RESUMEN
HER2 amplification occurs in approximately 5% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and is associated only partially with clinical response to combined human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted treatment. An alternative approach based on adoptive cell therapy using T cells engineered with anti-HER2 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) proved to be toxic due to on-target/off-tumor activity. Here we describe a combinatorial strategy to safely target HER2 amplification and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) expression in CRC using a synNotch-CAR-based artificial regulatory network. The natural killer (NK) cell line NK-92 was engineered with an anti-HER2 synNotch receptor driving the expression of a CAR against CEA only when engaged. After being transduced and sorted for HER2-driven CAR expression, cells were cloned. The clone with optimal performances in terms of specificity and amplitude of CAR induction demonstrated significant activity in vitro and in vivo specifically against HER2-amplified (HER2amp)/CEA+ CRC models, with no effects on cells with physiological HER2 levels. The HER2-synNotch/CEA-CAR-NK system provides an innovative, scalable, and safe off-the-shelf cell therapy approach with potential against HER2amp CRC resistant or partially responsive to HER2/EGFR blockade.
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Neoplasias Colorrectales , Receptor ErbB-2 , Receptores Quiméricos de Antígenos , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de Xenoinjerto , Neoplasias Colorrectales/terapia , Neoplasias Colorrectales/genética , Neoplasias Colorrectales/inmunología , Humanos , Receptor ErbB-2/metabolismo , Receptor ErbB-2/genética , Animales , Receptores Quiméricos de Antígenos/inmunología , Receptores Quiméricos de Antígenos/genética , Receptores Quiméricos de Antígenos/metabolismo , Ratones , Línea Celular Tumoral , Antígeno Carcinoembrionario/inmunología , Antígeno Carcinoembrionario/genética , Amplificación de Genes , Células Asesinas Naturales/inmunología , Células Asesinas Naturales/metabolismo , Inmunoterapia/métodos , Inmunoterapia Adoptiva/métodos , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , FemeninoRESUMEN
On August 30, 2023, experts from Germany and abroad met to discuss the successes and challenges of cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK) therapy, that recently celebrated its 30th anniversary providing treatment for cancer. This first virtual conference was hosted by CIO Bonn, a certified Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) funded by German Cancer Aid (DKH). In addition to keynote speakers involved in CIK cell clinical trials or optimized preclinical models to improve this adoptive cell immunotherapy, more than 100 attendees from around the world also participated in this event. Initiatives to establish the International Society of CIK Cells (ISCC) and a stronger CIK cell network guiding preclinical research and future clinical trials were also announced.
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Células Asesinas Inducidas por Citocinas , Neoplasias , Humanos , Inmunoterapia Adoptiva , Neoplasias/terapia , Citocinas , Alemania , InmunoterapiaRESUMEN
The MET receptor is one of the main drivers of 'invasive growth', a multifaceted biological response essential during embryonic development and tissue repair that is usurped by cancer cells to induce and sustain the malignant phenotype. MET stands out as one of the most important oncogenes activated in cancer and its inhibition has been explored since the initial era of cancer-targeted therapy. Different approaches have been developed to hamper MET signaling and/or reduce MET (over)expression as a hallmark of transformation. Considering the great interest gained by cancer immunotherapy, this review evaluates the opportunity of targeting MET within therapeutic approaches based on the exploitation of immune functions, either in those cases where MET impairment is crucial to induce an effective response (i.e., when MET is the driver of the malignancy), or when blocking MET represents a way for potentiating the treatment (i.e., when MET is an adjuvant of tumor fitness).
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Inmunoterapia , Neoplasias , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-met , Humanos , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-met/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-met/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-met/antagonistas & inhibidores , Neoplasias/terapia , Neoplasias/genética , Neoplasias/inmunología , Inmunoterapia/métodos , Animales , Oncogenes , Terapia Molecular Dirigida/métodos , Transducción de SeñalRESUMEN
Cytokine-induced killer lymphocytes (CIK) are a promising alternative to conventional donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), due to their intrinsic anti-tumour activity and reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We explored the feasibility, anti-leukaemic activity and alloreactive risk of CIK generated from full-donor chimaeric (fc) patients and genetically redirected by a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) (fcCAR.CIK) against the leukaemic target CD44v6. fcCAR.CIK were successfully ex-vivo expanded from leukaemic patients in complete remission after HCT confirming their intense preclinical anti-leukaemic activity without enhancing the alloreactivity across human leukocyte antigen (HLA) barriers. Our study provides translational bases to support clinical studies with fcCAR.CIK, a sort of biological bridge between the autologous and allogeneic sources, as alternative DLI following HCT.
