scholarly journals Breast Cancer Tumor Microenvironment and Molecular Aberrations Hijack Tumoricidal Immunity

Cancers ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
Huey-Jen Lin ◽  
Yingguang Liu ◽  
Denene Lofland ◽  
Jiayuh Lin
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Immunological Tolerance ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Neoplastic Progression ◽  
Immune Effector

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among females in western countries, where women have an overall lifetime risk of >10% for developing invasive breast carcinomas. It is not a single disease but is composed of distinct subtypes associated with different clinical outcomes and is highly heterogeneous in both the molecular and clinical aspects. Although tumor initiation is largely driven by acquired genetic alterations, recent data suggest microenvironment-mediated immune evasion may play an important role in neoplastic progression. Beyond surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy, additional therapeutic options include hormonal deactivation, targeted-signaling pathway treatment, DNA repair inhibition, and aberrant epigenetic reversion. Yet, the fatality rate of metastatic breast cancer remains unacceptably high, largely due to treatment resistance and metastases to brain, lung, or bone marrow where tumor bed penetration of therapeutic agents is limited. Recent studies indicate the development of immune-oncological therapy could potentially eradicate this devastating malignancy. Evidence suggests tumors express immunogenic neoantigens but the immunity towards these antigens is frequently muted. Established tumors exhibit immunological tolerance. This tolerance reflects a process of immune suppression elicited by the tumor, and it represents a critical obstacle towards successful antitumor immunotherapy. In general, immune evasive mechanisms adapted by breast cancer encompasses down-regulation of antigen presentations or recognition, lack of immune effector cells, obstruction of anti-tumor immune cell maturation, accumulation of immunosuppressive cells, production of inhibitory cytokines, chemokines or ligands/receptors, and up-regulation of immune checkpoint modulators. Together with altered metabolism and hypoxic conditions, they constitute a permissive tumor microenvironment. This article intends to discern representative incidents and to provide potential innovative therapeutic regimens to reinstate tumoricidal immunity.

scholarly journals Targeting HIF-1 alpha transcriptional activity drives cytotoxic immune effector cells into melanoma and improves combination immunotherapy

Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Lequeux ◽  
Muhammad Zaeem Noman ◽  
Malina Xiao ◽  
Kris Van Moer ◽  
Meriem Hasmim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Immunotherapy ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Tumor Resistance ◽  
Combination Strategy ◽  
Immune Effector ◽  
Effector Cells ◽  
Melanoma Patients ◽  
The Impact

AbstractHypoxia is a key factor responsible for the failure of therapeutic response in most solid tumors and promotes the acquisition of tumor resistance to various antitumor immune effectors. Reshaping the hypoxic immune suppressive tumor microenvironment to improve cancer immunotherapy is still a relevant challenge. We investigated the impact of inhibiting HIF-1α transcriptional activity on cytotoxic immune cell infiltration into B16-F10 melanoma. We showed that tumors expressing a deleted form of HIF-1α displayed increased levels of NK and CD8+ effector T cells in the tumor microenvironment, which was associated with high levels of CCL2 and CCL5 chemokines. We showed that combining acriflavine, reported as a pharmacological agent preventing HIF-1α/HIF-1β dimerization, dramatically improved the benefit of cancer immunotherapy based on TRP-2 peptide vaccination and anti-PD-1 blocking antibody. In melanoma patients, we revealed that tumors exhibiting high CCL5 are less hypoxic, and displayed high NK, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell markers than those having low CCL5. In addition, melanoma patients with high CCL5 in their tumors survive better than those having low CCL5. This study provides the pre-clinical proof of concept for a novel triple combination strategy including blocking HIF-1α transcription activity along vaccination and PD-1 blocking immunotherapy.

scholarly journals Metabolome Shift in Both Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells and Astrocytes Which May Contribute to the Tumor Microenvironment

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7430
Author(s):  
Hiromi Sato ◽  
Ayaka Shimizu ◽  
Toya Okawa ◽  
Miaki Uzu ◽  
Momoko Goto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Pentose Phosphate ◽  
Metastatic Brain Tumors ◽  
Pentose Phosphate Pathways ◽  
Culture Supernatants

