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16 pages, 3980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Characterization of Immune Landscape Based on Tumor Microenvironment for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Prognosis

by Qi-Lin Li, Jing Mao and Xin-Yao Meng

Vaccines 2022, 10(9), 1521; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10091521 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1869

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to identify an immune-related signature to predict clinical outcomes of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Methods: Gene transcriptome data of both tumor and normal tissues from OSCC and the corresponding clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome [...] Read more.

Objective: This study aims to identify an immune-related signature to predict clinical outcomes of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Methods: Gene transcriptome data of both tumor and normal tissues from OSCC and the corresponding clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Tumor Immune Estimation Resource algorithm (ESTIMATE) was used to calculate the immune/stromal-related scores. The immune/stromal scores and associated clinical characteristics of OSCC patients were evaluated. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, least absolute shrinkage, and selection operator (LASSO) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the prognostic prediction capacity. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Ontology (GO) function annotation were used to analysis the functions of TME-related genes. Results: Eleven predictor genes were identified in the immune-related signature and overall survival (OS) in the high-risk group was significantly shorter than in the low-risk group. An ROC analysis showed the TME-related signature could predict the total OS of OSCC patients. Moreover, GSEA and GO function annotation proved that immunity and immune-related pathways were mainly enriched in the high-risk group. Conclusions: We identified an immune-related signature that was closely correlated with the prognosis and immune response of OSCC patients. This signature may have important implications for improving the clinical survival rate of OSCC patients and provide a potential strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy and Vaccines Research)

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18 pages, 5318 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Five Collagen-Related Gene Signature to Estimate the Prognosis and Immune Microenvironment in Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer

by Xiaokai Shi, Xiao Zhou, Chuang Yue, Shenglin Gao, Zhiqin Sun, Chao Lu and Li Zuo

Vaccines 2021, 9(12), 1510; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9121510 - 20 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2801

Abstract

Collagen is the main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and might play an important role in tumor microenvironments. However, the relationship between collagen and clear cell renal cell cancer (ccRCC) is still not fully clarified. Hence, we aimed to establish a collagen-related [...] Read more.

Collagen is the main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and might play an important role in tumor microenvironments. However, the relationship between collagen and clear cell renal cell cancer (ccRCC) is still not fully clarified. Hence, we aimed to establish a collagen-related signature to predict the prognosis and estimate the tumor immune microenvironment in ccRCC patients. Patients with a high risk score were often correlated with unfavorable overall survival (OS) and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. In addition, the collagen-related genetic signature was highly correlated with clinical pathological features and can be considered as an independent prognostic factor in ccRCC patients. Moreover, GSEA results show that patients with a high risk grade tend to be associated with epithelial–mesenchymal junctions (EMT) and immune responses. In this study, we developed a collagen-related gene signature, which might possess the potential to predict the prognosis and immune microenvironment of ccRCC patients and function as an independent prognostic factor in ccRCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy and Vaccines Research)

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15 pages, 2146 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Engineering a Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell-Based Vaccine to Prime and Expand Multispecific Viral and Tumor Antigen-Specific T-Cells

by Kevin Lenogue, Alexandre Walencik, Karine Laulagnier, Jean-Paul Molens, Houssem Benlalam, Brigitte Dreno, Pierre Coulie, Martin Pule, Laurence Chaperot and Joël Plumas

Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020141 - 10 Feb 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2895

Abstract

Because dendritic cells are crucial to prime and expand antigen-specific CD8⁺ T-cells, several strategies are designed to use them in therapeutic vaccines against infectious diseases or cancer. In this context, off-the-shelf allogeneic dendritic cell-based platforms are more attractive than individualized autologous vaccines [...] Read more.