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Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Receptores Quiméricos de Antígenos , Humanos , Estudios de Factibilidad , Trasplante Homólogo , Antígenos HLA , Inmunoterapia Adoptiva , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/etiología , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/terapia , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidad Clase IIRESUMEN
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare, mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by either KIT or PDGFRA mutation in about 85% of cases. KIT/PDGFRA wild type gastrointestinal stromal tumors (wtGIST) account for the remaining 15% of GIST and represent an unmet medical need: their prevalence and potential medical vulnerabilities are not completely defined, and effective therapeutic strategies are still lacking. In this study we set a patient-derived preclinical model of wtGIST to investigate their phenotypic features, along with their susceptibility to cellular immunotherapy with cytokine-induced killer lymphocytes (CIK) and interferons (IFN). We generated 11 wtGIST primary cell lines (wtGISTc). The main CIK ligands (MIC A/B; ULBPs), along with PD-L1/2, were expressed by wtGISTc and the expression of HLA-I molecules was preserved. Patient-derived CIK were capable of intense killing in vitro against wtGISTc resistant to both imatinib and sunitinib. We found that CIK produce a high level of granzyme B, IFNα and IFNγ. CIK-conditioned supernatant was responsible for part of the observed tumoricidal effect, along with positive bystander modulatory activities enhancing the expression of PD-L1/2 and HLA-I molecules. IFNα, but not In, had direct antitumor effects on 50% (4/8) of TKI-resistant wtGISTc, positively correlated with the tumor expression of IFN receptors. wtGIST cells that survived IFNα were still sensitive to CIK immunotherapy. Our data support the exploration of CIK immunotherapy in clinical studies for TKI-resistant wtGIST, proposing reevaluation for IFNα within this challenging setting.
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Antineoplásicos , Tumores del Estroma Gastrointestinal , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Antígeno B7-H1/genética , Tumores del Estroma Gastrointestinal/tratamiento farmacológico , Tumores del Estroma Gastrointestinal/terapia , Granzimas/genética , Humanos , Mesilato de Imatinib/farmacología , Mesilato de Imatinib/uso terapéutico , Inmunoterapia , Interferones/genética , Linfocitos , Mutación , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-kit/genética , Proteínas Tirosina Quinasas Receptoras/genética , Receptor alfa de Factor de Crecimiento Derivado de Plaquetas/genética , Sunitinib/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Interferon-induced expression of programmed cell death ligands (PD-L1/PD-L2) may sustain tumour immune-evasion. Patients featuring MET amplification, a genetic lesion driving transformation, may benefit from anti-MET treatment. We explored if MET-targeted therapy interferes with Interferon-γ modulation of PD-L1/PD-L2 in MET-amplified tumours. METHODS: PD-L1/PD-L2 expression and signalling pathways downstream of MET or Interferon-γ were analysed in MET-amplified tumour cell lines and in patient-derived tumour organoids, in basal condition, upon Interferon-γ stimulation, and after anti-MET therapy. RESULTS: PD-L1 and PD-L2 were upregulated in MET-amplified tumour cells upon Interferon-γ treatment. This induction was impaired by JNJ-605, a selective inhibitor of MET kinase activity, and MvDN30, an antibody inducing MET proteolytic cleavage. We found that activation of JAKs/ STAT1, signal transducers downstream of the Interferon-γ receptor, was neutralised by MET inhibitors. Moreover, JAK2 and MET associated in the same signalling complex depending on MET phosphorylation. Results were confirmed in MET-amplified organoids derived from human colorectal tumours, where JNJ-605 treatment revoked Interferon-γ induced PD-L1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that in MET-amplified cancers, treatment with MET inhibitors counteracts the induction of PD-1 ligands by Interferon-γ. Thus, therapeutic use of anti-MET drugs may provide additional clinical benefit over and above the intended inhibition of the target oncogene.
