bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
T cell receptor activation status as biological context for interpreting PD1/PDL1 biomarker measurements.
Authors: Parchment Ralph E. , Navas Tony , Fino Kristin , Fung Andy , Cutuli Facundo , Wang Lihua , Kinders Robert J. , Doroshow James H. 
Published: February 2018

54 Background: Direct cytolysis of tumor cells by CD8+ T cells results from the net effect of at least two biochemical pathways: (1) stimulatory signaling from the activated T cell receptor (TCR) complex in response to its recognition of a tumor neoantigen presented in the context of autologous MHC class I, and (2) suppressive signaling from immune checkpoints, such as the response of PD1 to binding its ligand, PDL1. Because the PD1:PDL1 immune checkpoint is significant for therapy only when there is tumor cell-specific TCR activation and signaling, it is not surprising that simple measurements of either PD1 or PDL1 in tumor biopsies are, at best, imperfect predictive biomarkers. Instead, a more precise test that quantifies PD1 signaling due to PDL1 binding only in the subset of CD8+ T cells exhibiting activated TCR signaling should provide a more accurate assessment of the extent of immune checkpoint suppression of tumor immunity and therefore be a more predictive biomarker of response to PD1/PDL1-targeted immunotherapy. Methods: We have developed a multiplexed immunofluorescence microscopy test capable of simultaneous quantitation of TCR activation (phospho-CD3zeta), immune checkpoint signaling via PD1 (phospho-SHP1 and -SHP2), and the net stimulation or inhibition resulting from the integration of these two pathways (phospho-ZAP70). Results: Specific antibodies to these biomarkers have been qualified, including peptide inhibition studies to establish antibody specificity, and their performance established by fit-for-purpose studies of in vitro models of CD8+ T cell activation. This multiplex biomarker panel is suitable for clinical use with formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded core needle biopsies of tumor and quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy (qIFA). Conclusions: The additional biomarkers of tumor immunity are expected to add an important context for interpreting PD1/PDL1 measurements. Funded by NCI Contract No. HHSN261200800001E.
Immune dysregulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with liver cancer.
Authors: Zhou Juhua 
Published: February 2018

55 Background: Immune regulation may play an important role in cancer development. The immune dysregulation and underlying mechanisms in patients with liver cancer have not fully understood. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from patients with liver cancer. Deep-sequencing, FACS analysis, ELISA and real-time PCR were used to analyze the immune dysregulation and underlying mechanisms in patients with liver cancer. Results: Our analysis discovered that the percentages of immune cell populations in PBMC from patients with liver cancer were significantly different from those in normal controls. Specifically, the percents of B cells and regulatory T cells were high in PBMC from patients with liver cancer. Expression of 161 genes such as EGF, IRF3, CD177, MAP2K2 and MMP9 was found to be significantly inhibited, but 66 genes including CD19, CD70, FOXP1 and IL-32 were significantly up-regulated in PBMC from patients with liver cancer. Further analysis showed that 190 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were significantly down-regulated; whereas150 lncRNAs were significantly up-regulated in PBMC from patients with liver cancer. Dysregulated lncRNAs were involved in the control of immune cell signaling, cell division and differentiation. Conclusions: The results suggest that the immune dysregulation may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of liver cancer. It also has a great implication in the development of immune therapeutic methods for patients with liver cancer.
Kinetics of intratumoral T-cell activation during chemoradiation for cervical cancer.
Authors: Dorta-Estremera Stephanie , Nookala Sita Mahalakshmi Krishna , Yanamandra Ananta V , Colbert Lauren Elizabeth , Yang Guojun , Eifel Patricia J. , Jhingran Anuja , Ramondetta Lois M. , Jazaeri Amir A. , Frumovitz Michael M. , Klopp Ann , Sastry Jagannadha 
Published: February 2018

