bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abstract A052: Comprehensive EBV-specific T cell profiling and multi-omics analysis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma CD8 T cells reveals novel cancer-associated phenotype
Authors: Kumar Nandita , Nguyen Long , Jani Saumya , Lim Darren WT , Yeong Joe PS , Chua Melvin LK , Jain Amit , Newell Evan W 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a high mortality, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven cancer with limited treatment options. Although EBV is highly antigenic and detectable in nearly all NPC tumor cells, it remains unclear why NPC tumors evade immune targeting despite high levels of immune infiltration. Here, we investigate the phenotypes of peripheral EBV-specific T cells with the purpose of identifying clinically relevant, cancer-associated EBV-specific T cell phenotypes. We developed a 34-marker mass cytometry and multiplexed MHC-I tetramer panel to detect and phenotype CD8 T cells of up to 55 antigen-specificities, including EBV and other known viral and cancer-antigen epitopes. We used this approach to profile peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from treatment-naïve NPC patients (n=51). Compared to other antigen-specific T cells detected in NPC patients and EBV-specific T cells in healthy individuals, EBV-specific T cells in NPC patients expressed high levels of activation markers (CD38, HLA-DR), co-inhibitory markers (CD39, TIGIT, PD-1), and migratory markers (ITB7, CD103). Using unsupervised clustering, we found that the frequency of EBV-specific T cells in a phenotypic cluster characterized by high CD103, CD39, HLA-DR, and CD38 expression positively correlated with plasma EBV-DNA titer and gross tumor volume. Remarkably, we observed that regardless of antigen specificity, NPC patients had a higher frequency of total CD8 T cells with this activated/exhausted cluster phenotype. CD8 frequencies of this cluster were also positively correlated with plasma EBV-DNA titer and stage (TNM). To investigate the gene expression profiles and TCR clonal diversity of this cancer-associated phenotype, we performed single-cell multi-omics analysis on peripheral CD8 T cells from NPC patients (n=17). We identified that cell subsets within this phenotype had distinct gene expression patterns indicative of potential associations with the tumor and we also assessed the clonality of these subpopulations. Overall, this study identified a unique cancer-associated peripheral EBV-specific T cell phenotype in the context of nasopharyngeal carcinoma that is positively correlated with advanced disease. Frequencies of peripheral T cells with this phenotype could also be useful as a blood-based prognostic marker for NPC.
Citation Format: Nandita Kumar, Long Nguyen, Saumya Jani, Darren WT Lim, Joe PS Yeong, Melvin LK Chua, Amit Jain, Evan W Newell. Comprehensive EBV-specific T cell profiling and multi-omics analysis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma CD8 T cells reveals novel cancer-associated phenotype [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A052.
Abstract B001: Harnessing invariant natural killer T cell cytotoxicity for cancer therapy
Authors: Herbozo Carolina de Amat , Wong Stephanie , Kuypers Meggie , Matthews Jessica , Baranek Thomas , Crome Sarah , Sacher Adrian , Paget Christophe , Mallevaey Thierry 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Cytotoxic cells are major effectors in adoptive cell transfer (ACT) cancer therapies. Although autologous conventional T cells are commonly used in ACT therapies, other types of cells, such as invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, have become attractive for the design of off-the-shelf ACT therapies. Unlike conventional T cells, iNKT cells react to glycolipid antigens presented by CD1d, a non-polymorphic MHC I-like molecule. Based on their cytokine profile and transcription factor expression, three main helper iNKT subsets have been described in mice: iNKT1, iNKT2, and iNKT17. In addition, the cytotoxic response of iNKT cells has been reported, but this function is less characterized. In a previous transcriptomic study, we have shown that the iNKT1 subset is heterogeneous and it comprises two main clusters: iNKT1b, enriched in genes related to T helper 1, and iNKT1c, characterized by a cytotoxic gene profile. Here, we demonstrated that iNKT1c cells exhibit higher in vitro specific killing activity against EL4 tumor cells compared to iNKT1b cells. We identified IL-15 as one of the factors that boosts the cytotoxic functions of iNKT1c cells. Moreover, adoptive cell transfer of iNKT1c cells in mice previously injected with B16F10 melanoma cells resulted in reduced metastatic lung nodules. We also explored the presence of a distinct cytotoxic iNKT cell subset in humans by spectral flow cytometry and clustering analysis. From PBMCs of healthy donors, we identified a population of CD57+Tbethi iNKT cells that show a cytotoxic profile. Interestingly, this population can also be found infiltrating tumors in lung cancer patients. This study unraveled bona fide cytotoxic iNKT cells and provides insights for the design of future cancer therapies.
Citation Format: Carolina de Amat Herbozo, Stephanie Wong, Meggie Kuypers, Jessica Matthews, Thomas Baranek, Sarah Crome, Adrian Sacher, Christophe Paget, Thierry Mallevaey. Harnessing invariant natural killer T cell cytotoxicity for cancer therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B001.
