scholarly journals The Efficacy of Anti-PD-L1 Treatment in Melanoma Is Associated with the Expression of the ECM Molecule EMILIN2

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7511
Author(s):  
Albina Fejza ◽  
Maurizio Polano ◽  
Lucrezia Camicia ◽  
Evelina Poletto ◽  
Greta Carobolante ◽  
...  

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of melanoma patients, leading to remarkable improvements in the cure. However, to ensure a safe and effective treatment, there is the need to develop markers to identify the patients that would most likely respond to the therapies. The microenvironment is gaining attention in this context, since it can regulate both the immunotherapy efficacyand angiogenesis, which is known to be affected by treatment. Here, we investigated the putative role of the ECM molecule EMILIN-2, a tumor suppressive and pro-angiogenic molecule. We verified that the EMILIN2 expression is variable among melanoma patients and is associated with the response to PD-L1 inhibitors. Consistently, in preclinical settings,the absence of EMILIN-2 is associated with higher PD-L1 expression and increased immunotherapy efficacy. We verified that EMILIN-2 modulates PD-L1 expression in melanoma cells through indirect immune-dependent mechanisms. Notably, upon PD-L1 blockage, Emilin2−/− mice displayed improved intra-tumoral vessel normalization and decreased tumor hypoxia. Finally, we provide evidence indicating that the inclusion of EMILIN2 in a number of gene expression signatures improves their predictive potential, a further indication that the analysis of this molecule may be key for the development of new markers to predict immunotherapy efficacy.

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Marra ◽  
Giosuè Scognamiglio ◽  
Ilaria Peluso ◽  
Gerardo Botti ◽  
Celeste Fusciello ◽  
...  

Introduction:Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors increases the overall survival of patients with metastatic melanoma regardless of their oncogene addicted mutations. However, no data is available from clinical trials of effective therapies in subgroups of melanoma patients that carry chronic infective diseases such as HIV. Evidences suggest a key role of the immune checkpoint molecules as a mechanism of immune escape not only from melanoma but also from HIV host immune response.Conclusion:In this article, firstly, we will describe the role of the immune checkpoint molecules in HIV chronic infection. Secondly, we will summarize the most relevant clinical evidences utilizing immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of melanoma patients. Lastly, we will discuss the potential implications as well as the potential applications of immune checkpoint molecule-based immunotherapy in patients with melanoma and HIV infection.


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1648
Author(s):  
Mai-Huong Thi Nguyen ◽  
Yueh-Hsia Luo ◽  
An-Lun Li ◽  
Jen-Chieh Tsai ◽  
Kun-Lin Wu ◽  
...  