The role of astrocytes in the periphery of metastatic brain tumors is unclear. Since astrocytes regulate central nervous metabolism, we hypothesized that changes in astrocytes induced by contact with cancer cells would appear in the metabolome of both cells and contribute to malignant transformation. Coculture of astrocytes with breast cancer cell supernatants altered glutamate (Glu)-centered arginine–proline metabolism. Similarly, the metabolome of cancer cells was also altered by astrocyte culture supernatants, and the changes were further amplified in astrocytes exposed to Glu. Inhibition of Glu uptake in astrocytes reduces the variability in cancer cells. Principal component analysis of the cancer cells revealed that all these changes were in the first principal component (PC1) axis, where the responsible metabolites were involved in the metabolism of the arginine–proline, pyrimidine, and pentose phosphate pathways. The contribution of these changes to the tumor microenvironment needs to be further pursued.

scholarly journals Clinical Significance of PDCD4 in Melanoma by Subcellular Expression and in Tumor-Associated Immune Cells

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1049
Author(s):  
Thuy T. Tran ◽  
Chetan K. Rane ◽  
Christopher R. Zito ◽  
Sarah A. Weiss ◽  
Shlomit Jessel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Brain Metastasis ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Tissue Microarrays ◽  
Pleckstrin Homology Domain ◽  
Neoplastic Progression ◽  
Melanoma Brain Metastasis ◽  
Pdcd4 Expression ◽  
Programmed Cell Death 4 ◽  
And Function

Little is known about the subcellular localization and function of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) in melanoma. Our past studies suggest PDCD4 interacts with Pleckstrin Homology Domain Containing A5 (PLEKHA5) to influence melanoma brain metastasis outcomes, as high intracranial PDCD4 expression leads to improved survival. We aimed to define the subcellular distribution of PDCD4 in melanoma and in the tumor microenvironment during neoplastic progression and its impact on clinical outcomes. We analyzed multiple tissue microarrays with well-annotated clinicopathological variables using quantitative immunofluorescence and evaluated single-cell RNA-sequencing on a brain metastasis sample to characterize PDCD4+ immune cell subsets. We demonstrate differences in PDCD4 expression during neoplastic progression, with high tumor and stromal PDCD4 levels associated with improved survival in primary melanomas and in intracranial metastases, but not in extracranial metastatic disease. While the expression of PDCD4 is well-documented on CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, we show that it is also found on B cells and mast cells. PDCD4 expression in the tumor microenvironment is associated with increased immune cell infiltration. Further studies are needed to define the interaction of PDCD4 and PLEKHA5 and to evaluate the utility of this pathway as a therapeutic target in melanoma brain metastasis.

Molecular characterization of the Ras-MAPK pathway in metastatic breast cancer.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1034-1034
Author(s):  
Justin Wayne Wong Tiu-lim ◽  
Jun Yin ◽  
Joanne Xiu ◽  
Wolfgang Michael Korn ◽  
Heinz-Josef Lenz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Molecular Alterations ◽  
Ras Genes ◽  
Mutational Status ◽  
Pathway Activation ◽  
Class 1

