Guido Kroemer

Bio: Guido Kroemer is an academic researcher from Institut Gustave Roussy. The author has contributed to research in topics: Programmed cell death & Autophagy. The author has an hindex of 236, co-authored 1404 publications receiving 246571 citations. Previous affiliations of Guido Kroemer include Karolinska Institutet & Spanish National Research Council.

CDK1/2/5 inhibition overcomes IFNG-mediated adaptive immune resistance in pancreatic cancer

Abstract: Objective Adaptive immune resistance mediated by the cytokine interferon gamma (IFNG) still constitutes a major problem in cancer immunotherapy. We develop strategies for overcoming IFNG-mediated adaptive immune resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC). Design We screened 429 kinase inhibitors for blocking IFNG-induced immune checkpoint (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and CD274) expression in a human PDAC cell line. We evaluated the ability of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor dinaciclib to block IFNG-induced IDO1 and CD274 expression in 24 human and mouse cancer cell lines as well as in primary cancer cells from patients with PDAC or ovarian carcinoma. We tested the effects of dinaciclib on IFNG-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 activation and immunological cell death, and investigated the potential utility of dinaciclib in combination with IFNG for pancreatic cancer therapy in vivo, and compared gene expression levels between human cancer tissues with patient survival times using the Cancer Genome Atlas datasets. Results Pharmacological (using dinaciclib) or genetic (using shRNA or siRNA) inactivation of CDK1/2/5 not only blocks JUN-dependent immune checkpoint expression, but also triggers histone-dependent immunogenic cell death in immortalised or primary cancer cells in response to IFNG. This dual mechanism turns an immunologically ‘cold’ tumour microenvironment into a ‘hot’ one, dramatically improving overall survival rates in mouse pancreatic tumour models (subcutaneous, orthotopic and transgenic models). The abnormal expression of CDK1/2/5 and IDO1 was associated with poor patient survival in several cancer types, including PDAC. Conclusion CDK1/2/5 kinase activity is essential for IFNG-mediated cancer immunoevasion. CDK1/2/5 inhibition by dinaciclib provides a novel strategy to overcome IFNG-triggered acquired resistance in pancreatic tumour immunity.

Cell death signaling and anticancer therapy.

Abstract: For a long time, it was commonly believed that efficient anticancer regimens would either trigger the apoptotic demise of tumor cells or induce a permanent arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, i.e., senescence. The recent discovery that necrosis can occur in a regulated fashion and the increasingly more precise characterization of the underlying molecular mechanisms have raised great interest, as non-apoptotic pathways might be instrumental to circumvent the resistance of cancer cells to conventional, pro-apoptotic therapeutic regimens. Moreover, it has been shown that some anticancer regimens engage lethal signaling cascades that can ignite multiple oncosuppressive mechanisms, including apoptosis, necrosis and senescence. Among these signaling pathways is mitotic catastrophe, whose role as a bona fide cell death mechanism has recently been reconsidered. Thus, anticancer regimens get ever more sophisticated, and often distinct strategies are combined to maximize efficacy and minimize side effects. In this review, we will discuss the importance of apoptosis, necrosis and mitotic catastrophe in the response of tumor cells to the most common clinically employed and experimental anticancer agents.

Pharmacologic suppression of B7-H4 glycosylation restores antitumor immunity in immune-cold breast cancers

Abstract: Despite widespread utilization of immunotherapy, treating immune-cold tumors has proved to be a challenge. Here, we report that expression of the immune checkpoint molecule B7-H4 is prevalent among immune-cold triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), where its expression inversely correlates with that of PD-L1. Glycosylation of B7-H4 interferes with its interaction/ubiquitination by AMFR, resulting in B7-H4 stabilization. B7-H4 expression inhibits doxorubicin-induced cell death through the suppression of eIF2α phosphorylation required for calreticulin exposure vis-a-vis the cancer cells. NGI-1, which inhibits B7-H4 glycosylation causing its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation, improves the immunogenic properties of cancer cells treated with doxorubicin, enhancing their phagocytosis by dendritic cells and their capacity to elicit CD8+ IFNγ-producing T-cell responses. In preclinical models of TNBC, a triple combination of NGI-1, camsirubicin (a noncardiotoxic doxorubicin analogue) and PD-L1 blockade was effective in reducing tumor growth. Collectively, our findings uncover a strategy for targeting the immunosuppressive molecule B7-H4. SIGNIFICANCE: This work unravels the regulation of B7-H4 stability by ubiquitination and glycosylation, which affects tumor immunogenicity, particularly regarding immune-cold breast cancers. The inhibition of B7-H4 glycosylation can be favorably combined with immunogenic chemotherapy and PD-L1 blockade to achieve superior immuno-infiltration of cold tumors, as well as improved tumor growth control.See related commentary by Pearce and Laubli, p. 1789.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1775.

