BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 infection is one of the most important etiological agents of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with HPV-associated carcinomas of the head and neck were reported to have a better clinical outcome than patients with HPV-negative tumors. Because HPV16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins are highly immunogenic and constitutively expressed, HPV-specific T cell immunity may play the key role in improving the prognosis of these patients. METHODS: Tumor-derived T cells were expanded in high levels of IL-2 and stimulated with HPV16 E6/E7 peptides in the presence or absence of anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody nivolumab and soluble Tim-3. RESULTS: HPV16-specific tumor-infiltrating T cells were present in 73.1% of HPV-associated oropharyngeal tumors. HPV16 specific CD8+ TILs were able to produce IFNγ upon specific stimulation and predominantly expressed PD-1 but not Tim-3. Specific IFNγ production was further enhanced after a blockade of both PD-1 and Tim-3 pathways but not after a PD-1 blockade alone. Additionally, the specific stimulation of anti-HPV16 CD8+ T cells suppressed Tim-3 upregulation after the PD-1 blockade. CONCLUSION: Our data provide the rationale for combination cancer immunotherapy approaches, including the dual blockade of PD-1 and Tim-3 and, potentially, the use of HPV16-directed therapeutic vaccines.
- MeSH
- Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor antagonists & inhibitors metabolism MeSH
- Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 metabolism MeSH
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes immunology MeSH
- Cytokines biosynthesis MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Human papillomavirus 16 isolation & purification MeSH
- Oropharyngeal Neoplasms drug therapy immunology metabolism virology MeSH
- Nivolumab therapeutic use MeSH
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological therapeutic use MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating immunology MeSH
- Tumor Escape MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
PURPOSE: In multiple oncological settings, expression of the coinhibitory ligand PD-L1 by malignant cells and tumor infiltration by immune cells expressing coinhibitory receptors such as PD-1, CTLA4, LAG-3, or TIM-3 conveys prognostic or predictive information. Conversely, the impact of these features of the tumor microenvironment on disease outcome among high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) patients remains controversial. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We harnessed a retrospective cohort of 80 chemotherapy-naïve HGSC patients to investigate PD-L1 expression and tumor infiltration by CD8+ T cells, CD20+ B cells, DC-LAMP+ dendritic cells as well as by PD-1+, CTLA4+, LAG-3+, and TIM-3+ cells in relation with prognosis and function orientation of the tumor microenvironment. IHC data were complemented with transcriptomic and functional studies on a second prospective cohort of freshly resected HGSC samples. In silico analysis of publicly available RNA expression data from 308 HGSC samples was used as a confirmatory approach. RESULTS: High levels of PD-L1 and high densities of PD-1+ cells in the microenvironment of HGSCs were strongly associated with an immune contexture characterized by a robust TH1 polarization and cytotoxic orientation that enabled superior clinical benefits. Moreover, PD-1+TIM-3+CD8+ T cells presented all features of functional exhaustion and correlated with poor disease outcome. However, although PD-L1 levels and tumor infiltration by TIM-3+ cells improved patient stratification based on the intratumoral abundance of CD8+ T cells, the amount of PD-1+ cells failed to do so. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that PD-L1 and TIM-3 constitute prognostically relevant biomarkers of active and suppressed immune responses against HGSC, respectively.
- MeSH
- CTLA-4 Antigen immunology metabolism MeSH
- B7-H1 Antigen immunology metabolism MeSH
- Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 immunology metabolism MeSH
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes immunology MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial immunology metabolism pathology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Lysosomal Membrane Proteins immunology metabolism MeSH
- Survival Rate MeSH
- Biomarkers, Tumor immunology metabolism MeSH
- Neoplasm Proteins immunology metabolism MeSH
- Prognosis MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic * MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous immunology metabolism pathology MeSH
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating immunology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
Accumulating evidence indicates that immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can restore CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) functions in preclinical models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, ICIs targeting programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1, best known as PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) have limited clinical efficacy in patients with AML. Natural killer (NK) cells are central players in AML-targeting immune responses. However, little is known on the relationship between co-inhibitory receptors expressed by NK cells and the ability of the latter to control AML. Here, we show that hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2, best known as TIM-3) is highly expressed by NK cells from AML patients, correlating with improved functional licensing and superior effector functions. Altogether, our data indicate that NK cell frequency as well as TIM-3 expression levels constitute prognostically relevant biomarkers of active immunity against AML.