6 Background: Limited data in cancer patients have suggested that chemotherapy and radiation impact local and systemic immune cell populations. Radiation therapy (RT) is known to deplete circulating lymphocytes but is thought to increase local antigen presentation. The dynamics of these competing effects on the kinetics of intratumoral infiltration and expansion of activated and immunoregulatory T cells are unknown. Methods: We prospectively evaluated intratumoral immune infiltration during fractionated RT using multi-spectral flow cytometry. Cervical brushings were obtained from 14 patients before (baseline) and during RT (week 1, 3 and 5). Cells collected from the cervical brushings were stained with a 16-color panel of antibodies that included markers to identify T cell and dendritic cell subsets with activation and suppressor molecules. Changes in immune cell subsets at different time points were evaluated and calculated using matched-pair analysis with Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: CD3+ T cells declined over the first week of treatment (28% of CD3 at baseline, vs. 14.8% at week 1, p = 0.0273). The percentage of CD3+ cells subsequently increased at 3 weeks (25.6%) and 5 weeks (37.8%). Both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells underwent a decline at week 1 followed by expansion at week 3 and 5. Percentages of regulatory T cells (CD4+Foxp3+) showed a similar trend of reduction and further expansion but did not reach significance. The percentage of CD8+ T cells expressing the T cell activation marker CD69 and the cytotoxic protease Granzyme B (GrzB) continuously increased over time (CD69+: 11.8%, 27.7%, 38.7%, 57.5%, and GrzB+: 23.9%, 53.2%, 48.1%, 58.2%). While the percentage of dendritic cells (CD11c+ CD11b+) was stable during treatment, the subset of activated dendritic cells expressing CD86 increased at week 1 and subsequently declined (week 1, 19.1% vs week 5, 9.8%, p = 0.0642). Conclusions: Activated CD8+ effector T cells expand in the cervix during radiation therapy. Moreover, in the first week of treatment, CD8+ T cells contract while dendritic cells undergo activation suggesting this may be a critical time to intervene to maximize anti-tumor immunity.
Obesity results in higher PD-1-mediated T-cell suppression but greater T-cell effector functions following blockade.
Authors: Canter Robert J. , Aguilar Ethan , Wang Ziming , Le Catherine , Khuat Lam , Dunai Cordelia , Rebhun Robert , Tarantal Alice , Blazar Bruce R. , Monjazeb Arta , Murphy William J 
Published: February 2018

65 Background: Obesity is increasingly prevalent and viewed as a critical co-factor in many pathologic conditions due to metabolic, inflammatory and immune perturbations. We performed a multi-species evaluation of the impact of obesity T cell effector functions and markers of immune exhaustion. Methods: We examined the impact of obesity on PD-1 and T cell-mediated responses across different pre-clinical models (tumor, infection, and autoimmune encephalomyelitis [EAE]) and species (mouse, dog, non-human primate, and human). Results: CD4 and CD8 T cells from obese mice, dogs, non-human primates and humans displayed increases in memory T cells and PD-1 expression, as well as impaired proliferative responses compared to lean controls, indicating a greater degree of T cell exhaustion at baseline. Following immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, obese mice were resistant to induction of EAE, correlating with reduced antigen-specific CD4 T cells in the central nervous system. Administration of anti-PD-1 resulted in restoration of EAE and increased antigen-specific T cell numbers in obese mice. Tumors in obese mice exhibited accelerated growth compared to lean mice, and T cells displayed higher PD-1 expression correlating with RNAseq/molecular signatures of exhaustion compared to tumor-bearing lean mice. PD-1 blockade resulted in marked anti-tumor effects only in obese mice, and not lean. Impaired viral resistance to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) resulted was seen in obese mice, associated with increased PD-1/PD-L1 expression, which was reversible by PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Conclusions: Obesity results in an increase in PD-1/PD-L1 expression and inhibition of T cell responses across species, and blockade not only reverses this inhibition but also leads to markedly augmented T cell effector responses compared to lean counterparts where no effects were observed. These results highlight how the immune system has evolved to control T cell responses using checkpoints contingent on dynamic host conditions and have translational relevance for predicting both efficacy and toxicity in clinical immuno-oncology.
Developing a screening platform for genetic and small molecule targets of cancer immunotherapy.
Authors: Upadhyay Ranjan , Wroblewska Aleksandra , Koo Clara , Brown Brian , Brody Joshua 
Published: February 2018

