scholarly journals The Immune Privilege of Cancer Stem Cells: A Key to Understanding Tumor Immune Escape and Therapy Failure

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2361
Author(s):  
Claudia Galassi ◽  
Martina Musella ◽  
Nicoletta Manduca ◽  
Ester Maccafeo ◽  
Antonella Sistigu
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Immune Therapy ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Tumor Immune Escape ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are broadly considered immature, multipotent, tumorigenic cells within the tumor mass, endowed with the ability to self-renew and escape immune control. All these features contribute to place CSCs at the pinnacle of tumor aggressiveness and (immune) therapy resistance. The immune privileged status of CSCs is induced and preserved by various mechanisms that directly affect them (e.g., the downregulation of the major histocompatibility complex class I) and indirectly are induced in the host immune cells (e.g., activation of immune suppressive cells). Therefore, deeper insights into the immuno-biology of CSCs are essential in our pursuit to find new therapeutic opportunities that eradicate cancer (stem) cells. Here, we review and discuss the ability of CSCs to evade the innate and adaptive immune system, as we offer a view of the immunotherapeutic strategies adopted to potentiate and address specific subsets of (engineered) immune cells against CSCs.

scholarly journals 424. Successful Immunotherapy of Cancer Stem Cells Requires Memory and the Adaptive Immune System of the Host

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. S167-S168
Author(s):  
Patrick Schmidt ◽  
Nicolas Desbaillets ◽  
Pierre Dessen ◽  
Nancy Thompson ◽  
Joerg Huelsken
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Immunotherapy Of Cancer ◽  
Successful Immunotherapy

scholarly journals Cancer Stem Cells: Devil or Savior—Looking behind the Scenes of Immunotherapy Failure

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Castagnoli ◽  
Francesca De Santis ◽  
Tatiana Volpari ◽  
Claudio Vernieri ◽  
Elda Tagliabue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Clinical Efficacy ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Immune Surveillance ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Tumor Resistance

Although the introduction of immunotherapy has tremendously improved the prognosis of patients with metastatic cancers of different histological origins, some tumors fail to respond or develop resistance. Broadening the clinical efficacy of currently available immunotherapy strategies requires an improved understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying cancer immune escape. Globally, tumor cells evade immune attack using two main strategies: avoiding recognition by immune cells and instigating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Emerging data suggest that the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy or molecularly targeted therapy is related to the ability of these therapies to target cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, little is known about the role of CSCs in mediating tumor resistance to immunotherapy. Due to their immunomodulating features and plasticity, CSCs can be especially proficient at evading immune surveillance, thus potentially representing the most prominent malignant cell component implicated in primary or acquired resistance to immunotherapy. The identification of immunomodulatory properties of CSCs that include mechanisms that regulate their interactions with immune cells, such as bidirectional release of particular cytokines/chemokines, fusion of CSCs with fusogenic stromal cells, and cell-to-cell communication exerted by extracellular vesicles, may significantly improve the efficacy of current immunotherapy strategies. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current scientific evidence linking CSC biological, immunological, and epigenetic features to tumor resistance to immunotherapy.

Cancer stemness as a target for immunotherapy is shaped by pro-inflammatory stress.

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nese Unver
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Cancer Stemness ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Inflammatory Stress ◽  
Factors Affecting

: Cancer stem cells represent a rare subpopulation of cancer cells carrying self-renewal and differentiation features in the multi-step tumorigenesis, tumor recurrence and metastasis. Pro-inflammatory stress is highly associated with cancer stemness via induction of cytokines, tumor-promoting immune cells and cancer stemness-related signaling pathways. This review summarizes the major pro-inflammatory factors affecting cancer stem cell characteristics and the critical immunotherapeutic strategies to eliminate cancer stem cells.

scholarly journals PIK3C3 Inhibition Promotes Sensitivity to Colon Cancer Therapy by Inhibiting Cancer Stem Cells

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2168
Author(s):  
Balawant Kumar ◽  
Rizwan Ahmad ◽  
Swagat Sharma ◽  
Saiprasad Gowrikumar ◽  
Mark Primeaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Side Population ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Fluorescent Reporter ◽  
Combination Treatments ◽  
Gsk 3Β ◽  
Resistance To Chemotherapy

Background: Despite recent advances in therapies, resistance to chemotherapy remains a critical problem in the clinical management of colorectal cancer (CRC). Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a central role in therapy resistance. Thus, elimination of CSCs is crucial for effective CRC therapy; however, such strategies are limited. Autophagy promotes resistance to cancer therapy; however, whether autophagy protects CSCs to promote resistance to CRC-therapy is not well understood. Moreover, specific and potent autophagy inhibitors are warranted as clinical trials with hydroxychloroquine have not been successful. Methods: Colon cancer cells and tumoroids were used. Fluorescent reporter-based analysis of autophagy flux, spheroid and side population (SP) culture, and qPCR were done. We synthesized 36-077, a potent inhibitor of PIK3C3/VPS34 kinase, to inhibit autophagy. Combination treatments were done using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 36-077. Results: The 5-FU treatment induced autophagy only in a subset of the treated colon cancer. These autophagy-enriched cells also showed increased expression of CSC markers. Co-treatment with 36-077 significantly improved efficacy of the 5-FU treatment. Mechanistic studies revealed that combination therapy inhibited GSK-3β/Wnt/β-catenin signaling to inhibit CSC population. Conclusion: Autophagy promotes resistance to CRC-therapy by specifically promoting GSK-3β/Wnt/β-catenin signaling to promote CSC survival, and 36-077, a PIK3C3/VPS34 inhibitor, helps promote efficacy of CRC therapy.