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Antígeno B7-H1/efectos de los fármacos , Interferón gamma/farmacología , Neoplasias/genética , Proteína 2 Ligando de Muerte Celular Programada 1/efectos de los fármacos , Inhibidores de Proteínas Quinasas/farmacología , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-met/antagonistas & inhibidores , Escape del Tumor/efectos de los fármacos , Antígeno B7-H1/genética , Antígeno B7-H1/metabolismo , Línea Celular Tumoral , Neoplasias Colorrectales/patología , Humanos , Quinasas Janus/efectos de los fármacos , Quinasas Janus/metabolismo , Neoplasias Hepáticas/secundario , Terapia Molecular Dirigida , Neoplasias/metabolismo , Organoides , Proteína 2 Ligando de Muerte Celular Programada 1/genética , Proteína 2 Ligando de Muerte Celular Programada 1/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-met/genética , Receptores de Interferón , Factor de Transcripción STAT1/efectos de los fármacos , Factor de Transcripción STAT1/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Escape del Tumor/genética , Receptor de Interferón gammaRESUMEN
The role of poly ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors in ovarian cancer is rapidly evolving. Three different poly ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors (olaparib, niraparib and rucaparib) have been already approved as maintenance after response to platinum-based chemotherapy; two of them (olaparib and rucaparib) also as single agents. Veliparib, a novel PARPI, showed promising results in preclinical and early clinical settings. The aim of this review is to discuss veliparib's mechanisms of action, to provide a clinical update on its safety and activity in ovarian cancer, and to highlight future perspectives for its optimal use. Veliparib favorable toxicity profile encourages its use either as monotherapy or in combination. Its peculiar neuroprotective and radio-sensitizing effect warrant further investigation.
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Bencimidazoles/uso terapéutico , Reparación del ADN/efectos de los fármacos , Neoplasias Ováricas/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribosa) Polimerasas/uso terapéutico , Administración Oral , Bencimidazoles/farmacología , Ensayos Clínicos Fase II como Asunto , Roturas del ADN de Cadena Simple , Femenino , Humanos , Neoplasias Ováricas/genética , Neoplasias Ováricas/patología , Poli(ADP-Ribosa) Polimerasa-1/antagonistas & inhibidores , Poli(ADP-Ribosa) Polimerasa-1/metabolismo , Inhibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribosa) Polimerasas/farmacología , Poli(ADP-Ribosa) Polimerasas/metabolismo , Mutaciones Letales Sintéticas , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T lymphocytes (CAR Ts) produced impressive clinical results against selected hematological malignancies, but the extension of CAR T cell therapy to the challenging field of solid tumors has not, so far, replicated similar clinical outcomes. Many efforts are currently dedicated to improve the efficacy and safety of CAR-based adoptive immunotherapies, including application against solid tumors. A promising approach is CAR engineering of immune effectors different from αßT lymphocytes. Herein we reviewed biological features, therapeutic potential, and safety of alternative effectors to conventional CAR T cells: γδT, natural killer (NK), NKT, or cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells. The intrinsic CAR-independent antitumor activities, safety profile, and ex vivo expansibility of these alternative immune effectors may favorably contribute to the clinical development of CAR strategies. The proper biological features of innate immune response effectors may represent an added value in tumor settings with heterogeneous CAR target expression, limiting the risk of tumor clonal escape. All these properties bring out CAR engineering of alternative immune effectors as a promising integrative option to be explored in future clinical studies.
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Inmunoterapia Adoptiva/métodos , Neoplasias/inmunología , Neoplasias/terapia , Inmunidad Adaptativa/fisiología , Humanos , Células T Asesinas Naturales/inmunología , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfocitos T/inmunologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Trabectedin is an alkylating drug with a unique mechanism of action causing single-strand and double-strand DNA breaks that activate DNA damage-response pathways. Based on our preclinical data, we hypothesised that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) inhibitors might be an ideal partner of trabectedin and aimed to assess the safety, identify the recommended phase 2 dose, and explore preliminary signs of activity of trabectedin and olaparib combination treatment in patients with bone and soft-tissue sarcoma. METHODS: We did an open-label, multicentre, phase 1b study, recruiting patients from the national Italian sarcoma network aged 18 years and older with histologically confirmed bone and soft-tissue sarcoma progressing after standard treatments with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1 or less. In a classic 3â+â3 design, patients received a 24 h infusion of trabectedin on day 1 and olaparib orally twice a day in 21-day cycles across six dose levels (trabectedin 0·675-1·3 mg/m2 every 3 weeks; olaparib 100-300 mg twice a day from day 1 to 21). Intermediate dose levels were permitted to improve safety and tolerability. The primary endpoint was determination of the recommended phase 2 dose (the maximum tolerated dose). Safety and antitumour activity were assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of the study drugs. We report the results of the dose-escalation and dose-expansion cohorts. The trial is still active but closed to enrolment, and follow-up for patients who completed treatment is ongoing. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02398058. FINDINGS: Between Nov 17, 2014, and Jan 30, 2017, of 54 patients assessed for eligibility, we enrolled 50 patients: 28 patients in the dose-escalation cohort and 22 patients in the dose-expansion cohort. Patients received a median of four cycles of treatment (IQR 2-6; range 1-17 [the patients who received the highest number of cycles are still on treatment]) with a median follow-up of 10 months (IQR 5-23). Considering all dose levels, the most common grade 3-4 adverse events were lymphopenia (32 [64%] of 50 patients), neutropenia (31 [62%]), thrombocytopenia (14 [28%]), anaemia (13 [26%]), hypophosphataemia (20 [40%]), and alanine aminotransferase concentration increase (9 [18%]). No treatment-related life-threatening adverse events or deaths occurred. One (2%) patient interrupted treatment without progression without reporting any specific toxicity. Observed dose-limiting toxicities were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia for more than 7 days, and febrile neutropenia. We selected intermediate dose level 4b (trabectedin 1·1 mg/m2 every 3 weeks plus olaparib 150 mg twice a day) as the recommended phase 2 dose. Seven (14%; 95% CI 6-27) of 50 patients achieved a partial response according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors 1.1. INTERPRETATION: Trabectedin and olaparib in combination showed manageable toxicities at active dose levels for both drugs. Preliminary data on antitumour activity are encouraging. Two dedicated phase 2 studies are planned to assess activity of this combination in both ovarian cancer (EudraCT2018-000230-35) and soft-tissue sarcomas. FUNDING: Italian Association for Cancer Research, Italian Sarcoma Group, Foundation for Research on Musculoskeletal and Rare Tumors, and Italian Ministry of Health.
