Lea Lemaitre

All Publications

• Molecular and immune landscape of hepatocellular carcinoma to guide therapeutic decision making. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) Dhanasekaran, R., Suzuki, H., Lemaitre, L., Kubota, N., Hoshida, Y. 2023

  Abstract

  Liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), exhibits highly heterogeneous histological and molecular aberrations across tumors and within individual tumor nodules. Such inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity may lead to diversity in the natural history of disease progression and various clinical disparities across the patients. Recently developed multi-modality, single-cell, and spatial omics profiling technologies have enabled interrogation of the inter-/intra-tumor heterogeneity in the cancer cells as well as the tumor immune microenvironment. These features may influence the natural history and efficacy of emerging therapies targeting novel molecular and immune pathways, some of which had been deemed undruggable. Thus, comprehensive characterization of the heterogeneities at various levels may facilitate discovery of biomarkers that enable personalized and rational treatment decisions and optimize treatment efficacy while minimizing the risk of adverse effects. Such companion biomarkers will also refine HCC treatment algorithms across disease stages for cost-effective patient management by optimizing the allocation of limited medical resources. Despite this promise, the complexity of the inter-/intra-tumor heterogeneity and ever-expanding inventory of therapeutic agents and regimens have made clinical evaluation and translation of biomarkers increasingly challenging. To address this issue, novel clinical trial designs have been proposed and incorporated into recent studies. In this review, we discuss the latest findings in the molecular and immune landscape of HCC for their potential and utility as biomarkers, framework of evaluation and clinical application of predictive/prognostic biomarkers, and ongoing biomarker-guided therapeutic clinical trials. These new developments may revolutionize patient care and substantially impact the still dismal HCC mortality.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/HEP.0000000000000513

  View details for PubMedID 37300379

• Multiplatform single cell spatial dissection of the invasive front of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) reveals molecular insights into tumor progression Zhang, J., Adeniji, N., Suresh, A., Lemaitre, L., Charu, V., Visser, B., Bonham, C., Dhanasekaran, R. ELSEVIER. 2023: S27-S28

  View details for Web of Science ID 001037135100039

• MYC Overexpression Drives Immune Evasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma that is Reversible Through Restoration of Pro-Inflammatory Macrophages. Cancer research Dhanasekaran, R., Hansen, A. S., Park, J., Lemaitre, L., Lai, I., Adeniji, N., Kuruvilla, S., Suresh, A., Zhang, J., Swamy, V., Felsher, D. W. 2022

  Abstract

  Cancers evade immune surveillance, which can be reversed through immune checkpoint therapy in a small subset of cases. Here we report that the MYC oncogene suppresses innate immune surveillance and drives resistance to immunotherapy. In 33 different human cancers, MYC genomic amplification and overexpression increased immune checkpoint expression, predicted non-responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade, and was associated with both Th2-like immune profile and reduced CD8 T cell infiltration. MYC transcriptionally suppressed innate immunity and MHCI mediated antigen presentation, which in turn impeded T cell response. Combined, but not individual, blockade of PDL1 and CTLA4 could reverse MYC-driven immune suppression by leading to recruitment of pro-inflammatory antigen-presenting macrophages with increased CD40 and MHCII expression. Depletion of macrophages abrogated the anti-neoplastic effects of PDL1 and CTLA4 blockade in MYC-driven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hence, MYC is a predictor of immune checkpoint responsiveness and a key driver of immune evasion through the suppression of pro-inflammatory macrophages. The immune evasion by MYC in HCC can be overcome by combined PDL1 and CTLA4 blockade.

  View details for DOI 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-22-0232

  View details for PubMedID 36525476

• SPATIAL MULTI-OMIC IMMUNE PROFILING AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA (HCC) REVEAL MECHANISMS OF MINIMAL RESIDUAL DISEASE (MRD) Suresh, A., Adeniji, N., Lemaitre, L., Charu, V., Dhanasekaran, R. WILEY. 2022: S1278

  View details for Web of Science ID 000870796604097

• Toll-like receptor 4 selective inhibition in medullar microenvironment alters multiple myeloma cell growth BLOOD ADVANCES Lemaitre, L., Hamaidia, M., Descamps, J., Ferreira, L., Joubert, M., Gadelorge, M., Avet-Loiseau, H., Justo, A., Reina, N., Deschaseaux, F., Martinet, L., Bourin, P., Corre, J., Espagnolle, N. 2022; 6 (2): 672-678