Depletion and functional impairment of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are characteristic attributes of HIV-1-infection. The mechanism of dysfunction of pDCs is unclear. Here, we studied the development of phenotype of pDCs in a cohort of HIV-1-infected individuals monitored before the initiation and during a 9-month follow up with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Using polychromatic flow cytometry, we detected significantly higher pDC-surface expression of the HIV-1 receptor CD4, regulatory receptor BDCA-2, Fcγ receptor CD32, pDC dysfunction marker TIM-3, and the marker of killer pDC, TRAIL, in treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals before initiation of ART when compared to healthy donors. After 9 months of ART, all of these markers approached but did not reach the expression levels observed in healthy donors. We found that the rate of decline in HIV-1 RNA level over the first 3 months of ART negatively correlated with the expression of TIM-3 on pDCs. We conclude that immunogenic phenotype of pDCs is not significantly restored after sustained suppression of HIV-1 RNA level in ART-treated patients and that the level of the TIM-3 expressed on pDCs in treatment naïve patients could be a predictive marker of the rate of decline in the HIV-1 RNA level during ART.
- MeSH
- Biomarkers MeSH
- Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 genetics MeSH
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes drug effects immunology metabolism MeSH
- Dendritic Cells immunology metabolism MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Gene Expression * MeSH
- HIV Infections drug therapy genetics immunology virology MeSH
- HIV-1 * immunology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- CD4 Lymphocyte Count MeSH
- RNA, Viral MeSH
- Viral Load MeSH
- Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
UNLABELLED: PURPOSE : To compare the efficacy and safety of the fixed-dose combination (FDC) of netarsudil 0.02%/latanoprost 0.005% ophthalmic solution (NET/LAT; Roclanda®) with bimatoprost 0.03%/timolol maleate 0.5% (BIM/TIM; Ganfort®) ophthalmic solution in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: MERCURY-3 was a 6-month prospective, double-masked, randomized, multicenter, active-controlled, parallel-group, non-inferiority study. Patients (≥ 18 years) with a diagnosis of OAG or OHT in both eyes that was insufficiently controlled with topical medication (IOP ≥ 17 mmHg in ≥ 1 eye and < 28 mmHg in both eyes) were included. Following washout, patients were randomized to once-daily NET/LAT or BIM/TIM for up to 6 months; efficacy was assessed at Week 2, Week 4, and Month 3; safety was evaluated for 6 months. Comparison of NET/LAT relative to BIM/TIM for mean IOP at 08:00, 10:00, and 16:00 h was assessed at Week 2, Week 6, and Month 3. Non-inferiority of NET/LAT to BIM/TIM was defined as a difference of ≤ 1.5 mmHg at all nine time points through Month 3 and ≤ 1.0 mmHg at five or more of nine time points through Month 3. RESULTS: Overall, 430 patients were randomized (NET/LAT, n = 218; BIM/TIM, n = 212), and all received at least one dose of study medication. Efficacy analyses were performed at Month 3 on 388 patients (NET/LAT, n = 184; BIM/TIM, n = 204). NET/LAT demonstrated non-inferiority to BIM/TIM, with a between-treatment difference in IOP of ≤ 1.5 mmHg achieved at all time points and ≤ 1.0 mmHg at the majority of time points (six of nine) through Month 3. Mean diurnal IOP during the study ranged from 15.4 to 15.6 mmHg and 15.2 to 15.6 mmHg in the NET/LAT and BIM/TIM groups respectively, with no between-group statistically significant difference. No significant differences were observed in key secondary endpoints. No serious, treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were observed, and AEs were typically mild/moderate in severity. The most common treatment-related AEs were conjunctival hyperemia (NET/LAT, 30.7%; BIM/TIM, 9.0%) and cornea verticillata (NET/LAT, 11.0%; BIM/TIM, 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Once-daily NET/LAT was non-inferior to BIM/TIM in IOP reduction in OAG and OHT, with AEs consistent with previous findings. NET/LAT offers a compelling alternative FDC treatment option for OAG and OHT.
