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Translational Cancer Research Jan 2024Epigenetic alterations driven by chromatin regulators (CRs) are well-recognized cancer hallmarks. Growing evidence suggests that the imbalance of CRs may lead to the...
BACKGROUND
Epigenetic alterations driven by chromatin regulators (CRs) are well-recognized cancer hallmarks. Growing evidence suggests that the imbalance of CRs may lead to the occurrence of various diseases including tumors. However, the role and prognostic value of CRs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remain undefined.
METHODS
Consensus clustering analysis was used to identify different subtypes. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to identify prognosis-related CRs and constructed a risk model. Transcriptome sequencing was used to verify gene expression levels. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare overall survival (OS) between high- and low-risk groups. The area under the curve (AUC) value of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the performance of the model. The ESTIMATE algorithm and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were executed to evaluate the immune characteristics of samples. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between risk score and immune checkpoint genes, the relationship between expression levels of CRs and immune cell infiltration and drug therapeutic response. Finally, we also compared differences in drug sensitivity between low- and high-risk groups.
RESULTS
We identified three CRs-related subtypes with different characteristics. A prognostic model was built with four CRs and can precisely predict the OS of patients in different risk groups. The model has good stability and applicability and was further verified in the internal and external dataset. The transcriptomic levels of the four CRs were also validated, and the risk score was an independent prognostic factor for ccRCC. Obvious differences in the immune microenvironment and the expression levels of immune checkpoints were observed in low- and high-risk group. Higher immune activity and immune cell infiltration were found in the high-risk group. Besides, the expression levels of CRs were associated with drug therapeutic response. Patients with high-risk score may be more sensitive to gemcitabine, vinblastine, paclitaxel, axitinib, sunitinib, and temsirolimus.
CONCLUSIONS
CRs were strongly associated with the occurrence and development of ccRCC. Targeting CRs may become a new therapeutic strategy for ccRCC. Besides, CRs-related gene signature can predict the prognosis and therapeutic significance of ccRCC, which provides an important reference for clinical decision-making.
PubMed: 38410230
DOI: 10.21037/tcr-23-1383 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) show a significant overall survival advantage over standard advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) therapies, tumor response... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) show a significant overall survival advantage over standard advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) therapies, tumor response to these agents remains poor. Some studies have shown that combination therapy including an ICI appears to be the best treatment; however, the overall benefit in terms of efficacy and toxicity still needs to be assessed. Thus, we performed a network meta-analysis to evaluate the differences in the efficacy of several combinations that include an ICI to provide a basis for clinical treatment selection.
METHODS
We conducted a thorough search of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for articles from January 2010 to June 2023. R 4.4.2 and STATA 16.0 were used to analyze data; hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the results.
RESULTS
An indirect comparison showed that nivolumab plus cabozantinib and pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib were the most effective treatments for progression-free survival (PFS), with no significant differences between the two interventions (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.96-1.78; P=0.08); rank probability showed that pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib had a 57.1% chance of being the preferred treatment. In the absence of indirect comparisons between pembrolizumab plus axitinib, nivolumab plus ipilimumab, avelumab plus axitinib, nivolumab plus cabozantinib, and pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib, pembrolizumab plus axitinib (40.2%) was the best treatment option for overall survival (OS). Compared to pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib, nivolumab plus ipilimumab (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.65; P=0.02) and pembrolizumab plus axitinib (OR, 0.05; 95% CI, 0.00-0.78; P<0.001) had a lower incidence of overall adverse events (AEs).
CONCLUSION
Pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib and pembrolizumab plus axitinib resulted in the highest PFS and OS rates, respectively. Pembrolizumab plus axitinib may be the best option when AEs are a concern.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://inplasy.com/, identifier INPLASY202410078.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Axitinib; Nivolumab; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Ipilimumab; Network Meta-Analysis; Kidney Neoplasms; Anilides; Phenylurea Compounds; Pyridines; Quinolines
PubMed: 38390328
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1255577 -
Cancer Discovery Mar 2024The phase III JAVELIN Renal 101 trial demonstrated prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in patients (N = 886) with advanced renal cell carcinoma treated with...