Because dendritic cells are crucial to prime and expand antigen-specific CD8⁺ T-cells, several strategies are designed to use them in therapeutic vaccines against infectious diseases or cancer. In this context, off-the-shelf allogeneic dendritic cell-based platforms are more attractive than individualized autologous vaccines tailored to each patient. In the present study, a unique dendritic cell line (PDC*line) platform of plasmacytoid origin, already used to prime and expand antitumor immunity in melanoma patients, was improved thanks to retroviral engineering. We demonstrated that the clinical-grade PDC*line, transduced with genes encoding viral or tumoral whole proteins, efficiently processed and stably presented the transduced antigens in different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I contexts. Moreover, the use of polyepitope constructs allowed the presentation of immunogenic peptides and the expansion of specific cytotoxic effectors. We also demonstrated that the addition of the Lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) sequence greatly improved the presentation of some peptides. Lastly, thanks to transduction of new HLA molecules, the PDC platform can benefit many patients through the easy addition of matched HLA-I molecules. The demonstration of the effective retroviral transduction of PDC*line cells strengthens and broadens the scope of the PDC*line platform, which can be used in adoptive or active immunotherapy for the treatment of infectious diseases or cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy and Vaccines Research)

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Review

Jump to: Research

25 pages, 1071 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bacterial-Based Cancer Therapy (BBCT): Recent Advances, Current Challenges, and Future Prospects for Cancer Immunotherapy

by Kajal H. Gupta, Christina Nowicki, Eileena F. Giurini, Amanda L. Marzo and Andrew Zloza

Vaccines 2021, 9(12), 1497; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9121497 - 18 Dec 2021

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 9232

Abstract

Currently approximately 10 million people die each year due to cancer, and cancer is the cause of every sixth death worldwide. Tremendous efforts and progress have been made towards finding a cure for cancer. However, numerous challenges have been faced due to adverse [...] Read more.

Currently approximately 10 million people die each year due to cancer, and cancer is the cause of every sixth death worldwide. Tremendous efforts and progress have been made towards finding a cure for cancer. However, numerous challenges have been faced due to adverse effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and alternative cancer therapies, including toxicity to non-cancerous cells, the inability of drugs to reach deep tumor tissue, and the persistent problem of increasing drug resistance in tumor cells. These challenges have increased the demand for the development of alternative approaches with greater selectivity and effectiveness against tumor cells. Cancer immunotherapy has made significant advancements towards eliminating cancer. Our understanding of cancer-directed immune responses and the mechanisms through which immune cells invade tumors have extensively helped us in the development of new therapies. Among immunotherapies, the application of bacteria and bacterial-based products has promising potential to be used as treatments that combat cancer. Bacterial targeting of tumors has been developed as a unique therapeutic option that meets the ongoing challenges of cancer treatment. In comparison with other cancer therapeutics, bacterial-based therapies have capabilities for suppressing cancer. Bacteria are known to accumulate and proliferate in the tumor microenvironment and initiate antitumor immune responses. We are currently well-informed regarding various methods by which bacteria can be manipulated by simple genetic engineering or synthetic bioengineering to induce the production of anti-cancer drugs. Further, bacterial-based cancer therapy (BBCT) can be either used as a monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer therapies for better clinical outcomes. Here, we review recent advances, current challenges, and prospects of bacteria and bacterial products in the development of BBCTs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy and Vaccines Research)

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42 pages, 3221 KiB

Open AccessReview

Directing T-Cell Immune Responses for Cancer Vaccination and Immunotherapy

by Peter Lawrence Smith, Katarzyna Piadel and Angus George Dalgleish

Vaccines 2021, 9(12), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9121392 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5250

Abstract

Cancer vaccination and immunotherapy revolutionised the treatment of cancer, a result of decades of research into the immune system in health and disease. However, despite recent breakthroughs in treating otherwise terminal cancer, only a minority of patients respond to cancer immunotherapy and some [...] Read more.

Cancer vaccination and immunotherapy revolutionised the treatment of cancer, a result of decades of research into the immune system in health and disease. However, despite recent breakthroughs in treating otherwise terminal cancer, only a minority of patients respond to cancer immunotherapy and some cancers are largely refractive to immunotherapy treatment. This is due to numerous issues intrinsic to the tumour, its microenvironment, or the immune system. CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ αβ T-cells emerged as the primary effector cells of the anti-tumour immune response but their function in cancer patients is often compromised. This review details the mechanisms by which T-cell responses are hindered in the setting of cancer and refractive to immunotherapy, and details many of the approaches under investigation to direct T-cell function and improve the efficacy of cancer vaccination and immunotherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy and Vaccines Research)

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13 pages, 258 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Contemporary Review of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

by Eun-mi Yu, Laura Linville, Matthew Rosenthal and Jeanny B. Aragon-Ching

Vaccines 2021, 9(8), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9080919 - 18 Aug 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2723

Abstract

The use of checkpoint inhibitors in advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) has rapidly evolved over the past several years. While immune-oncology (IO) drug therapy has been successful at resulting in improved responses and survival, combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors and [...] Read more.

