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Photodynamic therapy: combined modality approaches targeting the tumor microenvironment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Photodynamic therapy causes direct cytotoxicity to malignant cells within a tumor. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can also have both direct and indirect effects upon various non-malignant components of the tumor microenvironment. This action can lead to PDT-mediated angiogenesis and inflammation, which are emerging as important determinants of PDT responsiveness. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preclinical studies have been performed to document how PDT modulates the tumor microenvironment. The expression, function, and treatment relevance of angiogenic growth factors, proteinases, and inflammatory molecules have been monitored following PDT using mouse tumor models. RESULTS: Photofrin-mediated PDT was shown to be a strong activator of VEGF, MMPs, and COX-2 derived prostaglandins within the tumor microenvironment. Inhibitors that target these angiogenic and pro-survival molecules can enhance the effectiveness of PDT. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in PDT tumor responsiveness may be achieved by employing combined modality regimens targeting malignant cells as well as treatment-induced angiogenesis and/or inflammation.

Animals↗

Immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment.

The identification of tumor-expressed antigens that can be recognized by specific T lymphocytes has made it possible both to study the properties of T cells participating in anti-tumor immune responses in patients and also to develop antigen-specific immunotherapies as a treatment modality. Interestingly, moves toward intervention have proceeded at a faster pace than have investigations toward understanding. In melanoma in particular, many clinical trials of active immunization have been performed, and many of these have shown increases in tumor antigen-specific T cells circulating in the blood. However, clinical responses have been infrequent, arguing that mechanisms of resistance downstream from initial T cell priming may be dominant in many cases. In fact, may patients show spontaneous generation of immune effector cells and/or antibodies, implying that the priming phase has occurred already in such individuals even without vaccination. Recent attention has turned toward mechanisms of immune evasion at the effector phase of the anti-tumor immune response, predominantly within the tumor microenvironment. Evidence is accumulating that T cell-intrinsic hyporesponsiveness or anergy, extrinsic suppression by regulatory cell populations, inhibitory ligands such as PD-L1, soluble factors such as TGF-beta, and the activity of nutrient-catabolizing enzymes such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), may contribute to immune escape in different settings. Murine preclinical models have shown that interfering with each of these processes can translate into T cell-mediated tumor control. Clinical studies to estimate the frequency of specific immune evasion mechanisms in individual patients, to correlate specific events with clinical outcome, and to develop strategies to counter resistance mechanisms should receive a high priority.

Animals↗

Regulation of multiple tumor microenvironment markers by overexpression of single or paired combinations of ErbB receptors.

The progression of primary tumors to an invasive phenotype requires dynamic changes in multiple cellular and local tumor microenvironment markers. In this study, we report a genomic approach to assess gene transcriptional changes upon overexpression of ErbB receptors, in vitro and in vivo, focusing on markers involved in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment. ErbB receptors (ErbB-1/epidermal growth factor receptor, ErbB-2, ErbB-3, and ErbB-4) were stably overexpressed in a polyclonal cell population as single or paired combinations using murine and human breast cell models. The overall numbers of known genes that are up- or down-regulated was significantly higher in cells and tumors overexpressing paired combinations of receptors compared with cells and tumors overexpressing single ErbB receptors. Genes encoding components of cell-cell structures, extracellular matrix, coagulation factors, and angiogenesis were predominantly affected by the most active ErbB receptor combinations and were predictive of the aggressive in vivo tumorigenicity, a feature that was not always seen in vitro. Among ErbB-regulated tumor microenvironment markers detected by the genomic analysis, thrombospondin 1, an endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis, was additionally validated in relation to tumor growth phenotype. Thrombospondin 1 mRNA and protein were down-regulated by specific ErbB receptors, in vitro and in both rodent and human ErbB-induced tumors, consistent with the extent of tumor growth and tumor vascularization associated with specific ErbB receptors. In summary, our genomic results highlight the broad diversity of ErbB-regulated cancer-associated genes and revealed several novel targets that may have potential therapeutic applications for targeting tumor progression involving aberrations of ErbB receptors.

