Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity(EMP)of cancer cells contributes to cancer cell heterogeneity,and it is well established that EMP is a critical determinant of acquired resistance to cancer treatment modalities includ...Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity(EMP)of cancer cells contributes to cancer cell heterogeneity,and it is well established that EMP is a critical determinant of acquired resistance to cancer treatment modalities including radiation therapy,chemotherapy,and targeted therapies.Here,we aimed to explore how EMP contributes to cancer cell camouflage,allowing an ever-changing population of cancer cells to pass under the radar of our immune system and consequently compromise the effect of immune checkpoint blockade therapies.The ultimate clinical benefit of any combination regimen is evidenced by the sum of the drug-induced alterations observed in the variety of cellular populations composing the tumor immune microenvironment.The finely-tuned molecular crosstalk between cancer and immune cells remains to be fully elucidated,particularly for the spectrum of malignant cells along the epithelial to mesenchymal axis.High-dimensional single cell analyses of specimens collected in ongoing clinical studies is becoming a key contributor to our understanding of these interactions.This review will explore to what extent targeting EMP in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition represents a promising therapeutic avenue within the overarching strategy to reactivate a halting cancer-immunity cycle and establish a robust host immune response against cancer cells.Therapeutic strategies currently in clinical development will be discussed.展开更多
基金This work was partly supported by the Research Council of Norway through its Centres of Excellence funding scheme,project number 223250(CCBIO affiliates)Lorens JB was supported by grants from the Norwegian Research Council(grant number 240130)+2 种基金Norwegian Cancer Society(grant number 190330)Engelsen AST was supported by the FRIPRO Mobility Grant Fellowship from the Research Council of Norway co-funded by the EU’s 7th Framework Programme’s Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions(MSCA COFUND,grant agreement number 608695)Support from Legat for Forskning av Kreftsykdommer fund at UIB and the Familien Blix fund to ASTE for this project is greatly appreciated.
文摘Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity(EMP)of cancer cells contributes to cancer cell heterogeneity,and it is well established that EMP is a critical determinant of acquired resistance to cancer treatment modalities including radiation therapy,chemotherapy,and targeted therapies.Here,we aimed to explore how EMP contributes to cancer cell camouflage,allowing an ever-changing population of cancer cells to pass under the radar of our immune system and consequently compromise the effect of immune checkpoint blockade therapies.The ultimate clinical benefit of any combination regimen is evidenced by the sum of the drug-induced alterations observed in the variety of cellular populations composing the tumor immune microenvironment.The finely-tuned molecular crosstalk between cancer and immune cells remains to be fully elucidated,particularly for the spectrum of malignant cells along the epithelial to mesenchymal axis.High-dimensional single cell analyses of specimens collected in ongoing clinical studies is becoming a key contributor to our understanding of these interactions.This review will explore to what extent targeting EMP in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition represents a promising therapeutic avenue within the overarching strategy to reactivate a halting cancer-immunity cycle and establish a robust host immune response against cancer cells.Therapeutic strategies currently in clinical development will be discussed.