1034 Background: The Ras-MAPK pathway is a known driver of tumorigenesis and therapeutic target in a variety of cancers. Alterations in this pathway have been linked to decreased tumor immunogenicity. However, molecular alterations in the Ras-MAPK are rare in breast cancer (BC) and their clinical implications remain unclear. As mutational status does not accurately correlate with transcriptional activity, a MAPK pathway activity score (MPAS, Wagle et al., 2018, npj Precision Medicine) is indicative of MAPK activation and correlates with response to MEK (MEKi) or BRAF inhibition (BRAFi). Our goal was to determine the frequency of molecular alterations in the Ras-MAPK and correlate to MAPK pathway activation in MBC. Methods: A total of 6464 BC samples underwent comprehensive molecular profiling at Caris Life Sciences. Analyses included next generation sequencing of DNA (592 Gene Panel, NextSeq; whole exome sequencing, NovaSEQ), RNA (NovaSeq, whole transcriptome sequencing, WTS) and IHC. MPAS and immune cell fraction (ICF, Quantiseq) were assessed by mRNA analysis. Wilcoxon, Fisher’s exact, or Dunnett’s test was used. All results shown were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Results: The predominant alteration of RAS genes was mutation followed by amplification, no fusions were detected (Table). Only 0.17% of all tumors harbor KRAS G12c mutations. The highest MPAS scores were found in KRAS mutants (mut), HRAS mut (Q61, G1213), BRAF V600 (class 1) mut and NRAS Q61 mut (Table) and therefore used to define Genomic MAPK Activated Tumors (GMAT). GMAT compared to wild type (WT) had significantly higher PD-L1 expression, TMB and MSI/dMMR. GMAT had less B cells (3.4% vs 4.4%), more M1 Macrophages (4.4% vs 3.4%) and neutrophils (5.5% vs 2.7%) regardless of HR status but less NK cells (2.3% s 3.0%), MSDCs (0.9% vs 3.0%) only in HR- tumors with respect to WT. GMAT tumors showed more frequent mutation rate (mr) of PIK3CA (HR+: 57.3% vs 40%; HR-: 41.9% vs 17.9%). HR+ tumors had a higher mr of MSH3 (11.8% vs 0.6%) while HR- tumors had higher mr of PIK3R1 (9.6% vs 3.8%), RhoA (5.3% vs 0.5%), DNA repair genes (TERT, 18.2% vs 1.0%; ARID1A, 18.2% vs 5.9%; PRKDC, 3.9% vs 0) and lower TP53 mr (54.5% vs 85.8%) compared to WT. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that RAS, BRAF and MEK1 mutations are associated with MAPK pathway activation indicative of benefit from MEKi or BRAFi. GMAT warrant further investigation for combinations targeting the RAS-MAPK pathway and immune checkpoint inhibitors.[Table: see text]

scholarly journals cPLA2 Blockade Attenuates S100A7-Mediated Breast Tumorigenicity by Inhibiting the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
SANJAY MISHRA ◽  
Manish Charan ◽  
Rajni Kant Shukla ◽  
Pranay Agarwal ◽  
Swati Misri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Metastatic Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Tumor Growth And Metastasis ◽  
Breast Cancer Growth

Abstract Background: Metastasis is the major cause of mortality in breast cancer; however, the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In our previous study, we demonstrated that S100A7/RAGE mediates breast cancer growth and metastasis by recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages. However, the downstream S100A7-mediated inflammatory oncogenic signaling cascade that enhances breast tumor growth and metastasis by generating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (iTME) has not been studied. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the S100A7 and cPLA2 cross-talk in enhancing tumor growth and metastasis through enhancing the iTME.Methods: Human breast cancer tissue and plasma samples were used to analyze the expression of S100A7, cPLA2, and PGE2 titer. S100A7-overexpressing or downregulated human metastatic breast cancer cells were used to evaluate the S100A7-mediated downstream signaling mechanisms. Bi-transgenic mS100a7a15 overexpression, TNBC C3(1)/Tag transgenic, and humanized patient-derived xenograft mouse models and cPLA2 inhibitor (AACOCF3) were used to investigate the role of S100A7/cPLA2/PGE2 signaling in tumor growth and metastasis. Additionally, CODEX, a highly advanced multiplexed imaging was employed to delineate the effect of S100A7/cPLA2 inhibition on the recruitment of various immune cells.Results: S100A7 and cPLA2 are highly expressed and positively correlated in malignant breast cancer patients. S100A7/RAGE upregulates cPLA2/PGE2 axis in aggressive breast cancer cells. Furthermore, S100A7 is positively correlated with PGE2 in breast cancer patients. Moreover, cPLA2 pharmacological inhibition suppressed S100A7-mediated tumor growth and metastasis in multiple pre-clinical models. Mechanistically, S100A7-mediated activation of cPLA2 enhances the recruitment of immunosuppressive myeloid cells by increasing PGE2 to fuel breast cancer growth and its secondary spread. We revealed that cPLA2 inhibitor mitigates S100A7-mediated breast tumorigenicity by suppressing the iTME. Furthermore, CODEX imaging data showed that cPLA2 inhibition increased the infiltration of CD4+/CD8+ T cells in the TME. Analysis of metastatic breast cancer samples revealed a positive correlation between S100A7/cPLA2 with CD163+ tumor-associated M2-macrophages.Conclusions: Our study shows that cross-talk between S100A7 and cPLA2 plays an important role in enhancing breast tumor growth and metastasis by generating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and reducing infiltration of T cells. Furthermore, S100A7 could be used as a novel non-invasive prognostic marker and cPLA2 inhibitors as promising drugs against S100A7-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.