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Antineoplásicos Alquilantes/administración & dosificación , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias Óseas/tratamiento farmacológico , Osteosarcoma/tratamiento farmacológico , Ftalazinas/administración & dosificación , Piperazinas/administración & dosificación , Inhibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribosa) Polimerasas/administración & dosificación , Sarcoma/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias de los Tejidos Blandos/tratamiento farmacológico , Trabectedina/administración & dosificación , Adulto , Antineoplásicos Alquilantes/efectos adversos , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efectos adversos , Neoplasias Óseas/mortalidad , Neoplasias Óseas/patología , Femenino , Humanos , Italia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Osteosarcoma/mortalidad , Osteosarcoma/patología , Ftalazinas/efectos adversos , Piperazinas/efectos adversos , Inhibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribosa) Polimerasas/efectos adversos , Supervivencia sin Progresión , Sarcoma/mortalidad , Sarcoma/patología , Neoplasias de los Tejidos Blandos/mortalidad , Neoplasias de los Tejidos Blandos/patología , Factores de Tiempo , Trabectedina/efectos adversosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Enhancing the antitumor activity of the DNA-damaging drugs is an attractive strategy to improve current treatment options. Trabectedin is an isoquinoline alkylating agent with a peculiar mechanism of action. It binds to minor groove of DNA inducing single- and double-strand-breaks. These kinds of damage lead to the activation of PARP1, a first-line enzyme in DNA-damage response pathways. We hypothesized that PARP1 targeting could perpetuate trabectedin-induced DNA damage in tumor cells leading finally to cell death. METHODS: We investigated trabectedin and PARP1 inhibitor synergism in several tumor histotypes both in vitro and in vivo (subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor xenografts in mice). We searched for key determinants of drug synergism by comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and gene expression profiling (GEP) and validated their functional role. RESULTS: Trabectedin activated PARP1 enzyme and the combination with PARP1 inhibitors potentiated DNA damage, cell cycle arrest at G2/M checkpoint and apoptosis, if compared to single agents. Olaparib was the most active PARP1 inhibitor to combine with trabectedin and we confirmed the antitumor and antimetastatic activity of trabectedin/olaparib combination in mice models. However, we observed different degree of trabectedin/olaparib synergism among different cell lines. Namely, in DMR leiomyosarcoma models the combination was significantly more active than single agents, while in SJSA-1 osteosarcoma models no further advantage was obtained if compared to trabectedin alone. aCGH and GEP revealed that key components of DNA-repair pathways were involved in trabectedin/olaparib synergism. In particular, PARP1 expression dictated the degree of the synergism. Indeed, trabectedin/olaparib synergism was increased after PARP1 overexpression and reduced after PARP1 silencing. CONCLUSIONS: PARP1 inhibition potentiated trabectedin activity in a PARP1-dependent manner and PARP1 expression in tumor cells might be a useful predictive biomarker that deserves clinical evaluation.