3T3 Cells↗

Targeting Regnase-1 in B7-H3-CAR T cells reprograms the tumor microenvironment and enhances antitumor efficacy for osteosarcoma.

The microenvironment in solid tumors represents an immunosuppressive therapeutic barrier to CAR T cell therapy, and it is currently unknown whether it can be reshaped by the deletion of negative regulators in CAR T cells. To address this knowledge gap, we evaluated the intrinsic and extrinsic effects of deleting the negative regulator Regnase-1 (Reg-1) in B7-H3-CAR T cells for the immunotherapy of osteosarcoma. Reg-1 knockout (KO) improved the antitumor activity of human and murine B7-H3-CAR T cells in vivo. In immune-competent models, Reg-1 KO also endowed murine B7-H3-CAR T cells with the ability to create a proinflammatory landscape characterized by an influx of interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-producing endogenous T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and a reduction of inhibitory myeloid cells, including M2-like macrophages. Thus, deleting Reg-1 has cell- and non-cell-autonomous benefits, nominating Reg-1 KO B7-H3-CAR T cells as a promising cell product for early-phase clinical testing in patients with solid tumors.

Animals↗

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging of tumor metabolic markers for cancer diagnosis, metabolic phenotyping, and characterization of tumor microenvironment.

Cancer cells display heterogeneous genetic characteristics, depending on the tumor dynamic microenvironment. Abnormal tumor vasculature and poor tissue oxygenation generate a fraction of hypoxic tumor cells that have selective advantages in metastasis and invasion and often resist chemo- and radiation therapies. The genetic alterations acquired by tumors modify their biochemical pathways, which results in abnormal tumor metabolism. An elevation in glycolysis known as the "Warburg effect" and changes in lipid synthesis and oxidation occur. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been used to study tumor metabolism in preclinical animal models and in clinical research on human breast, brain, and prostate cancers. This technique can identify specific genetic and metabolic changes that occur in malignant tumors. Therefore, the metabolic markers, detectable by MRS, not only provide information on biochemical changes but also define different metabolic tumor phenotypes. When combined with the contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which has a high sensitivity for cancer diagnosis, in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) improves the diagnostic specificity of malignant human cancers and is becoming an important clinical tool for cancer management and care. This article reviews the MRSI techniques as molecular imaging methods to detect and quantify metabolic changes in various tumor tissue types, especially in extracranial tumor tissues that contain high concentrations of fat. MRI/MRSI methods have been used to characterize tumor microenvironments in terms of blood volume and vessel permeability. Measurements of tissue oxygenation and glycolytic rates by MRS also are described to illustrate the capability of the MR technology in probing molecular information non-invasively in tumor tissues and its important potential for studying molecular mechanisms of human cancers in physiological conditions.

Adult↗

Metastasis: cell-autonomous mechanisms versus contributions by the tumor microenvironment.

The fatality of cancer predominantly results from the dissemination of primary tumor cells to distant sites and the subsequent formation of metastases. During tumor progression, some of the primary tumor cells as well as the tumor microenvironment undergo characteristic molecular changes, which are essential for the metastatic dissemination of tumor cells. In this review, we will discuss recent insights into pro-metastatic events occurring in tumor cells themselves and in the tumor stroma. Tumor cell-intrinsic alterations include the loss of cell polarity and alterations in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion as well as deregulated receptor kinase signaling, which together support detachment, migration and invasion of tumor cells. On the other hand, the tumor stroma, including endothelial cells, fibroblasts and cells of the immune system, is engaged in an active molecular crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment. Subsequent activation of blood vessel and lymph vessel angiogenesis together with inflammatory and immune-suppressive responses further promotes cancer cell migration and invasion, as well as initiation of the metastatic process.

Animals↗

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression in cervical cancer cells by the tumor microenvironment.