scholarly journals Key Factor Regulating Inflammatory Microenvironment, Metastasis, and Resistance in Breast Cancer: Interleukin-1 Signaling

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Fengjie Liu ◽  
Lihong Li ◽  
Meng Lan ◽  
Tengteng Zou ◽  
Zhaodi Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Receptor System ◽  
Inflammatory Infiltration ◽  
Inflammatory Microenvironment ◽  
Incidence And Mortality

Breast cancer is one of the top-ranked cancers for incidence and mortality worldwide. The biggest challenges in breast cancer treatment are metastasis and drug resistance, for which work on molecular evaluation, mechanism studies, and screening of therapeutic targets is ongoing. Factors that lead to inflammatory infiltration and immune system suppression in the tumor microenvironment are potential therapeutic targets. Interleukin-1 is known as a proinflammatory and immunostimulatory cytokine, which plays important roles in inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that interleukin-1 cytokines drive the formation and maintenance of an inflammatory/immunosuppressive microenvironment through complex intercellular signal crosstalk and tight intracellular signal transduction, which were found to be potentially involved in the mechanism of metastasis and drug resistance of breast cancer. Some preclinical and clinical treatments or interventions to block the interleukin-1/interleukin-1 receptor system and its up- and downstream signaling cascades have also been proven effective. This study provides an overview of IL-1-mediated signal communication in breast cancer and discusses the potential of IL-1 as a therapeutic target especially for metastatic breast cancer and combination therapy and current problems, aiming at enlightening new ideas in the study of inflammatory cytokines and immune networks in the tumor microenvironment.

Tumor microenvironment-responsive docetaxel-loaded micelle combats metastatic breast cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianqun Lang ◽  
Xinyue Dong ◽  
Zhong Zheng ◽  
Yiran Liu ◽  
Guanru Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Metastatic Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Metastatic Breast

scholarly journals Breast Cancer: A Molecularly Heterogenous Disease Needing Subtype-Specific Treatments

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ugo Testa ◽  
Germana Castelli ◽  
Elvira Pelosi
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Genomic Instability ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Brca Mutation ◽  
Clonal Evolution ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Telomere Maintenance ◽  
Molecular Features

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women. There were over two-million new cases in world in 2018. It is the second leading cause of death from cancer in western countries. At the molecular level, breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, which is characterized by high genomic instability evidenced by somatic gene mutations, copy number alterations, and chromosome structural rearrangements. The genomic instability is caused by defects in DNA damage repair, transcription, DNA replication, telomere maintenance and mitotic chromosome segregation. According to molecular features, breast cancers are subdivided in subtypes, according to activation of hormone receptors (estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor), of human epidermal growth factors receptor 2 (HER2), and or BRCA mutations. In-depth analyses of the molecular features of primary and metastatic breast cancer have shown the great heterogeneity of genetic alterations and their clonal evolution during disease development. These studies have contributed to identify a repertoire of numerous disease-causing genes that are altered through different mutational processes. While early-stage breast cancer is a curable disease in about 70% of patients, advanced breast cancer is largely incurable. However, molecular studies have contributed to develop new therapeutic approaches targeting HER2, CDK4/6, PI3K, or involving poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors for BRCA mutation carriers and immunotherapy.

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