Abstract B009: GBM cells mimic regulatory T cell function to protect the CSC pool from immune surveillance in recurrent GBM
Authors: Lopez-Bertoni Hernando , Sall Sophie , Khela Harmon , Korleski Jack , Luly Katherine , Johnson Maya , Johnson Amanda , Green Jordan , Laterra John 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal and aggressive form of brain cancer, with incredibly high recurrence rates and virtually no long-term survival. Despite our growing understanding of GBM at the molecular level, we still don’t fully comprehend the molecular mechanisms driving recurrence in GBM. Current knowledge indicates that Glioma Stem Cells (GSCs) drive a resistant cell phenotype in GBM. Understanding the molecular events coordinated by GSCs leading to therapy-resistance can provide key advancements on how we treat recurrent GBM (rGBM). Mechanisms of GSC immune escape are considered fundamental to clinical GBM growth and recurrence. The cross talk between cancer cells and the immune system is now classified as a hallmark of cancer. The current dogma is that cancer cells, including GSCs, influence recruitment of immune-suppressive cell subsets to tumor tissue, however how subsets of GSCs mimic this immune-suppressive effect within the tumor microenvironment remains to be elucidated. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of GBM neurospheres revealed a previously unrecognized Oct4/Sox2high/FOXP3− cell subpopulation with high expression of TGFb1, CD39, CD73, PD-L1, and Galectin-1, a gene expression fingerprint typically associated with regulatory T cell (Tregs) and their immune suppressive functions within the tumor microenvironment. Bioinformatics analysis of public databases shows that the above-mentioned genes are enriched in the mesenchymal GBM subtype and highly correlated with TGFb type II receptor (TGFBR2) expression in clinical GBM. Mechanistically, we show that blocking TGFBR2 or XBP1 signaling, key intermediary of this process, counteracts the immune-suppressive phenotype of rGBM cells by restoring CD4 and CD8 tumor killing capacity and reversing exhaustion. By combining miRNA-based network analysis and advanced nanoparticle formulation for miRNA delivery we show that miR-16/124-3p effectively target all nodes of this immunosuppressive axis successfully blocking the immunosuppressive nature of rGBM cells. This research provides the first description of such neoplastic cells in any malignancy and has high potential translational impact since targeting these tumor cell subsets and their immunosuppressive mechanisms may be critical to the successful development of GBM immunotherapies.
Citation Format: Hernando Lopez-Bertoni, Sophie Sall, Harmon Khela, Jack Korleski, Katherine Luly, Maya Johnson, Amanda Johnson, Jordan Green, John Laterra. GBM cells mimic regulatory T cell function to protect the CSC pool from immune surveillance in recurrent GBM [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B009.
Abstract B013: Investigating the role of LINE-1 ORF1 protein in a syngeneic mouse melanoma model
Authors: Nandani Raj , An Wenfeng 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Long interspersed element type 1 (LINE-1) is a class of transposable elements that make up 17% of human genome. Somatic LINE-1 insertions promote genomic instability and have been implicated in the evolution of various human cancer types. A full-length LINE-1 has two open reading frames (ORF1 and ORF2) that encode proteins essential for its replication in the genome. It has been well documented that LINE-1 ORF1 protein (ORF1p) is overexpressed in tumor tissues as compared to non-tumor tissues. However, whether ORF1p itself is oncogenic remains controversial. Downregulation of ORF1p has been shown to reduce cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. ORF1p has also been associated with the modulation of tumor microenvironment and activation of oncogenic pathways by interacting with cellular proteins. We are interested in the role of LINE-1 ORF1p in a syngeneic mouse melanoma model. B16-F10 is a mouse melanoma cell line derived from a C57BL/6 mouse. It had an undetectable level of ORF1p by Western blot. To investigate the effect of ORF1p overexpression in vitro and in vivo, we started with establishing ORF1p expression in B16-F10 cells. We utilized the Sleeping Beauty gene delivery system to make single-cell clones expressing the protein. Cell proliferation and migration assays give insight into the effect of ORF1p overexpression in vitro. Growth of the parental and ORF1p-expressing B16-F10 cells in C57BL/6 mice informs the effect of ORF1p overexpression in vivo. This study represents an important first step to establishing the role of ORF1p in melanoma, a common cancer worldwide.
Citation Format: Raj Nandani, Wenfeng An. Investigating the role of LINE-1 ORF1 protein in a syngeneic mouse melanoma model [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B013.