  Abstract

  Bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are abnormal in multiple myeloma (MM) and play a critical role by promoting growth, survival, and drug resistance of MM cells. We observed higher Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene expression in MM MSCs than in MSCs from healthy donors. At the clinical level, we highlighted that TLR4 expression in MM MSCs evolves in parallel with the disease stage. Thus, we reasoned that the TLR4 axis is pivotal in MM by increasing the protumor activity of MSCs. Challenging primary MSCs with TLR4 agonists increased the expression of CD54 and interleukin-6 (IL-6), 2 factors directly implicated in MM MSC-MM cell crosstalk. Then, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a TLR4 antagonist combined or not with conventional treatment in vitro with MSC-MM cell coculture and in vivo with the Vk*MYC mouse model. Selective inhibition of TLR4 specifically reduced the MM MSC ability to support the growth of MM cells in an IL-6-dependent manner and delayed the development of MM in the Vk*MYC mouse model by altering the early disease phase in vivo. For the first time, we demonstrate that specific targeting of the pathological BM microenvironment via TLR4 signaling could be an innovative approach to alter MM pathology development.

  View details for DOI 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003704

  View details for Web of Science ID 000754639300011

  View details for PubMedID 34714910

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8791574

• Eomes-Dependent Loss of the Co-activating Receptor CD226 Restrains CD8(+) T Cell Anti-tumor Functions and Limits the Efficacy of Cancer Immunotherapy IMMUNITY Weulersse, M., Asrir, A., Pichler, A. C., Lemaitre, L., Braun, M., Carrie, N., Joubert, M., Le Moine, M., Do Souto, L., Gaud, G., Das, I., Brauns, E., Scarlata, C. M., Morandi, E., Sundarrajan, A., Cuisinier, M., Buisson, L., Maheo, S., Kassem, S., Agesta, A., Peres, M., Verhoeyen, E., Martinez, A., Mazieres, J., Dupre, L., Gossye, T., Pancaldi, V., Guillerey, C., Ayyoub, M., Dejean, A. S., Saoudi, A., Goriely, S., Avet-Loiseau, H., Bald, T., Smyth, M. J., Martinet, L. 2020; 53 (4): 824-+

  Abstract

  CD8+ T cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are exposed to various signals that ultimately determine functional outcomes. Here, we examined the role of the co-activating receptor CD226 (DNAM-1) in CD8+ T cell function. The absence of CD226 expression identified a subset of dysfunctional CD8+ T cells present in peripheral blood of healthy individuals. These cells exhibited reduced LFA-1 activation, altered TCR signaling, and a distinct transcriptomic program upon stimulation. CD226neg CD8+ T cells accumulated in human and mouse tumors of diverse origin through an antigen-specific mechanism involving the transcriptional regulator Eomesodermin (Eomes). Despite similar expression of co-inhibitory receptors, CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte failed to respond to anti-PD-1 in the absence of CD226. Immune checkpoint blockade efficacy was hampered in Cd226-/- mice. Anti-CD137 (4-1BB) agonists also stimulated Eomes-dependent CD226 loss that limited the anti-tumor efficacy of this treatment. Thus, CD226 loss restrains CD8+ T cell function and limits the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.09.006

  View details for Web of Science ID 000581062800014

  View details for PubMedID 33053331

• Imprinting of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Transcriptome Persists even after Treatment in Patients with Multiple Myeloma INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES Lemaitre, L., Ferreira, L., Joubert, M., Avet-Loiseau, H., Martinet, L., Corre, J., Couderc, B. 2020; 21 (11)

  Abstract

  Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell neoplasm characterized by clonal expansion of malignant plasma cells (MM cells) in the bone-marrow (BM) compartment. BM mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) from newly diagnosed MM patients were shown to be involved in MM pathogenesis and chemoresistance. The patients displayed a distinct transcriptome and were functionally different from healthy donors' (HD) MSC. Our aim was to determine whether MM-MSC also contributed to relapse.We obtained and characterized patients' MSC samples at diagnosis, two years after intensive treatment, without relapse and at relapse.Transcriptomic analysis revealed differences in gene expression between HD and MM-MSC, whatever the stage of the disease. An easier differentiation towards adipogenesis at the expense of osteoblatogeneis was observed, even in patients displaying a complete response to treatment. Although their transcriptome was similar, we found that MSC from relapsed patients had an increased immunosuppressive ability, compared to those from patients in remission.We demonstrated that imprinting of MSC transcriptome demonstrated at diagnosis of MM, persisted even after the apparent disappearance of MM cells induced by treatment, suggesting the maintenance of a local context favorable to relapse.