UNLABELLED
The phase III JAVELIN Renal 101 trial demonstrated prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) in patients (N = 886) with advanced renal cell carcinoma treated with first-line avelumab + axitinib (A+Ax) versus sunitinib. We report novel findings from integrated analyses of longitudinal blood samples and baseline tumor tissue. PFS was associated with elevated lymphocyte levels in the sunitinib arm and an abundance of innate immune subsets in the A+Ax arm. Treatment with A+Ax led to greater T-cell repertoire modulation and less change in T-cell numbers versus sunitinib. In the A+Ax arm, patients with tumors harboring mutations in ≥2 of 10 previously identified PFS-associated genes (double mutants) had distinct circulating and tumor-infiltrating immunologic profiles versus those with wild-type or single-mutant tumors, suggesting a role for non-T-cell-mediated and non-natural killer cell-mediated mechanisms in double-mutant tumors. We provide evidence for different immunomodulatory mechanisms based on treatment (A+Ax vs. sunitinib) and tumor molecular subtypes.
SIGNIFICANCE
Our findings provide novel insights into the different immunomodulatory mechanisms governing responses in patients treated with avelumab (PD-L1 inhibitor) + axitinib or sunitinib (both VEGF inhibitors), highlighting the contribution of tumor biology to the complexity of the roles and interactions of infiltrating immune cells in response to these treatment regimens. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 384.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Sunitinib; Axitinib; Biomarkers; Kidney Neoplasms
PubMed: 38385846
DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-23-0680 -
The Journal of Gene Medicine Feb 2024Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is a challenging cancer with significant clinical implications. Natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as important players...
BACKGROUND
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is a challenging cancer with significant clinical implications. Natural killer (NK) cells have emerged as important players in tumor immunosurveillance, yet their role and potential as prognostic biomarkers in HNSC remain unclear.
METHODS
Quantitative analysis using multiple algorithms identified FCRL1, KIR3DL2 and ZNF541 as molecules significantly associated with local NK cell infiltration and patient survival. A prognostic model based on these molecules demonstrated robust predictive performance.
RESULTS
Analysis of high- and low-risk patient groups revealed distinct differences in the tumor microenvironment, indicating an inhibitory immune microenvironment in high-risk patients. Notably, low-risk patients exhibited potential sensitivity to immunotherapy and showed favorable responses to specific drugs such as axitinib, methotrexate, rapamycin and vorinostat. NK cells, important effectors of the innate immune response, were found to play a crucial role in HNSC immunity. The present study provides valuable insights into the correlation between FCRL1, KIR3DL2, ZNF541 and NK cell infiltration, paving the way for future investigations into their roles in HNSC. Activation of NOTCH signaling, MYC targets, DNA repair, E2F targets, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, G2M checkpoint and mitotic spindle pathways in high-risk patients suggests their involvement in disease progression and poor prognosis.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study reveals the significance of NK cells in HNSC and their potential as prognostic biomarkers. The CFKZ score offers a promising approach for predicting patient outcomes and guiding personalized treatment decisions in HNSC. These findings contribute to our understanding of HNSC immunobiology and hold implications for precision medicine in HNSC management.
Topics: Humans; Prognosis; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Killer Cells, Natural; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Biomarkers; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38384136
DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3671 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2024Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is a rare pathological type of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Related systematic studies involving large numbers of patients are...
Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is a rare pathological type of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Related systematic studies involving large numbers of patients are lacking, and more importantly, there is currently no international consensus on post-line treatment guidelines for ChRCC. The rapid development of systemic treatment with molecular targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors has brought effective approaches for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), while progress in the treatment of ChRCC is still limited. In this case report, the patient was initially diagnosed at the early stage; 4 years post-surgery, she developed lung metastases and the disease progressed once again after being treated with sunitinib monotherapy for 3 years. However, after combining the immunotherapy sintilimab with the targeted therapy axitinib as second-line treatment, imageological examination showed lesions in the lungs that gradually decreased, and the bone metastases remained stable. To date, the patient has been continuously treated for over 2 years and is still undergoing regular treatment and follow-up. This case is the first to report the long-term survival of metastatic disease by using this treatment regimen and to propose a potential therapeutic option for patients with metastatic ChRCC. Since only one case was observed in this report, further study is needed.
