Review
Oncology
Kellen Wright, Thuc Ly, Matthew Kriet, Andras Czirok, Sufi Mary Thomas
Summary: Cancer cells rely on the tumor microenvironment (TME) for growth and metastasis. Among the components of TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role. CAFs are heterogeneous and can remodel the microenvironment, as well as communicate with immune cells to aid in immune evasion. This review focuses on the factors and signaling pathways of CAFs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angha Naik, Andrew Leask
Summary: Previously, impaired responses to immunotherapy in cancer had been attributed mainly to inherent tumor characteristics, but mapping responses in clinical trials revealed a commonality: tumors with a rich fibrotic stroma respond poorly. This prompted a closer look at tumor cell extrinsic factors such as the surrounding tumor microenvironment and the role of cancer-associated fibrosis in immunotherapy failure. Recent studies have established a complex interconnection between fibrosis and treatment efficacy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Albina Fejza, Maurizio Polano, Lucrezia Camicia, Evelina Poletto, Greta Carobolante, Giuseppe Toffoli, Maurizio Mongiat, Eva Andreuzzi
Summary: The study suggests that EMILIN-2 plays a role in the response to PD-L1 inhibitors in melanoma patients, with its absence associated with increased PD-L1 expression and improved immunotherapy efficacy. EMILIN-2 regulates PD-L1 expression in melanoma cells through immune-dependent mechanisms, impacting treatment outcomes and angiogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Stefania D'Agostino, Lucia Tombolan, Mattia Saggioro, Chiara Frasson, Elena Rampazzo, Stefania Pellegrini, Francesca Favaretto, Carlo Biz, Pietro Ruggieri, Piergiorgio Gamba, Paolo Bonvini, Sanja Aveic, Roberto Giovannoni, Michela Pozzobon
Summary: The study demonstrates that unlike epithelial cancers, rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells play a direct role in remodeling their own ECM and are less dependent on support from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In both 2D and 3D models, the rate of interaction between RMS cells and fibroblasts is significantly lower, indicating a reduced reliance on CAFs for tumor growth.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Pradip De, Jennifer Aske, Nandini Dey
Summary: This review explores how cancer-associated fibroblasts interact with various cells in the tumor microenvironment to support the development of resistance to cancer therapy. Understanding the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in treatment resistance is crucial for designing effective strategies to counteract drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes.
Article
Oncology
Da-Liang Ou, Chia-Wei Chen, Chia-Lang Hsu, Chih-Hung Chung, Zi-Rui Feng, Bin-Shyun Lee, Ann-Lii Cheng, Muh-Hwa Yang, Chiun Hsu
Summary: Regorafenib may enhance antitumor immunity by modulating macrophage polarization independently of its anti-angiogenic effects. It enhances the antitumor effects of antigen-specific T cells and shows synergistic effects with anti-PD1 by affecting multiple immune-related pathways in the tumor microenvironment.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Mirko Minini, Laura Fouassier
Summary: Immunotherapy has greatly impacted anti-tumor treatments, but solid tumor treatment has fallen short of expectations. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a leading cause of hepatic cancer-related deaths due to drug inefficacy and chemo-resistance. Research is ongoing to understand the mechanisms of chemo-resistance and the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the excess production of aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) by these cells may limit drug access and contribute to immune exclusion. This article summarizes the features, functions, and interactions of CAFs, tumor-associated ECM, and immune cells in the TME, and discusses strategies to target CAFs and remodel the ECM for improved immunotherapy and drug therapies.
Review
Oncology
Yi Li, Changyuan Wang, Ting Huang, Xijie Yu, Bole Tian
Summary: Breast cancer deaths are primarily caused by metastasis. There are several treatment options, but limited options for preventing or inhibiting breast tumor metastases. Studies have focused on the importance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in metastasis of breast cancer.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Yu Zhao, Zhenjie Yin, Kangming Huang, Fajing Zhang, Yun Chen, Yinghan Deng, Hongbin Chen
Summary: This study developed a prognostic model based on basement membrane-related genes (BMGs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Using this model, HCC patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups. The study found a significant correlation between the risk score and patient prognosis, and the predictive ability of the model was good in different subgroups. Furthermore, immune feature analysis suggested a potential regulation between tumor immunity and the basement membrane in HCC.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lei Chen, Dafang Zhang, Shengmin Zheng, Xinyu Li, Pengji Gao
Summary: This study constructed an ECM (extracellular matrix) signature that serves as an independent prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and has a potential guiding role in treatment selection.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Iva Truxova, David Cibula, Radek Spisek, Jitka Fucikova
Summary: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) ranks among the top causes of cancer-related death in women due to early dissemination of malignant cells to the peritoneum. Despite improvements in medical therapies, EOC remains insensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors, mainly due to a tumor microenvironment characterized by poor immune cell infiltration and immune suppression by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs have emerged as potential therapeutic targets to reverse immunosuppression and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. This review focuses on the biological features of TAMs and their relevance as targets for treating EOC, including therapies that modulate TAM recruitment, polarization, survival, and function in the EOC tumor microenvironment for better combinatorial regimens with immunotherapy.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claire Y. Li, Hyeung Ju Park, Jinyeon Shin, Jung Eun Baik, Babak J. Mehrara, Raghu P. Kataru