- MeSH
- Antihypertensive Agents adverse effects MeSH
- Benzoates * MeSH
- beta-Alanine analogs & derivatives MeSH
- Bimatoprost therapeutic use MeSH
- Double-Blind Method MeSH
- Glaucoma, Open-Angle * diagnosis drug therapy MeSH
- Latanoprost adverse effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Intraocular Pressure MeSH
- Ocular Hypertension * diagnosis drug therapy MeSH
- Ophthalmic Solutions MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Timolol adverse effects MeSH
- Tonometry, Ocular MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
- Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
The immune system is important for elimination of residual leukemic cells during acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy. Anti-leukemia immune response can be inhibited by various mechanisms leading to immune evasion and disease relapse. Selected markers of immune escape were analyzed on AML cells from leukapheresis at diagnosis (N = 53). Hierarchical clustering of AML immunophenotypes yielded distinct genetic clusters. In the absence of DNMT3A mutation, NPM1 mutation was associated with decreased HLA expression and low levels of other markers (CLIP, PD-L1, TIM-3). Analysis of an independent cohort confirmed decreased levels of HLA transcripts in patients with NPM1 mutation. Samples with combined NPM1 and DNMT3A mutations had high CLIP surface amount suggesting reduced antigen presentation. TIM-3 transcript correlated not only with TIM-3 surface protein but also with CLIP and PD-L1. In our cohort, high levels of TIM-3/PD-L1/CLIP were associated with lower survival. Our results suggest that AML genotype is related to blast immunophenotype, and that high TIM-3 transcript levels in AML blasts could be a marker of immune escape. Cellular pathways regulating resistance to the immune system might contribute to the predicted response to standard therapy of patients in specific AML subgroups and should be targeted to improve AML treatment.
- MeSH
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute * diagnosis genetics MeSH
- B7-H1 Antigen genetics MeSH
- Biomarkers MeSH
- Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 genetics MeSH
- DNA Methyltransferase 3A * genetics MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mutation MeSH
- Nucleophosmin * genetics MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
The velocity of the COVID-19 pandemic spread and the variable severity of the disease course has forced scientists to search for potential predictors of the disease outcome. We examined various immune parameters including the markers of immune cells exhaustion and activation in 21 patients with COVID-19 disease hospitalised in our hospital during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia. The results showed significant progressive lymphopenia and depletion of lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+) in correlation to the disease severity. Clinical recovery was associated with significant increase in CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ T-cells. Most of our patients had eosinopenia on admission, although no significant differences were seen among groups with different disease severity. Non-survivors, when compared to survivors, had significantly increased expression of PD-1 on CD4+ and CD8+ cells, but no significant difference in Tim-3 expression was observed, what suggests possible reversibility of immune paralysis in the most severe group of patients. During recovery, the expression of Tim-3 on both CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ cells significantly decreased. Moreover, patients with fatal outcome had significantly higher proportion of CD38+CD8+ cells and lower proportion of CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ cells on admission. Clinical recovery was associated with significant decrease of proportion of CD38+CD8+ cells. The highest AUC values within univariate and multivariate logistic regression were achieved for expression of CD38 on CD8+ cells and expression of PD1 on CD4+ cells alone or combined, what suggests, that these parameters could be used as potential biomarkers of poor outcome. The assessment of immune markers could help in predicting outcome and disease severity in COVID-19 patients. Our observations suggest, that apart from the degree of depletion of total lymphocytes and lymphocytes subsets, increased expression of CD38 on CD3+CD8+ cells alone or combined with increased expression of PD-1 on CD3+CD4+ cells, should be regarded as a risk factor of an unfavourable outcome in COVID-19 patients. Increased expression of PD-1 in the absence of an increased expression of Tim-3 on CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ cells suggests potential reversibility of ongoing immune paralysis in patients with the most severe course of COVID-19.
- MeSH
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes MeSH
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes MeSH
- COVID-19 * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pandemics MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Za poslední dekádu se imunoterapie etablovala do léčebného algoritmu napříč mnohých solidních tumorů. A i přes to, že etablování checkpoint inhibitorů vůči PD-1 a CTLA-4 receptorům a PD-1 ligandu přináší léčebný benefit, existuje stále velká skupina pacientů, u kterých tato terapie není účinná. V současné době probíhá další výzkum, který se snaží najít další možné způsoby, jak dosáhnout dalšího zlepšení. V následujícím článku jsou prezentovány méně známé checkpoint inhibitory, které mají v blízké budoucnosti terapeutický potenciál.
Over the last decade, immunotherapy has been established as part of various treatment algorithms across solid tumors. And although the use of checkpoint inhibitors like anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 receptors and anti-PD-1 ligand provides a therapeutic benefit, there is still a large group of patients in whom this therapy is not effective. Further research is currently underway to find other possible ways to make improvements. In the following article, we present less known checkpoint inhibitors which have therapeutic potential in the near future.
- Keywords
- LAG-3, TIM-3, TIGIT,
- MeSH
- Immunotherapy * methods MeSH
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors * pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Neoplasms * drug therapy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