The use of checkpoint inhibitors in advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) has rapidly evolved over the past several years. While immune-oncology (IO) drug therapy has been successful at resulting in improved responses and survival, combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors have further improved outcomes. This article reviews the landmark trials that have led to the approval of IO therapies, including the Checkmate 214 trial and combination IO/VEGF TKI therapies with Checkmate 9ER, CLEAR, and Keynote-426, and it includes a discussion on promising therapies moving in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy and Vaccines Research)

16 pages, 4606 KiB

Open AccessReview

Adjuvant HPV Vaccination to Prevent Recurrent Cervical Dysplasia after Surgical Treatment: A Meta-Analysis

by Violante Di Donato, Giuseppe Caruso, Marco Petrillo, Evangelos Kontopantelis, Innocenza Palaia, Giorgia Perniola, Francesco Plotti, Roberto Angioli, Ludovico Muzii, Pierluigi Benedetti Panici and Giorgio Bogani

Vaccines 2021, 9(5), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9050410 - 21 Apr 2021

Cited by 54 | Viewed by 5797

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to discuss evidence supporting the efficacy of adjuvant human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in reducing the risk of recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or greater after surgical treatment. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for [...] Read more.

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to discuss evidence supporting the efficacy of adjuvant human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in reducing the risk of recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or greater after surgical treatment. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for studies reporting the impact of HPV vaccination on reducing the risk of recurrence of CIN 2+ after surgical excision. Results were reported as mean differences or pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. In total, 21,310 patients were included: 4039 (19%) received peri-operational adjuvant HPV vaccination while 17,271 (81%) received surgery alone. The recurrence of CIN 2+ after treatment was significantly lower in the vaccinated compared with the unvaccinated group (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.21–0.56; p < 0.0001). The recurrence of CIN 1+ after treatment was significantly lower in the vaccinated compared with the unvaccinated group (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.31–0.83; p = 0.006). A non-significant trend of reduction rate of HPV persistence was observed in the vaccinated compared with the unvaccinated cohorts (OR was 0.84; 95% CI 0.61–1.15; p = 0.28). Conclusions: HPV vaccination, in adjuvant setting, is associated with a reduced risk of recurrent CIN 1+ and CIN 2+ after surgical treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy and Vaccines Research)

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30 pages, 1885 KiB

Open AccessReview

Cancer Vaccines: Antigen Selection Strategy

by Yue Zhao, Alexey V. Baldin, Orkhan Isayev, Jens Werner, Andrey A. Zamyatnin, Jr. and Alexandr V. Bazhin

Vaccines 2021, 9(2), 85; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9020085 - 25 Jan 2021

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 6883

Abstract

Unlike traditional cancer therapies, cancer vaccines (CVs) harness a high specificity of the host’s immunity to kill tumor cells. CVs can train and bolster the patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate malignant cells by enhancing immune cells’ identification of antigens expressed on [...] Read more.

Unlike traditional cancer therapies, cancer vaccines (CVs) harness a high specificity of the host’s immunity to kill tumor cells. CVs can train and bolster the patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate malignant cells by enhancing immune cells’ identification of antigens expressed on cancer cells. Various features of antigens like immunogenicity and avidity influence the efficacy of CVs. Therefore, the choice and application of antigens play a critical role in establishing and developing CVs. Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), a group of proteins expressed at elevated levels in tumor cells but lower levels in healthy normal cells, have been well-studied and developed in CVs. However, immunological tolerance, HLA restriction, and adverse events are major obstacles that threaten TAA-based CVs’ efficacy due to the “self-protein” characteristic of TAAs. As “abnormal proteins” that are completely absent from normal cells, tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) can trigger a robust immune response against tumor cells with high specificity and without going through central tolerance, contributing to cancer vaccine development feasibility. In this review, we focus on the unique features of TAAs and TSAs and their application in vaccines, summarizing their performance in preclinical and clinical trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cancer Immunotherapy and Vaccines Research)

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