Abstract B020: Hypoxia as tumor-intrinsic regulator of Flt3L production by NK cells
Authors: van den Bijgaart Renske J.E. , Avanessian Shayan C. , Chew Nayvin W. , Tang Thao T. , Barry Kevin C. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell abundance in the tumor correlates with increased immunotherapy responses and better survival in cancer patients. As their name suggests, NK cells can control tumors through their direct cytotoxicity, but also play an important part in regulating immune responses through their immunomodulatory production of cytokines and chemokines. We recently discovered that NK cells control immunotherapy responses through their production of a cytokine called FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) in the tumor, which regulates type 1 conventional dendritic cell (cDC1) abundance. However, the mechanisms regulating NK cell phenotype and function, including Flt3L production, in the tumor remain unknown. Here, we define tumor cell-intrinsic mechanisms that control these protective NK cell functions in the tumor. Across eight mouse melanoma tumor models, we found two genetically distinct murine ectopic tumors (referred to as Mel1 and Mel2) that are similarly infiltrated with total NK cells, but have distinct skewing of NK cell phenotypes and differential production of Flt3L, correlating with differences in cDC1 abundance. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes in tumor cells from these two models found a significant increase in hypoxia signaling in Mel1 tumors. Using an in vivo hypoxia tracer and in vitro hypoxia chamber studies, we found that NK cells in Mel1 tumors experience more severe hypoxia and that NK cells produce significantly less Flt3L under hypoxic conditions (1% O2) compared to NK cells in normoxic conditions (21% O2). Our findings suggest that hypoxia is a tumor-intrinsic regulator of Flt3L production by NK cells and highlight a previously unknown inhibitory pathway within the tumor that can shape the protective immunomodulatory effects of NK cells.
Citation Format: Renske J.E. van den Bijgaart, Shayan C. Avanessian, Nayvin W. Chew, Thao T. Tang, Kevin C. Barry. Hypoxia as tumor-intrinsic regulator of Flt3L production by NK cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B020.
Abstract B026: The senescent tumor cells evade the immune system by secreting SASPs in colorectal cancer
Authors: Park Tae Jun , Park Soon Sang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
In colorectal cancer, the transition of cancer cells from an adenoid to a collective invasion morphology, ultimately leading to a partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype at the invasive front, has been observed. Through comprehensive gene expression analysis, we identified distinct gene expression patterns between cancer cells at the invasive front and those in the central region, with cellular senescence playing a pivotal role in this transition. Trajectory analysis revealed a gradual transformation of non-senescent tumor cells in the central region into senescent cells at the invasive front, accompanied by altered gene expression patterns. Furthermore, we observed a progressive increase in the expression of CXCL12 and CSF1 at the invasive front. Senescent tumor cells were found to impair the directional migration of CD8+ T cells by secreting high concentrations of CXCL12. Additionally, CSF1 secreted by senescent tumor cells promoted the differentiation of monocytes into M2 macrophages, which subsequently inhibited CD8+ T cell activation. Importantly, inhibiting CXCL12 secretion from senescent tumor cells enhanced T cell infiltration and resulted in reduced tumor number and size. These findings highlight the generation of a cytokine barrier by senescent tumor cells, which serves to protect non-senescent tumor cells from immune attack. Moreover, this study identifies senescent tumor cells as a potential target for overcoming immunotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer. The development of interventions that disrupt the cytokine barrier and enhance T cell infiltration holds promise for improving the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Citation Format: Tae Jun Park, Soon Sang Park. The senescent tumor cells evade the immune system by secreting SASPs in colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B026.
Abstract B028: WEE1 inhibition enhances the antitumor immune response to PD-L1 blockade by the concomitant activation of STING and STAT1 pathways in small cell lung cancer
Authors: Sen Triparna 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a poorly immunogenic, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma arising in the lung. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) added to chemotherapy is now the standard upfront therapy for SCLC but leads to a modest increase in overall survival and progression-free survival. These modest benefits underscore the critical need to identify pathways and targets that can durably enhance the antitumor responses of ICB in SCLC. SCLC is characterized by a ubiquitous loss of TP53 which disrupts the G1-S cell cycle checkpoint and as a result, most SCLC is dependent on G2-M cell cycle checkpoint regulators including WEE1. We and others have shown that DNA damage response (DDR) components are overexpressed in SCLC and targeting DDR could be an effective therapeutic strategy in SCLC.
Methods: In this study, we have performed WEE1 inhibition either alone or in combination with PD-L1 blockade in a panel of SCLC models.