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Biomarcadores de Tumor/genética , Dioxoles/administración & dosificación , Poli(ADP-Ribosa) Polimerasa-1/genética , Sarcoma/tratamiento farmacológico , Tetrahidroisoquinolinas/administración & dosificación , Animales , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Línea Celular Tumoral , Hibridación Genómica Comparativa , Daño del ADN/efectos de los fármacos , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Ratones , Ftalazinas/administración & dosificación , Piperazinas/administración & dosificación , Poli(ADP-Ribosa) Polimerasa-1/antagonistas & inhibidores , Sarcoma/genética , Sarcoma/patología , Trabectedina , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de XenoinjertoRESUMEN
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) remains the only curative therapy for many hematologic malignancies but it is limited by high nonrelapse mortality (NRM), primarily from unpredictable control of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Recently, post-transplant cyclophosphamide demonstrated improved GVHD control in allogeneic bone marrow HCT. Here we explore cyclophosphamide in allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (alloPBSCT). Patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies received alloPBSCT from HLA-matched unrelated/related donors. GVHD prophylaxis included combination post-HCT cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg (days +3 and +4) and tacrolimus/mofetil mycophenolate (T/MMF) (day +5 forward). The primary objective was the cumulative incidence of acute and chronic GVHD. Between March 2011 and May 2015, 35 consecutive patients received the proposed regimen. MMF was stopped in all patients at day +28; the median discontinuation of tacrolimus was day +113. Acute and chronic GVHD cumulative incidences were 17% and 7%, respectively, with no grade IV GVHD events, only 2 patients requiring chronic GVHD immunosuppression control, and no deaths from GVHD. Two-year NRM, overall survival, event-free survival, and chronic GVHD event-free survival rates were 3%, 77%, 54%, and 49%, respectively. The graft-versus-tumor effect was maintained as 5 of 15 patients (33%) who received HCT with evidence of disease experienced further disease response. A post-transplant cyclophosphamide + T/MMF combination strategy effectively prevented acute and chronic GVHD after alloPBSCT from HLA-matched donors and achieved an unprecedented low NRM without losing efficacy in disease control or impaired development of the graft-versus-tumor effect. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02300571.
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Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapéutico , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/prevención & control , Neoplasias Hematológicas/terapia , Trasplante de Células Madre de Sangre Periférica/métodos , Donantes de Tejidos , Adulto , Anciano , Ciclofosfamida/administración & dosificación , Femenino , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/mortalidad , Neoplasias Hematológicas/mortalidad , Histocompatibilidad , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ácido Micofenólico/administración & dosificación , Trasplante de Células Madre de Sangre Periférica/efectos adversos , Análisis de Supervivencia , Tacrolimus/administración & dosificación , Trasplante Homólogo , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Adoptive immunotherapy with Cytokine Induced Killer (CIK) cells has shown antitumor activity against several kinds of cancers in preclinical models and clinical trials. CIK cells are a subset of ex vivo expanded T lymphocytes with T-NK phenotype and MHC-unrestricted antitumor activity. Literature provides scanty information on cytokines, chemokines and growth factors secreted by CIK cells. Therefore, we investigated the secretory profile of CIK cells generated from tumor patients. The secretome analysis was performed at specific time points (day 1, day 14 and day 21) of CIK cells expansion. Mature CIK cells (day 21) produce a great variety of interleukins and secreted proteins that can be divided into 3 groups based on their secretion quantity: high (IL-13, RANTES, MIP-1α and 1ß), medium (IL-1Ra, IL-5, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IP-10, INF-γ, VEGF and GMCSF) and low (IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-9, IL-12, IL-15, Eotaxin, PDGF-bb, FGF basic, G-CSF and MCP-1) secreted. Moreover, comparing PBMC (day 1) and mature CIK cells (day 14 and 21) secretome, we observed that IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, GM-CSF, VEGF resulted greatly up-regulated, while IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IL-17, eotaxin, MCP-1, and RANTES were down-regulated. We also performed a gene expression profile analysis of patient-derived CIK cells showing that mRNA for the different cytokines and secreted proteins were modulated during PBMC to CIK differentiation. We highlighted previously unknown secretory properties and provided for the first time a comprehensive molecular characterization of CIK cells. Our findings provide rationale to explore the functional implications and possible therapeutic modulation of CIK secretome.
