Correlation of the TIGIT-PVR immune checkpoint axis with clinicopathological features in triple-negative breast cancer

BackgroundT cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) interacts with poliovirus receptor (PVR) to contribute to cancer immune escape. Recently, TIGIT and PVR have been identified as promising immunotherapy targets. Their gene expression is upregulated in many solid tumors, but their protein expression level is not well documented, particularly in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), the breast cancer subtype that most benefit from immunotherapy.MethodsTIGIT and PVR expression levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry in 243 surgically resected localized TNBC and then their relationship with clinical-pathological features and clinical outcome was analyzed.ResultsTIGIT expression was observed in immune cells from the tumor microenvironment, whereas PVR was mainly expressed by tumor cells. High TIGIT expression was significantly associated with age (p=0.010), histological grade (p=0.014), non-lobular histology (p=0.024), adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.006), and various immune cell populations (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD3+, CD8+, PD-1+ cells; all p<0.0001), PD-L1+ tumor cells (p<0.0001), and PD-L1+ stromal cells (p=0.003). Infiltration by TIGIT+ cells tended to be higher in non-molecular apocrine tumors (p=0.088). PVR was significantly associated with histological grade (p<0.0001), the basal-like (p=0.003) and non-molecular apocrine phenotypes (p=0.039), high TILs infiltration (p=0.011), CD3+ (p=0.002), CD8+ (p=0.024) T cells, and PD-L1 expression in tumor (p=0.003) and stromal cells (p=0.001). In univariate analysis, only known prognostic factors (age, tumor size, lymph node status, adjuvant chemotherapy, TILs and CD3+ T-cell infiltrate) were significantly associated with relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival. High TIGIT and PVR expression levels tended to be associated with longer RFS (p=0.079 and 0.045, respectively). The analysis that included only non-molecular apocrine TNBC revealed longer RFS for tumors that strongly expressed TIGIT or PVR (p=0.025 for TIGIT and 0.032 for PVR).ConclusionsThese results indicated that in TNBC, TIGIT+ cells can easily interact with PVR to exert their inhibitory effects. Their wide expression in TNBC and their association with other immune checkpoint components suggest the therapeutic interest of the TIGIT-PVR axis

<i>SNHG5</i> promotes colorectal cancer cell survival by counteracting STAU1-mediated mRNA destabilization

We currently have limited knowledge of the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in normal cellular processes and pathologies. Here, we identify and characterize SNHG5 as a stable cytoplasmic lncRNA with up-regulated expression in colorectal cancer. Depletion of SNHG5 induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro and limits tumour outgrowth in vivo, whereas SNHG5 overexpression counteracts oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis. Using an unbiased approach, we identify 121 transcript sites interacting with SNHG5 in the cytoplasm. Importantly, knockdown of key SNHG5 target transcripts, including SPATS2, induces apoptosis and thus mimics the effect seen following SNHG5 depletion. Mechanistically, we suggest that SNHG5 stabilizes the target transcripts by blocking their degradation by STAU1. Accordingly, depletion of STAU1 rescues the apoptosis induced after SNHG5 knockdown. Hence, we characterize SNHG5 as a lncRNA promoting tumour cell survival in colorectal cancer and delineate a novel mechanism in which a cytoplasmic lncRNA functions through blocking the action of STAU1

Table_1_Correlation of the TIGIT-PVR immune checkpoint axis with clinicopathological features in triple-negative breast cancer.docx

BackgroundT cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) interacts with poliovirus receptor (PVR) to contribute to cancer immune escape. Recently, TIGIT and PVR have been identified as promising immunotherapy targets. Their gene expression is upregulated in many solid tumors, but their protein expression level is not well documented, particularly in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), the breast cancer subtype that most benefit from immunotherapy.MethodsTIGIT and PVR expression levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry in 243 surgically resected localized TNBC and then their relationship with clinical-pathological features and clinical outcome was analyzed.ResultsTIGIT expression was observed in immune cells from the tumor microenvironment, whereas PVR was mainly expressed by tumor cells. High TIGIT expression was significantly associated with age (p=0.010), histological grade (p=0.014), non-lobular histology (p=0.024), adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.006), and various immune cell populations (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD3+, CD8+, PD-1+ cells; all p+ tumor cells (p+ stromal cells (p=0.003). Infiltration by TIGIT+ cells tended to be higher in non-molecular apocrine tumors (p=0.088). PVR was significantly associated with histological grade (p+ (p=0.002), CD8+ (p=0.024) T cells, and PD-L1 expression in tumor (p=0.003) and stromal cells (p=0.001). In univariate analysis, only known prognostic factors (age, tumor size, lymph node status, adjuvant chemotherapy, TILs and CD3+ T-cell infiltrate) were significantly associated with relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival. High TIGIT and PVR expression levels tended to be associated with longer RFS (p=0.079 and 0.045, respectively). The analysis that included only non-molecular apocrine TNBC revealed longer RFS for tumors that strongly expressed TIGIT or PVR (p=0.025 for TIGIT and 0.032 for PVR).ConclusionsThese results indicated that in TNBC, TIGIT+ cells can easily interact with PVR to exert their inhibitory effects. Their wide expression in TNBC and their association with other immune checkpoint components suggest the therapeutic interest of the TIGIT-PVR axis.</p

