scholarly journals The B-Side of Cancer Immunity: The Underrated Tune

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Largeot ◽  
Giulia Pagano ◽  
Susanne Gonder ◽  
Etienne Moussay ◽  
Jerome Paggetti

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are known to be critical in controlling tumor progression. While the role of T lymphocytes has been extensively studied, the function of B cells in this context is still ill-defined. In this review, we propose to explore the role of B cells in tumor immunity. First of all we define their dual role in promoting and inhibiting cancer progression depending on their phenotype. To continue, we describe the influence of different tumor microenvironment factors such as hypoxia on B cells functions and differentiation. Finally, the role of B cells in response to therapy and as potential target is examined. In accordance with the importance of B cells in immuno-oncology, we conclude that more studies are required to throw light on the precise role of B cells in the tumor microenvironment in order to have a better understanding of their functions, and to design new strategies that efficiently target these cells by immunotherapy.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna Cerbelli ◽  
Angelina Pernazza ◽  
Andrea Botticelli ◽  
Lucio Fortunato ◽  
Massimo Monti ◽  
...  

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has an aggressive clinical behaviour, with a poorer prognosis compared to other subtypes. Recently, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been proposed as a predictive biomarker for a better clinical outcome and pathological response (pR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in TNBC. These data confirm the role of the immune system in the neoplastic progression and in the response to therapy. We performed a retrospective analysis of 54 pre-NACT biopsies of TNBC and compared both the percentage of stromal TILs and the degree of PD-L1 expression with the extent of pR to standard NACT. A pathological complete response (pCR) was achieved in 35% of cases. Univariate analysis showed (i) a significant association between PD-L1 expression in ≥25% of neoplastic cells and the achievement of a pCR (p=0.024); (ii) a significantly higher frequency of pCR in cases showing ≥50% stromal TILs (p<0.001). However in the multivariate analysis only PD-L1 expression on tumor cells remained significantly associated with pCR (OR = 1,13; 95% CI 1,01–1,27), suggesting that the expression of this biomarker could be associated with a subpopulation of TNBC more likely to respond to chemotherapy. These data need to be confirmed by larger studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (564) ◽  
pp. eabb2311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Weiss ◽  
Emanuele Puca ◽  
Manuela Silginer ◽  
Teresa Hemmerle ◽  
Shila Pazahr ◽  
...  

Glioblastoma is a poorly immunogenic cancer, and the successes with recent immunotherapies in extracranial malignancies have, so far, not been translated to this devastating disease. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new strategies to convert the immunologically cold glioma microenvironment into a hot one to enable effective antitumor immunity. Using the L19 antibody, which is specific to a tumor-associated epitope of extracellular fibronectin, we developed antibody-cytokine fusions—immunocytokines—with interleukin-2 (IL2), IL12, or tumor necrosis factor (TNF). We showed that L19 accumulated in the tumor microenvironment of two orthotopic immunocompetent mouse glioma models. Furthermore, intravenous administration of L19-mIL12 or L19-mTNF cured a proportion of tumor-bearing mice, whereas L19-IL2 did not. This therapeutic activity was abolished in RAG−/− mice or upon depletion of CD4 or CD8 T cells, suggesting adaptive immunity. Mechanistically, both immunocytokines promoted tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and increased the amounts of proinflammatory cytokines within the tumor microenvironment. In addition, L19-mTNF induced tumor necrosis. Systemic administration of the fully human L19-TNF fusion protein to patients with glioblastoma (NCT03779230) was safe, decreased regional blood perfusion within the tumor, and was associated with increasing tumor necrosis and an increase in tumor-infiltrating CD4 and CD8 T cells. The extensive preclinical characterization and subsequent clinical translation provide a robust basis for future studies with immunocytokines to treat malignant brain tumors.