PubMed: 38371628
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1325999 -
International Journal of Clinical... Apr 2024There are few comparative studies on dual immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) (i.e., IO-IO) and combination therapies comprising ICIs plus tyrosine kinase inhibitors...
First-line dual immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies versus combination therapies comprising immune checkpoint inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors for advanced renal cell carcinoma: a comparative analysis of the effectiveness using real-world data.
BACKGROUND
There are few comparative studies on dual immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) (i.e., IO-IO) and combination therapies comprising ICIs plus tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) (i.e., IO-TKI) for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), especially in real-world settings.
METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated data of 175 patients with IMDC intermediate-risk or poor-risk RCC; as first-line therapy, 103 received IO-IO, and 72 received IO-TKI. An inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was conducted to balance patients' backgrounds in the IO-IO and IO-TKI groups.
RESULTS
Based on the IPTW analysis, progression-free survival (PFS) was longer in the IO-TKI group than in the IO-IO group (median: 15.6 vs. 8.3 months; p = 0.0386). In contrast, overall survival was not different between groups (median: 46.7 vs. 49.0 months; p = 0.465). Although the IPTW-adjusted objective response rate was not significantly different (51.2% vs. 43.9%; p = 0.359), the progressive disease rate as the best overall response was lower in the IO-TKI group than in the IO-IO group (3.3% vs. 27.4%; p < 0.0001). Regarding the safety profile, the treatment interruption rate was higher in the IO-TKI group than in the IO-IO group (70.3% vs. 49.2%; p = 0.005). In contrast, the IO-IO group had a higher corticosteroid administration rate (43.3% vs. 20.3%; p = 0.001).
CONCLUSION
IO-TKI therapy exhibited superior effectiveness over IO-IO therapy in terms of PFS improvement and immediate disease progression prevention and was associated with a higher risk of treatment interruption and a lower risk of needing corticosteroids.
Topics: Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors; Retrospective Studies; Kidney Neoplasms; Protein Kinase Inhibitors
PubMed: 38345708
DOI: 10.1007/s10147-024-02471-w -
Pharmacological Research Mar 2024The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their cognate receptors (VEGFRs), besides their well-known involvement in physiological... (Review)
Review
The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their cognate receptors (VEGFRs), besides their well-known involvement in physiological angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and in diseases associated to pathological vessel formation, play multifaceted functions in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to shaping brain development, by controlling cerebral vasculogenesis and regulating neurogenesis as well as astrocyte differentiation, the VEGFs/VEGFRs axis exerts essential functions in the adult brain both in physiological and pathological contexts. In this article, after describing the physiological VEGFs/VEGFRs functions in the CNS, we focus on the VEGFs/VEGFRs involvement in neurodegenerative diseases by reviewing the current literature on the rather complex VEGFs/VEGFRs contribution to the pathogenic mechanisms of Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) diseases. Thereafter, based on the outcome of VEGFs/VEGFRs targeting in animal models of AD and PD, we discuss the factual relevance of pharmacological VEGFs/VEGFRs modulation as a novel and potential disease-modifying approach for these neurodegenerative pathologies. Specific VEGFRs targeting, aimed at selective VEGFR-1 inhibition, while preserving VEGFR-2 signal transduction, appears as a promising strategy to hit the molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology. Moreover, therapeutic VEGFs-based approaches can be proposed for PD treatment, with the aim of fine-tuning their brain levels to amplify neurotrophic/neuroprotective effects while limiting an excessive impact on vascular permeability.
Topics: Animals; Parkinson Disease; Alzheimer Disease; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; Central Nervous System; Brain
PubMed: 38336311
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107101 -
Cancer Biology & Therapy Dec 2024Axitinib is an oral multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Because of the severe adverse events (AEs) associated...
OBJECTIVE
Axitinib is an oral multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Because of the severe adverse events (AEs) associated with axitinib, patients often need dose reductions or discontinue its use, highlighting the need for effective biomarkers to assess efficacy and/or AEs. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in the pharmacodynamic action of axitinib and clinical prognosis and AEs in metastatic RCC (mRCC) patients.