Summary: This study suggests that lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) can act as immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) in an MHC-II dependent manner. LECs in the TME increase MHC-II expression and co-inhibitory signals, suppressing the immune response. This finding highlights the importance of understanding the role of LECs in tumor immunity and opens up new avenues for therapeutic interventions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Giulia Biffi, David A. Tuveson
Summary: Efforts to develop anti-cancer therapies have mainly targeted the epithelial compartment, but recent studies have shown the significant influence of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in tumor progression. CAFs not only promote cancer cell proliferation, therapy resistance, and immune exclusion, but may also restrain tumor progression in certain contexts. Research on CAFs has focused on their heterogeneity, plasticity, and functions across different cancer types and states, as well as advancements in therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs currently undergoing preclinical and clinical evaluation.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria V. Monteiro, Yu Shrike Zhang, Vitor M. Gaspar, Joao F. Mano
Summary: The combination of organ-on-a-chip platforms with additive manufacturing technologies offers a disruptive approach for upgrading cancer-on-a-chip systems. These hybrid platforms can create physiomimetic 3D models that better emulate tumor microenvironment elements and improve the predictability of therapeutics performance.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eiman Elwakeel, Andreas Weigert
Summary: Activation of the tumor-associated stroma and the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in shaping tumor development are crucial in breast cancer. Understanding the multiple functions of CAFs and developing intervention strategies are important for improving breast cancer therapy. Further research is needed to identify specific subsets of CAFs that can be targeted for therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jianbin Xu, Jun Qian, Wei Zhang, Engeng Chen, Guolin Zhang, Gaoyang Cao, Fei Wang, Xuning Shen, Wei Zhou, Zhangfa Song
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaoyu Chen, Rui Li, Siu Hong Dexter Wong, Kongchang Wei, Miao Cui, Huaijun Chen, Yuanzhang Jiang, Boguang Yang, Pengchao Zhao, Jianbin Xu, Heng Chen, Chao Yin, Sien Lin, Wayne Yuk-Wai Lee, Yihan Jing, Zhen Li, Zhengmeng Yang, Jiang Xia, Guosong Chen, Gang Li, Liming Bian
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaohui Yan, Jianbin Xu, Qi Zhou, Dongdong Jin, Chi Ian Vong, Qian Feng, Dickon H. L. Ng, Liming Bian, Li Zhang
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2019)
Article
Oncology
Guolin Zhang, Xin Luo, Wei Zhang, Engeng Chen, Jianbin Xu, Fei Wang, Gaoyang Cao, Zhenyu Ju, Dongai Jin, Xuefeng Huang, Wei Zhou, Zhangfa Song
CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Heqi Bu, Dianlei Liu, Guolin Zhang, Li Chen, Zhangfa Song
ONCOTARGETS AND THERAPY
(2020)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Di Wang, Wei Zhang, Chunxi Zhang, Liwei Wang, Heng Chen, Jianbin Xu
Summary: Exosomal non-coding RNAs play a crucial role in tumor metastasis by influencing the interaction between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment through various mechanisms, contributing to the formation of metastatic niches. Therefore, exosomal non-coding RNAs have the potential to serve as diagnostic, prognostic markers, and therapeutic targets for tumors.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heng Chen, Xiao Duan, Jianbin Xu, Biao Wang, Sihan Xiang, Xin Wang
Summary: A water-soluble safe antioxidant, ferulic acid-chitosan complex, was easily prepared in water with mild-temperature heating. The complex exhibits improved water solubility and higher antioxidative property compared to its precursors. This approach enables the development of chitosan-based functional biomaterials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Di Wang, Liwei Wang, Liming Zheng, Jiaxin Chen, Wei Zhang, Wei Zhou, Xiaobo Yang, Lifeng Jiang, Xiaoqiang Jin, Xiaohua Yu, Xin Liu, Heng Chen, Jianbin Xu
Summary: Invasion and metastasis are the leading causes of death in CRC patients. 5-Fluorouracil, a widely used chemotherapy drug for CRC, is inefficient in inhibiting tumor metastasis. MicroRNA-10b, a key regulator of chemotherapeutic resistance to 5-FU, induces early tumor metastases. A nanovehicle called GCD, which targets EGFR, is used to deliver chemotherapeutic and nucleotide drugs to distinct targets in CRC, effectively inhibiting the metastasis of EGFR-overexpressed CRC. The therapeutic effect of this combination is evaluated in tumor xenograft models derived from patients with CRC. Overall, this study provides insights into simultaneous inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liwei Wang, Di Wang, Zhaoming Ye, Jianbin Xu
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted transport vesicles that play a role in intercellular and inter-organismal communication. EVs can be engineered to deliver bioactivators in therapy, and this review article discusses various aspects of EV engineering, applications in different diseases, and the challenges and possible strategies in EV-based therapies.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jiaxin Chen, Yizheng Wu, Xin Luo, Dongai Jin, Wei Zhou, Zhenyu Ju, Di Wang, Qing Meng, Huijuan Wang, Xiaotian Fu, Jianbin Xu, Zhangfa Song
Summary: circRHOBTB3 is downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines, overexpression of circRHOBTB3 suppresses tumor metastasis through the HuR/PTBP1 axis in CRC.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jianbin Xu, Guolin Zhang, Xin Luo, Di Wang, Wei Zhou, Yan Zhang, Wei Zhang, Jiaxin Chen, Qing Meng, Engeng Chen, Heng Chen, Zhangfa Song
Summary: This study developed well-defined quantum dot-based multifunctional nanocarriers for co-delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs and nucleotide drugs to distinct targets in tumors, showing synergistic effects for colorectal cancer therapy. The research findings demonstrated the efficacy of this co-delivery system in inhibiting CRC cell proliferation and migration, as well as suppressing tumor growth in a CRC cell-derived tumor xenograft model.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jinming Li, Chris Wai Tung Leung, Dexter Siu Hong Wong, Jianbin Xu, Rui Li, Yueyue Zhao, Chris Yu Yee Yung, Engui Zhao, Ben Zhong Tang, Liming Bian
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2019)