Evidence is accumulating that the adverse tumor microenvironment both modifies the malignant progression of tumor cells and contributes to chemotherapy and radiation resistance. We hypothesized that some of the effects on malignant progression are mediated through the transcriptional regulation of genes responsive to the stresses of the microenvironment, such as low oxygen or low glucose conditions. To determine epigenetic changes in gene expression that were consistent with that hypothesis, we used an in vitro subtractive hybridization method, representational difference analysis, to identify hypoxia-induced cDNAs from cultured human cervical epithelial cells. We identified 12 induced genes: two novel genes (HIG1 and HIG2), three genes known to be hypoxia-inducible (tissue factor, GAPDH, thioredoxin), and seven genes not previously identified as hypoxia-inducible [HNRNP(a1), ribosomal L7, annexin V, lipocortin 2, Ku(70), PRPP synthase, and acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase]. In cultured cells, HIG1 and HIG2 expression is induced by hypoxia and by glucose deprivation, but their expression is not induced by serum deprivation, UV, or ionizing radiation. The putative HIG1 and HIG2 open reading frames are expressed in cells, as confirmed by epitope tagging. In addition, tumor xenografts derived from human cervical cancer cells display increased expression of HIG1 and HIG2 when they are deprived of oxygen. Taken together, these data suggest a coordinated transcriptional response of eukaryotic cells to microenvironmental stresses found in the solid tumor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Modulation of the tumor microenvironment by the ubiquitin-proteasome system in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with the tumor microenvironment (TME) playing a pivotal role in its progression and therapeutic resistance. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), a central regulator of intracellular protein degradation, is increasingly recognized for its involvement in cancer pathogenesis, though its specific role in modulating the CRC TME remains to be fully elucidated. This review aims to systematically summarize current evidence on how the UPS influences the immunosuppressive network within the CRC TME and to evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for original research articles and reviews published between January 2010 and August 2025, using keywords including "ubiquitin-proteasome system," "colorectal cancer," "tumor microenvironment,""immune escape,"and "targeted therapy." Studies were selected based on their relevance to UPS-mediated regulatory mechanisms in CRC TME remodeling, immune cell function, and treatment response. RESULTS: Our analysis of preclinical and clinical evidence reveals that the UPS critically regulates immune evasion in CRC through multiple mechanisms: (1) USP14 stabilizes indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), enhancing tryptophan catabolism and kynurenine accumulation, which suppresses T-cell activity; (2) E3 ligases including SPOP, C-Cbl, KLHL22, and FBW7 modulate PD-L1/PD-1 protein stability via ubiquitination, thereby influencing immune checkpoint signaling; and (3) ZFP91 facilitates K63-linked ubiquitination of PP2Ac, impairing mTORC1-mediated glycolysis in T cells and reinforcing regulatory T-cell immunosuppression. Additionally, the UPS intersects with key oncogenic pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, and p53, further shaping the immunosuppressive landscape of CRC. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting the UPS represents a promising strategy to reverse immunosuppression and overcome therapy resistance in CRC. The primary advantage of this approach lies in its ability to simultaneously disrupt multiple immunosuppressive pathways within the TME, offering a potential solution to the limitations of single-target therapies. Current approaches include proteasome inhibitors, E3 ligase modulators, and deubiquitinating enzyme inhibitors, with combination regimens-such as UPS inhibitors with immune checkpoint blockade-showing synergistic efficacy in preclinical models. Future efforts should focus on enhancing the selectivity of UPS-targeting agents, minimizing off-target effects, and integrating genomic profiling to guide personalized treatment. While current evidence strongly supports the therapeutic potential of UPS targeting, its establishment as a reliable alternative therapy in the clinic will depend on overcoming these challenges and validating efficacy in human trials. This review underscores the UPS as a central regulator of the CRC TME and provides a rational basis for novel therapeutic development.

Humans↗

The role of death receptor ligands in shaping tumor microenvironment.

Death receptor ligands (FasL, TRAIL) activate apoptosis in cells expressing the cognate receptors. Evidence suggests that these ligands also deliver pro-inflammatory signals. In the tumor microenvironment, "Fas counterattack" mounted by tumors against immune cells is mediated by tumor-associated FasL. But death ligands crosslinking their receptors also induce inhibition of apoptosis and activation of the transcription factor, NFkappaB, with a subsequent burst of pro-inflammatory cytokine production and tumor growth promotion. NFkappaB, a key link between inflammation and cancer, regulates dual activities of death ligands, depending on molecular signals in the tumor microenvironment. This paper focuses on death ligands as an example of the extensive repertoire of strategies devised by tumors for escape from immune control.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Systematic Analysis of Tumor Microenvironment Using IOBR.