scholarly journals Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen identified KLF11 as a druggable suppressor for sarcoma cancer stem cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. eabe3445
Author(s):  
Yicun Wang ◽  
Jinhui Wu ◽  
Hui Chen ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Chengwu Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Negative Feedback ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Chemotherapy Response ◽  
Genome Wide

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in tumorigenesis, recurrence, and therapy resistance. To identify critical regulators of sarcoma CSCs, we performed a reporter-based genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen and uncovered Kruppel-like factor 11 (KLF11) as top candidate. In vitro and in vivo functional annotation defined a negative role of KLF11 in CSCs. Mechanistically, KLF11 and YAP/TEAD bound to adjacent DNA sites along with direct interaction. KLF11 recruited SIN3A/HDAC to suppress the transcriptional output of YAP/TEAD, which, in turn, promoted KLF11 transcription, forming a negative feedback loop. However, in CSCs, this negative feedback was lost because of epigenetic silence of KLF11, causing sustained YAP activation. Low KLF11 was associated with poor prognosis and chemotherapy response in patients with sarcoma. Pharmacological activation of KLF11 by thiazolidinedione effectively restored chemotherapy response. Collectively, our study identifies KLF11 as a negative regulator in sarcoma CSCs and potential therapeutic target.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Targeting of Cancer Stem Cells in Lung, Head and Neck, and Bladder Cancers

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5098
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Mudra ◽  
Pritam Sadhukhan ◽  
M. Talha Ugurlu ◽  
Shorna Alam ◽  
Mohammad O. Hoque
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Stem Cell Population ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Targeted Agents ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Lineage Differentiation ◽  
Solid Malignancies

Resistance to cancer therapy remains a significant obstacle in treating patients with various solid malignancies. Exposure to current chemotherapeutics and targeted agents invariably leads to therapy resistance, heralding the need for novel agents. Cancer stem cells (CSCs)—a subpopulation of tumor cells with capacities for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation—represent a pool of therapeutically resistant cells. CSCs often share physical and molecular characteristics with the stem cell population of the human body. It remains challenging to selectively target CSCs in therapeutically resistant tumors. The generation of CSCs and induction of therapeutic resistance can be attributed to several deregulated critical growth regulatory signaling pathways such as WNT/β-catenin, Notch, Hippo, and Hedgehog. Beyond growth regulatory pathways, CSCs also change the tumor microenvironment and resist endogenous immune attack. Thus, CSCs can interfere with each stage of carcinogenesis from malignant transformation to the onset of metastasis to tumor recurrence. A thorough review of novel targeted agents to act against CSCs is fundamental for advancing cancer treatment in the setting of both intrinsic and acquired resistance.

scholarly journals Adipocytes, Innate Immunity and Obesity: A Mini-Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alecia M. Blaszczak ◽  
Anahita Jalilvand ◽  
Willa A. Hsueh
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Innate Immune Cells ◽  
Adaptive Immune

The role of adipose tissue (AT) inflammation in obesity and its multiple related-complications is a rapidly expanding area of scientific interest. Within the last 30 years, the role of the adipocyte as an endocrine and immunologic cell has been progressively established. Like the macrophage, the adipocyte is capable of linking the innate and adaptive immune system through the secretion of adipokines and cytokines; exosome release of lipids, hormones, and microRNAs; and contact interaction with other immune cells. Key innate immune cells in AT include adipocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and innate lymphoid cells type 2 (ILC2s). The role of the innate immune system in promoting adipose tissue inflammation in obesity will be highlighted in this review. T cells and B cells also play important roles in contributing to AT inflammation and are discussed in this series in the chapter on adaptive immunity.

scholarly journals Blood and Cancer: Cancer Stem Cells as Origin of Hematopoietic Cells in Solid Tumor Microenvironments

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghmkin Hassan ◽  
Masaharu Seno
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Solid Tumor ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Tumor Microenvironments

The concepts of hematopoiesis and the generation of blood and immune cells from hematopoietic stem cells are some steady concepts in the field of hematology. However, the knowledge of hematopoietic cells arising from solid tumor cancer stem cells is novel. In the solid tumor microenvironment, hematopoietic cells play pivotal roles in tumor growth and progression. Recent studies have reported that solid tumor cancer cells or cancer stem cells could differentiate into hematopoietic cells. Here, we discuss efforts and research that focused on the presence of hematopoietic cells in tumor microenvironments. We also discuss hematopoiesis from solid tumor cancer stem cells and clarify the notion of differentiation of solid tumor cancer stem cells into non-cancer hematopoietic stem cells.

scholarly journals Cancer stem cells - important players in tumor therapy resistance

FEBS Journal ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (21) ◽  
pp. 4779-4791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selcuk Colak ◽  
Jan P. Medema
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Tumor Therapy ◽  
Therapy Resistance
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