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Células Asesinas Inducidas por Citocinas/metabolismo , Citocinas/metabolismo , Tumores del Estroma Gastrointestinal/metabolismo , Anciano , Proliferación Celular , Femenino , Humanos , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intercelular/metabolismo , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , TranscriptomaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Results of previous study showed promising but short-lived activity of sorafenib in the treatment of patients with unresectable advanced and metastatic osteosarcoma. This treatment failure has been attributed to the mTOR pathway and might therefore be overcome with the addition of mTOR inhibitors. We aimed to investigate the activity of sorafenib in combination with everolimus in patients with inoperable high-grade osteosarcoma progressing after standard treatment. METHODS: We did this non-randomised phase 2 trial in three Italian Sarcoma Group centres. We enrolled adults (≥18 years) with relapsed or unresectable osteosarcoma progressing after standard treatment (methotrexate, cisplatin, and doxorubicin, with or without ifosfamide). Patients received 800 mg sorafenib plus 5 mg everolimus once a day until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects. The primary endpoint was 6 month progression-free survival (PFS). All analyses were intention-to-treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01804374. FINDINGS: We enrolled 38 patients between June 16, 2011, and June 4, 2013. 17 (45%; 95% CI 28-61) of 38 patients were progression free at 6 months. Toxic effects led to dose reductions, or short interruptions, or both in 25 (66%) of 38 patients and permanent discontinuation for two (5%) patients. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were lymphopenia and hypophosphataemia each in six (16%) patients, hand and foot syndrome in five (13%), thrombocytopenia in four (11%), and fatigue, oral mucositis, diarrhoea, and anaemia each in two (5%). One patient (3%) had a grade 3 pneumothorax that required trans-thoracic drainage, and that recurred at the time of disease progression. This was reported as a serious adverse event related to the study drugs in both instances. No other serious adverse events were reported during the trial. There were no treatment-related deaths. INTERPRETATION: Although the combination of sorafenib and everolimus showed activity as a further-line treatment for patients with advanced or unresectable osteosarcoma, it did not attain the prespecified target of 6 month PFS of 50% or greater. FUNDING: Italian Sarcoma Group.
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Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias Óseas/tratamiento farmacológico , Osteosarcoma/tratamiento farmacológico , Serina-Treonina Quinasas TOR/antagonistas & inhibidores , Adolescente , Adulto , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efectos adversos , Neoplasias Óseas/enzimología , Neoplasias Óseas/patología , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Everolimus , Femenino , Humanos , Análisis de Intención de Tratar , Italia , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Clasificación del Tumor , Niacinamida/administración & dosificación , Niacinamida/análogos & derivados , Osteosarcoma/enzimología , Osteosarcoma/secundario , Compuestos de Fenilurea/administración & dosificación , Sirolimus/administración & dosificación , Sirolimus/análogos & derivados , Sorafenib , Serina-Treonina Quinasas TOR/metabolismo , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor arising from mesothelial cells lining the pleural cavities characterized by resistance to standard therapies. Most of the molecular steps responsible for pleural transformation remain unclear; however, several growth factor signaling cascades are known to be altered during MPM onset and progression. Transducers of these pathways, such as PIK3CA-mTOR-AKT, MAPK, and ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) could therefore be exploited as possible targets for pharmacological intervention. This study aimed to identify 'druggable' pathways in MPM and to formulate a targeted approach based on the use of commercially available molecules, such as the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib and the mTOR inhibitor everolimus. METHODS: We planned a triple approach based on: i) analysis of immunophenotypes and mutational profiles in a cohort of thoracoscopic MPM samples, ii) in vitro pharmacological assays, ii) in vivo therapeutic approaches on MPM xenografts. No mutations were found in 'hot spot' regions of the mTOR upstream genes (e.g. EGFR, KRAS and PIK3CA). RESULTS: Phosphorylated mTOR and ERM were specifically overexpressed in the analyzed MPM samples. Sorafenib and everolimus combination was effective in mTOR and ERM blockade; exerted synergistic effects on the inhibition of MPM cell proliferation; triggered ROS production and consequent AMPK-p38 mediated-apoptosis. The antitumor activity was displayed when orally administered to MPM-bearing NOD/SCID mice. CONCLUSIONS: ERM and mTOR pathways are activated in MPM and 'druggable' by a combination of sorafenib and everolimus. Combination therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy against MPM.