Author(s):  
Elisabetta Valentini ◽  
Marta Di Martile ◽  
Donatella Del Bufalo ◽  
Simona D’Aguanno

AbstractHypoxia, a condition of oxygen deprivation, is considered a hallmark of tumor microenvironment regulating several pathways and promoting cancer progression and resistance to therapy. Semaphorins, a family of about 20 secreted, transmembrane and GPI-linked glycoproteins, and their cognate receptors (plexins and neuropilins) play a pivotal role in the crosstalk between cancer and stromal cells present in the tumor microenvironment. Many studies reported that some semaphorins are involved in the development of a permissive tumor niche, guiding cell-cell communication and, consequently, the development and progression, as well as the response to therapy, of different cancer histotypes, including melanoma.In this review we will summarize the state of art of semaphorins regulation by hypoxic condition in cancer with different origin. We will also describe evidence about the ability of semaphorins to affect the expression and activity of transcription factors activated by hypoxia, such as hypoxia-inducible factor-1. Finally, we will focus our attention on findings reporting the role of semaphorins in melanocytes transformation, melanoma progression and response to therapy. Further studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms through which semaphorins induce their effect and to shed light on the possibility to use semaphorins or their cognate receptors as prognostic markers and/or therapeutic targets in melanoma or other malignancies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
Marzieh Norouzian ◽  
Sima Balouchi-Anaraki

For more progress in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) immuno-oncology, further understanding of interactions between tumor and immune system as well as factors in the tumor microenvironment is required. HNSCC is seriously infiltrated by lymphocytes but is known to be highly immunosuppressive. The aim of this review is to highlight the complexity of tumor microenvironment and tumor- immune cells interaction in the HNSCC, in order to improve understanding of tumorigenesis and disease progression in HNSCC patient and to provide valuable information about prognostic markers. The main goal of this review is to discuss the role of the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in tumor progression, their cross-talk with other components of the tumor microenvironment as well as their roles in carcinogenesis, metastasis process, treatment, and prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gupta ◽  
Chen ◽  
Chaluvally-Raghavan ◽  
Pradeep

Increasing evidence suggests that the immune system plays a dynamic role in the progression of ovarian cancer, the deadliest gynecological malignancy worldwide. Accumulation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been associated with increased survival in ovarian cancer patients, and diverse interactions among immune cells in the tumor microenvironment determine tumor progression. While the regulatory functions of T cells among tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are well defined and also involve therapeutic interventions, the role of B cells in ovarian cancer progression is still limited to their impact on survival. Recent studies have identified both pro- and anti-tumor responses of B cells in solid tumors, as different subsets of B cells play diverse roles in progression. Thus, in-depth characterization of B cell subtypes in each disease stage is crucial for understanding the importance and therapeutic potential of these cells in ovarian cancer. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about B cells in ovarian cancer and discuss emerging therapeutic interventions that could harness B cells to combat this deadly disease.


Author(s):  
Kosuke Sasaki ◽  
Shigetsugu Takano ◽  
Satoshi Tomizawa ◽  
Yoji Miyahara ◽  
Katsunori Furukawa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recent studies indicate that complement plays pivotal roles in promoting or suppressing cancer progression. We have previously identified C4b-binding protein α-chain (C4BPA) as a serum biomarker for the early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we elucidated the functional roles of C4BPA in PDAC cells and the tumor microenvironment. Methods We assessed stromal C4BPA, the C4BPA binding partner CD40, and the number of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in resected human PDAC tissues via immunohistochemical staining. The biological functions of C4BPA were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human PDAC cell lines. Mouse C4BPA (mC4BPA) peptide, which is composed of 30 amino acids from the C-terminus and binds to CD40, was designed for further in vitro and in vivo experiments. In a preclinical experiment, we assessed the efficacy of gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP), dual immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs), and mC4BPA peptide in a mouse orthotopic transplantation model. Results Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that high stromal C4BPA and CD40 was associated with favorable PDAC prognosis (P=0.0005). Stromal C4BPA strongly correlated with the number of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (P=0.001). In in vitro experiments, flow cytometry revealed that recombinant human C4BPA (rhC4BPA) stimulation increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell numbers in PBMCs. rhC4BPA also promoted the proliferation of CD40-expressing PDAC cells. By contrast, combined treatment with gemcitabine and rhC4BPA increased PDAC cell apoptosis rate. mC4BPA peptide increased the number of murine T lymphocytes in vitro and the number of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes surrounding PDAC tumors in vivo. In a preclinical study, GnP/ICBs/mC4BPA peptide treatment, but not GnP treatment, led to the accumulation of a greater number of CD8+ T cells in the periphery of PDAC tumors and to greater tumor regression than did control treatment. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that the combination of GnP therapy with C4BPA inhibits PDAC progression by promoting antitumor T cell accumulation in the tumor microenvironment.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 486
Author(s):  
Juan P. Rodrigo ◽  
Mario Sánchez-Canteli ◽  
Fernando López ◽  
Gregory T. Wolf ◽  
Juan C. Hernández-Prera ◽  
...  