66 Background: The success of checkpoint blockade therapy is often dependent on CD8 T cell activation against tumor antigens. However, clinical benefit is only seen in a subset of patients, suggesting that there are other possibly targetable immunosuppressive pathways that are allowing the tumor to escape immune surveillance. Methods: A CD8 T cell that recognizes the EGFP200-208 peptide epitope allowed for the use of EGFP as a model tumor antigen while monitoring expression levels at the single cell resolution. Using a lymphoma line expressing EGFP or mCherry as our antigen-positive and -negative cancer models, we employed 3 screening strategies: 1) a forward genetics approach in which we selected for tumor cells that had naturally developed resistance to killing by CD8 T cells; 2) a reverse genetics approach that involved the use of pooled CRISPR libraries to identify knockout clones with a selection advantage or disadvantage when pressured by activated T cells; and 3) small molecule libraries, including FDA-approved drugs, to identify compounds that increased antigen-specific CD8 T cell killing. Results: Despite antigen recognition and early activation in response to the resistant tumor line, T cells failed to produce effector cytokines and underwent apoptosis in a PD-L1 and CTLA-4 independent manner. Candidate genes mediating this phenotype were derived from expression differences between the original susceptible tumor line and the immunoedited resistant tumor line. The pooled CRISPR approach was validated in a curated library by identifying genes with known roles in T cell-mediated killing and antigen presentation, such as Fas, B2m, and Tap1, as well as known suppressive molecules such as BTLA and PD-L1. LDL receptor expressed on the cancer cell emerged as a possible novel suppressor of T cells. Decitabine and 4-cinnolinethiol, among other small molecules, emerged as possible enhancers of CD8 T cell activity. Conclusions: We have identified several gene candidates as potentially novel and targetable checkpoint-like molecules, as well as small molecule compounds that may be able to enhance the anti-tumor activity of CD8 T cells. Efforts are ongoing in order to validate these targets and to screen larger libraries.
Effect of intratumoral (IT) injection of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist G100 on a clinical response and CD4 T-cell response locally and systemically.
Authors: Seo Yongwoo David , Zhou Jing , Morse Kevin , Patino Jeremy , Mackay Sean , Kim Edward Y. , Conrad Ernest U. , O'Malley Ryan Blair , Cranmer Lee D. , Lu Hailing , Hsu Frank J. , Xu Yuexin , Loggers Elizabeth Trice , Hain Taylor , Pillarisetty Venu Gopal , Kane Gabrielle , Riddell Stanley , ter Meulen Jan H. , Jones Robin Lewis , Pollack Seth 
Published: February 2018

71 Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are heterogeneous tumors which are morbid and lethal. G100 is under investigation in multiple clinical trials and contains a potent TLR4 agonist (oil-in-water emulsion of glucopyranosyl lipid A) that has been tested as vaccine adjuvant. We hypothesized IT G100 would induce robust local and potentially systemic anti-tumor immune response, leading to improved outcomes. Methods: 15 metastatic STS patients with superficial lesions were treated with weekly IT G100 for 8-12 wks; 12 patients received radiation (RT) for 2 wks to start, while 3 received IT G100 for 6 wks prior to RT. Biopsies and PBMC were collected pre and post treatment, and flow cytometry was performed on biopsies. TIL and PBMC were analyzed with TCR deep sequencing. PBMC were analyzed by single cell multiplex cytokine profiling. Results: No grade ≥ 3 toxicity was observed, and local tumor control was achieved in all evaluable tumors (14/14). Treated tumors tracked post-trial (mean 156 days) had persistent local control with 1 CR (7%), 1 PR (7%), and 11 SD (79%). In 3 patients with long term follow up, treated lesions remained controlled vs index lesions (-53% vs +31% at mean 235 days, p = 0.002). In all tumors after G100 alone, T cell infiltration increased. In P14, CD3 live cells in tumor rose from < 1% to 62%. PBMC clonality increased in 8/14 tested including P06, who had 4× increase in clonality and CR in the injected lesion; PBMC and TIL TCR overlap increased from 13.4% to 21.5%. P13 had a 2.3× rise in TIL clonality; the top clone (a CD4 T cell) expanded from 0.1% to 38% and expressed more TNFα than the rest (p < 0.0001). Single cell cytokine analysis of PBMC showed 7/13 (54%) increased in polyfunctionality (producing > 2 cytokines) in CD4 T cells; no consistent increase was seen in CD8 T cells. TNFα levels in pre-treatment monocytes correlated with PFS (R2= 0.5, p = 0.02). Conclusions: IT G100 is a viable agent for local control of metastatic STS lesions. With or without RT, G100 appears to cause CD4 T cell mediated local and systemic response. Combination of G100 with other immunomodulators could induce clinically significant systemic responses, as seen in follicular NHL treated with G100. Clinical trial information: NCT02180698.
CXCR4 antagonist (BL-8040) to enhance antitumor effects by increasing tumor infiltration of antigen-specific effector T-cells.
Authors: Gaur Pankaj , Verma Vivek , Gupta Seema , Sorani Ella , Vainstein Haras Abi , Oberkovitz Galia , Peled Amnon , Khleif Samir 
Published: February 2018