Results: We demonstrate that inhibition of WEE1 induces G2/M cell cycle arrest, DNA damage, and cytosolic DNA accumulation in SCLC models. We further show that WEE1 targeting activates the STING-TBK1-IRF3 pathway which increases type I interferons (IFN-α and IFN-β) and pro-inflammatory chemokines (CXCL10 and CCL5), facilitating an immune response via CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell infiltration. We further show that WEE1 inhibition concomitantly activates the STAT1 pathway, increasing IFN-γ and PD-L1 expression. Consistent with these findings, combined WEE1 inhibition (AZD1775) and PD-L1 blockade caused remarkable tumor regression, activation of type I and II interferon pathways, and infiltration of cytotoxic T-cells in multiple immunocompetent SCLC genetically engineered mouse models, including an aggressive model with stabilized MYC.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the cell-autonomous and immune-stimulating activity of WEE1 inhibition in SCLC. Given the increasing importance of immunotherapy for the management of SCLC and that WEE1 inhibitors are already in clinical trials, combining a WEE1 inhibitor with PD-L1 blockade may offer a particularly attractive strategy for the treatment of SCLC and contribute to the rapid translation of this combination into the clinic.
Citation Format: Triparna Sen. WEE1 inhibition enhances the antitumor immune response to PD-L1 blockade by the concomitant activation of STING and STAT1 pathways in small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B028.
Abstract B031: A tale of cancer cell death and immunity
Authors: Workenhe Samuel T 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Patients with tumors that have substantial T cell infiltration benefit from immunotherapy to survive longer. However, several tumor types lack T cells within the tumor and are hence refractory to immunotherapy. Therefore, therapies that render immune-evading cancers susceptible to cytotoxic T cells are highly desirable. We and others have shown that certain types of cancer cell death can kickstart multiple aspects of the anticancer immunity cycle to inflame “cold” tumors. These immunological outcomes were driven by the secretome emitted by a variety of stress and programmed cell death. Many cytotoxic chemoradiotherapies simultaneously activate multiple types of stress and cell death. Hence, it has been a major clinical challenge to identify what specific types of cancer cell death are efficient at eliciting durable anticancer immunity. The overall goal of my lab’s research program is to identify what types of cancer cell death initiate effective anticancer immunity and expand therapeutic approaches to deadly cancers such as pancreatic and brain cancer. Since the start of my lab in September 2020, we have created synthetic models of cell death where inducible expression of cell death executioner proteins activates distinct types of cancer cell death such as apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. Using these models, we identified that the secretomes of apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic tumors display remarkable differences in previously established markers of immunogenic cell death and novel secretomes as identified by mass spectrometry. In follow-up, in vivo studies, we identified differences in the activation and maturation patterns of antigen-presenting cells, such as type I conventional dendritic cells (cDC1). Consistent with the differences in cDC1 functionality we identified differences in the magnitude, diversity, and functionality of effector CD8+ T cells. All these immunological differences contributed to significant differences in the anticancer protective activity of distinct cancer cell death types. During my talk, I will be presenting these findings and discussing how these basic findings can be integrated into translational platforms for the management of non-T cell inflamed pancreatic and brain tumors.
Citation Format: Samuel T Workenhe. A tale of cancer cell death and immunity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B031.
Abstract B035: The contribution of inflammasomes and cGAS-STING in RT-induced cell fate
Authors: Ha Cindy T , Nicholson-Puthenveedu Shirony , Harding Shane M 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Radiotherapy (RT) is a curative treatment modality for many solid cancers. Our group has previously demonstrated that activation of the cGAS-STING pathway by RT induces inflammatory cytokine production and subsequent stimulation of anti-tumour immunity in concert with immune checkpoint blockade treatment. We have identified three other proteins that contribute to inflammatory signalling after RT: AIM2 (Absent in Melanoma 2), NLRP3 (NOD-Like Receptor Pyrin Domain-Containing 3), and IFI16 (Interferon Gamma Inducible Protein 16). Each of these proteins contribute to form distinct protein complexes called inflammasomes that, like cGAS-STING, sense cytoplasmic DNA. Little is known about how inflammasome signalling may change after RT, or how inflammasomes may influence RT-ICB induced anti-tumour immunity. We hypothesize that RT induces inflammasome signalling to influence specific gene expression and cytokine profiles, in tandem with alterations in cellular fate with implications for systemic anti-tumour immunity triggered by radiotherapy. We will present ongoing work in which we show that pharmacological or genetic disruption of inflammasomes alters cytokine production post-RT. We also demonstrate that manipulation of cell fate through senolytic therapy or manipulation of caspase activity alters the balance of cytokine production post-RT. Together our data strongly implicates the role of several inflammasome complexes in the response of epithelial cells to RT. Our work will also highlight the possible crosstalk between the cGAS-STING pathway and inflammasome complex pathway, both triggered by RT. Understanding and subsequent manipulation of cell fate, in part through inflammasome and cGAS-STING mediated activity, may be a therapeutic strategy to influence treatment responses, such as anti-tumour immunity, in cancer.
Citation Format: Cindy T Ha, Shirony Nicholson-Puthenveedu, Shane M Harding. The contribution of inflammasomes and cGAS-STING in RT-induced cell fate [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2023 Oct 1-4; Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2023;11(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B035.