The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in the tumor microenvironment has been demonstrated to be of prognostic value in various cancers. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the prognostic value of TIL in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). We performed a systematic search in PubMed for publications that investigated the prognostic value of TIL in LSCC. A meta-analysis was performed including all studies assessing the association between TIL counts in hematoxylin-eosin (HE)-stained sections, for CD8+ and/or CD3+/CD4+ TIL and overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS). The pooled meta-analysis showed a favorable prognostic role for stromal TIL in HE sections for OS (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.36–0.91, p = 0.02), and for DFS (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.34–0.94, p = 0.03). High CD8+ TIL were associated with a prolonged OS (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.4–0.97, p = 0.04) and DFS (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.34–0.94, p = 0.002). High CD3+/CD4+ TIL demonstrated improved OS (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16–0.9, p = 0.03) and DFS (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.10–0.53, p = 0.0005). This meta-analysis confirmed the favorable prognostic significance of TIL in LSCC. High stromal TIL evaluated in HE sections and intra-tumoral and stromal CD3+, CD4+ and/or CD8+ TIL might predict a better clinical outcome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Ilaria Plantamura ◽  
Alessandra Cataldo ◽  
Giulia Cosentino ◽  
Marilena V. Iorio

Despite its controversial roles in different cancer types, miR-205 has been mainly described as an oncosuppressive microRNA (miRNA), with some contrasting results, in breast cancer. The role of miR-205 in the occurrence or progression of breast cancer has been extensively studied since the first evidence of its aberrant expression in tumor tissues versus normal counterparts. To date, it is known that the expression of miR-205 in the different subtypes of breast cancer is decreasing from the less aggressive subtype, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor positive breast cancer, to the more aggressive, triple negative breast cancer, influencing metastasis capability, response to therapy and patient survival. In this review, we summarize the most important discoveries that have highlighted the functional role of this miRNA in breast cancer initiation and progression, in stemness maintenance, in the tumor microenvironment, its potential role as a biomarker and its relevance in normal breast physiology—the still open questions. Finally, emerging evidence reveals the role of some lncRNAs in breast cancer progression as sponges of miR-205. Here, we also reviewed the studies in this field.


Author(s):  
H. Kuroda ◽  
T. Jamiyan ◽  
R. Yamaguchi ◽  
A. Kakumoto ◽  
A. Abe ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Immune cells such as cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, B cells or tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contribute to the anti-tumor response or pro-tumorigenic effect in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The interrelation of TAMs, T and B tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in TNBC has not been fully elucidated. Methods We evaluated the association of tumor-associated macrophages, T and B TILs in TNBC. Results TNBCs with a high CD68+, CD163+ TAMs and low CD4+, CD8+, CD20+ TILs had a significantly shorter relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) than those with low CD68+, CD163+ TAMs and high CD4+, CD8+, CD20+ TILs. TNBCs with high CD68+ TAMs/low CD8+ TILs showed a significantly shorter RFS and OS and a significantly poorer prognosis than those with high CD68+ TAMs/high CD8+ TILs, low CD68+ TAMs/high CD8+ TILs, and low CD68+/low CD8+. TNBCs with high CD163+ TAMs/low CD8+, low CD20 + TILs showed a significantly shorter RFS and OS and a significantly poorer prognosis than those with high CD163+ TAMs/high CD8+ TILs and high CD163+ TAMs /high CD20+ TILs. Conclusions Our study suggests that TAMs further create an optimal tumor microenvironment (TME) for growth and invasion of cancer cells when evasion of immunoreactions due to T and B TILs occurs. In TNBCs, all these events combine to affect prognosis. The process of TME is highly complex in TNBCs and for an improved understanding, larger validation studies are necessary to confirm these findings.


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