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Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/administración & dosificación , Proteínas del Citoesqueleto/metabolismo , Everolimus/administración & dosificación , Mesotelioma/tratamiento farmacológico , Niacinamida/análogos & derivados , Compuestos de Fenilurea/administración & dosificación , Neoplasias Pleurales/tratamiento farmacológico , Serina-Treonina Quinasas TOR/metabolismo , Administración Oral , Animales , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/farmacología , Línea Celular Tumoral , Proteínas del Citoesqueleto/genética , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Everolimus/farmacología , Femenino , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Masculino , Mesotelioma/genética , Mesotelioma/metabolismo , Ratones , Niacinamida/administración & dosificación , Niacinamida/farmacología , Compuestos de Fenilurea/farmacología , Fosforilación/efectos de los fármacos , Neoplasias Pleurales/genética , Neoplasias Pleurales/metabolismo , Sorafenib , Serina-Treonina Quinasas TOR/genética , Resultado del Tratamiento , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de XenoinjertoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare, mesenchymal tumors characterized by dismal prognosis in advanced/metastatic stages. Knowledge of their molecular determinants is still rather limited. However, in recent years, epigenetic regulation - the modification of gene expression/function without DNA sequence variation - has emerged as a key player both in sarcomagenesis and sarcoma progression. AREAS COVERED: Herein, we describe and review the main epigenetic mechanisms involved in chromatin remodeling and their role as disease drivers in different soft tissue sarcoma histotypes, focusing on epithelioid sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Focusing on chromatin-remodeling complexes, we provide an in-depth on the role of BAF complex alterations in these soft tissue sarcoma histotypes. In parallel, we highlight current state-of-the-art and future perspectives in the development of rational, innovative treatments leveraging on epigenetic dysregulation in soft tissue sarcomas. EXPERT OPINION: Therapeutic options for metastatic/advanced sarcomas are to date very limited and largely represented by cytotoxic agents, with only modest results. In the continuous attempt to find novel targets and innovative, effective drugs, epigenetic mechanisms represent an emerging and promising field of research, especially for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, epithelioid and synovial sarcoma.
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Neurofibrosarcoma , Sarcoma Sinovial , Sarcoma , Neoplasias de los Tejidos Blandos , Humanos , Sarcoma Sinovial/tratamiento farmacológico , Sarcoma Sinovial/genética , Epigénesis Genética , Sarcoma/tratamiento farmacológico , Sarcoma/genética , Neoplasias de los Tejidos Blandos/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias de los Tejidos Blandos/genéticaRESUMEN
The introduction of immunotherapy revolutionized the treatment landscape in metastatic melanoma. Despite the impressive results associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), only a portion of patients obtain a response to this treatment. In this scenario, the research of predictive factors is fundamental to identify patients who may have a response and to exclude patients with a low possibility to respond. These factors can be host-associated, immune system activation-related, and tumor-related. Patient-related factors can vary from data obtained by medical history (performance status, age, sex, body mass index, concomitant medications, and comorbidities) to analysis of the gut microbiome from fecal samples. Tumor-related factors can reflect tumor burden (metastatic sites, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, and circulating tumor DNA) or can derive from the analysis of tumor samples (driver mutations, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and myeloid cells). Biomarkers evaluating the immune system activation, such as IFN-gamma gene expression profile and analysis of circulating immune cell subsets, have emerged in recent years as significantly correlated with response to ICIs. In this manuscript, we critically reviewed the most updated literature data on the landscape of predictive factors in metastatic melanoma treated with ICIs. We focus on the principal limits and potentiality of different methods, shedding light on the more promising biomarkers.
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BACKGROUND: The immunotherapy of head and neck cancer induces a limited rate of long-term survivors at the cost of treating many patients exposed to toxicity without benefit, regardless of PD-L1 expression. The identification of better biomarkers is warranted. We analyzed a panel of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, hereinafter all referred to as 'cytokines', as potential biomarkers in patients with head and neck cancer treated with nivolumab. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 circulating cytokines were analyzed. Samples were gathered at baseline (T0) and after 3 courses of nivolumab (T1) in patients with relapsed/metastatic disease. The data extracted at T0 were linked to survival; the comparison of T0-T1 explored the effect of immunotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients were accrued: 64% current heavy smokers, 36% female and 14% had PS = 2. At T0, ROC analysis showed that IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TGF-ß were higher in patients with poor survival. Cox analysis demonstrated that only patients with the IL-6 and TGF-ß discriminate had good or poor survival, respectively. Longitudinal increments of CCL-4, IL-15, IL-2 and CXCL-10 were observed in all patients during nivolumab treatment. CONCLUSION: In this small population with poor clinical characteristics, this study highlights the prognostic role of IL-6 and TGF-ß. Nivolumab treatment is associated with a positive modulation of some Th1 cytokines, but it does not correlate with the outcome.
