Innervation of cervical carcinoma is mediated by cancer-derived exosomes.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, our laboratory identified sensory innervation within head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and subsequently defined a mechanism whereby HNSCCs promote their own innervation via the release of exosomes that stimulate neurite outgrowth. Interestingly, we noted that exosomes from human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cell lines were more effective at promoting neurite outgrowth than those from HPV-negative cell lines. As nearly all cervical tumors are HPV-positive, we hypothesized that these findings would extend to cervical cancer. METHODS: We use an in vitro assay with PC12 cells to quantify the axonogenic potential of cervical cancer exosomes. PC12 cells are treated with cancer-derived exosomes, stained with the pan-neuronal marker (ß-III tubulin) and the number of neurites quantified. To assess innervation in cervical cancer, we immunohistochemically stained cervical cancer patient samples for ß-III tubulin and TRPV1 (sensory marker) and compared the staining to normal cervix. RESULTS: Here, we show the presence of sensory nerves within human cervical tumors. Additionally, we show that exosomes derived from HPV-positive cervical cancer cell lines effectively stimulate neurite outgrowth. CONCLUSIONS: These data identify sensory nerves as components of the cervical cancer microenvironment and suggest that tumor- derived exosomes promote their recruitment.

Pembrolizumab-Induced Thyroiditis.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors act to restore T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. By this nature, these cancer immunotherapy drugs are associated with various immune-related adverse events such as thyroid dysfunction. We describe a case of thyrotoxicosis secondary to a programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab. A 30-year-old female was started on pembrolizumab immunotherapy for stage III small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type. Thirteen days after her second cycle of therapy, she presented with symptoms consistent with thyrotoxicosis. A thyroiditis was diagnosed by thyroid function tests and ultrasonography. She was originally treated with prednisone and metoprolol for possible Grave's disease. Pertechnetate thyroid scan was more consistent with thyroiditis secondary to pembrolizumab. She underwent a total thyroidectomy 10 days after initial presentation for refractory thyrotoxicosis despite maximal medical therapy. Her symptoms resolved and thyroid function tests significantly improved. Pathology was consistent with severe thyroiditis. Immune microenvironment may play a role in the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1). Chronic inflammation surrounding tumor upregulates PD-L1 expression on tumor cells by the release of cytokines, which acts to inhibit tumor destruction. We suggest that our patient had an undetected chronic inflammation of the thyroid, specifically Hashimoto's thyroidits, which predisposed her to thyroid destruction when taking pembrolizumab. Understanding that an inflammatory environment impacts thyroid toxicity to PD-1 inhibitor therapy is novel and should be further studied.