The Immuno-Oncology Biological Research (IOBR) package is an R-based analysis tool for exploring the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its influence on anti-tumor immunity. Built for high-throughput data-spanning both transcriptomic and genomic profiles-IOBR integrates six analytical modules, including transcriptomic data preprocessing, TME profiling, TME pattern identification, ligand-receptor interaction analysis, genome-TME interaction assessment, and visualization. In this chapter, we walk through a multi-omics workflow using example datasets, illustrating data preparation, distribution analyses, result interpretation, and graphical output. IOBR is open source and is available at https://github.com/IOBR/IOBR and a detailed GitBook ( https://iobr.github.io/book/ ) offers a complete manual and analysis guide for each function.

Tumor Microenvironment↗

Identifying and overcoming immune resistance mechanisms in the melanoma tumor microenvironment.

The continually growing list of defined tumor antigens is broadening the potential applicability of tumor antigen-targeted cancer therapies. Although cancer vaccines and adoptive T-cell transfer have been shown to increase the frequency of circulating tumor antigen-specific T cells, these approaches cause clinical responses in a few patients. In melanoma, approximately one third of metastatic lesions contain activated T cells, including those specific for tumor antigens, arguing that the priming phase has occurred already in such individuals even without vaccination. These observations indicate that tumor resistance to immune destruction may dominate in many instances, arguing for a thorough analysis of the melanoma tumor microenvironment in individual patients. Recent work has suggested that T-cell anergy, the influence of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells, the expression of inhibitory ligands, such as PD-L1, and the activity of nutrient-catabolizing enzymes, such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, may be involved. Preclinical murine models have shown that interfering with each of these processes can translate into T-cell-mediated tumor control. Importantly, each of these targets is amenable to clinical manipulation. Clinical translation of these approaches to counter negative regulation of antitumor immunity should receive high priority.

Animals↗

Arginase I production in the tumor microenvironment by mature myeloid cells inhibits T-cell receptor expression and antigen-specific T-cell responses.

T cells infiltrating tumors have a decreased expression of signal transduction proteins, a diminished ability to proliferate, and a decreased production of cytokines. The mechanisms causing these changes have remained unclear. We demonstrated recently that peritoneal macrophages stimulated with interleukin 4 + interleukin 13 produce arginase I, which decreases the expression of the T-cell receptor CD3zeta chain and impairs T-cell responses. Using a 3LL murine lung carcinoma model we tested whether arginase I was produced in the tumor microenvironment and could decrease CD3zeta expression and impair T-cell function. The results show that a subpopulation of mature tumor-associated myeloid cells express high levels of arginase I, whereas tumor cells and infiltrating lymphocytes do not. Arginase I expression in the tumor was seen on day 7 after tumor injection. Tumor-associated myeloid cells also expressed high levels of cationic amino acid transporter 2B, which allowed them to rapidly incorporate L-Arginine (L-Arg) and deplete extracellular L-Arg in vitro. L-Arg depletion by tumor-associated myeloid cells blocked the re-expression of CD3zeta in stimulated T cells and inhibited antigen-specific proliferation of OT-1 and OT-2 cells. The injection of the arginase inhibitor N-hydroxy-nor-L-Arg blocked growth of s.c. 3LL lung carcinoma in mice. High levels of arginase I were also found in tumor samples of patients with non-small cell carcinoma. Therefore, arginase I production by mature myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment may be a central mechanism for tumor evasion and may represent a target for new therapies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dendritic cells and tumor microenvironment: a dangerous liaison.