73 Background: C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) helps to retain the hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in the bone marrow (BM). CXCR4 binds to its ligand CXCL12/SDF1 which is constitutively expressed in the BM thereby inhibiting the mobilization of CXCR4 expressing immune progenitor cells. Moreover, increased numbers of effector cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are directly correlated to enhanced immunotherapeutic efficacy. Therefore, we hypothesized that CXCR4 antagonism will result in movement of immune progenitor cells from BM to periphery leading to increased availability of T-cells in the periphery and better infiltration of effector cells into the TME. Methods: In TC-1 mouse tumor-model, we tested the effects of CXCR4 antagonist (BL-8040; 4 doses; 24 h apart; 20 mg/kg) on the tumor growth and mice survival in the presence of tumor-specific antigen priming using E7 peptide vaccine (3 doses, one week apart). Anti-tumor immune responses were determined in the tumor tissues obtained 3-4 days after the second vaccination using flow cytometry. Results: We found that BL-8040 given with specific antigenic stimulation results in significantly enhanced anti-tumor immune response, leading to a decrease in tumor growth (p≤0.001 at day 21) and prolonged mice survival. At day 35 after tumor implantation, 80% of mice survived in the BL-8040 + vaccine treatment group compared to 0% survival following BL-8040 or vaccine treatments. Interestingly, we also found that BL-8040 leads to a significant increase in the numbers of antigen-specific CD8+ T-cells in the TME. We also found that starting BL-8040 prior to or together with the priming of the mice did not affect the outcome, suggesting that the scheduling of BL-8040 does not affect the therapeutic outcomes. Conclusions: These results suggest that BL-8040 treatment enhances anti-tumor immune response by potentially increasing the immune progenitor cells in the periphery leading to a better immune response. These results also suggest that BL-8040, a CXCR4 antagonist, is a promising immune-modulatory agent with potent anti-tumor effects.
Association of changes in vaginal microbiome with oligoclonal T-cell expansion and early response to chemoradiation for cervical cancer.
Authors: Colbert Lauren Elizabeth , Medrano Andrea Delgado , Previs Rebecca A. , Eifel Patricia J. , Jhingran Anuja , Ramondetta Lois M. , Futreal Phillip Andrew , Jazaeri Amir A. , Hillman Robert Tyler , Frumovitz Michael M. , Schmeler Kathleen M. , Mikkelson Megan , Mathew Geena , Ajami Nadim , Okhuysen Pablo , Petrosino Joseph , Hahn Stephen M. , Klopp Ann 
Published: February 2018

8 Background: The composition of the vaginal microbiome has been shown to affect clearance of HPV virus and transformation to invasive cancer. Clinical studies correlating the vaginal microbiome with immune activation and response to cancer treatment are lacking. We profiled intratumoral T-cell clonality during radiation therapy and correlated it with the diversity of the vaginal flora. Methods: Thirty patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced cervical cancer were enrolled on a prospective study to characterize changes in the cervical microbiome during chemoradiation. Cervical samples were obtained before radiation therapy and during the 1st, 3rd, and 5th week of radiation therapy. The vaginal microbiome was characterized using 16 sRNA gene sequencing to produce operational taxonomic units (OTU’s) representing individual bacterial species. Disease response was categorized as early response (ER), late response (LR), or nonresponse (NR) on the basis of clinical examination at brachytherapy and 3-month PET/CT. Twenty patients had T-cell receptor β sequencing of DNA performed using the ImmunoSEQ platform. The maximum productive frequency of the top three clones (MP3) was used to assess T-cell clonality. Results: Early response was associated with clonal T-cell expansion with an increase of MP3 of 11.1% during treatment as compared to a decline of 6.1% in patients with LR/NR (p = 0.05). Early response was also associated with lower quantity of observed OTU’s of vaginal microbiota (25.0 [SD 12.68]) vs patients with LR/NR (41.15 [SD = 23.3]) (p = 0·03). Increased MP3 was associated with increased abundance of Corynebacteriales (R = 0.90; p < .0001) , Actinomycetales (R = 0.83; p < .0001) and Bifidobacteriales (R = 0.82; p < .0001) . Decreased MP3 was associated with increased abundance of lactobacillus (R = -0.61; p < .0001). Conclusions: Increased diversity of the vaginal microbiome is negatively associated with outcome, supporting previous clinical studies in non-cancer settings. Specific vaginal bacterial species are associated with increased or decreased T-cell clonality at completion of radiation.
Profile of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression and PD-L1 gene amplification in Indonesian colorectal cancer patients.
Authors: Budiyati Akterono dwi , Putra Teguh Pribadi , Kusumo Gita Dewi , Rexana Fritzie , Kurniawan Antonius , Sudoyo Aru Wisaksono , Utomo Ahmad Rusdan , Utama Andi 
Published: February 2018