  View details for DOI 10.3390/ijms21113854

  View details for Web of Science ID 000543400300116

  View details for PubMedID 32481768

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7312921

• Tumor cells educate mesenchymal stromal cells to release chemoprotective and immunomodulatory factors JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY Le Naour, A., Prat, M., Thibault, B., Mevel, R., Lemaitre, L., Leray, H., Joubert, M., Coulson, K., Golzio, M., Lefevre, L., Mery, E., Martinez, A., Ferron, G., Delord, J., Coste, A., Couderc, B. 2020; 12 (3): 202-215

  Abstract

  Factors released by surrounding cells such as cancer-associated mesenchymal stromal cells (CA-MSCs) are involved in tumor progression and chemoresistance. In this study, we characterize the mechanisms by which naïve mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can acquire a CA-MSCs phenotype. Ovarian tumor cells trigger the transformation of MSCs to CA-MSCs by expressing pro-tumoral genes implicated in the chemoresistance of cancer cells, resulting in the secretion of high levels of CXC chemokine receptors 1 and 2 (CXCR1/2) ligands such as chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXCL2, and interleukin 8 (IL-8). CXCR1/2 ligands can also inhibit the immune response against ovarian tumor cells. Indeed, through their released factors, CA-MSCs promote the differentiation of monocytes towards M2 macrophages, which favors tumor progression. When CXCR1/2 receptors are inhibited, these CA-MSC-activated macrophages lose their M2 properties and acquire an anti-tumoral phenotype. Both ex vivo and in vivo, we used a CXCR1/2 inhibitor to sensitize ovarian tumor cells to carboplatin and circumvent the pro-tumoral effects of CA-MSCs. Since high concentrations of CXCR1/2 ligands in patients' blood are associated with chemoresistance, CXCR1/2 inhibition could be a potential therapeutic strategy to revert carboplatin resistance.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/jmcb/mjz090

  View details for Web of Science ID 000529185400004

  View details for PubMedID 31504643

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7181721

• Circulating CD14(high) CD16(low) intermediate blood monocytes as a biomarker of ascites immune status and ovarian cancer progression JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER Prat, M., Le Naour, A., Coulson, K., Lemee, F., Leray, H., Jacquemin, G., Rahabi, M., Lemaitre, L., Authier, H., Ferron, G., Barret, J., Martinez, A., Ayyoub, M., Delord, J., Gladieff, L., Tabah-Fisch, I., Prost, J., Couderc, B., Coste, A. 2020; 8 (1)

  Abstract

  Besides the interest of an early detection of ovarian cancer, there is an urgent need for new predictive and prognostic biomarkers of tumor development and cancer treatment. In healthy patients, circulating blood monocytes are typically subdivided into classical (85%), intermediate (5%) and non-classical (10%) populations. Although these circulating monocyte subsets have been suggested as biomarkers in several diseases, few studies have investigate their potential as a predictive signature for tumor immune status,tumor growth and treatment adaptation.In this study, we used a homogeneous cohort of 28 chemotherapy-naïve patients with ovarian cancer to evaluate monocyte subsets as biomarkers of the ascites immunological status. We evaluated the correlations between circulating monocyte subsets and immune cells and tumor burden in peritoneal ascites. Moreover, to validate the use of circulating monocyte subsets tofollow tumor progression and treatment response, we characterized blood monocytes from ovarian cancer patients included in a phase 1 clinical trial at baseline and following murlentamab treatment.We demonstrate here a robust expansion of the intermediate blood monocytes (IBMs) in ovarian cancer patients. We establish a significant positive correlation between IBM percentage and tumor-associate macrophages with a CCR2high/CD163high/CD206high/CD86lowprofile. Moreover, IBM expansion is associated with a decreased effector/regulatory T-cell ratio in ascites and with the presence of soluble immunosuppressive mediators. We also establish that IBM proportion positively correlates with the peritoneum tumor burden. Finally, the study of IBMs in patients with ovarian cancer under immunotherapy during the phase clinical trial supports IBMs to follow the evolution of tumor development and the treatment adaptation.This study, which links IBM level with immunosuppression and tumor burden in peritoneum, identifies IBMs as apotential predictive signature of ascites immune status and as a biomarker ofovarian cancer development and treatment response.EudraCT: 2015-004252-22 NCT02978755.

  View details for DOI 10.1136/jitc-2019-000472

  View details for Web of Science ID 000544562600016

  View details for PubMedID 32503947

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7279676