonstrated limited efficacy in two IM-resistant models, including a GIST patient-derived xenograft model possessing an exon 9 KIT mutation. These studies provide strong rationale for further use of AKT inhibition in combination with IM in primary GIST; however, alternative agents will need to be tested in combination with AKT inhibition in the resistant setting.

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