B cells often constitute abundant cellular components in human tumors. Regulatory B cells that are functionally defi ned by their ability to produce IL10 downregulate infl ammation and control T-cell immunity. Here, we identifi ed a protumorigenic subset of B cells that constitutively expressed higher levels of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and constituted ∼ 10% of all B cells in advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Defects in natural killer (NK) cell functions are necessary for tumor immune escape, but their underlying regulatory mechanisms in human cancers remain largely unknown. Here we show, in detailed studies of NK cells in 294 untreated patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), that accumulation of functional NK cells in HCC tissues could predict improved survival of patients. However, in patients with advanced-stage HCC, NK cells were significantly decreased in number with impaired tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and interferon-gamma (IFN-c) production. High infiltration of peritumoral stroma monocytes/macrophages was positively correlated with impaired functional activities of NK cells in intratumoral areas. Further kinetic experiments revealed that soon after exposure to tumor-derived monocytes, NK cells underwent a rapid, transient activation, but then they became exhausted, and eventually died. The monocytes from HCC tissues, but not from nontumoral liver, strongly express CD48 proteins; and such monocyte-induced NK cell dysfunction was markedly attenuated by blocking CD48 receptor 2B4 on NK cells, but not by blockade of NKG2D and NKp30. Conclusion: These data reveal that human NK cells are regulated by a fine-tuned collaborative action between different types of immune cells, which may reflect a novel immune-escape mechanism by which tumors dynamically regulate their functions at distinct tumor microenvironments.

Purpose We investigated the antitumor reactivity of adoptively transferred effector B cells and the mechanisms by which they may mediate tumor regression in a spontaneous metastases model. Experimental Design 4T1 breast cancer cells were inoculated into the flanks of syngeneic Balb/C mice to prime draining lymph nodes. Tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) were harvested and B cells activated ex vivo with LPS and anti-CD40 mAb. These activated B cells were adoptively transferred into mice inoculated with 4T1 tumor in the mammary fat pad. The induction of host T cell immunity was evaluated. Results Activated 4T1 TDLN B cells secreted IgG in response to tumor cells which was immunologically specific. These activated B cells were capable of mediating specific lysis of tumor cells in vitro. Transfer of these activated B cells alone mediated the inhibition of spontaneous metastases to the lung. Examination of the host revealed that the transfer of these B cells resulted in the induction of tumor specific T cell immunity as measured by cytotoxicity and cytokine (IFNγ and GM-CSF) production. The combined transfer of activated T and B cells from TDLN resulted in tumor regression, which was greater than either cell population alone, with host B cells capable of producing IgG that mediated lysis of tumor in the presence of complement. Conclusions We have found that appropriately primed B cells can mediate tumor regression by itself and confers host T cell antitumor immunity. Furthermore, effector B cells can serve as a useful adjunct in adoptive T cell therapy.

HBV reactivation can occur after hepatectomy or TACE. Anti-HBV therapy can reduce the risk of reactivation, thus reducing the risk of liver failure especially in patients undergoing TACE.

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Carcinosarcoma of the liver is very rare worldwide. The terminology and pathogenesis of hepatic carcinosarcoma remain controversial issues. In this article, we studied the clinicopathologic features of 5 cases of hepatic carcinosarcomas (matching the World Health Organization definition), analyzed the clinical data, histologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) results, and discussed the terminology, pathologic differential diagnoses, pathogenesis, and prognosis. The patients were 40 to 68 years old, and included 4 males and 1 female. All patients were Hepatitis B surface antigen positive with para-tumorous cirrhosis. The largest dimensions of the neoplasms ranged from 6.0 to 14.0 cm. Satellite nodules, portal vein tumor thrombi, direct invasion into local tissues (right diaphragm, right adrenal gland, and gastric wall) as well as metastatic foci in lungs and abdominal lymph nodes were identified. Pathologically, the neoplasms consisted of carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. The carcinomatous components were exclusively conventional hepatocellular carcinomas in all 5 cases, whereas the sarcomatous components exhibited complex features. Confirmed by IHC studies, the sarcomatous elements in different cases included rhabdomyosarcomas, malignant fibrous histiocytomas, fibrosarcoma, and poorly differentiated spindle cells without distinctive differentiation. Furthermore, the sarcomatous elements in these 5 neoplasms stained negative for all the epithelial markers we applied for IHC staining, which support the pathologic diagnosis of carcinosarcoma rather than sarcomatoid carcinoma. The presence of transitional zones between carcinomatous and sarcomatous components may support the transformation theory. Four patients with palliative hepatectomy died within 6 months, whereas 1 patient is still alive 21 months after radical resection. The poor prognosis of hepatic carcinosarcoma may be due to their highly invasive and metastatic features. Radical resection of early stage hepatic carcinosarcoma may contribute to a relatively optimistic prognosis.

No abstract

B cells consistently represent abundant cellular components in tumors; however, direct evidence supporting a role for B cells in the immunopathogenesis of human cancers is lacking, as is specific knowledge of their trafficking mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that chemokine (C-X-C motif ) receptor 3-positive (CXCR3 1 ) B cells constitute approximately 45% of B-cell infiltrate in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and that their levels are positively correlated with early recurrence of HCC. These cells selectively accumulate at the invading edge of HCC and undergo further somatic hypermutation and immunoglobulin G-secreting plasma cell differentiation. Proinflammatory interleukin-17 1 cells are important for the induction of epithelial cell-derived CXCR3 ligands CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11, which subsequently promote the sequential recruitment and further maturation of CXCR3 1 B cells. More importantly, we provide evidence that CXCR31 B cells, but not their CXCR3 -counterparts, may operate in immunoglobulin G-dependent pathways to induce M2b macrophage polarization in human HCC. Depletion of B cells significantly suppresses M2b polarization and the protumorigenic activity of tumor-associated macrophages and restores the production of antitumorigenic interleukin-12 by those cells in vivo. Conclusion: Selective recruitment of CXCR3 1 B cells bridges proinflammatory interleukin-17 response and protumorigenic macrophage polarization in the tumor milieu, and blocking CXCR3 1 B-cell migration or function may help defeat HCC. (HEPATOLOGY 2015;62:1779-1790 T he communications between cancer cells and immune elements might directly promote tumor development and progression and/or result in immunoediting of tumors that fosters immune privilege and/or chronic inflammation.1-3 The subset composition and function of myeloid cells and T cells have been extensively studied in human cancers.4 B cells are essential components of humoral immunity and act as both antigen-presenting cells and effector cells, 5 but the subset composition and the biological role of B cells are poorly defined in the human cancer microenvironment.As the clinical application of monoclonal antibodies increases, the antitumor effect of antigen-specific B cells receives increasing attention.6 Antibodies secreted byAbbreviations: B-cell-CM, 25% conditioned medium from tumor CXCR3 1 B