The fact that the immune response to cancer is compromised has been convincingly demonstrated in murine tumor models as well as in cancer patients. The unresponsiveness of the host immune system is one of the major mechanisms of tumor escape as well as an important factor that limits the success of cancer immunotherapy. Inadequate function of professional antigen presenting cells dendritic cells (DC) in cancer is one of the major elements of compromised anti-tumor immune response. Despite substantial progress in recent years, the mechanism of inadequate DC function in cancer still remains unclear. The tumor microenvironment has emerged as an important component contributing to DC malfunction. In this review we will discuss the potential role of tumor microenvironment in DC dysfunction.

Animals↗

COL5A1 in the tumor microenvironment predicts the prognosis of head and neck cancer.

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the significance of tumor microenvironment (TME)-related genes and signal transduction pathways in head and neck cancer (HNC).MethodsGene expression and clinical data of HNC patients were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened through a multi-step filtration approach to obtain candidate predictors. The biological role of COL5A1 in HNC was verified through rigorous bioinformatic analysis, experimental validation using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis from HNC samples, and IHC data from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database.ResultsCOL5A1 was significantly upregulated in HNC tissues and cell lines. High COL5A1 expression was significantly associated with advanced tumor grade (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.05) and shorter survival (TCGA: P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001; GSE42743: P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.004). COL5A1 was an independent prognostic indicator (univariate analysis: HR&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.324, P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.001; Multivariate analysis: HR&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.326, P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.005). It was enriched in pathways related to tumor invasion and immune responses, and its expression was associated with decreased levels of CD8+ T cells and increased levels of macrophages and neutrophils. Spatial distribution analysis revealed higher expression at the tumor's leading edge (vs. tumor core: P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001). COL5A1 expression is associated with tumor stage, with more pronounced expression in advanced-stage tumors.ConclusionCOL5A1 represented a novel potential prognostic indicator and therapeutic target in an HNC database sample, as its expression is closely linked to tumor progression, immune cell infiltration, and adverse clinical outcomes. These findings, primarily derived from squamous cell carcinoma-dominated cohorts, warrant further functional validation.

Humans↗

Tumor-immune partitioning and clustering algorithm for identifying tumor-immune cell spatial interaction signatures within the tumor microenvironment.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence supports the importance of characterizing the organizational patterns of various cellular constituents in the tumor microenvironment in precision oncology. Most existing data on immune cell infiltrates in tumors, which are based on immune cell counts or nearest neighbor-type analyses, have failed to fully capture the cellular organization and heterogeneity. METHODS: We introduce a computational algorithm, termed Tumor-Immune Partitioning and Clustering (TIPC), that jointly measures immune cell partitioning between tumor epithelial and stromal areas and immune cell clustering versus dispersion. As proof-of-principle, we applied TIPC to a prospective cohort incident tumor biobank containing 931 colorectal carcinoma cases. TIPC identified tumor subtypes with unique spatial patterns between tumor cells and T lymphocytes linked to certain molecular pathologic and prognostic features. T lymphocyte identification and phenotyping were achieved using multiplexed (multispectral) immunofluorescence. In a separate hepatocellular carcinoma cohort, we replaced the stromal component with specific immune cell types-CXCR3+CD68+ or CD8+-to profile their spatial relationships with CXCL9+CD68+ cells. RESULTS: Six unsupervised TIPC subtypes based on T lymphocyte distribution patterns were identified, comprising two cold and four hot subtypes. Three of the four hot subtypes were associated with significantly longer colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific survival compared to a reference cold subtype. Our analysis showed that variations in T-cell densities among the TIPC subtypes did not strictly correlate with prognostic benefits, underscoring the prognostic significance of immune cell spatial patterns. Additionally, TIPC revealed two spatially distinct and cell density-specific subtypes among microsatellite instability-high colorectal cancers, indicating its potential to upgrade tumor subtyping. TIPC was also applied to additional immune cell types, eosinophils and neutrophils, identified using morphology and supervised machine learning; here two tumor subtypes with similarly low densities, namely 'cold, tumor-rich' and 'cold, stroma-rich', exhibited differential prognostic associations. Lastly, we validated our methods and results using The Cancer Genome Atlas colon and rectal adenocarcinoma data (n = 570). Moreover, applying TIPC to hepatocellular carcinoma cases (n = 27) highlighted critical cell interactions like CXCL9-CXCR3 and CXCL9-CD8. CONCLUSIONS: Unsupervised discoveries of microgeometric tissue organizational patterns and novel tumor subtypes using the TIPC algorithm can deepen our understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment and likely inform precision cancer immunotherapy.