Synergistic interaction between cisplatin and PARP inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract: The antineoplastic agent cis-diammineplatinum(II) dichloride (cisplatin, CDDP) is part of the poorly effective standard treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Here, we report a novel strategy to improve the efficacy of CDDP. In conditions in which CDDP alone or either of two PARP inhibitors, PJ34 hydrochloride hydrate or CEP 8983, used as standalone treatments were inefficient in killing NSCLC cells, the combination of CDDP plus PJ34 or that of CDDP plus CEP 8983 were found to kill a substantial fraction of the cells. This cytotoxic synergy could be recapitulated by combining CDDP and the siRNA-mediated depletion of the principal PARP isoform, PARP1, indicating that it is mediated by on-target effects of PJ34 or CEP 8983. CDDP and PARP inhibitors synergized in inducing DNA damage foci, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization leading to cytochrome c release, and dissipation of the inner transmembrane potential, caspase activation, plasma membrane rupture and loss of clonogenic potential in NSCLC cells. Collectively, our results indicate that CDDP can be advantageously combined with PARP inhibitors to kill several NSCLC cell lines, independently from their p53 status. Combined treatment with CDDP and PARP inhibitors elicits the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis.

Mitochondria as Targets of Apoptosis Regulation by Nitric Oxide

Abstract: In addition to their vital role as the cell's power stations, mitochondria exert an important function in apoptosis. In response to most if not all apoptosis inducers, mitochondrial membranes are permeabilized, leading to the release of potentially toxic proteins, mostly from the intermembrane space to the rest of the cells. Such pro-apoptotic intermembrane proteins include the caspase-independent death effector AIF, as well as cytochrome c, which can trigger the activation of caspases, once it has reached the cytosol. The mitochondrial permeabilization process can be induced by a variety of different xenobiotics, via a direct effect on mitochondrial membranes. Alternatively, mitochondrial permeabilization can be induced by endogenous second messengers, which are elicited in response to stress. The permeabilization process is controlled by the mitochondrial permeability transition pore complex (PTPC), by proteins of the Bcl-2/Bax family, as well as by lipids and metabolites. Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the second messengers that can trigger apoptosis by inducing mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. This effect may involve a direct effect on the PTPC and/or indirect effects secondary to the NO-mediated inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation. This has far-reaching implications for the pathophysiology of NO. IUBMB Life, 55: 613-616, 2003

疟原虫var基因转换速率变化导致抗原变异[英]／Paul H, Robert P, Christodoulou Z, et al//Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Abstract: 抗原变异可使得多种致病微生物易于逃避宿主免疫应答。表达在感染红细胞表面的恶性疟原虫红细胞表面蛋白1（PfPMP1）与感染红细胞、内皮细胞、树突状细胞以及胎盘的单个或多个受体作用，在黏附及免疫逃避中起关键的作用。每个单倍体基因组var基因家族编码约60种成员，通过启动转录不同的var基因变异体为抗原变异提供了分子基础。

Apoptosis: A Review of Programmed Cell Death

Abstract: The process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is generally characterized by distinct morphological characteristics and energy-dependent biochemical mechanisms. Apoptosis is considered a vital component of various processes including normal cell turnover, proper development and functioning of the immune system, hormone-dependent atrophy, embryonic development and chemical-induced cell death. Inappropriate apoptosis (either too little or too much) is a factor in many human conditions including neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic damage, autoimmune disorders and many types of cancer. The ability to modulate the life or death of a cell is recognized for its immense therapeutic potential. Therefore, research continues to focus on the elucidation and analysis of the cell cycle machinery and signaling pathways that control cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. To that end, the field of apoptosis research has been moving forward at an alarmingly rapid rate. Although many of the key apoptotic proteins have been identified, the molecular mechanisms of action or inaction of these proteins remain to be elucidated. The goal of this review is to provide a general overview of current knowledge on the process of apoptosis including morphology, biochemistry, the role of apoptosis in health and disease, detection methods, as well as a discussion of potential alternative forms of apoptosis.

The blockade of immune checkpoints in cancer immunotherapy

Abstract: Immune checkpoints refer to the plethora of inhibitory pathways that are crucial to maintaining self-tolerance. Tumour cells induce immune checkpoints to evade immunosurveillance. This Review discusses the progress in targeting immune checkpoints, the considerations for combinatorial therapy and the potential for additional immune-checkpoint targets.