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Nature Reviews. Cancer Feb 2022Advances in quantitative biomarker development have accelerated new forms of data-driven insights for patients with cancer. However, most approaches are limited to a... (Review)
Review
Advances in quantitative biomarker development have accelerated new forms of data-driven insights for patients with cancer. However, most approaches are limited to a single mode of data, leaving integrated approaches across modalities relatively underdeveloped. Multimodal integration of advanced molecular diagnostics, radiological and histological imaging, and codified clinical data presents opportunities to advance precision oncology beyond genomics and standard molecular techniques. However, most medical datasets are still too sparse to be useful for the training of modern machine learning techniques, and significant challenges remain before this is remedied. Combined efforts of data engineering, computational methods for analysis of heterogeneous data and instantiation of synergistic data models in biomedical research are required for success. In this Perspective, we offer our opinions on synthesizing complementary modalities of data with emerging multimodal artificial intelligence methods. Advancing along this direction will result in a reimagined class of multimodal biomarkers to propel the field of precision oncology in the coming decade.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Genomics; Humans; Medical Oncology; Neoplasms; Precision Medicine
PubMed: 34663944
DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00408-3 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2018NY-ESO-1 or New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 is a well-known cancer-testis antigen (CTAs) with re-expression in numerous cancer types. Its ability to elicit... (Review)
Review
NY-ESO-1 or New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 is a well-known cancer-testis antigen (CTAs) with re-expression in numerous cancer types. Its ability to elicit spontaneous humoral and cellular immune responses, together with its restricted expression pattern, have rendered it a good candidate target for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we provide background information on NY-ESO-1 expression and function in normal and cancerous tissues. Furthermore, NY-ESO-1-specific immune responses have been observed in various cancer types; however, their utility as biomarkers are not well determined. Finally, we describe the immune-based therapeutic options targeting NY-ESO-1 that are currently in clinical trial. We will highlight the recent advancements made in NY-ESO-1 cancer vaccines, adoptive T cell therapy, and combinatorial treatment with checkpoint inhibitors and will discuss the current trends for future NY-ESO-1 based immunotherapy. Cancer treatment has been revolutionized over the last few decades with immunotherapy emerging at the forefront. Immune-based interventions have shown promising results, providing a new treatment avenue for durable clinical responses in various cancer types. The majority of successful immunotherapy studies have been reported in liquid cancers, whereas these approaches have met many challenges in solid cancers. Effective immunotherapy in solid cancers is hampered by the complex, dynamic tumor microenvironment that modulates the extent and phenotype of the antitumor immune response. Furthermore, many solid tumor-associated antigens are not private but can be found in normal somatic tissues, resulting in minor to detrimental off-target toxicities. Therefore, there is an ongoing effort to identify tumor-specific antigens to target using various immune-based modalities. CTAs are considered good candidate targets for immunotherapy as they are characterized by a restricted expression in normal somatic tissues concomitant with a re-expression in solid epithelial cancers. Moreover, several CTAs have been found to induce a spontaneous immune response, NY-ESO-1 being the most immunogenic among the family members. Hence, this review will focus on NY-ESO-1 and discuss the past and current NY-ESO-1 targeted immunotherapeutic strategies.
Topics: Animals; Antigens, Neoplasm; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cancer Vaccines; Clinical Trials as Topic; Combined Modality Therapy; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunity; Immunotherapy; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Membrane Proteins; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasms; Organ Specificity; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29770138
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00947 -
The FEBS Journal Mar 2022Over the past few decades, epigenetic regulators have emerged as major players in cellular processes that drive cancer initiation and progression, and subsequently...