Humans↗

Effect of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures on Immune Cell Infiltration in the Tumor Microenvironment and Prognosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) modulate immune responses in various solid tumors, but their comprehensive role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed RNA-seq data from 539 LUAD patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and microarray data from 223 samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO, GSE13213, and GSE37745). TLS signatures were evaluated via unsupervised consensus clustering based on 12 chemokine transcriptome signatures. The relationships between TLS and clinical characteristics, tumor microenvironment (TME) cell infiltration, and prognosis were assessed using ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT. A prognostic model was established using LASSO regression and validated with external datasets. Additionally, H&E and IHC analyses were performed to explore associations between intratumoral TLS density, immune-related molecular expression, and patient prognosis in LUAD. Consensus clustering of the TCGA cohort revealed two distinct LUAD patient clusters according to TLS abundance. Cluster 1 exhibited greater immune cell infiltration, more favorable prognosis, and increased expression of immune checkpoint molecules. We developed a prognostic model comprising eight survival-associated genes that act as independent prognostic factors for patient survival. H&E/IHC analyses revealed that TLS density-regardless of pathological stage-was associated with better prognosis; higher intratumoral TLS density/proportion was also related to more favorable outcomes. IHC confirmed that survival-associated genes (CD5, HLA-DMB, and P2RY13) are independent prognostic indicators in LUAD. Our study demonstrated the close relationship between TLS signatures and an active immune microenvironment, highlighting their potential as independent prognostic indicators in LUAD.

Humans↗

Changes in the tumor microenvironment during low-dose-rate permanent seed implantation iodine-125 brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: There is a lack of data regarding how the tumor microenvironment (e.g., perfusion and oxygen partial pressure [pO2]) changes in response to low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy. This may be why some clinical issues remain unresolved, such as the appropriate use of adjuvant external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). The purpose of this work was to obtain some basic preclinical data on how the tumor microenvironment evolves in response to LDR brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In an experimental mouse tumor, pO2 (measured by electron paramagnetic resonance) and perfusion (measured by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging) were monitored as a function of time (0-6 days) and distance (0-2 mm and 2-4 mm) from an implanted 0.5 mCi iodine-125 brachytherapy seed. RESULTS: For most of the experiments, including controls, tumors remained hypoxic at all times. At distances of 2-4 mm from radioactive seeds ( approximately 1.5 Gy/day), however, there was an early, significant increase in pO2 within 24 h. The pO2 in that region remained elevated through Day 3. Additionally, the perfusion in that region was significantly higher than for controls starting at Day 3. CONCLUSION: It may be advantageous to give adjuvant EBRT shortly (approximately 1 to 2 days) after commencement of clinical LDR brachytherapy, when the pO2 in the spatial regions between seeds should be elevated. If chemotherapy is given adjuvantly, it may best be administered just a little later (approximately 3 or 4 days) after the start of LDR brachytherapy, when perfusion should be elevated.

Animals↗

[Effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on tumor microenvironment T-lymphocyte subsets and dendritic cells in H22-bearing mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on tumor microenvironment T-lymphocyte subsets and dendritic cells in H22-bearing mice and the mechanisms for intervention of tumor immune escape by LBP. METHODS: H22-bearing mice were given LBP orally for two weeks. T-lymphocyte subsets and the phenotypes of dendritic cells in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: LBP could significantly increase the numbers of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in TIL as compared with those in model control group (P<0.05). In model control group, the number of dendritic cells in tumor microenvironment decreased markedly, while in LBP-treated group, the increased number of dendritic cells and B7-1 expression were observed, but there were no significant differences between these two groups. CONCLUSION: LBP has anti-tumor effect probably by increasing the numbers of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in TIL to relieve the immunosuppression and enhance the anti-tumor function of the immune system. But whether LBP can recover the phenocyte and function of dendritic cells in H22-bearing mice should be further studied.

Animals↗