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The introduction of targeted therapies represented one of the most significant advances in the treatment of BRAFV600E melanoma. However, the onset of acquired resistance remains a challenge. Previously, we showed in mouse xenografts that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) removal enhanced the antitumor effect of BRAF inhibition through the recruitment of M1 macrophages. In this work, we explored the strategy of VEGFA/BRAF inhibition in immunocompetent melanoma murine models. In BRAF mutant D4M melanoma tumors, VEGFA/BRAF targeting reshaped the tumor microenvironment, largely by stimulating infiltration of M1 macrophages and CD8+ T cells, and sensitized tumors to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Furthermore, we reported that the association of VEGFA/BRAF targeting with anti-PD-1 antibody (triple therapy) resulted in a durable response and enabled complete tumor eradication in 50% of the mice, establishing immunological memory. Neutralization and CRISPR-Cas-mediated editing of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) abrogated antitumor response prompted by triple therapy and identified GM-CSF as the cytokine instrumental in M1-macrophage recruitment. Our data suggest that VEGFA/BRAF targeting in melanoma induces the activation of innate and adaptive immunity and prepares tumors for ICB. Our study contributes to understanding the tumor biology of BRAFV600E melanoma and suggests VEGFA as therapeutic target.
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Factor Estimulante de Colonias de Granulocitos y Macrófagos , Melanoma , Humanos , Animales , Ratones , Factor Estimulante de Colonias de Granulocitos y Macrófagos/farmacología , Factor Estimulante de Colonias de Granulocitos y Macrófagos/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas B-raf/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas B-raf/metabolismo , Linfocitos T CD8-positivos/metabolismo , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Melanoma/metabolismo , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Microambiente TumoralRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Combination of chemotherapy (CT) with programmed cell death (PD)-1 blockade is a front-line treatment for lung cancer. However, it remains unknown whether and how CT affects the response of exhausted CD8 T cells to PD-1 blockade. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used the well-established mouse model of T cell exhaustion with chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection to assess the effect of CT (cisplatin+pemetrexed) on T cell response to PD-1 blockade, in the absence of the impact of CT on antigen release and presentation observed in tumor models. RESULTS: When concomitantly administered with PD-1 blockade, CT affected the differentiation path of LCMV-specific CD8 T cells from stem-like to transitory effector cells, thereby reducing their expansion and production of interferon (IFN)-γ. After combination treatment, these restrained effector responses resulted in impaired viral control, compared to PD-1 blockade alone. The sequential combination strategy, where PD-1 blockade followed CT, proved to be superior to the concomitant combination, preserving the proliferative response of exhausted CD8 T cells to PD-1 blockade. Our findings suggest that the stem-like CD8 T cells themselves are relatively unaffected by CT partly because they are quiescent and maintained by slow self-renewal at the steady state. However, upon the proliferative burst mediated by PD-1 blockade, the accelerated differentiation and self-renewal of stem-like cells may be curbed by concomitant CT, ultimately resulting in impaired overall CD8 T cell effector functions. CONCLUSIONS: In a translational context, we provide a proof-of-concept to consider optimizing the timing of chemo-immunotherapy strategies for improved CD8 T cell functions.
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PURPOSE: Antibodies against the lymphocyte PD-1 (aPD-1) receptor are cornerstone agents for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), based on their ability to restore the exhausted antitumor immune response. Our study reports a novel, lymphocyte-independent, therapeutic activity of aPD-1 against NSCLC, blocking the tumor-intrinsic PD-1 receptors on chemoresistant cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: PD-1 in NSCLC cells was explored in vitro at baseline, including stem-like pneumospheres, and following treatment with cisplatin both at transcriptional and protein levels. PD-1 signaling and RNA sequencing were assessed. The lymphocyte-independent antitumor activity of aPD-1 was explored in vitro, by PD-1 blockade and stimulation with soluble ligand (PD-L1s), and in vivo within NSCLC xenograft models. RESULTS: We showed the existence of PD-1+ NSCLC cell subsets in cell lines and large in silico datasets (Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and The Cancer Genome Atlas). Cisplatin significantly increased PD-1 expression on chemo-surviving NSCLC cells (2.5-fold P = 0.0014), while the sequential treatment with anti-PD-1 Ab impaired their recovery after chemotherapy. PD-1 was found to be associated with tumor stemness features. PD-1 expression was enhanced in NSCLC stem-like pneumospheres (P < 0.0001), significantly promoted by stimulation with soluble PD-L1 (+27% ± 4, P < 0.0001) and inhibited by PD-1 blockade (-30% ± 3, P < 0.0001). The intravenous monotherapy with anti-PD-1 significantly inhibited tumor growth of NSCLC xenografts in immunodeficient mice, without the contribution of the immune system, and delayed the occurrence of chemoresistance when combined with cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS: We report first evidence of a novel lymphocyte-independent activity of anti-PD-1 antibodies in NSCLC, capable of inhibiting chemo-surviving NSCLC cells and exploitable to contrast disease relapses following chemotherapy. See related commentary by Augustin et al., p. 505.