Over the past few decades, epigenetic regulators have emerged as major players in cellular processes that drive cancer initiation and progression, and subsequently modulate the responsiveness of cancers to therapeutic agents. This Special Issue of The FEBS Journal, Cancer Epigenetics, features an exciting collection of review articles that focus on the functions of a broad spectrum of epigenetic modulators in cancer. The diverse topics explored herein range from the roles of transposable elements and chromatin architecture in cancer and the most recent research advances on cancer-associated histone variants (oncohistones), to the effects of altered epigenetics on transcription and advanced cancer cell phenotypes. Moreover, the prospective key function of cancer metabolism in linking epigenetics and transcriptional regulation, and the potential of epigenetics for targeted cancer therapeutics is discussed. We hope that this collection of articles will give readers an enlightening overview of the most recent advances in the fast-moving field of cancer epigenetics.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Chromatin; DNA Methylation; DNA Transposable Elements; Disease Progression; Epigenesis, Genetic; Histones; Humans; Neoplasm Proteins; Neoplasms; Phenotype; Transcription, Genetic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35233949
DOI: 10.1111/febs.16395 -
Cell Mar 2024The integration of cancer biomarkers into oncology has revolutionized cancer treatment, yielding remarkable advancements in cancer therapeutics and the prognosis of... (Review)
Review
The integration of cancer biomarkers into oncology has revolutionized cancer treatment, yielding remarkable advancements in cancer therapeutics and the prognosis of cancer patients. The development of personalized medicine represents a turning point and a new paradigm in cancer management, as biomarkers enable oncologists to tailor treatments based on the unique molecular profile of each patient's tumor. In this review, we discuss the scientific milestones of cancer biomarkers and explore future possibilities to improve the management of patients with solid tumors. This progress is primarily attributed to the biological characterization of cancers, advancements in testing methodologies, elucidation of the immune microenvironment, and the ability to profile circulating tumor fractions. Integrating these insights promises to continually advance the precision oncology field, fostering better patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Biomarkers, Tumor; Medical Oncology; Neoplasms; Precision Medicine; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38552610
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.041 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology May 2023Gastric cancer (GC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Less than half of GC cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its lack of early... (Review)
Review
Gastric cancer (GC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Less than half of GC cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its lack of early symptoms. GC is a heterogeneous disease associated with a number of genetic and somatic mutations. Early detection and effective monitoring of tumor progression are essential for reducing GC disease burden and mortality. The current widespread use of semi-invasive endoscopic methods and radiologic approaches has increased the number of treatable cancers: However, these approaches are invasive, costly, and time-consuming. Thus, novel molecular noninvasive tests that detect GC alterations seem to be more sensitive and specific compared to the current methods. Recent technological advances have enabled the detection of blood-based biomarkers that could be used as diagnostic indicators and for monitoring postsurgical minimal residual disease. These biomarkers include circulating DNA, RNA, extracellular vesicles, and proteins, and their clinical applications are currently being investigated. The identification of ideal diagnostic markers for GC that have high sensitivity and specificity would improve survival rates and contribute to the advancement of precision medicine. This review provides an overview of current topics regarding the novel, recently developed diagnostic markers for GC.
Topics: Humans; Stomach Neoplasms; Biomarkers, Tumor; Early Detection of Cancer; Cell-Free Nucleic Acids
PubMed: 37213407
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i17.2515 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2018As one of the most widely investigated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-9 is a significant protease which plays vital roles in many biological processes. MMP-9 can... (Review)
Review
As one of the most widely investigated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-9 is a significant protease which plays vital roles in many biological processes. MMP-9 can cleave many extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to regulate ECM remodeling. It can also cleave many plasma surface proteins to release them from the cell surface. MMP-9 has been widely found to relate to the pathology of cancers, including but not limited to invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. Some recent research evaluated the value of MMP-9 as biomarkers to various specific cancers. Besides, recent research of MMP-9 biosensors discovered various novel MMP-9 biosensors to detect this enzyme. In this review, some recent advances in exploring MMP-9 as a biomarker in different cancers are summarized, and recent discoveries of novel MMP-9 biosensors are also presented.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Biosensing Techniques; Humans; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Neoplasms
PubMed: 30262739
DOI: 10.3390/s18103249 -
Journal For Immunotherapy of Cancer Apr 2022Recent advances in understanding the roles of immune checkpoints in allowing tumors to circumvent the immune system have led to successful therapeutic strategies that... (Review)
Review
Recent advances in understanding the roles of immune checkpoints in allowing tumors to circumvent the immune system have led to successful therapeutic strategies that have fundamentally changed oncology practice. Thus far, immunotherapies against only two checkpoint targets have been approved, CTLA-4 and PD-L1/PD-1. Antibody blockade of these targets enhances the function of antitumor T cells at least in part by relieving inhibition of the T cell costimulatory receptor CD28. These successes have stimulated considerable interest in identifying other pathways that may bte targeted alone or together with existing immunotherapies. One such immune checkpoint axis is comprised of members of the PVR/nectin family that includes the inhibitory receptor T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory domains (TIGIT). Interestingly, TIGIT acts to regulate the activity of a second costimulatory receptor CD226 that works in parallel to CD28. There are currently over two dozen TIGIT-directed blocking antibodies in various phases of clinical development, testament to the promise of modulating this pathway to enhance antitumor immune responses. In this review, we discuss the role of TIGIT as a checkpoint inhibitor, its interplay with the activating counter-receptor CD226, and its status as the next advance in cancer immunotherapy.