METHODS
This study included 80 mRCC patients treated with first-, second-, or third-line axitinib (5 mg orally twice daily). Clinical parameters and genetic polymorphisms were examined in 75 cases (53 males and 22 females). We assessed three SNPs in each of three candidate genes namely, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3), and angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R), all of which are involved in axitinib effects on vascular endothelial function.
RESULTS
Axitinib-treated patients carrying the ACE deletion allele suffered more frequently from hand-foot syndrome and a deterioration in kidney function (p = .045 and = 0.005, respectively) whereas those carrying the NOS3 G allele suffered more frequently from proteinuria and multiple AEs (p = .025 and = 0.036, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study found that the ACE deletion allele and the NOS3 G allele are associated with increased AEs.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Axitinib; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Kidney Neoplasms; Indazoles; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38327067
DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2312602 -
Journal of Veterinary Science Jan 2024Axitinib, a potent and selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase 1,2 and 3, is used in chemotherapy because it...
BACKGROUND
Axitinib, a potent and selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase 1,2 and 3, is used in chemotherapy because it inhibits tumor angiogenesis by blocking the VEGF/VEGFR pathway. In veterinary medicine, attempts have been made to apply tyrosine kinase inhibitors with anti-angiogenic effects to tumor patients, but there are no studies on axitinib in canine mammary gland tumors (MGTs).
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to confirm the antitumor activity of axitinib in canine mammary gland cell lines.
METHODS
We treated canine MGT cell lines (CIPp and CIPm) with axitinib and conducted CCK, wound healing, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays. Additionally, we evaluated the expression levels of angiogenesis-associated factors, including , , , and , using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, we collected canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), activated them with concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and then treated them with axitinib to investigate changes in viability.
RESULTS
When axitinib was administered to CIPp and CIPm, cell viability significantly decreased at 24, 48, and 72 h ( < 0.001), and migration was markedly reduced (6 h, < 0.05; 12 h, < 0.005). The apoptosis rate significantly increased ( < 0.01), and the G2/M phase ratio showed a significant increase ( < 0.001). Additionally, there was no significant change in the viability of canine PBMCs treated with LPS and ConA.
CONCLUSION
In this study, we confirmed the antitumor activity of axitinib against canine MGT cell lines. Accordingly, we suggest that axitinib can be applied as a new treatment for patients with canine MGTs.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Humans; Axitinib; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Lipopolysaccharides; Mammary Glands, Human; Indazoles; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38311316
DOI: 10.4142/jvs.23191 -
Anticancer Research Feb 2024Although the adverse events (AEs) of drugs, such as sunitinib and axitinib, have been shown to predict treatment responses, evidence to support cabozantinib-induced AEs...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Although the adverse events (AEs) of drugs, such as sunitinib and axitinib, have been shown to predict treatment responses, evidence to support cabozantinib-induced AEs as predictors of responses to treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is limited. Therefore, we herein investigated the relationship between AE profiles and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients receiving cabozantinib for previously treated mRCC.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The present study retrospectively analyzed 40 patients receiving cabozantinib for previously treated mRCC between July 2020 and August 2022. PFS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the impact of several parameters, including cabozantinib-induced AEs, on PFS was investigated by a Cox proportional regression analysis.
RESULTS
The median observation period was 15 (2-29) months, during which time 31 patients (77.5%) progressed, with median PFS of 11 months. Thirty-nine patients (97.5%) developed at least one AE. Liver toxicity occurred in 16 patients (40.0%) and hand-foot syndrome, hypertension, and diarrhea in 14 each (17.5%). Only hypertension correlated with longer PFS. A multivariate analysis identified hypertension as an independent prognostic factor for PFS (p=0.049).
CONCLUSION
These results suggest the potential of treatment-induced hypertension as a significant predictor of prolonged PFS in patients receiving cabozantinib for mRCC.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Progression-Free Survival; Antineoplastic Agents; Kidney Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Anilides; Hypertension; Pyridines
PubMed: 38307571
DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.16869