Image_1_Correlation of the TIGIT-PVR immune checkpoint axis with clinicopathological features in triple-negative breast cancer.tif

BackgroundT cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) interacts with poliovirus receptor (PVR) to contribute to cancer immune escape. Recently, TIGIT and PVR have been identified as promising immunotherapy targets. Their gene expression is upregulated in many solid tumors, but their protein expression level is not well documented, particularly in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), the breast cancer subtype that most benefit from immunotherapy.MethodsTIGIT and PVR expression levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry in 243 surgically resected localized TNBC and then their relationship with clinical-pathological features and clinical outcome was analyzed.ResultsTIGIT expression was observed in immune cells from the tumor microenvironment, whereas PVR was mainly expressed by tumor cells. High TIGIT expression was significantly associated with age (p=0.010), histological grade (p=0.014), non-lobular histology (p=0.024), adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.006), and various immune cell populations (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD3+, CD8+, PD-1+ cells; all p+ tumor cells (p+ stromal cells (p=0.003). Infiltration by TIGIT+ cells tended to be higher in non-molecular apocrine tumors (p=0.088). PVR was significantly associated with histological grade (p+ (p=0.002), CD8+ (p=0.024) T cells, and PD-L1 expression in tumor (p=0.003) and stromal cells (p=0.001). In univariate analysis, only known prognostic factors (age, tumor size, lymph node status, adjuvant chemotherapy, TILs and CD3+ T-cell infiltrate) were significantly associated with relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival. High TIGIT and PVR expression levels tended to be associated with longer RFS (p=0.079 and 0.045, respectively). The analysis that included only non-molecular apocrine TNBC revealed longer RFS for tumors that strongly expressed TIGIT or PVR (p=0.025 for TIGIT and 0.032 for PVR).ConclusionsThese results indicated that in TNBC, TIGIT+ cells can easily interact with PVR to exert their inhibitory effects. Their wide expression in TNBC and their association with other immune checkpoint components suggest the therapeutic interest of the TIGIT-PVR axis.</p

Final results of the Montpellier prostate cancer intensity modulated radiotherapy pilot study.

International audience105 Background: Thirteen hundred prostate cancer patients have been treated with Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) since 2001. We present the final results of the pilot study concerning the first 373 patients with a median follow-up of 72.7 months (range 0 to 130). Methods: All patients received the entire treatment course to a prescribed total dose of 80 Gy. No pelvic irradiation was applied. Androgen ablation therapy was delivered for 6 months and 2 to 3 years in intermediate and high-risk patients, respectively (n=142, 38%). Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure was defined as nadir + 2. Toxicity was assessed according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI)/Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v3.0. Multivariate analysis using the Cox model was performed to assess factors that may impact on PSA relapse. Logistic regression was used to correlate clinical and physical parameters with grade 2 or higher gastro-intestinal and genitourinary toxicities. Results: Median age was 69 (range 40 to 81). One hundred thirty nine (37.3%), 167 (44.8%), and 67 (18%) patients were classified as low (group 1), intermediate (group 2), and high-risk (group 3) patients, respectively. The 5 year biochemical relapse-free survival (5y-biochemical recurrence-free survival [bRFS]) was 85.7% (95% CI, 0.81-0.89). For the three prognostic groups, 5y-bRFS was 91% (95% CI, 0.85-0.95), 82% (95% CI, 0.75-0.87), and 80% (95% CI, 0.67-0.88) for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the absence of hormonotherapy in the group 2 and the number of positive biopsies impact on PSA relapse (p=0.04, HR 1.8 and p=0.01, HR 2.13, respectively). The incidence of late grade 2 or higher rectal and urinary toxicities were 10.5% and 12.7%, respectively. The dose received by 50% (D50) of the rectum was the only factor significantly correlated with late grade 2 or higher rectal toxicities (p = 0.04). Similarly, the dose received by 50% (D50) of the bladder was the only factor significantly correlated with late grade 2 or higher bladder side-effects (p = 0.02). Conclusions: IMRT to 80 Gy can provide good to excellent carcinologic results and low late toxicity rates in all prostate cancer subgroups. Hormonotherapy combined to high dose IMRT seems to be a serious option to consider in intermediate-risk patients. Clinical trial information: ICM 2001-13