Topics: Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Neoplasms; Receptors, Immunologic; Receptors, Virus; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 35379739
DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004711 -
Radiology. Imaging Cancer Jul 2023Theranostics is the combination of two approaches-diagnostics and therapeutics-applied for decades in cancer imaging using radiopharmaceuticals or paired... (Review)
Review
Theranostics is the combination of two approaches-diagnostics and therapeutics-applied for decades in cancer imaging using radiopharmaceuticals or paired radiopharmaceuticals to image and selectively treat various cancers. The clinical use of theranostics has increased in recent years, with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of lutetium 177 (Lu) tetraazacyclododecane tetraacetic acid octreotate (DOTATATE) and Lu-prostate-specific membrane antigen vector-based radionuclide therapies. The field of theranostics has imminent potential for emerging clinical applications. This article reviews critical areas of active clinical advancement in theranostics, including forthcoming clinical trials advancing FDA-approved and emerging radiopharmaceuticals, approaches to dosimetry calculations, imaging of different radionuclide therapies, expanded indications for currently used theranostic agents to treat a broader array of cancers, and emerging ideas in the field. Molecular Imaging, Molecular Imaging-Cancer, Molecular Imaging-Clinical Translation, Molecular Imaging-Target Development, PET/CT, SPECT/CT, Radionuclide Therapy, Dosimetry, Oncology, Radiobiology © RSNA, 2023.
Topics: United States; Male; Humans; Precision Medicine; Radiopharmaceuticals; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Radioisotopes; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37477566
DOI: 10.1148/rycan.220157 -
Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) Dec 2022The low efficiency of treatment strategies is one of the main obstacles to developing cancer inhibitors. Up to now, various classes of therapeutics have been developed... (Review)
Review
The low efficiency of treatment strategies is one of the main obstacles to developing cancer inhibitors. Up to now, various classes of therapeutics have been developed to inhibit cancer progression. Peptides due to their small size and easy production compared to proteins are highly regarded in designing cancer vaccines and oncogenic pathway inhibitors. Although peptides seem to be a suitable therapeutic option, their short lifespan, instability, and low binding affinity for their target have not been widely applicable against malignant tumors. Given the peptides' disadvantages, a new class of agents called peptidomimetic has been introduced. With advances in physical chemistry and biochemistry, as well as increased knowledge about biomolecule structures, it is now possible to chemically modify peptides to develop efficient peptidomimetics. In recent years, numerous studies have been performed to the evaluation of the effectiveness of peptidomimetics in inhibiting metastasis, angiogenesis, and cancerous cell growth. Here, we offer a comprehensive review of designed peptidomimetics to diagnose and treat cancer.
Topics: Humans; Peptidomimetics; Neoplasms; Peptides
PubMed: 36476230
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00577-3 -
Cell Communication and Signaling : CCS May 2024Cancer's complexity is in part due to the presence of intratumor heterogeneity and the dynamic nature of cancer cell plasticity, which create substantial obstacles in...
Cancer's complexity is in part due to the presence of intratumor heterogeneity and the dynamic nature of cancer cell plasticity, which create substantial obstacles in effective cancer management. Variability within a tumor arises from the existence of diverse populations of cancer cells, impacting the progression, spread, and resistance to treatments. At the core of this variability is the concept of cellular plasticity - the intrinsic ability of cancer cells to alter their molecular and cellular identity in reaction to environmental and genetic changes. This adaptability is a cornerstone of cancer's persistence and progression, making it a formidable target for treatments. Emerging studies have emphasized the critical role of such plasticity in fostering tumor diversity, which in turn influences the course of the disease and the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies. The transformative nature of cancer involves a network of signal transduction pathways, notably those that drive the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metabolic remodeling, shaping the evolutionary path of cancer cells. Despite advancements, our understanding of the precise molecular machinations and signaling networks driving these changes is still evolving, underscoring the necessity for further research. This editorial presents a series entitled "Signaling Cancer Cell Plasticity and Intratumor Heterogeneity" in Cell Communication and Signaling, dedicated to unraveling these complex processes and proposing new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Cell Plasticity; Signal Transduction; Animals; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
PubMed: 38702718
DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01643-5