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a promising therapy for the treatment of cancers, including melanoma, that improved benefit clinical outcomes. However, a subset of melanoma patients do not respond or acquire resistance to immunotherapy, which limits their clinical applicability. Recent studies have explored the reasons related to the resistance of melanoma to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Of note, miRNAs are the regulators of not only cancer progression but also of the response between cancer cells and immune cells. Investigation of miRNA functions within the tumor microenvironment have suggested that miRNAs could be considered as key partners in immunotherapy. Here, we reviewed the known mechanism by which melanoma induces resistance to immunotherapy and the role of miRNAs in immune responses and the microenvironment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Rossi ◽  
Ilaria Grazia Zizzari ◽  
Alessandra Di Filippo ◽  
Anna Acampora ◽  
Monica Maria Pagliara ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Immunotherapy represents a common therapeutic option for metastatic uveal melanoma, despite the low activity. Although overall survival is often dismal, long survivors can be observed. In this study, the prognostic role of the soluble isoforms of immunomodulatory receptors and cytokines/chemokines was evaluated as well as their ability to identify patients who can benefit more from anti-PD-1 therapy. Methods. Sera from 22 metastatic uveal melanoma patients were assayed to evaluate the levels of cytokines/chemokines and soluble immune checkpoint molecules by multiplex immunoassay analysis. The changes of these molecules during anti-PD-1 therapy were assessed. The correlation between soluble isoforms of immunomodulatory receptors/cytokines/chemokines and survival was analysed. A comparison between circulating immune profile of metastatic uveal melanoma and cutaneous melanoma during anti-PD-1 therapy was also performed. Results. The levels of sCD137, sCD28, sPD-1, sPD-L2 sLAG3, sCD80 and sTim3 were significantly enhanced during anti-PD-1 treatment. Similarly, the levels of IP-10, CCL2 and IDO activity were significantly increased during anti-PD-1 therapy. HVEM, IL-8 and IDO activity were higher in patients with survival < 6 months. Considering these 3 molecules, we obtained a score able to predict patients’ survival. Serum CD137, sGITR and sCD27 were significantly lower in patients with survival > 30 months. Serum GITR, sCD27, sPD-1, sCD80, IFNγ and IDO activity were significantly higher in uveal melanoma patients than in cutaneous melanoma patients during anti-PD-1 therapy. Conclusions. The molecules detected in uveal melanoma during anti-PD-1 treatment reflect the poor activation of immune system and may justify the limited response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Nevertheless, some patients with metastatic uveal melanoma had a long survival. These patients could be identified through a score based on circulating immune molecules such as HVEM, IDO and IL-8. The comparison of immune profile during anti-PD-1 therapy between uveal melanoma and cutaneous melanoma reflects the different efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in these diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. S300-S301
Author(s):  
M. Peravali ◽  
C. Gomes-Lima ◽  
E. Tefera ◽  
M. Baker ◽  
M. Sherchan ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2618-2626
Author(s):  
Michael S. Sander ◽  
Igor Stukalin ◽  
Isabelle A. Vallerand ◽  
Siddhartha Goutam ◽  
Benjamin W. Ewanchuk ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Zhujiang Dai ◽  
Cheng Yan ◽  
Wenjie Zhang ◽  
Daorong Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractCancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of many malignant tumors. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can reactivate the anti-tumor activity of immune cells, sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy depends on the complex tumor immune processes. In recent years, numerous researches have demonstrated the role of intestinal microbiota in immunity and metabolism of the tumor microenvironment, as well as the efficacy of immunotherapy. Epidemiological studies have further demonstrated the efficacy of antibiotic therapy on the probability of patients' response to ICIs and predictability of the short-term survival of cancer patients. Disturbance to the intestinal microbiota significantly affects ICIs-mediated immune reconstitution and is considered a possible mechanism underlying the development of adverse effects during antibiotic-based ICIs treatment. Intestinal microbiota, antibiotics, and ICIs have gradually become important considerations for the titer of immunotherapy. In the case of immunotherapy, the rational use of antibiotics and intestinal microbiota is expected to yield a better prognosis for patients with malignant tumors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e001460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuting Liu ◽  
Graham D Hogg ◽  
David G DeNardo

The clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors has highlighted the central role of the immune system in cancer control. Immune checkpoint inhibitors can reinvigorate anti-cancer immunity and are now the standard of care in a number of malignancies. However, research on immune checkpoint blockade has largely been framed with the central dogma that checkpoint therapies intrinsically target the T cell, triggering the tumoricidal potential of the adaptive immune system. Although T cells undoubtedly remain a critical piece of the story, mounting evidence, reviewed herein, indicates that much of the efficacy of checkpoint therapies may be attributable to the innate immune system. Emerging research suggests that T cell-directed checkpoint antibodies such as anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) can impact innate immunity by both direct and indirect pathways, which may ultimately shape clinical efficacy. However, the mechanisms and impacts of these activities have yet to be fully elucidated, and checkpoint therapies have potentially beneficial and detrimental effects on innate antitumor immunity. Further research into the role of innate subsets during checkpoint blockade may be critical for developing combination therapies to help overcome checkpoint resistance. The potential of checkpoint therapies to amplify innate antitumor immunity represents a promising new field that can be translated into innovative immunotherapies for patients fighting refractory malignancies.


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