82 Background: The presence of the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) has been used as biomarker to select patients and analyze responses to anti-PD-1/L1 antibodies. PD-L1 positivity may be a result of genetic mechanism leading to constitutive PD-L1 expression or inducible mechanism by T-cell presence. Each mechanism may have different significance and response to such therapy. In colorectal cancer (CRC), targeting immune checkpoint inhibitor has been recommended for patients with microsatellite instable (MSI). This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of PD-L1 gene activation in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, particularly in MSI population. Methods: We have investigated 61 archived formalin fixed paraffin embedded CRC specimens of patients from Medistra Hospital, Jakarta admitted in 2010 - 2016. Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure expression of PD-L1 in tumor cells as well as MSI status using antibodies against PD-L1 and MMR (MLH1, MSH2, PMS2 and MSH6), respectively. Subset of PD-L1 positive patients was then assessed for copy number variations (CNVs) using Single Tube TaqMan CNA Gene CD247PD-L1. We also observed KRAS mutation to profile possible genetic mechanism leading to the presence or absence of PD-L1 expression. Results: Analysis of 61 CRC patients revealed 15 patients (24%) expressed PD-L1 on their tumor cell membranes. The prevalence of surface membrane PD-L1 was significantly higher in patients with MSI (87%; 7/8) compared to patients with microsatellite stable (MSS) patients (15%; 8/53) (P = 0.001). Although amplification of PD-L1 gene was not found among PD-L1 positive patients, low level amplification of PD-L1 gene was commonly observed in MSS patients (75%; 6/8) than in MSI patients (43%; 3/7). We found 26% of CRC patients harbored KRAS mutations (16/61), so far the distribution of KRAS status did not correlated with PD-L1 expression. Conclusions: Our data suggest genetic mechanism through amplification of PD-L1 seems not to be the mechanism underlying upregulation of PD-L1 expression in CRC patients. However, further studies are warranted to confirm the results.
A novel Immunoscore signature to predict survival in patients with gastric cancer: Implications for immunotherapy.
Authors: Zeng Dongqiang , Yu Yunfang , Zhou Rui , Liao Wangjun 
Published: February 2018

84 Background: Immunotherapies are transforming the treatment of gastric cancer (GC). Unfortunately, the majority of patients do not respond to immunotherapy. Thus, a novel risk score is needed to estimate tumor-infiltrating immune cells in predicting survival of GC and guide of more effective immunotherapy strategies. Methods: In total, 700 patients with GC from Gene Expression Ominus were sorted by training (490 patients) and validation (210 patients) cohorts.Immune risk score (IRS) signature based on the association between the expression of every immune cell and the duration of individual patients' survival was constructed using the LASSO Cox regression model. The relation between immunomodulatory genes, microsatellite instability and IRS value in GC was explored. Results: We established an IRS signature consisting of 11 types of immune cell fractions selected by the LASSO model, an IRS signature for GC was significantly different developed to classify patients into high- and low-risk groups in three cohorts. In the initial training cohort of patients, an IRS signature for GC was developed to classify patients into high- and low-risk groups in 8-year overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.93, P < 0.0001). The performance of IRS was validated in the validation cohort (HR = 1.77, P = 0.011) and in the entire cohort (HR = 2.54, P < 0.0001). In an ad-hoc analysis, we found the IRS value was substantially correlated with the expression of immunomodulatory genes including PD-1, PD-L1 and PD-L2, a prominent lower IRS was observed in microsatellite-instable (MSI) tumors compare with the microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumors. We developed nomograms for clinical use that integrated IRS signature and four clinicopathological risk factors was generated to predict which patients might have better survival with GC, and it performed well in the three cohorts (concordance index: 0.775, 0.682, and 0.752, respectively). Conclusions: These findings indicate that the assessment of the immune status via Immunoscore provides a potent predictor of survival in patients with GC and this resource may help facilitate the development of precision immunotherapy.